Capitals claim Nicolas Aube-Kubel off waivers

The Washington Capitals dipped into the waiver wire and claimed forward Nicolas Aube Kubel. As a result, they then loaned forward Garrett Pilon to the Hershey Bears.

Aube Kubel is 26 years old and has appeared in six games with the Toronto Maple Leafs this season before they put him on waivers. The six foot, 207 pound forward was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round at 48th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft.

Aube Kubel recorded 23 points with 11 goals and 12 assists in 74 games with the Philadelphia Flyers and Colorado Avalanche last season. He was claimed off waivers by Colorado from Philadelphia almost one year ago on Nov. 13, 2021 and helped the Avalanche win a Stanley Cup.

In that Cup run he appeared in 14 of Colorado’s 16 playoff games while posting a plus two plus minus rating. In 175 career games with Toronto, Colorado, and Philadelphia, Aube Kubel has recorded 50 points with 21 goals and 29 assists.

Pilon, who’s 24, has recorded five points with one goal and four assists in seven games with Hershey this season which ranks tied for second on the team. In 213 career games with Hershey, Pilon has recorded 132 points with 50 goals and 82 assists.

The Caps turned to waivers to address the injury bug that has plagued this team all season. They sent Pilon back as they were at their 23 man skater roster limit.

Aube Kubel signed a one year, one million dollar contract with the Maple Leafs back in July. He went without a point in six games but did have 21 hits.

He reunites with Darcy Kuemper as they not only won the Cup together but Aube Kubel also dropped and dented the Cup during the team’s photoshoot.

He’s a gritty fourth line player who can help put pressure on the forecheck. He would fit in well with Nic Dowd and Garnet Hathaway and fill the void left by Beck Malenstyn who’s out for the next six to eight weeks.