Right now, the Washington Capitals are stuck on the outside looking in at the playoff race. Meanwhile, Hershey is the best team in the AHL. If the season continues the way it’s been going and veterans get sent elsewhere at the trade deadline, we could see several players from Hershey make their way to the Capitals. So, who should get that call? Here are five players who haven’t played a game yet for the big club this year who I’d like to see get a shot.
Riley Sutter
There was once a time when the Capitals had some of the best center depth in the NHL. Nowadays, the depth has run itself dry. With Evgeny Kuznetsov stepping into the player’s assistance program, the Caps need another center. A third-round pick in 2018, Sutter didn’t get off to the greatest start as a professional, but has made himself into someone who might be able to stick as a bottom-six center. Depending on trades and injuries, he may get the chance to prove it.
Ethen Frank
After signing a two-way contract last season, Frank has responded by having a productive offensive season, scoring 21 goals and 14 assists. Besides the fact that his name closely resembles mine, the Capitals need another scorer. With the possibility that Anthony Mantha, Nicolas Aube-Kubel, and Nick Dowd could be gone by the trade deadline, Frank should get the chance to replace one of them to see if his scoring translates to the NHL level.
Chase Priskie
Remember when Priskie was a sixth-round pick of the Capitals who elected not to sign once his college career ended and went with Carolina instead? I hold no grudge. Well, I hold a small grudge, but I also know the Capitals need more offensive defensemen, and Priskie has four goals and 20 assists for 24 points in 46 games. Granted, four goals doesn’t make him the new Mike Green, but the Caps defense as a unit has nine all year so every little bit helps. Priskie hasn’t played an NHL game since the 2021-2022 season, where he played four with the Florida Panthers and had no points. He should get a shot to get his first NHL point, especially if they end up trading Joel Edmundson, Trevor Van Riemsdyk, or Nick Jensen.
Clay Stevenson
Stevenson has already dressed for a couple of games this season but has yet actually to play. This season, Stevenson is 16-7-1 and is posting a 1.93 GAA and a 0.930 SV% and has a strong claim as the best goalie in the AHL. If the Capitals trade one of Darcy Kuemper or Charlie Lindgren, they should give Stevenson a shot to see his potential as an NHL starter. Even if not, it won’t hurt to get him a couple of games down the stretch.
Pierrick Dube
Dube has been a scoring machine in the first half of the season. After playing his rookie season with the Laval Rocket last season, Dube signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals organization in July. It has proven to be a very savvy signing thus far. Dube has 24 goals and nine assists in 48 games played so far this season with the Bears.
By Ethan Berman
