The Capitals are expected to lose one or more starting defensemen as a result of the salary cap and the expansion draft. The Capitals will thus be looking long and hard at Hershey to find the next man up. Enter Christian Djoos. 
The Djoos is Loose:
Djoos, the 22-year-old 2nd year defenseman out of Gothenberg, Sweden, was drafted by the Capitals in the 7th round of the 2012 NHL entry draft (195th overall).

Djoos was named the winner of the Dan Sernoffsky Award for the most improved player on the Hershey Bears this past season. Djoos registered 13 goals and 45 assists for the Bears in 2016-2017 season.

The Projected Pool:

Madison Bowey:
Many were expecting to see Madison Bowey be the next Hershey defensman to make the transition to the NHL. However, the 2016-2017 season was a disappointment for Bowey, as a serious injury would sideline him for more than half the season. Bowey registered 3 goals and 11 assists in just 34 games this season for the Bears. Bowey is still a possibility depending on the Capitals needs.

Not Under Contract:
Hubert Labrie and Tom Gilbert would need to be resigned. Both defensemen contributed mightily to Hershey’s defensive stabilization at the Trade Deadline. Gilbert especially had a huge impact on Djoos’s game as he did with the other young defensemen on Hershey’s roster. The former NHL’er was able to give a bit of wisdom to the youngsters and Djoos noted in an interview that he was especially happy to learn from Gilbert.

Related Reading:
Christian Djoos Earns Most Improved Player at End of Season Awards
Meet the Prospects – Djoos is Loose (and out of the cage)
Djoos Honored as CCM/AHL Player of the Month
Djoos Is Loose As Bears Down Hartford in OT (Oh, and Bowey’s Back)
Djoos and Stephenson Recalled From Hershey
Capitals Re-assign Djoos to Hershey
Development Camp Profile: Christian Djoos

By Jon Sorensen with Photos from Julie Beidler and Joe Noyes