Caught up with Caps enforcer D.J. King on Wednesday morning – 24 hours after he cleared waivers and remained with the organization. King and his agent, David Kaye, had hoped there would be a chance somewhere else for playing time. After appearing in just 16 games in 2010-11, King, a 27-year-old winger, has played just once for Washington this season. It is inevitably his role on a team this talented and he knew that coming into training camp. But it remains frustrating. So both sides agreed to a waiver placement to see if any of the other 29 NHL teams had a spot for King. None bit – yet.
“That’s pretty much what it was. Just to see if someone else needed my role kind of thing where I’d have a little more opportunity to play,” King said. “But it’s a tough market so right now I’m back to where I was at the start of the year like nothing changed. And just work hard and when I get the chance here to play just make sure I’m ready to play good.”
No resolution in sight, according to Caps coach Bruce Boudreau. King is at the mercy of the team’s injury situation. Troy Brouwer has a shoulder injury, Mike Green is still dealing with his sore right ankle and Jay Beagle is waiting for his concussion symptoms to die down. For now, there is an open roster spot and King must be ready to take advantage if playing time materializes. He’s not getting off the island any other way right now.
“If I just kind of go through the motions it’s not doing me any good,” King said.
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