Capitals Opening Night Roster: Who Made It, Who Didn’t & Who To Watch

ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals made their final cuts on Sunday, placing four on waivers as they prepare to start the season. And as of right now, it looks like the opening night roster is set in stone, and who’s remaining should make up the 23-man roster that the Capitals will submit to the league at 5 p.m.

If things remain the same, which they should, the team will have 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders to start the 2022-23 campaign.

Here’s a breakdown of the team’s opening night roster, more on the cuts and who to keep an eye on going into opening night on Oct. 12 against the Boston Bruins.

Washington Capitals Opening Night Roster

With regard to where things sit right now, here is what the Capitals opening night roster looks like:

Forwards: Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Connor Brown, Anthony Mantha, Dylan Strome, T.J. Oshie, Conor Sheary, Lars Eller, Connor McMichael, Marcus Johansson, Nic Dowd, Garnet Hathaway, Aliaksei Protas, Joe Snively

Defensemen: John Carlson, Martin Fehervary, Dmitry Orlov, Nick Jensen, Erik Gustafsson, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Matt Irwin

Goaltenders: Darcy Kuemper, Charlie Lindgren

Who Made It, Who Didn’t Make It & Why

After a strong training camp from several prospects, one name, in particular, stepped up more than most: Aliaksei Protas. Protas is coming off a terrific offseason that saw him put on 10 pounds, work on his skating and speed and get better at moving the puck, winning battles and generating offense. He was faster and stronger through camp and the preseason, produced quality scoring chances and used his 6-6, 235-pound frame and big reach to his advantage. The 21-year-old played 33 games up with the big club last season, and given how September went, he should have a jersey on Wednesday.

“He’s great with the stick. He makes the right play a lot of the time… we had some good chemistry,” Dylan Strome said of playing with No. 59. “I think we’re going to build off that, and we’ll see what happens. I think he’s fun to play with — we can make some plays and be tough to get the puck out.”

RELATED: Protas Opens Up About Gaining Size, Goals With Washington Capitals & Becoming Faster, Stronger

Joe Snively also made the cut after a strong camp. Snively had a great start to his NHL career, dishing seven points in his first 12 games, but wrist surgery ended his campaign early. He got back on the ice and back to work, and through camp, made himself noticeable, showcased speed and also got on the scoresheet in the preseason. The Little Caps alum also got to show what he can bring to the table by getting a look on the Nic Dowd and Garnet Hathaway powerhouse line in game action.

“Snives played really well, he fits in well,” Dowd said of Snively, adding, “He forced a lot of guys to make turnovers… he’s a skill guy that can make plays.”

Connor McMichael also held onto his roster spot. His preseason didn’t exactly go according to plan, though he had some strong moments, gained muscle and size and will look to make an impact this season.

With those guys making the cut, the team then had to waive three fringe forwards: Henrik Borgstrom, Axel Jonsson-Fjallby and Brett Leason.

Borgstrom didn’t do much damage through camp or in the preseason, and while he skated well, he didn’t leave a lasting impression. His speed could be better, along with his shot, and he needs to recapture the confidence and consistency that made him a top prospect just a few years back. More responsibility and ice time with the AHL’s Hershey Bears should help him get his groove back, and having him as a longer-term project will work wonders for him and the organization.

READ MORE ON WHN: Borgstrom Says He ‘Has To Be Better,’ Ready To Start From Scratch With Washington Capitals

As for AJF and Leason, they were claimed off waivers. AJF will report to the Winnipeg Jets and Leason will head to the Anaheim Ducks. In D.C., the prospects didn’t have the strongest showings or camps. And with the way things went for Protas and Snively, they just couldn’t outplay them or bring as much to the table. AJF has great speed, but he didn’t provide as much offense or pressure as Protas or Snively. And while Leason brings the size, he didn’t show much when it came to puck battles or being aggressive on the forecheck.

Then, there were the blue-line decisions, which would come down to the wire with only one vacancy to fill and one extra spot available. Washington got busy on defense this summer, especially as Justin Schultz’s departure led to a vacancy alongside Trevor van Riemsdyk. The Capitals re-signed Lucas Johansen and Matt Irwin and also inked Erik Gustafsson and Gabriel Carlsson.

Gustafsson easily won the third-pairing spot with TVR. He is a solid skater who has good mobility and can generate offense and join the rush. The Swede can get the puck up the ice with ease and also has one 60-point season under his belt in the Show. Washington has also used him on PP2 at camp and even saw him succeed there in the preseason.

After Years In Chicago, Gustafsson Embraces New Challenge With Capitals

It would come down to the final spot, and though Johansen impressed with smart playmaking ability, improved skating and solid positioning, he found himself cut on Sunday after coming extremely close to the full-time role he’d been working toward since 2016. Irwin made it as the 7D, while Johansen will report to Hershey after clearing waivers on Monday.

There’s a good reason, though. Johansen is just 24, and he has overcome plenty of adversity while elevating his game to new heights. However, he wouldn’t get consistent ice time if he remained up in the District, especially if there aren’t any injuries. And, while Irwin, 34, knows his role as an extra and is used to using his practices as games and jumping in periodically when needed, Johansen isn’t. It would weigh heavy on a young player and wouldn’t help his continued growth if he remained up and tried to replicate game action in practice (which many players deem themselves as a near-impossible task). So, in Hershey, he’ll get top-4 ice time and continue to build on his overall game.

Who To Watch Heading Into The Regular Season

The best name at camp was by far Dylan Strome. The new addition, who signed in D.C. after not receiving a qualifying offer from Chicago, came to camp on a mission. Strome has won the second-line center role for a myriad of reasons. He is making crafty plays, generating pressure in the offensive zone, being tenacious on pucks and showcasing his skill. The 25-year-old is also outstanding so far in the face-off dot and has shown strong two-way play as well.

Connor Brown is another name to keep an eye on going into 2022-23. The 28-year-old will likely start the season on the top line with Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov with Tom Wilson out to start the year. Brown has looked good on that top line, as he is aggressive on the forecheck, can steal pucks and force turnovers and get to the dangerous areas. At the other end of the ice, he is also a proven penalty killer, which is vital to have with Carl Hagelin also out long-term.

Two more forwards that should have strong years: Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha. Kuznetsov is coming off the ultimate revenge tour in 2021-22 that saw him dish 77 points in 78 games following a COVID-riddled, forgetful 2020-21 that led to trade rumors and harsh critiques. He came back to camp with the same mindset as last season, and he’s playing with a rekindled joy that should lead to success.

READ MORE ON WHN: Washington Capitals Center Evgeny Kuznetsov Doesn’t Care What Anyone Thinks, ‘Not Gonna Change’

As for Mantha, he is fully healthy to start the season and get to show what he can do following a rough shoulder injury that held him out for months and interrupted what would have been his first full-length campaign in D.C.

Also look for Martin Fehervary to try and make more noise in his sophomore season, along with fellow second-year skaters McMichael, Protas and Snively.

Honorable mentions: Erik Gustafsson, Nick Jensen, Marcus Johansson

Washington Capitals Storylines For 2022-23

Of course, milestone watch takes the cake for the biggest storyline going into opening night. Throughout camp and the preseason, Alex Ovechkin has shown that he’s still got it. He came to camp in great shape, still looks fast and still owns that same powerful shot. The Great 8 sits 20 goals from 800 in his career, 22 from passing Gordie Howe for second on the NHL’s all-time goals list and 115 from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time scoring record of 894. He must average 29 goals over the next four seasons to break the record within the terms of the extension he signed in July 2021.

Washington’s new look in net will also be a story to keep an eye on. Over the offseason, the Capitals elected to move on from Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek following two years of inconsistency and neither of them showing that they can be a full-time No. 1. To revamp the situation between the pipes, general manager Brian MacLellan brought in 2022 Stanley Cup champion goaltender Darcy Kuemper on a five-year deal, while also inking 28-year-old up-and-comer Charlie Lindgren to a three-year deal as the backup.

Kuemper’s consistency made him one of the most sought-after names on the market. He has led all goaltenders with at least 150 games played in save percentage (.921) over the last five seasons, and is a proven starter and leader. Meanwhile, Lindgren shined in his five-game stint at the NHL level with the St. Louis Blues last season, going undefeated with a .958 SV% and 1.22 GAA. At the AHL level with the Springfield Thunderbirds, he had the second-best SV% in the league (.925). As both come to D.C., look for them to bring more stability and consistency in net, which should help Washington remain a contender. The duo has also already formed a close bond off the ice.

RELATED: Kuemper, Lindgren Discuss Quick Friendship & What They Bring To Washington Capitals

Another storyline will be the third-line center role, as both Lars Eller and McMichael compete for that role. Eller is coming off an inconsistent season that saw him test positive for COVID and quarantine twice while also struggling with inconsistency. Eller said this year, he is in the best physical shape of his life and is ready to come in and prove he is still vital down the middle. McMichael, meanwhile, faces pressure.

With Protas and Snively having a strong camp and having been unable to completely prove himself at center in the preseason, there’s a lot on the line for No. 24. Expect him to try and make waves in his sophomore season while trying to win a full-time role down the middle, which is where the organization wants him to perform. But also, he has to step up and show that he’s also a guy who should be in the lineup every single night.

Of course, the four Capitals that were placed on waivers on Sunday should be motivated to do what they can to be the first call-up when the time comes. But also, there are other names to watch too.

Hendrix Lapierre and Vincent Iorio will play their first season of North American pro hockey with the AHL’s Hershey Bears. The close friends and two skaters that were chosen first by Washington in their respective draft classes should be able to benefit from time to adapt to the AHL game and move one step closer to the NHL. Lapierre has added size and muscle and is also a strong skater with a lot of creativity and power on offense, and he has worked on his positioning and play in his own end, too. Iorio, meanwhile, is a dominant skater who uses his frame to his advantage. The 6-3, 200-pound forward also moves the puck well, wins battles and can handle threats in his own zone with ease.

WHN FEATURES: Lapierre, Iorio & Hanelt Share Story Being ‘Bromance’ With Washington Capitals

Also watch out for Martin Has, who just signed an AHL deal with the Bears this season. Bear Hughes is another name that could step up in his first year with Hershey following a standout year with the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs. He is hard on the puck, can make crafty players and knows how to succeed at both ends of the ice.

Washington Capitals Injuries

To start the season, Washington will place four players on the long-term injured reserve/non-roster: Nicklas Backstrom is on the LTIR. Tom Wilson and Carl Hagelin are injured/non-roster.

Backstrom underwent hip resurfacing surgery in June. He said he is pain-free for the first time in years, and is confident that he will be back on the ice with Washington at some point. However, there is no timetable as he faces a lengthy rehabilitation.

Wilson, meanwhile, is recovering from ACL surgery in May. The 28-year-old tore his ACL in Game 1 against the Florida Panthers on a freak play that saw him tweak his knee and sustain the injury while trying to avoid a hit on Mackenzie Weegar.

Hagelin will be out long-term with another injury unrelated to his eye. No. 62 had been attempting a comeback from a severe eye injury he suffered last year. At the end of a March 1 practice, Hagelin took a stick up high in competition drills. The blade went through his left eye and ruptured his choroid, permanently taking away part of his vision and damaging his depth perception.

Alexeyev underwent shoulder surgery in June. Given the timeline, he will likely be back to contact in late October/November. Alexeyev is currently on loan to Hershey to continue his rehabilitation. He requires waivers to be assigned there, so where he’ll play is up in the air.