The Washington Capitals announced on Saturday that defenseman Michal Kempny has been placed on waivers with the intention of sending the 31-year-old to the AHL’s Hershey Bears.
The move saves the Capitals $1.225 million in NHL salary cap space and the team now has $1,793,740 in salary cap space.
Kempny missed the entire 2020-21 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn Achilles’ tendon on October 8, 2020. Just over 18 months before, he had a surgery to fix a core muscle injury that caused him to miss six-and-a-half months.
Kempny recorded three goals, 18 points, and a team-leading +19 rating in 58 regular-season games during the 2019-20 season after missing the first eight games.
Kempny recorded one assist and a -2 rating in five 2020 Stanley Cup Playoff games, but was a healthy scratch for the final three games of the Capitals’ first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the New York Islanders.
In 232 career NHL games with the Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks, Kempny has recorded 14 goals, 61 points, and a +58 rating.
Kempny recorded a 50.35% Corsi-for percentage and a 49.54% expected goals-for percentage in 2019-20.
Kempny had a tough preseason where he turned the puck over a lot, which led to goals-against.
The Capitals are now down to 26 players on their training camp roster. They are required to turn in their 23-man opening night roster by 5 PM ET on Monday. They open the regular-season against the New York Rangers at Capital One Arena on Wednesday (7:30 PM ET, TNT).
By Harrison Brown
NO problem waiving him but please dont send hm to Hershey as we ahve players there who need to play every ay to develop. Also when is Bcky going on LTIR?
There is truth in this ☝️statement.
Jon in your honest opinion, do you think Kempny is fit for the Washington Roster, considering his best season was the 2018 cup run and the talent we have available now?
Is a fully back on form kempny better than TVR or Fehervary?
Prior to that he was considered a liability in Chicago. He had one good season with the capitals, and to be fair, I personally didn’t really notice him that much in the playoffs in comparison to some of our other players.
I think it’s time for Kempny in the KHL. It’s nothing personal and I’d hate to be coming off as mean, I’m just trying to be honest, and I want to see how you feel about it?
Somewhat expected. It’s tough to cut ties with a cup winner, but it had to be done.