Capitals recall Jakub Vrana, Paul Carey

The Washington Capitals have recalled rookie forward Jakub Vrana and forward Paul Carey from the Hershey Bears.

Vrana, the Capitals’ 2014 first-round pick, had five goals and nine assists in 16 games with Hershey this season. Vrana leads the Bears in goals scored and was third on the team in points.

Vrana is widely regarded as the Capitals’ top prospect. Selected with the 13th-overall pick, the Capitals haven’t dressed a higher selected player since defenseman Karl Alzner, who was a 2007 fifth-overall pick, made his debut. 

Vrana was limited in his rookie AHL season last year due to injury, playing in just 36 games. But Vrana still managed to record 16 goals and 18 assists, ranking second on the team in points per game (0.94). Vrana was also a critical player in the Bears’ Calder Cup Final run, ranking second on the team in points with 14 in 21 games.

Carey was recalled earlier this month, playing in a single game before being sent back to Hershey.

In order to make room for both Vrana and Carey under the Capitals’ salary cap, the Capitals sent rookie forward Zach Sanford to Hershey. Sanford, who has played in 19 games this season, recorded one assist. The move will give Sanford an opportunity to play more meaningful minutes, as the rookie played primarily on the Capitals’ third line.

With Capitals’ forward T.J. Oshie still out with an upper body injury, the Capitals will need either one of Carey or Vrana to play. If Vrana is dressed, he will make his NHL debut.

The Capitals (13-6-2) play the New York Islanders (7-10-4) Thursday.