Washington makes cuts after back to back losses

There’s not much to speak about when it comes to Friday’s game against the Blues as the Caps were shut out 4-0. The biggest take away was the fight that Tom Wilson ended up involved in after a huge hit in front of the Blues bench that consequently ended with him being suspended one preseason game.

Saturdays game on the other hand had some information to discuss. The first goal of the game came from the Hurricanes, but not just any Hurricane. Former Capital and favorite Justin Williams scored to put the Canes on the board early. Alex Chiasson, one of the players battling for a roster spot as camp winds down scored his first goal of the preseason on the powerplay. The assists came from another bubbled player in Jakub Vrana and the ultra exciting Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Canes would score on three more even strength opportunities and win the game 4-1. Full time Hershey players last season Riley Barber and Christian Djoos took hits on there chances to make the roster as they both went for a -2 and very unimpressive during this game. Both players are very skilled, but may still need one more season in Hershey.

Walker, one of the Hershey regulars competing with the likes of Vrana, Riley Barber and Liam O’Brien, has perhaps stood out the most this preseason. After four seasons of development with the AHL’s Hershey Bears, he appears ready to enter the NHL and join the team this season and is showing day after day that he can bring a lot to the table.

There are twenty forwards, 12 defensemen and four goaltenders that remain on the roster moving forward. Along with Walker, Barber, Vrana and Tyler Graovac, there are a number of Hershey regulars from last season fighting for spots on the blue line. Out of the defensemen left competing for a spot on the blue line, Siegenthaler, Christian Djoos, Aaron Ness, Tyler Lewington and Jyrki Jokipakka remain with the team headed into the latter half of camp.

So now that you know some of the players staying in Washington for now lets look at who was sent to AHL Hershey. Among the players headed to the Bears are: forwards John Albert, Mathias Bau, Chris Bourque, Dustin Gazley, Hampus Gustafsson, Tim McGauley, Garrett Mitchell, Mason Mitchell and Wayne Simpson; defensemen Kristofers Bindulis, Connor Hobbs, Tommy Hughes, Lucas Johansen, Hubert Labrie; and goalies Adam Carlson and Vitek Vanecek. Washington also released forward Stephen Collins.

Hershey Bears camp opens tomorrow in Hershey. Giant Center doors will open at 9:30am. After just a few days in camp the Bears will travel to Wilkes-Barre, Pa to take on the baby Penguins Friday night. The Pens will return the favor on Saturday night and come to the Giant Center for a 7pm showdown to finish off the preseason schedule.

Matt Bachota “Perched on the ice” presented by “Perched on the MD sports blog”

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