Washington Capitals reclaim Axel Jonsson-Fjallby off waivers
The Washington Capitals are starting to get a reputation for losing players and getting them back less than a week later. On Sunday the Buffalo Sabres placed former Caps prospect Axel Jonsson-Fjallby back on waivers where he was claimed by Buffalo just a few days ago when the Caps put him there. With an opportunity to take back a prospect, the Caps took advantage.
This is the second time this year this has happened to the Capitals. It happened back in July when they lost Vitek Vanecek to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft only to trade back for him a week later. There’s also Nathan Walker from the 2017-18 season as well as the Brooks Orpik moment following that season.
In other waivers news, Michal Kempny cleared as did Zach Fucale and Garrett Pilon. They all, like Axel Jonsson-Fjallby will head to the Hershey Bears. He initially was supposed to play in the Sabres preseason game over the weekend before being a healthy scratch at the last minute.
The Swedish forward has speed and a killer flow that would make Carl Hagelin jealous. The 23 year old was a fifth round pick by the Caps in 2016. Last season he recorded 15 points with 10 goals and five assists in 31 games with the Hershey Bears. In 2018 he signed an entry level contract and received a two year extension back in June.
Jonsson-Fjallby skated in two Caps preseason games averaging 20:25 minutes of ice time. He had no goals and just three shots. In 2019-20, Jonsson-Fjallby recorded 23 points with 12 goals and 11 assists. He was tied for fist on the team in shorthanded points with a goal and two assists and ranked fifth in plus/minus with a plus nine while being tied for sixth in goals.
Washington Capitals Player Preview: T.J. Oshie Showing No Signs of Slowing Down. light. More
Last season, Fjallby averaged 0.32 goals per game which is an AHL career high. He now heads back to the Hershey Bears. The Bears have one more preseason game on Wednesday night at the Lehigh Valley Phantoms before they open their regular season on Saturday night from Giant Center against the Charlotte Checkers.