Washington Capitals: 5 players that won’t be back in 2022

Ilya Samsonov, Vitek Vanecek, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Ilya Samsonov, Vitek Vanecek, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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Dennis Cholowski, Washington Capitals (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Dennis Cholowski, Washington Capitals (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

#4 Dennis Cholowski

Like Matt Irwin, Dennis Cholowski has yet to suit up in a game for the Washington Capitals this season. Cholowski was acquired from the Seattle Kraken off waivers the day after opening night. Last season he played in 16 games with the Detroit Red Wings recording a goal and two assists for three points while averaging 15:54 minutes of ice time. As pointed out in the previous slide, Cholowski is skating as an extra defensive pair with Matt Irwin.

Cholowski carries a cap hit of $900,000. He will be a restricted free agent. Why he will likely not be back is likely because he hasn’t played at all this season. In 104 career NHL games spanning three seasons, Irwin has recorded 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points but has a bad plus/minus of -47. He had a -1 lastt season.

Cholowski and Irwin were both former Detroit Red Wings which is pretty cool. Lots of Capitals connections between those two teams with Anthony Mantha and Nick Jensen former Red Wings as well.

Cholowski was selected by the Seattle Kraken over the summer in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. He is also a former teammate of Vitek Vanecek even though he only lasted with the team for about a week.