With the 24-team tournament having been announced, the other question will be what to do about the rosters. It seems as though that teams are allowed 28 skaters and as many goalies as a club wants, but that's not set in stone. There's been talks about a taxi squad as well as injuries could occur during this tournament, but regardless, there will be extended rosters. With that being said, let's take a look at some potential options to whom the team will consider for expanded rosters.
Alexander Alexeyev
Alexeyev is one of the top prospects for the Capitals, but while he was a first round talent, he's not quite ready for the NHL. He's got all the skills to be good, just needs more development. He does provide great depth at least and should be on the taxi squad if there will be one.
Pheonix Copley
Copley was a backup goalie in the NHL once and considering he's one of the names that will be called up for the extended rosters, this one was going to be obvious anyways. The only reason he's not in the NHL is because of Ilya Samsonov, otherwise, he would be Braden Holtby's backup. This one was obvious.
Martin Fehervary
Fehervary has a great chance of making the extended rosters especially having played for the team a lot this season after making the Capitals roster out of camp. He has split time in Hershey and in Washington this season, but his depth and abilities suggest he is very likely to make it on to the extended rosters. Likely a healthy scratch in most of those games, he does have experience on the ice and is likely to become a regular for the Capitals in the near future. Look out for him to be on the extended roster.
Shane Gersich
Gersich is an interesting case as he is one of the top prospects for the Capitals, but he is also an experienced player in the NHL. He did dress up twice in the playoffs last season, so that gives him an advantage. He can compete at the highest level, but it would be hard for him to supplant a veteran. That being said, he has a great chance at making the extended rosters. For Hershey this season, he has 10 goals with eight assists for 18 points with +/- 5 in 54 games played. At least he provides depth for the team.
Connor Hobbs
Hobbs is a top prospect for the Capitals and is one of the more NHL ready players in their system, but he is not likely to make the extended rosters. In 16 games played, Hobbs has two points with one goal and one assist for Hershey along with +/- 1, but was injured this season. While he has a chance, he does provide depth.
Lucas Johansen
A top prospect for the Capitals, this is one of the players highly unlikely to make the extended rosters. Yes, there are talks that he is close to being NHL ready, but in the short amount of games played for Hershey (had an injury this season), Johansen has racked up two assists for +/- 3. He might have a chance, but not likely to make it. At least he provides depth.
Axel Jonsson-Fjallby
Fjallby is one of the Capitals top prospects as he is speedy, but whether he gets a chance or not to make the extended roster is unknown. He at least will provide some depth, but he isn't likely to be pushed on to the big stage that soon. He probably will be a future piece of the club, however this probably isn't his time to shine. In 61 games for Hershey, he's scored 12 goals with 11 assists for 23 points with +/- 9. While those aren't bad numbers, it's just simply not productive enough to make the cut. If there was a taxi squad, then absolutely.
Brett Leason
Leason's numbers aren't eye popping, but he does provide depth. Whether he has a chance or not to make the extended roster, that is probably unlikely, but he is depth. In 50 games for Hershey this season, Leason has scored three goals with 11 assists for 14 points and +/- 4. While the numbers don't suggest he will get a chance, it wouldn't have seemed likely in the first place.
Tyler Lewington
Lewington has already played some NHL hockey and could very well make the cut for the extended roster. The defense could use some more depth and Lewington provides that. He also has had a great campaign for Hershey as he has scored four goals with nine assists for 13 points and has +/- 17. He also has 76 penalty minutes, so he does get physical. Don't be surprised to see him on the extended roster.
Philippe Maillet
Maillet is a two-way player for the Capitals and might have a chance at actually getting a shot at the extended roster. He does provide depth as well. With Hershey, he has racked up 44 points scoring 17 goals with 27 assists and has +/- 1. Maillet also has scored five power play goals.
Beck Malenstyn
Malenstyn has already been mentioned as a name to make the extended roster. The team must think highly of him as in the 46 games he has played for Hershey, Malenstyn has scored seven goals with eight assists for 15 points and +/- 5. He most certainly is good depth and could help the team if injuries arise. Only likely to be a bottom six forward, he also has spent time with the Capitals this season and his grit is one big reason why he will make the extended roster.
Liam O'Brien
O'Brien is an interesting case as he has played some games for the Capitals in the past. He has the experience in the NHL and he provides depth. His biggest problem though is he doesn't score very much. However, the Capitals do like him and he's having an outstanding season for Hershey. While only scoring 10 goals, he has 19 assists and +/- of 14. However, he has racked up 83 penalty minutes and the Capitals do like physicality. He might have a chance at making this extended roster.
Garrett Pilon
The 22 year old has been playing in the Capitals system for a while, but he is still young and provides a lot of depth. He has scored 18 goals and provided 18 assists for 36 points, plus he has +/- 7. One stat that was interesting was that he has scored five power play goals. It would be hard to see him being on the extended roster. He is one of their top prospects though.
Brian Pinho
Pinho also provides a lot of depth, but he's having a better season than Pilon as he has scored 20 goals with 17 assists for 37 points. He also has a staggering +/- 16. While his statistics look good, it would be hard to see him on the extended roster. He is also a top prospect.
Michael Sgarbossa
Sgarbossa has spent time with the Capitals this season as he signed a two way contract earlier in the offseason. Sgarbossa has actually got a decent shot at making the extended roster and has been playing well this season at Hershey. Despite scoring 13 goals, he has 27 assists for 40 points. In fact, he has five power play goals this season, but his +/- is 5. He does provide some depth and has a good chance of being considered for the extended roster.
Joe Snively
Snively is an interesting prospect and has played well for Hershey, but with so many quality left wingers on the team, it's hard to see him make the extended roster. Of his 24 points this season, he has scored 12 goals and added 12 assists with +/- 7. He's a player to keep an eye on for the future though.
Daniel Sprong
Sprong has a very strong chance of making the extended roster and probably will be one of the selections. He was traded for in the Christian Djoos trade with Anaheim as he provides a lot of depth. Since the trade, he has scored 12 goals with 21 assists for 33 goals and +/- 12. He also has scored three power play goals. Expect to see him on the extended roster.
Vitek Vanecek
Vanecek had been playing really well before the stoppage of play happened from the Covid-19 pandemic. He had won 19 games with 10 losses and had a 2.26 goals against average. He's also saved 91.7% of the shots he has seen. With all that in mind, Vanecek most likely will make the extended roster.
Connor McMichael
McMichael is an interesting case as he was the Capitals first round draft pick in 2019, but it's hard to imagine pushing him to play in this big of stage when he hasn't even started his professional career yet. Yes, he was absolutely dominant with the London Knights this season as he scored 47 goals with 55 assists for 102 points with +/- 32, but it would be difficult to thrust him into the big stage. While it is more likely to see him in practices or team scrimmages just to get some reps with players like Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and T.J. Oshie and that could help with his development. Another thing that could help is even having him (along with all the others here on this list) watch these games as that will be incredibly helpful to him even if he isn't playing as he will get to see a playoff game up close giving him a better idea of what the stage is like. He is eligible to be recalled though and if there was a taxi squad, he probably should be included in that. That being said, never say never because he is a talented player that the team really likes.
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