Thursday at 5PM was the deadline for teams to sign players with draft rights set to expire this off-season. Defensemen Dru Krebs and Martin Hugo Has were the only Capitals players that met the criteria this offseason. The Capitals declined to extend offers to both players.
The #Caps are not going to sign draft picks Martin Hugo Has or Dru Krebs, which means the team has renounced their NHL rights. The deadline is 5 p.m. today.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) June 1, 2023
Krebs, 20, is a 6’-0” left-handed defenseman from Okotoks, Alberta. The Capitals selected Krebs in the fifth round (#176th pick overall) of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Krebs struggled with his defensive game during the 2021-22 season but improved significantly during the 2022-23 season. Offensively, Krebs never really demonstrated an ability to score. He now becomes draft eligible once again.
Has, a 6′-4″, right-handed defenseman from the Czech Republic, was selected 153rd overall in the fifth round of the 2019 NHL draft by the Capitals (Capitals traded up to get Has). The 22 year-old went unsigned by the Capitals in 2022 but signed a one-year deal with the Hershey Bears on October 8, 2022. Has now becomes an unrestricted free agent.
The #Caps have also extended a bonafide offer to 2022 draft pick Jake Karabela, which means the team has retained his NHL rights for another year.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) June 1, 2023
The Capitals did extend a bonafide offer to 2022 draft pick Jake Karabela, which means the team has retained his NHL rights for another year.
By Jon Sorensen
Wow, 2 years that seem a quick give up of Krebs. Thought they would at least give Has an offer, guess another quick goodbye.
Why would they use a roster spot on him? They have D prospects on the way, will probably sign a free agent or two, or maybe get one in a trade. Possibly Hershey does, but it would be for depth and he’d end up in SC.
So with Krebs being draft eligible again, how long would a team that drafts him retain his rights? Any chance the Caps use their 7th round pick on him or bring him back into the fold as an undrafted FA?
No chance, they didn’t sign him when they were the only team he could sign with so they’re so way they use more capital to retain his rights. He probably signs with another team this offseason
I do think there’s an outside chance the Bears sign one or both.
So, does that mean he’s now a Has been?
sorry…
Ok. That’s not bad. Keep up the good work Dave. 😁👊
LMAO…..it’s better to be Has been than a never was!
I don’t know that either of these guys get a two-way contract next year. Probably good for both parties to do AHL deals with Bears. I’d like to see Kim signed to AHL deal. Could see Day getting a two-way with Caps. Hope Iorio is the man next year.
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