Capitals get it right with Nicolas Aube-Kubel

The Washington Capitals decided to keep Nicolas Aube-Kubel as part of their future for at least one more year and it is the right call. Next season he will make $1.225 million.

NAK was claimed off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 5, 2022 and has registered eight points with two goals and six assists in 36 games with Toronto and Washington this season.

The six foot, 207 pound forward has recorded a team high 56.9 shot attempt percentage at five on five as well as 56 hits in 30 games with the Capitals. His 9.83 hits per 60 minutes is the fourth highest rate on the Capitals this season.

The 26 year old recorded a career high 23 points with 11 goals and 12 assists in 74 games with the Philadelphia Flyers and Colorado Avalanche during the 2021-22 season.

The Stave Lake, Alberta native won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche, appearing in 14 of Colorado’s 16 playoff games and posting a plus two plus minus rating. He also ranks second on Colorado in hits with 123.

NAK was selected by the Flyers I the second round at 48th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft. In 205 career games with Washington, Toronto, Colorado and Philadelphia, he has recorded 58 points with 23 goals and 35 assists.

That would be the only move they would make in what was otherwise a quiet day for the Capitals. They did not make any more trades and now the roster for the remainder of the season is set.

Aube Kubel is 26 and fits the bill for a young forward that the Capitals will need. He has the potential to score more goals if he gets more playing time which shouldn’t be an issue now that the Caps pretty much did a slight blow up to their roster.

Now on the forward front there are just two unrestricted free agents. Those are Conor Sheary who’s had a great year and new guy Craig Smith.