Following their 2-1 shootout loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Washington Capitals announced that Hendrix Lapierre and Ivan Miroshnichenko have been reassigned to the Hershey Bears. Lapierre was called up with Miroshnichenko on December 19 and had two multipoint games against the New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets respectively. Miroshnichenko made his NHL debut and looked solid in his first three outings.
With both players getting sent down, Max Pacioretty might be well on his way to making his long-awaited Capitals debut. The Capitals are still without Sonny Milano and T.J. Oshie. Both are currently on injured-reserve.
The Washington Capitals have loaned forwards Ivan Miroshnichenko and Hendrix Lapierre to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Miroshnichenko, the Capitals’ first-round pick (20th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft, made his NHL debut on Dec. 20 vs. the New York Islanders, logging 10:14 of ice time. Miroshnichenko has appeared in three games with Washington this season and has averaged 9:33 of ice time.
The 6’0”, 192-pound forward has recorded 15 points (8g, 7a) in 27 games in his first season with Hershey. Miroshnichenko leads Bears rookies in goals, assists and points and ranks tied for eighth among AHL rookies in goals. Miroshnichenko ranks tied for third among all Hershey skaters in goals, but his seven even-strength goals are the second most on the team.
The Ussuriysk, Russia native recorded four points (3g, 1a) in 23 games with Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) last season, where he averaged 8:27 of ice time per game. Miroshnichenko also recorded three assists in four games with Omskie Krylia of the Supreme Hockey League (Russia-2) and 14 points (10g, 4a) in 12 games with Omskie Yastreby of the Junior Hockey League (Russia-Jr.) in 2022-23. Miroshnichenko tallied seven points (2g, 5a) in 16 playoffs games with Omskie Yastreby, which ranked tied for eighth on the team.
Miroshnichenko spent the 2021-22 season with Omskie Krylia and recorded 16 points (10g, 6a) in 31 games. In addition, Miroshnichenko captained Russia to the gold medal at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he recorded nine points (4g, 5a) in five games. Miroshnichenko’s nine points during the tournament ranked tied for fourth among all skaters and his +7 plus/minus rating ranked tied for second. Miroshnichenko also represented Russia at the 2021 4 Nations Tournament, where he recorded two points (1g, 1a) in three games.
Miroshnichenko was ranked third among European left wings and 11th among all European forwards by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2022 NHL Draft.
Lapierre, 21, has recorded five points (2g, 3a) in 14 games with the Capitals this season. The 6’0”, 188-pound forward recorded his second multi-point game (1g, 1a) of the season on Nov. 20 vs. the New York Islanders, which followed a three-point effort (1g, 2a) on Nov. 18 vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets. In eleven games with Hershey this season, Lapierre has registered eight points (2g, 6a).
Lapierre, the Capitals’ first-round choice (22nd overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft, recorded 30 points (15g, 15a) in 60 games during his first professional season with Hershey in 2022-23. Lapierre ranked second among Hershey rookies in goals, points, power-play points (10) and shots (114). In addition, Lapierre ranked third on the Bears in power-play goals (5). Lapierre added six points (3g, 3a) in 20 playoff games, including the game-tying goal in Game 7 of the Calder Cup Finals.
The Gatineau, Quebec native appeared in six games with the Capitals during the 2021-22 season. Lapierre made his NHL debut and scored his first career goal versus the New York Rangers on Oct. 13, 2021, becoming the first Capitals rookie since 2014-15 to make his NHL debut at the age of 19 and the fifth-youngest player in franchise history to score in his debut. In 20 career games with Washington, Lapierre has recorded six points (3g, 3a).
By Jacob Cheris
I like both these guys… Ill get flamed here but… Next summer I hope they trade Kutzy and move AP to 3C… his natural position… AP today has 15 pts on the wing and Kutzy has 11 at C… Further, for the next 5 years… Strome is prob 1C, CMM is 2C… HL is a natural C… trade him for a natural winger… I am thinking the Sens or Habs… finally, we have two G1s… 8 teams looking for a G1….
Not a crazy take at all.
I agree, solid take. I think more moves come though. I think Caps #1 need is an elite passing center. Love the shrewd move by GM on the Stomme signijg(s) and I think he’s a good 1c, but I think he’s a great 2c. Leave Cmm at 3 for now. Go find that elite C with 19’s money. Maybe Protas stays 3rd line, or maybe he centers 4th line in time.. lots of trade chips to utilize with varying degrees of value.
If Sutter continues his development this year and shows he’s put the injury bug in the rearview mirror, then he’d be the perfect replacement for Dowd.
Totally agree and maybe that will happen at the trade deadline!
Dowd is perhaps the best 4C in the NHL and he is cheap. He isn’t going anywhere, nor should we want him to. Look how much the 4th line played last night (and previous).
That said, I do think Sutter could take NAK’s spot at 4RW next year. NAK is an UFA and Sutter brings more bang and faceoff capabilities as well. The other option would be to have Oshie on 4th line depending on Miro and Leonard status next year.
Soo definitely think we only have room for one of the two (lappy and pro) long term. I personally would move pro over lappy for two reasons. I think lappy has real top 6 potential, and I think at best pro is the 3rd C. 2nd Having another year of control with lappy and with pro being an RFA this offseason we could easily use him as either a sweetener for a 1st round pick or a quality winger.
I know we didn’t get the 2 points but I was fired up by the fact that 3 of our 4 ,1st rounders playing together and the 4th is about to rip it up with USA.
Next years lineup (I can dream)
Forwards:
Ovi – Strome – Wilson
Miro – CMM – Leonard
Pro – Lappy – Milano
Beck – Dowd – TJ
D Pairs:
Fehervary – Carlson
Sandin – Bear
AA – Vinny
I’m not sure you are going to be able to pencil in Osh anywhere next year.
I agree with you, I’d really like to see him retire ideally but if needed bought out. And have a checking (PK) forward in that spot.
I love Protus at center but as a winger, he also makes a line much stronger. Ossie is a center turned winger, and he’s was an important part of us winning the cup. He also brings great presence into the corner digging out and taking away pucks which leads to those great outlet passes. Furthermore, who replaces him on the wing? As you said, we need wingers. I’ve nothing to add to all other suggestions you’ve made. I advocated Protus as 3rd center last year, but I can’t go there this year because of how valuable he’s been in those corners turning defense into offense.
Protus need pp time.
He needs more playing time besides pp time. Add him as a center on an extra shift…whatever…just get him on the ice. Our best player.
I agree that he is a natural C but personally I actually really like him on the wing as a big body playmaker. I know he is not as physical as Tommy is but he does create space.
Next years Forward lines (I can dream)
Ovi – Strome – Wilson
Miro – MCM – Lenard
Pro – Lappy – Milano
Beck – Dowd – TJ
My bad “Leonard”
Lappy 2C and CMM as 3C. TJ on anyline is just an IR waiting to happen. Maybe by the trade deadline they can get rid of Kuzy and Kuemper and bring Shepard up to be the #2 G.
I am saying HL traded for a natural winger… not sure who… AP to 3C… I dont see RL on the Caps next season.
I have brought this up before, but i would really like to see Pro as 1RW. He can distribute for OV. Problem is breaking up our best line. Also, very excited about seeing Patches in. So Milano and Oshie can wait a bit.
Honestly have no interest in seeing Patches as I don’t see where he has anything to offer this team next season. Why sit a younger playre who is learning and growing for an old broken player? There is nothing wrong with not making the playoffs, espeially if the team is going to go out in the first round, to get a better draft pick for the future.
The guy has been a 30 goal scorer pretty consistently. Seems like the potential to offer something the team needs.
I’m not worried about next year yet. I want to win this year and Patches brings scoring which we need desperately. Also, no Younger’s are sitting for Patches. It will be Phillips going back to Hershey at some point. And maybe Milano as 13. Or Oshie on IR.
Miro and Lappy got just what they needed. Played in a couple of games and tasted that NHL game and speed. Go back to Hershey and work on the things the coaches gave them to work on. Positions them to lay next year.
Especially if the Bears go on another run.
ANON – accurate analysis
Kuzy is improved from last season but at Minus-7 a definite trade bait
Time to Raid the Roster at Nashville to facilitate reunion of Trotzy and Kuzy
Stingrays game against the Florida Everblades (Rich’s team) was postponed after 7:11 due to unsafe ice conditions.
Hey Fyre. Not sure what happened at the SC arena, but stuff happens. On this road trip the same thing also happened last weekend at Orlando’s arena. Two cancelations within a week due to unsafe ice conditions. Blades are off to another slow start this year. They are going to have to turn things around to make the playoffs. I don’t think they have a shot of going back to back to back. But it’s ECHL hockey an too early to tell.
As the Rays scored on their first shot and Blades scored on their third, no indication of ice problems. Fans and announcers had no clue going into media time out but when we came back arena officials were working on the ice by the boards in the Ray’s corner. They worked on it quite a while bringing out the fire extinguishers and then found other spots along the boards. They worked on them manually and with Zambonis and FloHockey cut out 1 hour and 7 minutes later so I don’t know how much longer the decision to postpone took. Strange since according to the announcers the weather was cold (for North Charleston) and teams had practiced on the ice and did warmups without noticing any problems.
I see the cops captured a 12 foot gator doing its Christmas shopping at the Coconut Point Mall.
Pacioretty good to go?
I thought the roster freeze went through Christmas break so wonder why they were sent down now. But I could be wrong. I figure Patches isn’t immediately ready to return but within the next two weeks. Milano could be ready post-break. And the signing of Bear. Are Lappy and Miro truly returning to Hershey or is this a paper move for at least one of them.
they had to move them back before midnight, otherwise they would be stuck in DC. They may not need them yet or can call them up again after the break if needed. there are only so many slots that the team can field at a time due to league rules.
That is what i was thinking too. Had to be before midnight. Should have a full set of bodies coming out of break. Or at least 2 of the 3 ready to go.
Great to see Lapierre and Miro get a couple of games. See what they have. Give them some things to work on in Hershey. Keep developing.
The above was DWGie26.
Also a lot cheaper for Ted.
Is there not a Salary-cap play in play by sending Miro and LaPi to AHL?
normally, yes, but
from CapFriendly:
PROJECTED CAP HIT Tooltip : $87,487,639
PROJECTED LTIR USED Tooltip : $3,987,639
PROJECTED CAP SPACE Tooltip : $0
CURRENT CAP SPACE Tooltip : $6,730,000
DEADLINE CAP SPACE Tooltip : $6,730,000
TODAY’S CAP HIT Tooltip : $87,615,000
ROSTER SIZE: 22/23
CONTRACTS: 43/50
RESERVE LIST: 63/90
INJURIES: 4
right now cap space is not an issue.
Thanks for the analysis NovaFyre
Wow! A whole army of accountants is needed to navigate the Bettman Salary Cap “system”
I miss the days before the Cap and before the Dictator-Commissioner system. The current “paradigm” is For the Birds
– Team finances in the hands of Global Corporate
– The on-ice product a giant video game tainted by cameras and iPads and crooked Zebras
– NHL Culture in the hands of a deranged Woke Dictator
– “Enforcer” players are legislated out of the game, then commit suicide
– Cindy Crosby the phony “conscience” of the Players Union
– Worldwide Gambling criminal-corporate has Camel Nose under the tent
– Limitless Expansion is the Name of the Game
– And a billion dollars in ca$h wins you an instant $tanley Cup Finals — $crew all the other franchises!
– Even medical is corrupted – just ask Jack Eichel
The Clarence Campbell – Phil Esposito NHL was much better
Analysis? From me? I don’t do no stinking analysis. I just find, copy, and paste.
Espo!! Original owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning, now part-time color on Lightning Radio. And I think he was a pretty good player back in the day. The best dirty goals guy in NHL history.
Mantha Mantha Mantha!!!
He plays pretty hard when his contract is up. If they keep him, better just give him a 1 year deal each time.
Clay is first in the AHL in GAA (1.79) while Hunter is seventh (2.36). Clay is second in Save % (0.931) while Hunter is 24th (0.906).
Dube is tied for first in the AHL in goals (16). Frank is tied for sixth (13). They are the only two Bears in double digits although 20 Bears have scored so far this season. Sgarbossa is tied for first in assists (24).
17-9-5 at Christmas Break. Certainly better than I thought about the Caps back in August
Imperfections for sure but both players and coaches have “Rocked the Red” about as maximum as possible. Let’s kick the Rangers’ ar$e on Wednesday, then the Fish Sticks on Friday, and have a great 2nd Half
Memo to GMBM: You can make or break the Caps season from here. Resist Stupid. Patient solid better
We complain that Carbs hasn’t made enough changes but I too would not have bet on Caps being first wild card at this point. Especially not with injuries we have had. Tampa studio and announcers all marveled at how well the Caps were doing without a strong PP and with so little scoring. They emphasized that this was not the Caps team the Bolts had met when Lavi was in charge. And they all felt it was only getting better. In fact, the only weakness noted was Ovi.
One can take it or not, but I have often found that the opponent’s analysts are more honest than those following the Caps.
Yep, those that complain….gm and Carbs are threading this impossible needle. To have this team ahead of the Devils (again, while so many want the caps to do a “rebuild” that the Devils still can’t seem to find their way out of as well as Buffalo and so many others. The Caps have cap space and movable assets to eliminate some cap issues (Kuzy) if they want and/or just package some average prospects and sign or trade for a player – Pettersson would be perfect. I’d give up so much for that guy. Now you’d have a 1c, Stromme 2c, CMM 3c (unless we need to trade him to get Pettersson, then you put Lappy or Protas there. Then you sprinkle Miro and Leanord (see if Frank or another can make the jump) over the next couple of years along with what we have already…
Dear Hockey Gods! Up There In The Pearly Nets! We Beseech Thee:
Please place Dead-Last-#45 on Waivers when Pacioretty comes back
And Please find an NHL team to claim him
So we no longer need to pretend he’s an NHL player
Preserve Alex Alexeyev on the Caps Roster
He deserves a real shot instead of a Herky-Jerky a la previous Caps regimes
In saecula saeculorum: Venite igitur Caps
Testify, brother, testify!