Here's a look back at a busy week for the Capitals as they enter their final week of training camp before rosters have to be set.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals enter their final week and change of training camp with battles for spots heating up and a lot left to prove among those still up in D.C.
The Capitals made another round of cuts on their day off on Sunday, placing Riley Sutter and Chase Priskie on waivers and assigning 13 more to Hershey, with the Bears starting their own training camp on Monday.
Washington's roster now sits at 35, and those still competing for a spot include Hardy Häman Aktell, Vincent Iorio, Hendrix Lapierre, Ivan Miroshnichenko and more. Opening night rosters across the league must be finalized by Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. ET.
As the Capitals get back to their regularly scheduled programming on Monday, here's a look back at a busy weekend, including top stories, who to watch, and more.
Washington Capitals Links
- Although the 5-2 result wasn't pretty, Washington saw quite a few names step up and stake a claim for a spot against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. Here's who stood out, who has more to give and the latest on the race for a spot on the Capitals opening night roster.
- More on Washington's latest cuts and who's left at Capitals training camp.
- An exclusive 1-on-1 with incoming Bears blueliner Priskie, who discusses his Florida roots, LinkedIn, what brought him back to the Washington organization after leaving in 2019 and more.
- Andrew Cristall dominated in his first game back in the WHL with a game-winning goal and two helpers, and some of it comes form the momentum and confidence he took away from his time at Capitals camp. THN caught up with Cristall, as well as Alex Ovechkin, T.J. Oshie and more, to discuss the 18-year-old's development and growth since going 40th overall to D.C. this summer.
Washington Capitals Notes
- Looking at the blue line battle, Häman Aktell appears to have taken the lead in the run for a spot. He has been strong at both ends, showcasing his booming point shot, smooth-skating ability, physicality and reach. He's able to use his 6-foot-4 frame to his advantage, and he has handled more ice time this preseason with aplomb.
- Still, this could be Lucas Johansen's best shot at a roster spot yet, and Iorio is still a dark horse to keep an eye on as he continues to display poise and maturity.
- Nick Jensen has missed the last three skates due to personal reasons. The team has not gone into more detail on the blueliner.
- On the forward lines, Matthew Phillips and Ivan Miroshnichenko made quite the case for an extended stay, while Beck Malenstyn, Joe Snively, Aliaskei Protas, Connor McMichael and Hendrix Lapierre are still fighting to lock down a spot.
- That said, keep an eye on Anthony Mantha with camp winding down, especially with wingers like Miroshnichenko and Phillips making a big push for a spot. The 29-year-old still has a lot to give following a productive offseason; now it's just a matter of translating it onto the ice.
- In prospect news: Antoine Keller made his QMJHL debut on Saturday, stopping 26 of 28 shots (.929 save percentage) en route to a 3-2 win over the Charlottetown Islanders. He'd play again on Sunday after relieving Joshua Fleming roughly halfway through the game, surrendering four goals on 17 shots.