Capitals Claim Defenseman Jack St. Ivany Off Waivers From Winnipeg Jets to Bolster Blue Line
By Brian Hradsky
October 24, 2026
The Washington Capitals have claimed defenseman Jack St. Ivany off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets, adding another experienced option to their defensive rotation during the opening weeks of the 2026-27 NHL season. Senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick announced the transaction Saturday, October 24, as Washington continues managing injuries along its blue line. The 27-year-old right-shot defenseman stands 6 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs 197 pounds, giving the Capitals another physical presence capable of contributing in a depth role. St. Ivany has appeared in 57 career NHL games with Pittsburgh and Winnipeg, recording nine assists.
Capitals Add Size and Defensive Depth
Washington’s decision to claim St. Ivany provides the organization with additional flexibility as head coach Spencer Carbery evaluates his defensive personnel. The Capitals have experienced several injuries during the opening portion of the season, making reliable depth increasingly important. St. Ivany offers size, reach and experience competing against NHL opponents, characteristics that could help strengthen Washington’s defensive rotation. His addition also gives the coaching staff another right-shot option when assembling defensive pairings.
St. Ivany appeared in four games with Winnipeg before being placed on waivers Friday. He averaged 13 minutes and 31 seconds of ice time per contest and did not record a point during those appearances. However, his defensive activity stood out despite his limited playing time. St. Ivany led Winnipeg’s defensemen with 5.54 blocked shots per 60 minutes and ranked second among the team’s blue liners with 6.65 hits per 60 minutes.
Those numbers suggest that St. Ivany can contribute through physical play and defensive positioning rather than relying on offensive production. Washington has several defensemen capable of generating scoring opportunities, but dependable defensive depth remains important during a demanding NHL schedule. St. Ivany’s ability to block shots and challenge opposing forwards could provide value in a limited role. The Capitals will now determine how quickly he can adjust to their system.
Winnipeg Places St. Ivany on Waivers
The Jets placed St. Ivany on waivers October 23, making him available to the NHL’s other 31 teams. Washington submitted a successful claim, acquiring the defenseman without surrendering a draft pick or player in a trade. The transaction gives the Capitals an opportunity to evaluate an experienced player while preserving their existing organizational assets. It also provides St. Ivany with another chance to establish a regular NHL role.
Winnipeg acquired St. Ivany from the Pittsburgh Penguins on June 29, 2026, in exchange for forward David Gustafsson. The trade gave the Jets another right-shot defenseman as they adjusted their roster during the offseason. However, St. Ivany appeared in only four games before Winnipeg decided to place him on waivers. Washington’s claim now sends him to his third NHL organization in less than four months.
The move represents a relatively low-cost opportunity for the Capitals to improve their defensive depth. Waiver claims can provide useful additions when teams identify players who fit specific roster needs. St. Ivany’s size and defensive approach make him a logical candidate for a team dealing with injuries. His ability to remain with Washington will depend on his performance and the organization’s roster decisions.
St. Ivany Established Career Highs With Pittsburgh
St. Ivany spent much of his early professional career in the Penguins organization after signing with Pittsburgh as a free agent in 2022. He developed with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League before earning opportunities at the NHL level. His progression demonstrated his ability to adapt from college hockey to professional competition. Pittsburgh eventually relied on him as a depth defenseman capable of contributing when needed.
During the 2025-26 season, St. Ivany appeared in 20 games with Pittsburgh and established several career highs. He recorded seven assists and seven points while finishing with a plus-four rating. The defenseman also registered 17 shots on goal, demonstrating his ability to contribute offensively when opportunities developed. His production represented an encouraging step during a season in which he continued competing for a more consistent NHL role.
Although St. Ivany has not scored an NHL goal, his nine career assists demonstrate that he can contribute to offensive possessions. His primary value remains his defensive responsibilities, particularly protecting the front of the net and limiting opponents’ opportunities. Washington will not need him to become a major offensive contributor if he can provide dependable minutes. His performance in defensive situations will likely determine his role.
Capitals Need Reinforcements on Defense
Washington’s defensive depth has been tested during the opening weeks of the season. Rasmus Sandin has missed time with a knee injury, while Vincent Desharnais has also encountered a medical issue that has affected his availability. The Capitals previously recalled Justin Holl from Hershey before returning him to the American Hockey League. Those roster adjustments demonstrate how quickly injuries can change the organization’s defensive needs.
St. Ivany provides another option as Washington attempts to maintain stability throughout its defensive pairings. His right-shot profile could be particularly useful when the coaching staff needs to replace an unavailable defenseman without moving other players to unfamiliar positions. The Capitals will also need to evaluate his ability to contribute to penalty killing and defensive-zone assignments. His size and physical approach suggest he could be useful in those situations.
Carbery has emphasized the importance of maintaining structure and consistency throughout Washington’s lineup. Adding an experienced defenseman gives the coaching staff another player capable of competing for minutes while injured teammates recover. However, St. Ivany will need time to become familiar with Washington’s defensive system and communication responsibilities. The Capitals have not announced a specific date for his debut.
Former Flyers Draft Pick Brings College Hockey Experience
St. Ivany was originally selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the fourth round of the 2018 NHL Draft, going 112th overall. He elected to continue his development through college hockey rather than immediately signing a professional contract. The Manhattan Beach, California, native began his collegiate career at Yale University before transferring to Boston College. His four-year college career provided experience against strong NCAA competition.
Across 115 collegiate games, St. Ivany recorded 12 goals and 48 assists for 60 points. His offensive production demonstrated that he could contribute more than defensive responsibilities during his college career. He also represented the United States at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship, helping the Americans earn a silver medal. The international experience provided another opportunity to compete against talented young players from around the world.
His college background helped prepare him for the transition to professional hockey, where he eventually established himself within Pittsburgh’s development system. St. Ivany’s combination of size, skating experience and defensive awareness made him a useful organizational player. Washington now becomes the latest team to evaluate his potential. The Capitals will look to determine whether his defensive strengths can translate into a consistent role.
AHL Experience Provides Additional Value
St. Ivany has also accumulated significant experience in the American Hockey League, appearing in 162 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He recorded six goals and 39 assists for 45 points during his AHL career. The experience allowed him to develop against professional competition while working toward a permanent NHL opportunity. His ability to handle different defensive assignments helped him earn recalls to Pittsburgh.
The AHL experience could become valuable if Washington needs to make additional roster adjustments during the season. The Capitals maintain a strong development relationship with the Hershey Bears, allowing the organization to evaluate players at different levels. However, St. Ivany’s immediate status is as a player claimed for Washington’s NHL roster. Any future assignment would depend on applicable roster and waiver rules.
The defenseman brings more professional experience than many younger players competing for depth positions. His background could help Washington maintain stability while its injured defensemen recover. St. Ivany will need to demonstrate that he can contribute consistently against NHL competition. The opportunity provides another chance to establish himself at the highest level.
Washington Prepares for Buffalo Matchup
The Capitals return to action Saturday night against the Buffalo Sabres at Capital One Arena. Washington enters the contest with a 5-4-0 record after suffering a 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on October 20. The Capitals surrendered five unanswered goals after building an early two-goal advantage, creating an opportunity for improvement during their preparation for Buffalo. Maintaining defensive structure will be important against a Sabres team capable of generating offense through several different players.
The matchup also features former Buffalo forward Alex Tuch facing his previous organization for the first time since joining Washington. Tuch’s return against the Sabres provides another storyline during an important early-season game. The Capitals will attempt to recover from their disappointing performance against Los Angeles while managing several roster questions. St. Ivany’s addition gives the team another defensive option, although his availability for Saturday has not been confirmed.
Washington will also continue monitoring the health of its injured players. The coaching staff must balance the need for immediate results with the importance of avoiding unnecessary risks during the opening portion of the season. St. Ivany could provide useful depth if additional defensive changes become necessary. His arrival represents another step in Washington’s effort to maintain a competitive lineup.
MSB Take
Claiming St. Ivany is a sensible depth move for a Capitals team that has already experienced several defensive injuries. The 27-year-old brings size, physicality and enough NHL experience to provide another option when Washington needs reinforcements. His blocked-shot and hit rates during four games with Winnipeg suggest that he can contribute through defensive effort even without producing offensively. The Capitals do not need St. Ivany to become a top-four defenseman for the acquisition to provide value.
The most appealing aspect of the transaction is that Washington did not have to surrender a draft pick or another player to acquire him. Patrick identified an available defenseman whose physical style could complement the organization’s existing personnel. St. Ivany’s right-shot profile also provides additional flexibility when assembling defensive pairings. His arrival should create competition for depth positions while giving the coaching staff more options during injury situations.
The challenge will be determining whether St. Ivany can provide dependable NHL minutes on a consistent basis. His 57 career games demonstrate that he has experience, but he has not yet established himself as a permanent NHL regular. Washington should give him an opportunity to demonstrate his defensive strengths while maintaining realistic expectations about his offensive contributions. If he can provide physical play, effective shot blocking and responsible defensive positioning, the Capitals could benefit from a useful waiver-wire addition.
