Capitals Recall Veteran Defenseman Justin Holl as Matt Roy and Rasmus Sandin Land on Injured Reserve
By Brian Hradsky Maryland Sports Blog | October 12, 2026
WASHINGTON CAPITALS • NHL ROSTER NEWS
The Washington Capitals announced Monday that they have recalled veteran defenseman Justin Holl from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League as injuries continue to impact Washington’s defensive corps. The move comes as the Capitals placed defenseman Matt Roy on injured reserve and Rasmus Sandin on long-term injured reserve, creating additional challenges for head coach Spencer Carbery early in the 2026-27 season. Senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick announced the transactions following Washington’s 5-3 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Sunday evening. Holl brings extensive NHL experience and provides the Capitals with another right-handed defensive option as the team attempts to overcome its growing injury concerns.
Capitals Lose Two Important Defensemen
The injuries to Roy and Sandin represent significant setbacks for a Washington team attempting to establish consistency during the opening weeks of the regular season. Roy was unavailable for Sunday’s loss against Seattle because of a lower-body injury, forcing Carbery to adjust his defensive pairings and rely on less familiar combinations. Sandin’s placement on long-term injured reserve creates an additional concern because it removes another established defenseman from Washington’s available lineup for an extended period. The Capitals have not provided a specific return date for either player in Monday’s announcement.
Under NHL rules, players placed on injured reserve must miss at least seven days, while players placed on long-term injured reserve must miss at least 10 NHL games and 24 calendar days. Those requirements mean Washington will need to navigate a meaningful portion of its upcoming schedule without Sandin, regardless of how quickly his recovery progresses. Roy’s situation could be shorter, although his availability will depend on the severity of his injury and his progress toward returning to game action. With two regular defensemen unavailable, Washington’s organizational depth will be tested much earlier than anticipated.
Holl Returns to Washington After Beginning Season in Hershey
Holl, 34, returns to the Capitals after appearing in three games with Hershey to begin the 2026-27 American Hockey League season. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound defenseman joined Washington during the offseason but did not earn a spot on the Capitals’ opening-night roster. Washington placed Holl on waivers in September before assigning him to Hershey, where he remained available as an experienced defensive option. His recall demonstrates the importance of maintaining NHL-ready players within the organization, particularly when injuries affect multiple positions simultaneously.
Holl spent the 2025-26 season splitting time between the St. Louis Blues and Grand Rapids Griffins, the Detroit Red Wings’ American Hockey League affiliate. He recorded one goal and one assist in nine games with St. Louis while contributing two goals and 12 assists in 41 games with Grand Rapids. Although his offensive production has never been the defining feature of his game, Holl’s size, experience and defensive positioning provide Washington with a potentially useful option. His ability to handle NHL competition could become particularly valuable as Carbery attempts to stabilize his defensive pairings.
Holl Brings More Than 400 Games of NHL Experience
Originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round, 54th overall, of the 2010 NHL Draft, Holl has developed into an experienced professional defenseman with an extensive career across several organizations. The Minnesota native has appeared in 405 NHL regular-season games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues, recording 14 goals and 83 assists for 97 points. His career also includes 238 American Hockey League games with the Toronto Marlies, Rockford IceHogs and Grand Rapids Griffins. Those experiences have given Holl an understanding of different defensive systems and the responsibilities required of a veteran defenseman.
One of Holl’s notable career accomplishments came during the 2017-18 season when he helped the Toronto Marlies capture the Calder Cup championship. His championship experience provides another element of veteran leadership that could benefit Washington’s defensive group during an uncertain period. Holl is not expected to replace the offensive contributions of Sandin or completely replicate Roy’s defensive responsibilities, but he offers the Capitals an established professional capable of competing for NHL minutes. His immediate challenge will be adjusting to Washington’s system and demonstrating that he can contribute effectively after beginning the season in Hershey.
Justin Holl Career Profile
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Position | Defenseman |
| Age | 34 |
| Height | 6-foot-4 |
| Weight | 200 pounds |
| Shoots | Right |
| Drafted | 2010, second round, 54th overall |
| NHL games | 405 |
| NHL goals | 14 |
| NHL assists | 83 |
| NHL points | 97 |
| Previous NHL teams | Toronto, Detroit, St. Louis |
| Previous AHL team | Hershey Bears |
| Notable achievement | 2018 Calder Cup champion |
Career information provided by the Washington Capitals and Hershey Bears.
Defensive Depth Becoming an Early Concern
Washington’s defensive depth was already being tested before Monday’s announcement, with Roy missing Sunday’s contest against Seattle and the coaching staff forced to make adjustments. The Capitals surrendered five goals in that defeat despite receiving offensive contributions from Alex Ovechkin, Jordan Kyrou and Boone Jenner. Defensive breakdowns and questionable decisions contributed to Seattle’s late scoring surge, highlighting the need for improved execution throughout Washington’s lineup. The absence of experienced defensemen could make those challenges even more difficult as the Capitals continue their early-season schedule.
The addition of Holl gives Carbery another option when determining how to distribute defensive responsibilities and manage difficult matchups. His right-handed shot could be especially useful because Washington must balance its defensive pairings while compensating for Roy’s absence. However, recalling an experienced player does not automatically solve the team’s defensive problems, particularly when communication and positioning remain essential parts of Carbery’s system. Holl will need to demonstrate that he can provide reliable minutes without creating additional defensive vulnerabilities.
Hershey Bears Lose an Experienced Defenseman
Holl’s promotion also affects the Hershey Bears, who entered the 2026-27 season with a veteran defensive group featuring Holl, Jacob MacDonald and Louie Belpedio. Hershey included Holl on its opening-night roster after he cleared waivers and reported to the organization following Washington’s training camp. His presence gave the Bears another experienced defenseman capable of helping younger prospects develop while competing in the American Hockey League. The recall temporarily removes that experience from Hershey’s lineup, although the move also illustrates the importance of the Bears’ role as Washington’s primary source of organizational depth.
Hershey has traditionally served as an important development and support system for Washington, preparing players to contribute when injuries or roster changes create opportunities. Holl’s recall provides another example of that relationship, as the Capitals turn to their affiliate for immediate help during the regular season. The Bears still have several experienced defensemen available, allowing their coaching staff to adjust while Holl remains with Washington. His promotion also creates an opportunity for younger Hershey defensemen to receive additional responsibilities and potentially demonstrate their readiness for expanded roles.
What the Move Means for Washington
The Capitals entered Monday with a 3-2-0 record following Sunday’s loss to Seattle, and their immediate priority will be stabilizing the defensive lineup. Losing Roy and Sandin simultaneously places additional pressure on Washington’s remaining defensemen and goaltenders, particularly against opponents capable of generating sustained offensive pressure. Holl’s recall provides a short-term solution while allowing the organization to evaluate whether additional roster moves might become necessary. The Capitals have not announced whether Holl will immediately enter the starting lineup or serve as an additional defenseman.
Washington’s next challenge will be determining how effectively Holl fits alongside the team’s remaining defensemen while Roy and Sandin recover. Carbery must also address the defensive mistakes that contributed to Sunday’s loss, ensuring that the team does not become overly dependent on its goaltenders to overcome breakdowns. The Capitals have enough offensive talent to remain competitive, but defensive consistency will be critical as the season progresses. Holl’s experience could help provide that stability, although his performance will ultimately determine how significant a role he earns.
MSB Take
The Capitals recalling Justin Holl is a sensible move considering the injuries to Matt Roy and Rasmus Sandin, but the fact that Washington already needs to rely on organizational depth is concerning. Roy and Sandin are important pieces of the defensive unit, and losing both players creates a difficult situation for Carbery early in the season. Holl is not a flashy addition, but his size, experience and familiarity with professional hockey make him a reasonable option while the team navigates its injury problems. Washington does not necessarily need Holl to produce offensively, but it absolutely needs him to play responsible defensive hockey and avoid the mistakes that contributed to Sunday’s loss against Seattle.
The biggest concern is that Washington’s defense was already showing signs of inconsistency before the injuries became a significant problem. Holl can help stabilize the lineup, but he cannot single-handedly correct poor defensive decisions or breakdowns in communication. The Capitals need their remaining defensemen to elevate their performances while providing Holl with an opportunity to settle into the system without being asked to do too much. If Washington can survive this difficult stretch and eventually get Roy and Sandin healthy, the additional experience gained by its depth players could prove valuable later in the season.
Sources: Washington Capitals — Official October 12 transaction announcement, Hershey Bears — Opening-night roster, Hershey Bears — Training camp roster updates and Washington Capitals — September roster decisions.
