WASHINGTON — The Capitals have set their 23-player opening roster, with Alex Ovechkin preparing for his 22nd NHL season and a combination of new veterans and younger players joining the established core.
Washington designated defenseman Rasmus Sandin as injured non-roster Monday as he continues recovering from the ACL surgery he underwent in April. That move followed Sunday’s roster reductions and brought the active group to 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders.
Among the additions are forwards Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou and Boone Jenner, along with defenseman Vincent Desharnais. They join a roster that also includes Dylan Strome, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Tom Wilson and Aliaksei Protas up front.
The younger group includes Ilya Protas and Cole Hutson as they approach their first full NHL seasons. Ivan Miroshnichenko is also making the full-time transition after developing with the Hershey Bears, although he no longer qualifies as a rookie.
Washington’s final cuts sent several other prospects to Hershey, including Andrew Cristall, Terik Parascak and Lynden Lakovic. Their assignments leave the Capitals with a defined opening group while preserving options within the organization as the season develops.
Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson are the two goaltenders. On defense, the roster includes Jakob Chychrun, Martin Fehervary, Timothy Liljegren, Dylan McIlrath and Matt Roy alongside Hutson and Desharnais.
That configuration separates the opening personnel decision from the lineup decisions still to come. Carrying seven defensemen gives the coaching staff a spare at the position, while the forward total leaves room for choices among the bottom lines and extra skaters.
Washington completed its preseason schedule with a 5–1 win over Philadelphia before making the final reductions. The regular-season opener comes Friday against Carolina, when the new combinations will face their first competitive test.
Ovechkin remains the most familiar name on the roster. Around him, the Capitals will begin finding out how their veteran additions, returning players and younger arrivals fit together over a full season.
Sources: Capitals; Capitals Roster.
