Capitals Cut Roster To 23 — But More Moves Coming, Per Carbery

After the Washington Capitals met Monday’s 23-man roster deadline, the team’s maneuvering resulted in more questions than answers.

But the roster is only a formality, according to head coach Spencer Carbery, who says additional moves are coming ahead of Friday’s regular season opener against Pittsburgh.

“We’ve got some things to work through salary cap-wise and some roster movement-wise, so we’ll be able to sort of share that after all of the things that we need to do on Wednesday,” Carbery said.

Connor McMichael, anticipated to be a key contributor at left wing for the Capitals this season, was one of three waiver-exempt players loaned to the Hershey Bears. The others, forward Aliaksei Protas and defenseman Hardy Häman Aktell, are both expected to return to the NHL level.

Phillips, Häman Aktell Impressing As Capitals’ Roster Shrinks

Riley Sutter, twice sent down to Hershey this preseason, was again recalled ahead of the roster deadline while 19-year-old Ivan Miroshnichenko, the Capitals’ 2022 first-rounder, remains with the NHL club.

Monday’s moves also saw Max Pacioretty, who is recovering from a torn Achilles’ tendon, placed on long-term injured reserve, a move that allows the Capitals to exceed the salary cap. Defenseman Joel Edmundson, battling a hand injury, was placed on injured reserve.

In terms of those who stuck on the NHL roster, both forward Matthew Phillips and defenseman Lucas Johansen will be on Friday’s roster, Carbery said.

“For those two guys that have rode a long time on buses and grinded and still kept their eye on this moment, it’s pretty special,” Carbery said.

The Capitals will announce their opening night roster at 9 a.m. Wednesday.