Another One Bites the Dust
Injuries continue to plague the Washington Capitals
Photo by Alex Brandon
On Tuesday November 1st, 2022, Capitals forward Beck Malenstyn blocked a shot with an impressive double-legged slide during the first period of the game. Unfortunately, this save left the 24-year-old unable to play the rest of Tuesday night’s game, as he now joins the injured reserve list. John Carlson and TJ Oshie are also on injured reserve, as Oshie’s injuries will likely keep him out indefinitely. Carlson is expected to be out for at least two games, while Malenstyn will be out for at least three.
Connor Brown underwent a successful ACL surgery earlier this week, but has recently been moved to the long-term injured reserve. Brown will be out for the next six to eight months.
While the Capitals have already made lineup changes coming into this season without star players Tom Wilson and Nicklas Backstrom, the growing list of injured Capitals is going to require a serious shake-up to the roster.
Hershey Bears forwards Sonny Milano, Garrett Pilon, and defenseman Lucas Johansen have been recalled from the AHL and will be joining the Capitals roster.
Milano was drafted 16th overall in the first round by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2014 NHL draft. He has played in 197 NHL games with both the Blue Jackets and the Anaheim Ducks. During his NHL career he has tallied 36 goals and 45 assists for a total of 81 points. Milano has made 255 shots in his career with a shooting percentage of 14.1, and will make a healthy scratch for the Washington Capitals roster and is set to wear #15.
Garrett Pilon was taken with the 26th pick in the third round by the Washington Capitals in the 2016 NHL draft. Pilon has played in three NHL games, with only one goal. He did play in 213 games with the AHL, and tallied 50 goals and 82 assists for a total of 132 points.
Lucas Johansen was drafted with the 28th pick of the third round by the Washington Capitals in the 2016 NHL draft. He has only played one NHL game and tallied one assist in that game. Johansen has played 201 games with the AHL and tallied 18 goals and 56 assists for a total of 74 points.
Sources:
Weyrich, Matt. “Caps Place Oshie, Carlson, Malenstyn on IR, Recall 3 Players.” RSN, 2 Nov. 2022, https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/capitals/capitals-place-three-players-ir-recall-three-players-ahl.
