Caps F Tom Wilson suspended four games, team also make one roster move
On Tuesday, MacLellan said on an interview video posted on the team’s website that the caps are “working through” a possible contract for Chiasson, who joined the team at training camp on a professional tryout after scoring 12 goals for the Calgary Flames last season. MacLellan also said the Capitals have been communicating with Chiasson and his agent. In Tuesday’s practice, Chiasson skated on Washington’s third line with center Lars Eller and winger Brett Connolly. Chiasson could be a temporary replacement for Tom Wilson in that spot because the forward was suspended four games for a boarding incident during the preseason. This is Wilson’s second suspension of the preseason, the first leading to a 2 game preseason suspension.
Prospect defenseman Madison Bowey was the odd man out as he was no longer listed on the team’s roster at 5PM, which got Washington down to a 23-man roster. Bowey will now head to chocolate town to be a top defensive force for the Bears while working to crack the line up in our nations capital.
Washington avoided exposing any of its prospects to waivers on Tuesday out of fear that another team would claim one. Forward Jakub Vrana is the only player left on the roster who is waiver exempt, and the 21-year-old is expected to play on a line with Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov in the top-six forward role on Thursday. With that in mind, if the team intends to sign Chiasson in time for him to play in Ottawa, the Caps would have to either take the step of re-assigning Vrana or waive a player by Wednesday’s noon deadline. It is totally possible that Washington wanted to wait until after all the other teams set their 23-man rosters so that most would not have the roster or salary cap room for a waiver claim.
Washington opens up there season on Thursday in Ottawa. The club has eight of their first twelve games on the road. It will be a tough task, however,
The Hershey Bears open up their 80th season when they travel to Allentown, Pa to take on the rival Lehigh-Valley Phantoms on Saturday October seventh.
Matt Bachota “Perched on the ice” presented by “Perched on the MD Sports Blog”
