This is the second one time Washington has misplaced Jonsson-Fjallby to a waiver declare. (The Buffalo Sabres grabbed him final October, handiest to waive him a couple of days later prior to the Capitals took him again.) The 24-year-old Swedish winger, a fifth-round draft pick out in 2016, made his NHL debut final season and had two objectives and two assists in 23 video games.
Leason, a 6-foot-5 second-round pick out in 2019, additionally made his NHL debut final season, notching 3 objectives and 3 assists. The 23-year-old winger performed 36 common season video games and one within the postseason.
Without Jonsson-Fjallby and Leason, Washington’s ahead intensity has weakened, however a number of younger avid gamers are nonetheless projected to give a contribution this season.
Forwards Aliaksei Protas, Connor McMichael and Joe Snively made the general roster. Two of the 3 are in line to be scratched on opening night time, and apparently the combat for the twelfth ahead spot is between Protas and McMichael.
Protas had a powerful coaching camp and performed in all six preseason video games. Coach Peter Laviolette praised his stepped forward skating, his pace and his versatility. The 21-year-old, a third-round pick out in 2019, is a herbal middle however can play all 3 ahead spots and will transfer up and down the lineup as a result of his 6-foot-6, 225-pound body is an asset on any line. He had 3 objectives and 6 assists in 33 video games as a rookie final season.
McMichael had 9 objectives and 9 assists in 68 common season video games, then notched one help in 4 postseason video games. He gave the impression to be a lock to make the lineup originally of coaching camp, however Protas’s appearing may have driven him out. Protas seemed like a herbal are compatible on the second one line with Dylan Strome and Anthony Mantha within the ultimate preseason sport Saturday. McMichael, a 21-year-old who used to be a first-round pick out in 2019, had a good coaching camp however wasn’t as noticeable as Protas.
“Connor is here. He’s going to be in competition to be in that lineup and make a difference,” Laviolette mentioned Sunday. “We’ve got some young players here still. He’s still young right now. Guys like Protas and Snively have come in and made some noise as well, so there will be a battle.”
Snively, a Northern Virginia local, emerged final season after he used to be known as up from Hershey. In his first NHL season, he recorded 4 objectives and 3 assists in 12 video games. His robust play earned him a two-year, $1.6 million contract in March. If the Capitals need to ship the 26-year-old to Hershey, he must transparent waivers.
“I think he’s responsible. I think he’s smart. I think he uses his speed to defend,” Laviolette mentioned. “ … Playing offense is the best defense, and maybe he can contribute to that.”
Also, the Capitals positioned middle Nicklas Backstrom on long-term injured reserve. He had hip resurfacing surgical procedure within the offseason, and there is not any timetable for his go back. Wingers Tom Wilson (ACL surgical procedure) and Carl Hagelin (eye and lower-body accidents) had been positioned on the injured non-roster record.