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Washington Capitals: Nathan Walker’s down under playing time

By Michael Marzzacco

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Nathan Walker #79 of the Washington Capitals holds the Stanley Cup after Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals defeated the Golden Knights 4-3 to win the Stanley Cup Final Series 4-1. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Nathan Walker #79 of the Washington Capitals holds the Stanley Cup after Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals defeated the Golden Knights 4-3 to win the Stanley Cup Final Series 4-1. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Nathan Walker wasn’t in the Washington Capitals lineup as often as fans would’ve liked. Now he heads to the St. Louis Blues.

The Washington Capitals drafted Nathan Walker in the third round at 89th overall in 2014. The selection of Walker was historic for the country of Australia, becoming the first Australian to be drafted to the NHL.

Walker became beloved up in Hershey as a member of the Bears and was one key component in their run to the Calder Cup Final in 2016. That year saw Walker record a career-high 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) in 73 games.

Walker is 5-foot-9, 186 pounds and has a ton of speed and physicality to complement his game. He can create chances and knows how to find the open teammate.

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As the Capitals embarked on the 2017-18 season, one of the biggest stories was the infusion of youth on the team. Walker was one of those players who made the Opening Night roster.

On October 7, 2017 the Capitals hosted the Montreal Canadiens in their home opener at Capital One Arena. Walker would make his debut in that game and his brother, wife, and parents made the long voyage across the globe for the occasion.

Walker netted the final goal of the night at 18:05 in the second period in a 6-1 Capitals blowout win. It came on a deflection off a shot from Devante Smith-Pelly after just winning a face-off.

Walker played in nine games but was scratched from the lineup on numerous occasions. He went to waivers at the beginning of December and got claimed by the Edmonton Oilers. Walker played in two games but went right back to waivers on Dec. 19. The Capitals claimed him back.

Walker played the rest of the regular season up in Hershey to the delight of Bears fans and notched 22 points (9 goals, 13 assists) in 40 games. He came back to Washington as a playoff extra in their historic run to the Stanley Cup. His only playoff game occurred in the biggest mark of the run, Game 6 of the second round, against the Penguins in Pittsburgh.

On the cusp of getting past a second round barrier that held them back for two decades, Walker’s assist to Alex Chiasson was the most crucial goal of the game. It gave the Capitals early life and helped quiet a building and an environment known for their hostility.

Jay Beagle tapped a chip pass into the zone. Walker outhustled Derick Brassard to the loose puck, went around the back of the net before firing a quick pass to Chiasson for the one-timer at 2:13 in the second.

Walker only played in three Capitals games last season but had another solid season in Hershey with 39 points (17 goals, 22 assists) in 58 games. As a restricted free agent, the Capitals didn’t extend Walker a qualifying offer and on Monday Walker signed a two-year deal with the St. Louis Blues worth $700,000.

Next. Brett Connolly finally gets paid. dark

A lot of Capitals fans would’ve loved to see Walker more on the ice. Here’s to hoping he gets that chance in St. Louis.

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