Washington Capitals: Breaking down the top 3 second round cuts

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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: Austin Poganski #53 of the St. Louis Blues skates past Tobias Geisser #43 of the Washington Capitals during the first period of a preseason NHL game at Capital One Arena on September 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

After another preseason win, the Washington Capitals trimmed their roster on their off day.

On Sunday afternoon the Washington Capitals announced that these following players have been sent to Hershey: Kristofers Bindulis, Tobias Geisser, Connor Hobbs, Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, Brett Leason, Philippe Maillet, Bobby Nardella, Garrett Pilon and Joe Snively.

The training camp roster now boasts 19 forwards, 12 defensemen and four goalies. Yes the Capitals elected to keep all four goaltenders and neither Ilya Samsonov, Vitek Vanecek nor Pheonix Copley have been cut from the roster.

On Saturday, Samsonov played the full preseason game as the Capitals defeated the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena. Samsonov faced just 15 shots but stopped 13 of them in the win.

There should be another round of roster cuts at some point before the team heads to Chicago on Wednesday night to begin the second half of their preseason schedule where they’ll look to win on the road like they’ve won at home.

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: Goalie Ilya Samsonov #30 of the Washington Capitals tends the net against the Boston Bruins during the third period of a preseason NHL game at Capital One Arena on September 18, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

The Hershey Bears begin their own training camp today so the following players we’ll mention as well as the ones above will be on the ice. Others have a small possibility to make the NHL roster with the Capitals in their salary cap funk.

NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 8: Axel Jonsson-Fjallby #45 of the Washington Capitals battles for the puck against Alexandre Carrier #45 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) /

#3 Axel Jonsson-Fjallby

Axel Jonsson-Fjallby seemed like he was the most NHL ready heading into training camp but after a dismal performance in both the preseason and the rookie tournament, he finds himself heading to Hershey but it could be a blessing in disguise.

Part of Jonsson-Fjallby’s struggles is adapting to the game in the North America style which is smaller rinks but it’s an adjustment he should be able to overcome with a full season in Hershey.

Last year he didn’t have a full season in Hershey and he went back home to Sweden after one month. The Caps hope that doesn’t happen again and that Jonsson-Fjallby gets a full season with the Hershey Bears under his belt.

Jonsson-Fjallby has long blonde hair that rivals other Caps Swede Carl Hagelin. His game has been compared to Hagelin’s as well.

QUEBEC CITY, QC – SEPTEMBER 20: Washington Capitals left wing Axel Jonsson-Fjallby (45) waits for a faceoff during the Washington Capitals versus the Montreal Canadiens preseason game on September 20, 2018, at Centre Videotron in Quebec City, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Jonsson-Fjallby had just three points (2 goals, 1 assist) in 16 Hershey Bears games. He then went home to play for Djurgardens IF and recorded 10 points (1 goal, 9 assists) in 36 games.

He’s posted far better numbers than that and Jonsson-Fjallby looks for a bounce back season. In the 2017-18 season, Jonsson-Fjallby had 16 points (7 goals, 9 assists) and added two goals and two assists for four points in seven games in the World Junior Championships for Team Sweden.

The Caps and Bears would like to see Jonsson-Fjallby record a 50-point season.

BUFFALO, NY – MAY 30: Brett Leason poses for a portrait at the 2019 NHL Scouting Combine on May 30, 2019 at the HarborCenter in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) /

#2 Brett Leason

Brett Leason was a star on the Prince Albert Raiders when the Capitals selected the 20-year old in the second round of this year’s NHL Draft. Leason will have something to prove in the AHL this season after he was passed over in the draft the last two seasons. The Caps are about to be awarded though in this steal of a pick.

Leason told NBC:

“I’ve surpassed my own expectations. I was nowhere near thinking about this or realizing it could happen. (Not getting drafted before) motivated me a lot. It’s a dream of mine to get drafted and I realize this is my last chance.”

Last season, Leason led the Prince Albert Raiders with an 89-point season (36 goals, 53 assists) in 55 games. Leason added 25 points in the playoffs with 10 goals and 15 assists to lead the Raiders to the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 22: Brett Leason reacts after being selected 56th overall by the Washington Capitals during the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Leason was drafted by the Capitals in the second round at 56th overall. The team signed him in the offseason to a three-year, entry-level contract that will carry an average annual value (AAV) of $750,000 including a $92,500 signing bonus.

Brett Leason strikes first! #ALLCAPS #CapsCanes pic.twitter.com/ay2jqBDrSN
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 21, 2019

Leason had a solid showing in the Prospect Showcase and had a goal in Saturday’s preseason game against the Carolina Hurricanes. However, at just 20-years old the right winger needs more time to develop and the Hershey Bears fans will welcome him with open arms.

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: Connor Hobbs #36 of the Washington Capitals and Nick Lappin #25 of the St. Louis Blues fight during a preseason NHL game at Capital One Arena on September 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

#1 Connor Hobbs

Connor Hobbs has been a dark horse to make the roster for quite sometime, the last few seasons to be exact. Now he’s been sent back to Hershey in the second round of cuts. The defensemen still there, vying to make a spot on the Capitals roster? Alex Alexeyev, Martin Fehervary, Lucas Johansen, Tyler Lewington and Colby Williams. That’s a lot of depth.

Last season Hobbs had 18 points (3 goals, 15 assists) in 59 games for his second season with the Hershey Bears. 2017-18 was his rookie season where he posted 16 points (3 goals, 13 assists in 44 AHL games.

Hobbs comes from the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He was drafted in the fifth round at 143rd overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. Hobbs recorded 16 points (1 goal, 15 assists) in 33 WHL games in the season prior to his selection.

ARLINGTON, VA – JUNE 30:Washington Capitals defensive prospect Connor Hobbs signs autographs for fans after practice during the Washington Capitals Development Camp at Kettler IcePlex on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

Hobbs spent the next two seasons in the WHL before playing for Hershey the last two seasons. In the 2015-16 season, Hobbs posted 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists) in 58 games. The next season he was even better with a career-high 85 points (31 goals, 54 assists) in 67 games.

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These won’t be the only players being cut before the next Capitals preseason game, which will take place on Wednesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks in the Windy City. Expect another round of roster cuts to take place at some point prior to Wednesday’s game.

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