Capitals Make Decision To Waive Cholowski, Assign Leason To Hershey

Nearly four months after originally claiming him off waivers, the Washington Capitals elected to place Dennis Cholowski on waivers for the purpose of re-assignment to the AHL’s Hershey Bears.

Cholowski, a 2016 first-round selection, played in just seven games for Washington, dishing an assist, nine blocks, three hits and four giveaways, along with a +/- rating of minus-4. He spent most of his time as a healthy scratch and averaged just 13:35 minutes when he was in the lineup.

Washington originally claimed the 23-year-old from the Seattle Kraken on Oct. 14. The hope was that he would bring more depth on the blue line to go along with Matt Irwin as the extra defenseman, while also bringing puck-moving ability. However, Michal Kempny has since come back up to D.C. and looks like he’ll be sticking around as the extra blueliner in addition to Irwin.

Through 111 career NHL games, Cholowski has 10 goals and 28 points and a +/- rating of minus-51.

With Cholowski heading down, he will not only get more games in, but also get to further develop his game in real-time situations rather than utilizing just practices.

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Washington also chose to re-assign Brett Leason to Hershey. Leason had been a member of the taxi squad, but when Alex Ovechkin got COVID-19, the 22-year-old drew back in. Now that Ovechkin is back, Leason will head back to the Bears with the NHL no more taxi squads.

Leason reached rookie status this season with 33 games played, picking up three goals and six points over that span. He spent time on the bottom-6 and also drew in on that Carl Hagelin-Nic Dowd-Garnet Hathaway line when necessary.

Joe Snively and Aliaksei Protas are sticking around as the extra forwards for now.

With these moves, the Capitals clear space and return extra players to the AHL. Head coach Peter Laviolette said after practice that the team would evaluate their roster situation after Tuesday’s skate.

Washington faces Columbus at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.