Washington Capitals recall Brett Leason, place T.J. Oshie on IR
Ahead of tonight’s contest against the Arizona Coyotes, the Washington Capitals made a few roster moves in the aftermath of learning that T.J. Oshie will be week to week with a lower body injury. They recalled Brett Leason from the Hershey Bears while placing Oshie on the Injured Reserve list.
Leason is a right winger like Oshie. The 22 year old has one goal in five games with the Bears while tied for third on the team with 11 shots. During the 2020-21 season, the six foot five and 215 pound winger recorded 20 points with nine goals and 11 assists in 33 games. That included 13 points in his final 15 games with five goals and eight assists.
The Calgary, Alberta, native surpassed his rookie total of 14 points with three goals and 11 assists in 2019-20 in 17 fewer games in 2020-21 while also tripling his goal total. Leason ranked fourth on Hershey in goals and points and second in shots with 74. Additionally, Leason was one of five skaters to appear in all 33 of Hershey’s games and was the only Hershey player to record a power play goal, a shorthanded goal, and two game winning goals.
In 88 career games with the Bears, Leason has 35 points with 13 goals and 22 assists. At the junior level, Leason regististered 89 points with 36 goals and 53 assists in 55 games with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League (WHL) during the 2018-19 season.
In 190 career WHL games between Prince Albert and the Tri City Americans, Leason recorded 140 points with 60 goals and 80 assists. He received the 2019 E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence which is presented annually by the NHL to a prospect who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness, and athleticism.
Leason represented Team Canada in the 2019 World Junior Championship recording five points in five games with three goals and two assists. He was selected by the Capitals in the second round in 2019 at 56th overall.
As for Oshie, he hurt himself early in the third period while blocking a shot. Now with him and Nicklas Backstrom out, it does cause a little bit of concern. The good news is that this Capitals team seems to have already developed a “next man up” mentality which is a key to success in any team sport.
Must Read. Coyotes vs. Washington Capitals: Date, Time, Betting Odds, Streaming, More. light
Look for Leason to make his NHL debut if Nic Dowd indeed can’t play after he hurt himself at the beginning of morning skate. If Dowd can play, look for Daniel Sprong to be in Oshie’s spot.