Washington Capitals: Breaking down the top 3 cuts

Connor McMichael, Washington Capitals (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Connor McMichael, Washington Capitals (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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EVERETT, WA – MARCH 30: Tri-City Americans goaltender Beck Warm (35) makes a shoulder save during the first period of Game 5 of the divisional playoff series between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, WA. (Photo by Christopher Mast/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EVERETT, WA – MARCH 30: Tri-City Americans goaltender Beck Warm (35) makes a shoulder save during the first period of Game 5 of the divisional playoff series between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, WA. (Photo by Christopher Mast/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Washington Capitals had a well deserved day off on Thursday. The players that is.

For Washington Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan, he was hard at work figuring out the first wave of roster cuts. Who was he going to send back to Hershey, to their international clubs. On Thursday afternoon, the Caps announced the players who are departing D.C.

These players were loaned to their respective junior teams: Connor McMichael to the OHL’s London Knights, Aliaksei Protas (WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders), Eric Florchuk (WHL’s Saskatoon), Alex Kannok-Leipert (WHL’s Vancouver). Damien Riat was returned to his European team, the Swiss NLA’s Biel.

Kody Clark and Riley Sutter, each nursing upper body injuries, will continue their rehab stints in Hershey. Other players sent to Hershey include Casey Bailey, Erik Burgdoerfer, Tommy Hughes, Kale Kessy, Chris McCarthy, Matt Moulson, Logan Thompson, Matthew Weis, and Steven Whitney.

NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 8: Logan Thompson #35 of the Washington Capitals eyes the puck against Philip Tomasino #68 of the Nashville Predators during an NHL Prospects game at Ford Ice Center on September 8, 2019 in Antioch, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 8: Logan Thompson #35 of the Washington Capitals eyes the puck against Philip Tomasino #68 of the Nashville Predators during an NHL Prospects game at Ford Ice Center on September 8, 2019 in Antioch, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)

Beck Warm and Hayden Hawkey were released from ATO. You can check out the updated roster here.

BUFFALO, NY – APRIL 11: Providence Friars Goaltender Hayden Hawkey (31) looks at the play develop during the NCAA Frozen Four men’s hockey game between Providence Friars and Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs on April 11, 2019 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. (Photo by Jerome Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – APRIL 11: Providence Friars Goaltender Hayden Hawkey (31) looks at the play develop during the NCAA Frozen Four men’s hockey game between Providence Friars and Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs on April 11, 2019 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. (Photo by Jerome Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Some prospects that still remain include Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, Brett Leason, Philippe Maillet, Liam O’Brien, Garrett Pilon, Brian Pinho, Joe Snively, Alex Alexeyev, Kristofers Bindulis, Martin Fehervary, Connor Hobbs, Lucas Johansen, Bobby Nardella, Colby Williams as well as Vitek Vanececk and Ilya Samsonov.