Washington Capitals defensive prospect Alexander Alekseyev will be loaned to the KHL’s Salavat Yulaev, according to GorObzor.

The term of the loan, like other Capitals prospect loans this fall, would be until the start of Capitals training camp, currently slated for mid-November.

As we have noted in earlier posts, NHL teams are currently scrambling to find playing time for as many of their top prospects in order that they continue their development during the COVID-19 pause in North America. The KHL begins their season this week. Salat Yulaev, based in Ufa in the Republic of Bashkortostan, opens play tomorrow.

It should be noted that a contract has yet to be signed and the Capitals have not yet confirmed the move.

Other Loans To Date:

Aliaksei Protas – KHL (Dinamo Minsk) – The Capitals announced that Aliaksei Protas has been loaned to Dinamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Protas has played in four exhibition games so far, centering the fourth line in his last two games. His first regular season game with Dinamo is September 3.

Damien Riat – SNL (Geneve-Servette) – The Capitals confirmed various earlier reports that forward Damien Riat would return to the Swiss National League. Riat played for Geneve-Servette for three seasons from 2015-2018. Riat and Geneve-Servette had their first tune-up game on Saturday. Although Riat did not attend the Capitals return to play training camp last month, he did participate in the Swiss National teams training camp.

Tobias Geisser – SNL (EV-Zug) – The Capitals also confirmed that defenseman Tobias Geisser would start the 2020-21 season in the Swiss National League. Geisser transferred from Hershey to EV-Zug after the start of last season to find more playing time. It is expected that the Capitals will recall Geisser to North America when the organization’s 2020-21 training camps open.

Martin Fehervary – announced last week in an interview with Slovak media that he was considering two offers to play with local teems (Slovan Bratislava and Bratislava Capitals) prior to the NHL’s return to play in November. Fehervary did participate in the Capitals summer training camp and played in one postseason game before sustaining an upper body injury against the Islanders. Look for an announcement this week.

CURRENT START DATES FOR NORTH AMERICAN LEAGUES

AHL – The Board of Governors announced that the anticipated start of the 2020-21 regular season has been moved to no earlier than December 4, 2020, due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis.

OHL – The Ontario Hockey League announced that it is planning to return to play on December 1, 2020, subject to ensuring that the players, fans, staff and community are able to play and attend games safely.

WHL – The Western Hockey League announced that it is now scheduled to open its 2020-21 Regular Season on Friday, December 4, 2020.

By Jon Sorensen