2023 Training Camp

Joel Edmundson skates in non-contact jersey before Capitals optional morning skate

The Washington Capitals have just one preseason game remaining on their schedule before the real action begins on October 13 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. One player that will likely sit out Opening Night lineup is defenseman Joel Edmundson.

Edmundson was announced to be out four to six weeks after undergoing a procedure to stabilize a fractured hand on September 26.

The rugged blueliner made the first steps toward a comeback on Saturday morning, taking the ice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in a light blue, non-contact jersey.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 months ago

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Aliaksei Protas has turned it on at the end of Training Camp, impressing Spencer Carbery: ‘The last two games he’s stuck out like a sore thumb’

The Washington Capitals made one of their final rounds of cuts during Training Camp on Friday and Aliaksei Protas looks very close to winning a roster spot. Protas, who is one of the few waiver-exempt players left on the roster, started camp in a precarious position, potentially set to return to the AHL despite his past success and experience with the Capitals.

Over the last week, that story turned around completely after Protas put up two very strong preseason outings. Head coach Spencer Carbery raved about Protas after practice on Friday, praising how the young Belorussian stepped up in what the rookie bench boss labeled as “really, really important” games in the battle for bottom-six forward roles.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 months ago

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Capitals place Nicolas Aube-Kubel and five others on waivers as they trim Training Camp roster to 27 names

ARLINGTON, VA — The Washington Capitals announced 11 cuts to their Training Camp roster Friday as the deadline to set their Opening Night roster approaches. Five players were sent directly to the AHL’s Hershey Bears, while six must clear waivers, including 27-year-old forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel.

Aube-Kubel is now on the waiver wire for the third consecutive season. Washington previously claimed him from the Toronto Maple Leafs in November 2022, subsequently signing him to a one-year, $1.225 million extension in March.

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By Katie Adler 2 months ago

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Capitals send goaltender Clay Stevenson down to Hershey Bears, recall Mitchell Gibson

The Washington Capitals made several Training Camp roster moves on Friday. The team announced that they have loaned goaltender Clay Stevenson to the Hershey Bears and recalled Mitchell Gibson in his place.

Gibson was initially cut by the Caps earlier this week and played half of Hershey’s first preseason tilt against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Wednesday.

The Caps made similar moves on Thursday when they recalled Riley Sutter, Ethen Frank, and Chase Priskie to play against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 months ago

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Martin Fehervary talks contract extension, his past injuries, and playing under Spencer Carbery

Martin Fehervary is headed into his third full season in the NHL. The 23-year-old Slovakian defenseman has been a staple in the Washington Capitals’ top four the past two seasons and is expected to fill that same role under new head coach Spencer Carbery.

While Carbery may be new to some Caps players, he isn’t to Fehervary. The two spent parts of two seasons together in the AHL with the Hershey Bears. The young blueliner spoke about that connection and a variety of other topics in his first media availability of the preseason.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 months ago

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Beck Malenstyn hopes to parlay Calder Cup championship with Hershey Bears into a full-time role with Capitals

ARLINGTON, VA -– When Beck Malenstyn hit the ice for Capitals Training Camp this fall, he did so after only a three-month offseason. Like many of the Caps’ young prospects, Malenstyn played long into June as the AHL’s Hershey Bears captured their 12th Calder Cup. The 25-year-old forward provided valuable two-way play during the team’s championship run, combining an eight-point (4g, 4a) performance with top-notch defensive play and physicality. The Bears’ fourth line, which Malenstyn was a part of, was arguably the team’s best line during the postseason.

Now, Malenstyn has set his sights on the NHL. Though he’s served as a call up for the Caps in three of the last four seasons, this time he’s aiming for a more permanent spot.

“I’ve had the taste of it before, and all the work in the offseason was to be here full-time,” he said. “That’s the goal.”

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By Katie Adler 2 months ago

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Hardy Haman Aktell has been a ‘pleasant surprise’ for Capitals in preseason, has legitimate shot at winning NHL roster spot

The Washington Capitals made their first significant Training Camp cuts on Sunday. Hardy Haman Aktell, the Swedish defenseman that the Caps signed out of the SHL last spring was not among them.

After a great showing against the Detroit Red Wings in preseason play on Saturday, Haman Aktell is now a top candidate in the battle for an NHL roster spot. The big blueliner has a legitimate chance to play minutes for the Caps this season, according to head coach Spencer Carbery.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 months ago

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Spencer Carbery explains why Matthew Phillips has earned an extended preseason look and could make the team

Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery opened a bunch of eyes when he sent out his main practice group onto the ice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Monday morning. Skating on the team’s top line with Caps legends Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom was AHL All-Star Matthew Phillips.

Phillips, who is coming off a standout preseason performance against the Detroit Red Wings, was signed by the Caps to a one-year, $775,000 contract this past offseason. The small but offensively-gifted forward was expected to be in the running for one of the final roster spots up front but a promotion of this magnitude never seemed in the cards.

Carbery spoke to the media after the skate about what Phillips has done to earn an extended look during Training Camp and why he’s getting an opportunity most can only dream about.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 months ago

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Matthew Phillips jumps to Capitals’ top line after big game against Red Wings

The Washington Capitals made a significant amount of Training Camp cuts on Sunday. Their preseason roster is now down to 33 players after 15 names were sent back to the AHL’s Hershey Bears.

That big round of cuts has allowed Spencer Carbery to get his potential NHL lines and defense pairings on the same practice rink for the first time as head coach of the Caps on Monday.

The biggest news from those combinations is that Matthew Phillips has shot up the lineup and is now skating on the top line with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 months ago

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Hershey Bears announce 28-player Training Camp roster and schedule

The Hershey Bears released their 2023 Training Camp roster and schedule. The Bears will begin their skates on Monday, October 2 at their home barn, Giant Center.

The 2023 Calder Cup champions made the announcement shortly after the Washington Capitals made 15 cuts to their roster. All of those players will report to the AHL team, minus forward Riley Sutter and defenseman Chase Priskie, who must clear NHL waivers before reporting. They’ll be able to participate in Training Camp on Tuesday if they do.

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By Ian Oland 2 months ago

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