Washington Capitals Make First Set Of Cuts Including Hanelt, Hughes

The Washington Capitals have made their first set of cuts after the team’s training camp session on Tuesday.

Washington announced that they have assigned forwards Haakon Hanelt and Bear Hughes, defensemen Dru Krebs and Martin Has and goaltender Garin Bjorklund to their respective clubs.

Hanelt didn’t skate much at Capitals training camp. The 2021 fifth-rounder wasn’t on the ice at rookie camp after failing his physical. He was on the ice in a powder blue non-contact jersey on Monday, per The Athletic‘s Tarik El-Bashir. Hanelt was full go and on the ice in a regular jersey on Tuesday, showcasing his speed.

The 6-foot, 194-pound German committed to play in North America with the QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques this season.

READ MORE ON WHN: Washington Capitals Training Camp Takeaways, Day 6

Hughes had a strong rookie camp and played well at both ends of the ice. The Idaho native said at rookie camp that he plans to return to the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs after spending last season with the USHL’s Fargo Force amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Krebs showcased his skating and defensive ability during rookie camp and main camp and will report back to the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers. Bjorklund will also head back to Medicine Hat this season.

Has, who picked up a primary assist in Washington’s preseason opener against Boston, had a solid showing. He moved the puck well and jumped up in the rush. The 6-4, 192-pound RHD will report to the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers for the 2021-22 campaign. Kitchener claimed him off waivers.

With their latest round of cuts, the Capitals training camp roster is down to 49 players. Those remaining include Hendrix Lapierre and Connor McMichael, who could be in the mix for a roster spot, especially with Nicklas Backstrom sidelined. Vinnie Iorio is the only 2021 draft pick left at camp.

Here is the updated training camp roster.