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Washington Capitals: Breaking down the top 3 cuts

By Michael Marzzacco

Connor McMichael, Washington Capitals (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Connor McMichael, Washington Capitals (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: Damien Riat #94 is checked by Zach Sanford #12 of the St. Louis Blues during the second period of a preseason NHL game at Capital One Arena on September 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: Damien Riat #94 is checked by Zach Sanford #12 of the St. Louis Blues during the second period of a preseason NHL game at Capital One Arena on September 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

#3 Damien Riat

Damien Riat scored the Washington Capitals first goal of the preseason in their 4-3 overtime win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Riat was right in front of the net and Connor McMichael, off a shot from Tyler Lewington, fed Riat a perfect no-look backhanded pass.

Riat played in both Capitals preseason games and the advanced possession metrics show promise even though it’s a small sample size. Riat posted a Corsi-For percentage of 63.64%, a Fenwick For percentage of 62.96%, 81.82% scoring chances for, 73.41% expected goals for, and a 73.68 shots for percentage (via Natural Stat Trick).

Riat was selected in the fourth round at 117th overall in the 2016 NHL Draft. He remained with his club Geneve-Servette. Riat registered seven goals and seven assists for 14 points in 2016-17 and represented Team Switzerland in the World Junior Championships, adding six points in five games (1 goal, 5 assists).

MONTREAL, QC – DECEMBER 31: Damien Riat #9 of Team Switzerland looks to play the puck during the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship preliminary round game against Team Finland at the Bell Centre on December 31, 2016 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Team Finland defeated Team Switzerland 2-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – DECEMBER 31: Damien Riat #9 of Team Switzerland looks to play the puck during the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship preliminary round game against Team Finland at the Bell Centre on December 31, 2016 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Team Finland defeated Team Switzerland 2-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

The 2017-18 season saw Riat score 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points. After the season, he was traded. Not by the Capitals to a different team’s system. Rather this was back in Switzerland. Riat was dealt from Geneve-Servette to Biel-Bienne.

Riat recorded 25 points in his first season with Biel-Bienne in 48 games (11 goals, 14 assists). After getting some reps in Caps training camp as well as both of their early preseason games, Riat is now back with Biel-Bienne looking for an even better season.

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