Washington Capitals | CollegeHockeyPlayers

16Apr

Chay Genoway(4) Hershey Bears

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Undrafted, 2nd year defenseman Chay Genoway(4) was originally signed to a one-year entry level deal by Minnesota Wild after putting up point-per-game numbers in college hockey with University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux.

He received a 2-year extension after connecting for 7 goals and 29 assists with AHL affiliate Houston Aeros in 72 games in his rookie season but fell out of favor on the roster as his point totals diminished in his sophomore campaign.

The small 5’9″ 177 lbs. may have been off the mark on the scoresheet but his on-ice accountability went up to a +11 rating on a team that was good at winning games but their goals for advantage wasn’t exactly miles apart from their goals against.

He was recently traded to Washington Capitals for a conditional 2014 seventh-round pick and reassigned to their farm team, Hershey Bears. In 10 contests he has five assists and is a +2.

The 26-year old has appeared in one NHL game and picked up an assist. Tough to say if he gets another shot in the show but if he picks up his stats again, his chances become more likely. He’s small but plays a smart style game that knows how to turn defense into offense.

16Mar

Nicolas Deschamps(9) Hershey Bears

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Originally an Anaheim Ducks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2008 draft (#38 overall), center Nicolas Deschamps(9) is in the last season of his 3-year entry level deal.

He was skating with AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch, putting up good numbers (15 goals and 31 assists in 80 games) in his rookie campaign before his point production all but evaporated in the first half of his sophomore season.

The 6′ 173 lbs. forward was dished mid-year to Toronto Maple Leafs in a minor league transaction and was reassigned to the Marlies.

It was easily the change of scenery he needed because he finished the regular season with 7 goals and 23 assists in 40 games and added another 3 strikes and 9 helpers in a playoff run that went the distance to the Calder Cup Finals before falling.

The 23-year has been erratic at best in 2012/2013, barely marking up the scoresheet.

Realizing there’s still potential and really having nothing to lose, Washington Capitals become the latest suitors hoping he can kickstart that scoring touch and help Hershey Bears gain a more solid run in the postseason.

Chances are the low-risk gamble will put the fire back on his stick in the last 20 or so games that remain, but will it be enough?

14Mar

Cameron Schilling (6)

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Washington Capitals‘ undrafted rookie defenseman Cameron Schilling(6) was recalled for his first NHL action.

He skated 11 shifts for a conservative 11:58 total ice time in the team’s 4-0 smack down.

In 54 AHL games with affiliate Hershey Bears, he has 6 goals and 8 assists with a +7 rating, playing in all types of game situations. He also appeared in 7 regular season (no points) and 4 Calder Cup Playoff games (2 goals) signed to an ato at the conclusion of his college playing career.

The 6’2″ 205 lbs. blue liner is signed through 2014 on a two-year entry level deal.

Although not selected, the 24-year old came as a highly touted defensive specialist with the potential to contribute points on the scoresheet.

It’s unlikely that he’ll spend much more than this season in the minors.

12Mar

Kyle Wilson(25) Norfolk Admirals

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7th year center Kyle Wilson(25) joins his 5th NHL team as he was involved in a recent trade that sent him from Tampa Bay Lightning to Anaheim Ducks‘ organization.

He never suited up for the Lightning in his short time with the team after an offseason deal with Nashville Predators.

Signed in 2011 for two years (1-way in the 2nd year), he spent almost his entire first campaign with minor league affiliate Milwaukee Admirals, where the 6’1″ 200 lbs. forward had an AHL career high 32 assists in 68 games. He did suit up for 5 games with the Preds but registered no points.

As the lockout loomed to put off the start of 2012/2013 season, the 28-year old sat out until it was resolved, reporting to Tampa Bay training camp but reassigned to Syracuse Crunch, where he stumbled with only 5 goals in 22 games.

A former Minnesota Wild 9th round pick in the 2004 draft (#272 overall), he spent the first 4 seasons of his pro career with Washington Capitals but only appeared in 2 games (2 assists) with them.

He won back-to-back Calder Cup Championships in 2009 and 2010 with farm club Hershey Bears.

Looking for renewed opportunity, he reports to a streaking Norfolk Admirals to play out the remainder of his contract unless recalled by the equally hot Ducks.

Where the unrestricted free agent ends up from here is another puzzle piece but we’re guessing he heads to Europe to see what’s left in the tank.

27Feb

Bryan Helmer(40) Springfield Falcons

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20th year, undrafted veteran defenseman Bryan Helmer(40) signed a contract to play with Springfield Falcons very late in the game, maybe waiting to see how the NHL lockout would unravel before making his move.

He has played an absolutely head-popping 1104 AHL games through 19 seasons and counting. He needs 1200 to catch the number two guy, so he may finally retire at 40-years old as the bronze medalist in the category. He has gold in the Calder Cup Playoff games played though with 158 and three Championship rings to his credit; two in 2009 and 2010 as captain of Hershey Bears and back in 1995 with Albany River Rats, his second year pro.

The solid 6’1″ 209 lbs. d-man has always been thought of as a good two-way player that isn’t afraid to jump up into the offensive action. He does have a pretty impressive 129 goals and 434 assists.

He’s played 146 NHL games (mostly from 1998 – 2004) with four different teams and as recently as 2009 with Washington Capitals. He has a modest 8 goals and 18 assists.

He’s like the ultimate team guy no doubt and we’d love to see him back somewhere for his 21st pro season.

22Feb

D.J. King(15) Ontario Reign

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9th year veteran left wing heavyweight, D.J. King(15) sure took his time figuring out what ice he was going to put his skates down on for the 2012/2013 season.

With less than a couple of months remaining, the 6’3″ 230 lbs. forward signed with the Ontario Reign of the ECHL.

He’s only ever played 5 games in the league in his sophomore season but has 118 NHL and 218 AHL games to his credit.

Originally a St. Louis Blues‘ 6th round pick in the 2002 draft (#190 overall), the 28-year old forward was without a contract after spending two years on a 1-way contract with Washington Capitals but played mostly with their minor league affiliate Hershey Bears.

He spent his first 6 seasons in the Blues‘ prospect system, managing to play one full campaign with the team in 2006/2007.

Known more for his brut strength on the ice than his power forward, point scoring capabilities he has easily always been the type of skater feared by opponents.

In his first game with the Reign, the 28-year old introduced himself with a first period fight and even got an assists in the 4-1 win.

17Feb

Steve Eminger(4) Connecticut Whale

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New York Rangers‘ 10th year veteran defenseman Steve Eminger(4) last saw playing time in the minors during the 2004/2005 lockout. He was recently reassigned to AHL affiliate Connecticut Whale on a conditioning loan as space on the parent club’s blue line was a bit scarce.

He started the shortened 2012/2013 campaign on the roster and found his way into four games but was unable to put up any points and was a healthy scratch for half a dozen games before being reassigned.

The 29-year old former Washington Capitals‘ 1st round pick in the 2002 draft (#12 overall) has skated in 457 NHL games scoring 19 goals and adding 77 assists. He’s an unfortunate -50 plus/minus but has show better on ice accountability in recent years.

The Blueshirts are the 6th team the 6’2″ 207 lbs. has signed with. After 6 seasons with the Caps, he was signed for one-year deals with the Flyers, Lightning, Panthers and Ducks before being involved in a trade that brought him back east.

He scored his first AHL goal in 8 years and honestly even at this later stage in his pro career he looks a bit out of place and overqualified to be spending much more time on the farm.

31Jan

Graham Mink(29) Providence Bruins

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12th year, undrafted veteran right wing Graham Mink(29) took his time when considering who to join for the 2012/2013 season.

After the NHL lockout was over, the 33-year old signed a pto with Providence Bruins. In 8 games he has a goal and a pair of assists. He was recently given a standard player contract to finish out the year with the team.

In his AHL career, he’s played a whopping 694 games scoring 244 goals and adding another 252 assists. He has also won a Calder Cup in 2006 and 2009 with Hershey Bears, one of only 5 (now 6) clubs he has skated with.

At 6’3″ 220 lbs. no doubt he’s a big figure for defensemen to move from attacking the front of the net but just as important always brings strong leaderships qualities to the table and has captained a team or two in his pro career.

He’s played 7 big league games, all with Washington Capitals, the first team to sign him to an NHL contract and the one he’s played most of his minor league games as part of their system.

20Jan

Brian Sutherby(14) Lake Erie Monsters

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12th year former Washington Capitals‘ 1st round pick in the 2000 draft (#26 overall) center Brian Sutherby(14) started the season on a pto with St. John’s IceCaps but was released after being a healthy scratch from the first two games.

Two and a half months later, the 30-year forward signs a standard player contract with Lake Erie Monsters.

A veteran of 460 NHL games with Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars and the Capitals, he’s quite literally under-scored where he should be with only 41 goals and 49 assists.

An unrestricted free agent last season, he signed a minor league deal with San Antonio Rampage but failed to produce as they would have liked and was released. He spent the rest of the year sidelined with back ailments. In 85 AHL games he’s scored 13 goals and 31 assists.

At 6’2″ 209 lbs. he’s built like a power forward and skates like one.

Despite having no points in 5 games with the Monsters, he really seems to fit into this team pretty well, making sure that if he has yet to quite hit the scoresheet yet, he’s still a big pest to play against.

17Jan

Tom Poti(33) Washington Capitals

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Washington Capitals‘ 15th year, veteran NHL defenseman Tom Poti(33) was reassigned to their minor league affiliate Hershey Bears on a conditioning stint. It was the 35-year old’s first AHL games of his career and he even netted a goal in a pair of wins before being returned to the big club to continue his road back to a full-time spot on the blue line.

The two contests were actually his first since a recurring groin injury and fractured pelvis had him sidelined for the full 2011/2012 campaign and the 2nd half of the prior season. He was at the point where it became doubtful that he would lace up the skates to play professionally ever again.

After lots of hard work, he finally passed the team physical and was cleared to play.

The towering 6’3″ 209 lbs. d-man was originally an Edmonton Oilers‘ 3rd round pick in the 1996 draft (#59 overall) and has appeared in over 800 NHL contests scoring 69 goals and 256 assists.

His deal with the Capitals is through this season. If the Worcester, MA native and regain his scoring touch, there’s no reason to believe he won’t get another extension and likely retire with the team he’s been under contract with for 6 seasons.