There weren’t many job openings entering training camp for the Capitals when training camp opened two weeks ago. But after seven preseason games we have a decent idea about who earned the final roster spots.
First, Mathieu Perreault has earned a job. Whether that means consistent playing time right away remains to be seen. That’s unlikely if the coaching staff intends to stick with a third line centered by Brooks Laich. The only other opening after that would be fourth-line right wing and Jay Beagle – with his size, speed and physicality – just seems like a better fit at that spot.
“Well, we have an idea. We know what we’re going to do,” Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said after Sunday’s preseason finale against the Chicago Blackhawks, a 4-1 victory. “I think our best player all camp was Perreault. He played with the energy every night and I think he was very similar last year. But we’ll sit down tomorrow and we’ll discuss all of this.”
That reads like a description of a player who has made the cut. Perreault recorded his third goal of the preseason Sunday’s and he has five points overall. Not sure what else he could do. The 23-year-old has had bursts of productivity at the NHL level. But if he is given the nod he’s going to have to find a way to maintain that for longer than two or three games at a time – all while fighting an uphill battle for ice time.
“I think consistency. Even in situations – doing the right things, playing the right way,” Boudreau said. “[Perreault] gets excited. Like tonight, he’s playing well, he gets excited and then he wants to hold onto the puck instead of at the end of the shift dumping it in. I understand that. Those are the kinds of things that he has to consistently do to be a very good player. He’s a good player. But to be very good.”
That would likely mean centers Cody Eakin, 20, and Mattias Sjogren, 23, head to AHL Hershey. And to be honest, that’s where they should be. Both players could play a role for the Caps this season. But neither has much experience at the professional level in North America. Eaking managed nine games total at the tail end of last season with Hershey and Sjogren has only played in his native Sweden. Neither player suited up for Sunday’s game and that’s a pretty clear indication that they are headed to the minors for seasoning.
Will put together another blog post on defenseman Dmitry Orlov, who did play in Sunday’s game. Jeff Schultz was the only expected regular who sat out.
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