The Washington Capitals are making significant moves ahead of the regular season, with the most notable being the placement of forward Ethen Frank on waivers. This decision comes as the team evaluates its roster options during the final days of the preseason.
Ethen Frank's Waiver Status
Ethen Frank, who made his NHL debut last season, has been placed on waivers according to reports from Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports. In his limited time on the ice, he recorded four goals and three assists while averaging just under 11 minutes of ice time per game. Frank contributed defensively as well, logging 16 blocked shots and 11 hits. His performance seemed promising, but the Capitals are evidently looking to make adjustments as they finalize their roster ahead of the upcoming season.
Preseason Game Reflections
As the Capitals conclude their preseason schedule, they are closely monitoring their younger players. Notably, Aliaksei Protas has been given significant ice time in various roles. Protas centered different lines in recent games, providing versatility that could be valuable as the team heads into the regular season. His ability to adapt to different situations, including filling in for established players like Nic Dowd, has earned him attention from the coaching staff.
In addition to Protas, Declan Chisholm has been paired with Dylan McIlrath in recent matchups. This combination highlights the Capitals' focus on evaluating their defensive pairings as they prepare for the competitive NHL landscape.
Goalkeeping Developments
The Capitals' goaltending situation is also evolving. After Logan Thompson's strong showing in a recent game—where he stopped 36 of 39 shots—Charlie Lindgren is expected to take the starting role in the team's final preseason matchup against the Boston Bruins. This rotation of goalies emphasizes the Capitals' strategy to assess their netminding options thoroughly before the season commences.
The Capitals are making a concerted effort to give their younger talent ample opportunity to prove themselves, leading to thoughtful decisions as they finalize their roster. The next few days will be crucial as the team prepares for the challenges that lie ahead in the NHL season.
TL;DR
- Ethen Frank has been placed on waivers by the Washington Capitals as part of roster adjustments.
- Aliaksei Protas is gaining valuable experience by centering various lines during preseason games.
- Declan Chisholm and Dylan McIlrath are being evaluated together on defense as the team prepares for the regular season.
- Charlie Lindgren is set to start in goal for the Capitals' final preseason game, following Logan Thompson's impressive performance.