Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images
The Washington Capitals claimed forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel (NAK) off the waiver wire on Saturday. The Toronto Maple Leafs placed Aubé-Kubel on waivers on Friday.
The Capitals will need to make a corresponding roster move to fit Aube-Kubel on their current 23-man roster. They later announced that Garrett Pilon would be returned to Hershey.
#Caps add Aube-Kubel via the waiver wire, with a corresponding move coming soon. Aube-Kubel was a 2nd rounder in the 2014 draft, played junior hockey with Anthony Mantha, and was a member of 2022 Cup champ Avs team. https://t.co/69Lz2FFqwk
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) November 5, 2022
“NAK”, 26, was signed to a one-year, $1 million contract by the Leafs in the summer and was with the Colorado Avalanche last season. He has played right-wing and center in recent seasons.
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The Washington Capitals have claimed forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs and have loaned forward Garrett Pilon to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Aube-Kubel, 26, has appeared in six games with Toronto this season. The 6’0”, 207-pound forward was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round, 48th overall, in the 2014 NHL Draft.
Aube-Kubel recorded 23 points (11g, 12a) in 74 games with the Philadelphia Flyers and Colorado Avalanche last season. Aube-Kubel, who was claimed off waivers by Colorado from Philadelphia on Nov. 13, 2021, won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche, appearing in 14 of Colorado’s 16 playoff games and posting a +2 plus/minus rating. In 175 career games with Toronto, Colorado and Philadelphia, Aube-Kubel has recorded 50 points (21g, 29a).
Pilon, 24, has recorded five points (1g, 4a) in seven games with Hershey this season, which ranks tied for second on the team. In 213 career AHL games with Hershey, Pilon has recorded 132 points (50g, 82a).
Aubé-Kubel had no points and two shots in six Leafs games this season, having been a healthy scratch five times.
Aube-Kubel was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round (#48 overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
By Jon Sorensen
What’s the scouting report on this guy?
Serviceable winger. I think at this point, considering the Capitals injuries, it was a foregone conclusion they would give him a shot, see what he can do.
Would imagine they send down LuJo to fit NAK
Or Peels, but I would lean LuJo as well, seeing it looks like Carlson is close to returning.
It’s a shame the Caps continue down the path of picking up players other teams throw away and not giving their own prospects or AHL players much of an opportunity. It mustn’t feel too good to be a Pilon, Snively, etc.
I’m with ya with regards to the AHL players. Having tracked each one of them since their draft days, watching all their games, you can help but root for them.
I agree. The guys in Hershey can’t have much hope as a rule.
Totally agree! Especially since the last two that they picked up the Cookie Man and Aubé-Kubel are both going to be 4th liners. Honestly none of the guys in Hershey could play wing on the 4th line? If that is true then that tells me that 1) the HC and GM have no faith in anyone in Hershey and 2) if I ws playing in Hershey I would look to move on ASAP. Maybe the better solution would be to relieve the HC, who is playing without a contract for next year, of his duties and get in someone who will play our young guys not players off the scrap heap! After all we invested draft picks and cash and time in the players in Hershey and if you are telling me that scrap heap material is better then maybe its time for the GM, HC, scouting staff and front office to go out the door and stay at home and bring in new people!
You are correct. We have a lot of 4th liners. Milano is middle 6. NAK is probably middle 6 as well. Both free and really to replace AFJ and Leason. We upgraded and stayed young. Hope Orlov is OK.
NAK could end up not working out. But i like the signing. He is young at 26. He is a right stick. Plays a more physical style that works with Caps. He is cheap at $1M and can be buried in AHL. He has played in 170 NHL games so despite being young, he knows the grind.
Really both NAK and Milano were just opportunistic pickups which cost us nothing in term of trade capital and were necessary due to injuries and players lost in waivers. Both good moves by a savvy GM.
But buried in the AHL for which team? Won’t he have to clear waivers again to get there?
This guy sounds terrible. Plug in your top Hershey players and see if they can play at the NHL level.