It’s been a very common mantra heard ‘round the Washington Capitals universe over the last two seasons. “Play the kids!” Many fans have seen enough of the aging core, and feel the best path forward for the organization is to play the prospects, as many as possible, so the team can figure out what they have going forward.
But like many personnel decisions, it’s simply not that easy, and there’s no better example of that than the trials and tribulations of defenseman Alex Alexeyev. Over the last two seasons the former first-round draft pick has seen very little game action, all while maintaining a Capitals roster spot.
Alexeyev has been the “man in the middle”, so to speak, for the last two seasons. In the middle of Hershey and Washington, that is. To complicate matters, with the exception of a long-term (allowable) injury rehabilitation stint in chocolate town last year following recovery from yet another injury, Alexeyev has been frozen in place, mostly because he has required clearing waivers to move from Washington to Hershey. That’s something the Capitals have shown extreme reluctance to risk to date, particularly following the recent losses of Axel Jonsson-Fjallby and Brett Leason, who were claimed off waivers.
To further complicate the situation, Alexeyev has seemingly yet to prove to the current coaching staff that he can be relied upon in a permanent starting role. He’s still young, 24, and there is definite additional potential to be attained, but can that potential be reached sitting in a press box on F Street?
It has to be reiterated that being a continual scratch on an NHL squad is not all bad. Alexeyev is receiving full-time mentoring from NHL players and coaches, and practicing daily with those NHL players, which certainly has value. But is it enough for his development, or is he rotting on the vine?
A ROUGH START BUT ENCOURAGING FINISH IN ‘22-23
The Capitals announced on June 18, 2023 that Alexeyev had undergone labral repair surgery on his left shoulder and was expected to miss 4-5 months. As a result, he missed training camp and the first half of the 2022-23 season.
The Hershey Bears announced on October 28, 2023 that Alexeyev had been officially loaned to the Bears for a long-term injury conditioning assignment. After four games with the Bears and the maximum allowable time for an injury conditioning assignment, the Capitals were forced to recall Alexeyev from Hershey on November 8.
Alexeyev made his regular season debut with the Capitals the following night against Pittsburgh, but did not play again until December 3. However, from that point forward he became a regular in the Capitals starting lineup.
For the 2022-23 season, Alexeyev played in 32 games for the Capitals (36 total if you count his AHL games), had no goals and five assists and was a -2 in more than 500 minutes of ice time. The following are the season stats for Alexeyev at all strengths. [Click to enalrge].
2022-23 PERFORMANCE
Alexeyev was deployed in nine different pairing combinations for the 2022-23 season (not including pairings with Dmitry Orlov and Erik Gustafsson, who were traded at the deadline). The following graph plots the performance of each pair combination (left and right side assignments), including time on ice, offensive zone faceoff percentage, expected goals differential and expected goals for percentages at five on five: [Click to enlarge].
We’ve noted in previous posts that the Alexeyev-van Riemsdyk pairing thrived during the 2022-23 season, and was one of the best performing pairs for the Capitals, all while seeing just 27.91% offensive zone faceoffs. That’s impressive, and as a result, it looked like Alexeyev was primed to secure a full time role for the 2023-24 season. So what happened?
While Alexeyev saw significant playing time in the final third of the 2022-23 season under then head coach Peter Laviolette (we don’t know if that was a result from orders from above), Alexeyev has played in just 13 games this season (49 total games over the last two seasons). That’s not ideal for development. On top of that, other defensemen have been brought in, another sign the Capitals still lack confidence in the young Russian.
Alexeyev signed a two-year extension last May, which means there is another year ahead of him with the Capitals and the potential for yet another year frozen in hockey limbo. Will he be tucked away on the Capitals roster for another full season, hoping that he can reach his potential practicing and watching from the press box? The simple answer is no. But what can be done if he’s deemed not quite ready for full-time prime time?
The Capitals have been able to save a roster spot for Alexeyev this season, primarily due to a steady stream of injuries. But while that has kept him in Washington, it has done very little for his playing time. It’s clear the Capitals don’t feel that he’s ready for steady playing time or he would be in there.
For now the plan seems to be to maintain the status quo, but the trade deadline could see things change. If the Capitals undergo a major sell-off at the 2024 trade deadline, it could mean a return of Alexeyev to more of a steady starting role, or it could even mean he is packaged in a deal. But for now, he continues to be attached to the vine.
By Jon Sorensen
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