Clay Stevenson is leaving the Washington Capitals organization.
Monday, the Capitals’ prospect goaltender was claimed off waivers by the Winnipeg Jets.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman first reported the news.
The Jets’ claim comes as they are currently without three-time Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who did not report to training camp after his trade request was not honored and is now under a team-issued suspension.
In Hellebuyck’s absence, the Jets went through Training Camp with Domenic DiVincentiis, who has yet to play in an NHL game, as their backup goaltender. DiVincentiis played 34 AHL games with the Manitoba Moose last season, posting a 3.03 goals-against average and .896 save percentage. Stevenson offers the Jets a stronger option to play behind Stuart Skinner as the standoff with Hellebuyck continues.
The three other players the Capitals put on waivers — forwards Jonny Brodzinski and Spencer Smallman and defenseman Louie Belpedio — passed through and will report to the AHL’s Hershey Bears, per Friedman.
When speaking to reporters before the waiver-claim news on Monday, Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery didn’t break down individual roster decisions, but highlighted just how close some of the team’s calls were.
“I’ll reserve comment on a couple, just until (the) waivers process plays out, because I think it deserves an answer in context from ‘Why?’ and ‘What was your thought process?'” Carbery said. “And Chris (Patrick) can answer a lot of (those questions), but also I can share some insight, and what went into some of those decisions from the coaching side of it.
“But we had some really, really difficult decisions. Those aren’t easy, but I think it just speaks to the depth inside the organization.”
Monumental Sports Network’s Tarik El-Bashir offered additional insight into the Capitals’ thought process in net.
In regard to the decision to go with Lindgren over Stevenson, several factors were taken into account. Among them: the team still believes in and trusts Lindgren (his performance in Philly underscored why). Also: management/coaches weighed Lindgren’s impact off the ice. He’s a big part of the #ALLCAPS’ culture, he’s popular in the room and he’s played an important role in LT’s success. Team chemistry matters.
Stevenson, first signed in 2022 as an undrafted free agent, spent four seasons in the Capitals organization, playing the bulk of that tenure for the AHL’s Hershey Bears. He notably served as the backup to Hunter Shepard on the team’s Calder Cup championship-winning team in 2024.
As Hershey’s starter last season, Stevenson put up a 18-13-3 record, ending the campaign with a 2.62 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. He also played four games for the Capitals in 2025-26 — including both halves of a back-to-back — and earned a 3-1-0 record, 2.00 goals-against average, and a .921 save percentage in those contests.
Without Stevenson, Mitch Gibson becomes the Bears’ presumed starter in net this season, though Cal Petersen remains in Hershey on a professional tryout agreement and could be signed.
