NHL
Capitals Acquired Dmitrij Jaskin from St. Louis Blues
Final rosters are being set, which means the remaining players who won’t make the cut are being placed on waivers. Clearing waivers means they can be returned to the team’s AHL affiliate. However, if there is a piece missing from a team, claiming someone off waivers can help. The Washington Capitals acquired Dmitrij Jaskin to fill a potential gap in the team’s lineup.
Jaskin’s Immediate Effect
Jaskin has six years of NHL experience, defensive skating, and playmaking. Capitals management likely hopes these will give the team a needed boost. General Manager Brian MacLellan sounded optimistic about Jaskin joining the team.
“We like the player,” MacLellan said during Tuesday’s press conference. “We think the player has some upside and with the possible suspension of Tom we’re adding a big body that can make some plays and go to the net and has a similar skill set as Tom.”
With a potential suspension looming for right-winger Tom Wilson following a hit on Oskar Sundqvist, the Capitals needed to address their depth. Washington’s system is not as talent-packed as other teams in the East. There may not be players currently with the Hershey Bears that are ready to step in at the beginning of the season.
MacLellan also stated that they weren’t going to rush him into the lineup. Jaskin would be given time to adjust to the system, the plays, and his new teammates before being introduced into the lineup. A good guess would be that introduction lasts for all of a couple games. Hockey players want to play, so if he finds his footing in practice, it’s doubtful he’ll sit for long.
Roster Changes
The Caps are ready with an alternate line arrangement if Wilson is suspended for opening night. At Tuesday’s practice, Brett Connolly was filling in on the top line alongside Evgeny Kuznetsov. Following the logic of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” the second line will remain unchanged. Chandler Stephenson was practicing in Connolly’s position on the third line, leaving Nathan Walker and Devante Smith-Pelly winging offseason acquisition Nic Dowd.
CapFriendly currently lists that the Capitals are over the roster limit, but Travis Boyd was placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) earlier today. He will miss a minimum of 10 games and 24 days, which clears up the roster space. The Capitals will still carry Tom Wilson’s contract regardless of the length of his suspension. When Boyd returns from LTIR, the Capitals will have to make a decision regarding Jaskin’s future with the team.
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Photo Credit
Photo Courtesy of David Rodgers
