The Washington Capitals moved a small step closer to their final roster by returning six players, including 2018 first-round draft pick Alexander Alexeyev, to their respective junior teams.
The Capitals also loaned second-round selection Martin Fehervary to the Swedish club HV71 and released goalie Logan Thompson from his tryout deal.
With the moves, the number of players training with the Capitals this month at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia, was trimmed from 60 to 52. The team must finalize its 23-man roster by Oct. 2, the day before the regular season begins.
The moves don’t come as any surprise, as Alexeyev, Fehervary and the other rookies are all a few years off from being NHL-ready. The other reassigned players were 2018 picks Kody Clark, Riley Sutter, Alex Kannok-Leipert, Eric Florchuk and 2017 selection Kristian Roykas Marthinsen.
Four of them played in the preseason, including Alexeyev, who recorded the primary assist on the Capitals’ first goal in their 5-2 loss to the Bruins Tuesday.
The Capitals play more preseason games Thursday and Friday, first against the Canadiens in Quebec City, then at the Carolina Hurricanes.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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