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Washington Capitals: Predicting the waiver wires

By Michael Marzzacco|
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 11: Washington Capitals defenseman Christian Djoos (29) sends the puck past Arizona Coyotes center Alex Galchenyuk (17) during a NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the Arizona Coyotes on November 11, 2018, at Capital One Arena, in Washington, D.C.The Coyotes defeated the Capitals 4-1.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 11: Washington Capitals defenseman Christian Djoos (29) sends the puck past Arizona Coyotes center Alex Galchenyuk (17) during a NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the Arizona Coyotes on November 11, 2018, at Capital One Arena, in Washington, D.C.The Coyotes defeated the Capitals 4-1.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Washington Capitals made a significant trim to their roster following the preseason finale.

The Washington Capitals trimmed their roster by placing three players on waivers: Liam O’Brien, Mike Sgarbossa, and Christian Djoss while sending Shane Gersich, who’s waiver exempt, to Hershey.

We all know the rules here in this game. Teams have 24 hours to claim any player sent to waivers and we find out at 12 noon eastern the next day. In this piece, we’ll predict what happens and the fate for each candidate. Let’s begin.

Liam O’Brien

RALEIGH, NC – SEPTEMBER 21: Washington Capitals forward Liam O’Brien (87) with the puck during the 2nd period of the preseason Carolina Hurricanes game versus the Washington Capitals on September 21, 2018 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – SEPTEMBER 21: Washington Capitals forward Liam O’Brien (87) with the puck during the 2nd period of the preseason Carolina Hurricanes game versus the Washington Capitals on September 21, 2018 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Cleared – Liam O’Brien will clear waivers and return to the Hershey Bears for his sixth season in Chocolatetown and he’ll be welcomed back with open arms as the Bears gear up for an exciting season of their own.

Last season O’Brien was named alternate captain and scored 15 goals and added 13 assists in 74 games, including four game-winners. He led all forwards with 118 penalty minutes, so he’ll hope to stay out of the sin bin or reduce his visits but don’t count him out as a headline for some fights this season.

Mike Sgarbossa

washington capitals
HERSHEY, PA – NOVEMBER 28: Hershey Bears center Mike Sgarbossa (17) rests during the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Hershey Bears on November 28, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Claimed – After the season Mike Sgarbossa just had in Hershey, another team will like his experience to the point of claiming him and trying to utilize Sgarbossa as a reclamation project. Sgarbossa was a star on the Hershey Bears last season, leading the team with 65 points including an AHL career-high 30 goals and 35 assists.

Placiing Sgarbossa on waivers affects the Capitals center position for opening week with the three-game suspension by Evgeny Kuznetsov. With his absence, the third line center position is now up for grabs. It’ll go to either Travis Boyd or Chandler Stephenson.

Christian Djoos

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 11: Washington Capitals defenseman Christian Djoos (29) warms up for the game against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 11, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 11: Washington Capitals defenseman Christian Djoos (29) warms up for the game against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 11, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Claimed – Yup. We should have saw this coming from a mile away. Christian Djoos may have had a sophomore slump filled with injuries and losing his spot to Jonas Siegenthaler, but he’s still a solid young blueliner with Cup-winning experience.

Djoos skated in 22 Stanley Cup playoff games during that Capitals Stanley Cup run. After a 10-point sophomore season with a goal and nine assists, a four-point drop off from the previous year, Djoos has the capabilities for a bounce back season and close to 30 other teams will recognize that. That’s why I think out of all the three, Djoos is the most likely to get claimed. If that is indeed the case, thanks for the memories Djoos.

Those are my predictions for the trio that was placed on waivers. What are yours? We find out the moment of truth at noon.

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