Breaking down the first round of Capitals roster cuts

The first Washington Capitals preseason game is in the books and with the team having a day off today came the first round of roster cuts. The roster has now been trimmed to 51 players and you can find that updated Training Camp roster here.

The following players have been released to their respective junior teams: F Brett Hyland (Brandon, WHL), F Jake Karabela (Guelph, OHL), F Patrick Thomas (Brantford, OHL), G Antoine Keller (Acadie Bathurst, QMJHL).

The following players have been released to Hershey Bears training camp: F Jimmy Huntington, F Julian Napravnik, F Garrett Roe, F Mathew Strome, F Mike Vecchione, D Michael Kim, D Benton Maass, D Colin Swayer.

No big surprises here. It’s only the first round of roster cuts. All of these players were expected to go back to their junior clubs or the Hershey Bears eventually.

Mike Vecchione is a hero in Chocolate Town as he scored the game winning goal in overtime of Game 7 of the Calder Cup Finals to give the Bears their 12th Calder Cup.

You can learn more about the Bears magical run in the documentary Sweeter by the Dozen below:

One player I’m interesting in seeing at their junior club is Jake Karabela. He returns to the Guelph Storm of the OHL. Elite Prospects said this about him in their 2022 NHL Draft Guide:

Puckhandling is Karabela’s best skill. He beats defenders with a combination of hand speed, soft touch, and flashes of deception. Hand-eye coordination turns tricky passes and contested pucks into soft catches and quick dekes. Where many skilled handlers just deke, Karabela complements with handling with puck protection.

There will be more roster cuts in the coming weeks. Will there be any between now and the next preseason contest remains to be seen. That next preseason game is Thursday night against the Detroit Red Wings.