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The Washington Capitals’ 2023 offseason is almost near, with their dance with the New Jersey Devils for the final game of the 2022-23 regular season completing a campaign fraught with injuries, disappointing results, and an anticipated summer of changes ahead. With a look toward a more youthful, faster lineup, one candidate for the new-look Caps may already be on the roster.
Homegrown Capital Joe Snively, a native of Herndon, Virginia, has not had many chances in the Caps’ lineup this season, however when he has been given a sweater by Head Coach Peter Laviolette, the 27-year old forward has shown glimpses of offensive talent and speed that has seen him compile a total of 11 Points (6G,5A) in 24 Games Played with his hometown team across two seasons, including a goal against the Devils on Thursday.
Joe Snively rips home a beauty on the rush to open up the scoring for the Capitals just 4:36 in!#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/GT2ZLRLO2L
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) April 13, 2023
Initially signed as an undrafted free agent in 2019, Snively made his debut in the 2021-22 season, and registered 7 Points (4G,3A) in 12 Games Played before seeing his season end due to injury. Although he made the Capitals out of training camp this season, he did not see ice time until playing his first game on October 20, 2022.
With the Caps suspected to move on from Laviolette, whose tendency to play veterans rather than the team’s young players has drawn ire from many in the Washington fan base, the opportunity for Snively, who has one year left on his current two-year contract, will present itself once again and it is one that the Capitals should grant.
While Snively is slightly older than what one might think of when discussing “youth”, the lack of regular ice time has made it difficult to truly ascertain whether he is capable of enduring a full, 82-game season. Regardless of whether a regime change behind the bench happens, the homegrown kid from Herndon should be a candidate for a more prominent role next season.
By Michael Fleetwood
More on Snively
Joe Snively Scores First Goal of the 2022-23 Season After Being Recalled From Hershey
Joe Snively: 2022 Prospect Review And Forecast
Joe Snively: Annual Review and Forecast; 2019-2020 Season
Joe Snively: 2021 Annual Review And Forecast