Ahead of the Washington Capitals’ matchup against the New York Islanders, they held a morning skate. Here is what you need to know.
Ivan Miroshnichenko will officially make his NHL debut on Wednesday. The Capitals posted a video showing Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery telling him the news.
Ready for this moment.#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/RQxor1M9Ji
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 20, 2023
Ethan Bear skated for the first time at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. The Capitals said Wednesday morning that they are expected to make the signing official at a later date as he is still recovering from shoulder surgery. Bear was at the practice facility on Tuesday.
“I feel great. I feel healthy. I feel strong.” — UFA defenseman Ethan Bear, who has joined the #ALLCAPS to continue his rehab. He is expected to sign soon. pic.twitter.com/UMWGyJrBPL
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) December 20, 2023
Ethan Bear is on the ice for the morning skate as he continues his rehab from offseason shoulder surgery. The #ALLCAPS are expected to sign the UFA defenseman soon. He’s wearing No. 25, BTW. pic.twitter.com/3ewKxDKtS9
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) December 20, 2023
Darcy Kuemper will get the start in goal after a 28 save performance against the Carolina Hurricanes. This means that Charlie Lindgren is expected to start against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.
The Capitals host the New York Islanders tonight at Capital One Arena for the third of four meetings between the teams this season. The Capitals fell to the Islanders 3-0 on Nov. 2 in D.C. but drew even in the season series with a 4-1 win at UBS Arena on Nov. 11.
Washington and the Islanders will conclude their season series on Dec. 29 in New York. This season, the Capitals have a 7-2-1 record (.750 point percentage) against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Puck drop against the Islanders is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Capital One Arena.
By Jacob Cheris
It seems like Caps management is using a quantity over quality method of acquiring personnel. Every level from ECHL to NHL has too many players/too few jobs. Just look at Hershey, with 9 AHL quality defensemen. They did this by signing a ton of free agents over the summer, like Dube, Osipov, Limoges, Huntington etc. And the thing is, it’s working. Hershey, fresh off a Calder Cup, leads the AHL, South Carolina is second in their conference. It remains to be seen if it works at the NHL.
An NHL organization/pipeline isn’t just about finding NHL players. Its about creating competition at all levels, and the Caps have done that. They have competition for jobs everywhere, except for some skill types, who know their’s s is secure (Sgarbossa, Vecchione, Ovechkin, Kuznetsov etc)
love this. so true across all sport.
Actually Hershey is 1st in the AHL. The only team with over 20 wins so far this season
That’s what I wrote, that Hershey is fresh off a Calder Cup, and is leading the AHL. Seems like I’m not the only one having trouble with reading comprehension today.
Depth creates competition and the best will rise. That is good. That is partly what happened to McMichael. He developed and is now competing at the right level. May the best player win the spot!
I see Ethan is wearing the right shirt.
Tom Gulitti reported: “I just want to see him compete at a high level,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said Wednesday. “I have zero expectations on offensive, scoring chances, scoring a goal. That stuff I know will look after itself and he’s a real young player and there won’t be any level of expectations put on him in that department. I just want him to go out there and compete and show that he can keep up with the pace of the NHL.”
He’s 26, he ain’t that young. C’mon Carbs!
He’s 19…
Carbs said this about Miro, not Bear)
Oooooh. I fail reading comprehension for today.
He’s talking about Miro…
The Caps have a RADICALLY different “look and feel” to them than even the early part of this season. I think it’s great. The pile of manure that was Game One against PIT, that was the Darth Violette Caps of 2019-2023 … just before the Carberator Phenomenon really took hold. Same Old Gravy, Just Warmed Up.
Tonight’s Caps really are: Younger, hungrier, happier, more aggressive, more successful. Plenty of imperfections but all NHL teams have them. First time this season as a fan I’m EAGER for the game to start, instead of Here We Go Again Will We Stink Again Tonight?! Make us proud, the new Miro Caps!
The game I saw in Hershey Micro looked REAL good . Both offensive and defensive game impressive for a 19 20 year old rookie. I’m assuming this is a under 9 game thing with TJ and Sonny out.
When Max comes back and Bear gets a sweater then we get 100 percent sans Backy what do ? Who goes? What do lines look like??
My guess
Ovie/Strome/Wilson
Max/Kuznetsov/Oshie
Protas/McMike/Mantha
Beck/Dowd/NAK
So Sonny is the odd man out?? And I really like Milano and we just gave him 3 year deal but looks like he might of been better fit in Pete’s system from last year. Looked like good deal at time but might back fire
Marty/Carly
Sandin/Bear
Edmundson/TVR
That then leaves Jensen and his 3 year 12 million plus deal on the bench… This already looks like a horrid signing now in this system.. That also leaves AA on the bench for foreseeable future.. Screw his development right?? Guess this puts the fork in him and is the F.O admitting a missed pick??
What’s y’alls thoughts??
Hi Greg
Interesting analysis! Lots of moving parts to the New Caps of 2024
I’d be REAL disappointed if Miro is only up here for nine games or a “cup of coffee”
That is still the rule right under 9 games don’t count as year against ELC?? Correct ?? Unless they changed it
The NHL has what is called an “entry-level slide.” If a player signs his entry-level contract and is either 18 or 19 years old before September 15 of the signing year and does not play 10 games in the NHL that season, their entry-level contract is extended by one year.
The length of the ELC depends on the age of the player. Here is a breakdown of the contract length:
18-21 years of age: 3 years
22-23 years of age: 2 years
24 years of age: 1 year
from sporting news
Props for this, Fyre.
I hope Ethan Frank gets called…