Washington Capitals: Devante Smith-Pelly gets another chance elsewhere
Devante Smith-Pelly will not be a part of the Washington Capitals this season. Now the fan favorite gets a second chance at an NHL roster on a PTO with the Calgary Flames.
Devante Smith-Pelly will report to Calgary Flames training camp on an invite with a professional tryout. The Flames made the announcement official on Wednesday. As the offseason wore on, it was looking more and more apparent that the playoff hero known as DSP wasn’t going to be brought back to the Washington Capitals.
It was sad that things didn’t work out in Washington after it seemed like Smith-Pelly finally found an NHL home. Should he make the Flames out of training camp, that would be the fifth NHL team he’s played on.
Smith-Pelly will be motivated to prove himself like he did during his playoff heroics in Washington’s journey to the Stanley Cup. Prior to joining the Capitals, Smith-Pelly’s contract was bought out by the New Jersey Devils.
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Smith-Pelly scored seven regular season goals but blossomed when it mattered the mostwith seven playoff goals including three straight in the Stanley Cup Finals in each of the final three games.
He was rewarded with an extension and even took less money than other teams offered him since he loved it in Washington.
HIs encore act, however, didn’t live up to expectations and General Manager Brian MacLellan placed DSP on waivers midsesaon after scoring just four goals and being relatively silent throughout the season. It was a wake up call for Smith-Pelly.
Smith-Pelly found his way back to the Capitals lineup in the playoffs after T.J. Oshie’s season ended from his collarbone injury. He fared well in the action despite the bottom six practically being held off the scoresheet throughout the weekend.
When the season came to an end, more and more people found out about the struggles some players had gone through during the short offseason.
When the Capitals had their breakdown day, it sounded like MacLellan was ready to move on from Smith-Pelly:
“Internally we had a couple of issues we had to work through. I think we’ll talk to him going forward. I had an exit interview meeting with him and out-laid our expectations and we need to be assured that requirements would be met before we brought him back.”
Now Smith-Pelly gets a second chance to prove himself that he not only belongs in an NHL lineup, but that he deserves an NHL contract. This training camp and preseason, DSP has a stage and gets a chance to prove himself.
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Meanwhile back in Washington, Smith-Pelly will always be remembered for his heroics in the 2018 playoffs and his name is forever engraved on the Stanley Cup.