Capitals' Andrew Cristall: Makes switch from WHL to AHL
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Cristall was reassigned from WHL Spokane to AHL Hershey, the Capitals announced Tuesday.
Cristall will link up with the Bears, who are on the brink of elimination against Charlotte ahead of Game 3 of the Atlantic Division Finals in the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs. The 20-year-old Cristall spearheaded the WHL in regular-season scoring with 48 goals and 132 points across 57 appearances. He also led the WHL playoffs with 21 markers and ranked second in points (41). The 2023 second-round selection could compete for a spot on Washington's roster next season, and he should gain valuable experience if he draws into the postseason lineup with Hershey.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Arrested Saturday
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Alexeyev was arrested for public intoxication in Virginia on Saturday, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.
According to the report, Alexeyev was pepper-sprayed after police officers observed him allegedly assaulting a male individual. Alexeyev was treated for pepper-spray exposure by paramedics at the scene, and he was booked at Arlington County jail and later released. A court date has yet to be set for Alexeyev, who is a restricted free agent heading into 2025-26.
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Capitals' Ethan Bear: Headed for minors
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Bear was reassigned to AHL Hershey on Friday.
Bear will link up with the rest of the Bears to face AHL Charlotte on Friday, as the minor-league club competes in the Calder Cup Playoffs. The 27-year-old blueliner appeared in just 24 games for the Capitals this season, registering one goal on 24 shots, three assists and 16 hits while averaging just 14:54 of ice time. Given his minimal usage at the NHL level, it wouldn't be surprising if Washington lets him walk in the offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
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Capitals' Mitchell Gibson: Loaned to AHL Hershey
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Gibson was reassigned to AHL Hershey on Friday.
Gibson was outstanding in ECHL action this season, going 12-1-0 with a 1.75 GAA and a .933 save percentage over 14 regular-season appearances. He also played one game at the AHL level, stopping 26 of 28 shots in a 6-2 regular-season win over Springfield.
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Capitals' Clay Stevenson: Returns to minors
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Stevenson was reassigned to AHL Hershey on Friday.
Stevenson was with the Capitals because Charlie Lindgren (personal) was questionable for Game 5 against Carolina on Thursday, but Lindgren ended up serving as the backup goaltender while Logan Thompson got the start. Washington lost that game 3-1 and was eliminated from the playoffs, so Stevenson will return to Hershey. The 26-year-old had a 2.94 GAA and an .888 save percentage across 33 regular-season outings with the minor-league squad.
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Capitals' Ryan Chesley: Signs entry-level contract
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Chesley inked a three-year, entry-level contract with Washington on Friday,
Chesley's contract will begin at the start of the 2025-26 season. The defenseman was selected in the second round, 37th overall, in 2022. He spent three seasons at the University of Minnesota, scoring eight goals and adding 12 assists in 40 NCAA regular-season games in 2024-25. He signed an ATO with AHL Hershey at the conclusion of his college career, scoring once and adding two assists in four contests at the end of the regular season. Chesley will likely start next season at the AHL level in order to gain experience.
Capitals' Alex Ovechkin: Will return to NHL in 2025-26
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Ovechkin, who was held to just one goal in five games against the Hurricanes, will return to the NHL in 2025-26 for his 21st season, reports Greg Wyshynksi of ESPN.com.
Overall, Ovie had five goals and one assist in 10 games after he put up 44 goals in 65 regular-season games to break Wayne Gretzky's NHL record. "He was fantastic this year, and I thought he had a great playoffs. He did what he came back this year to prove, and he did it in the playoffs as well," Caps coach Spencer Carbery said after the game. "I tip my cap to the season that he had and, as our captain, leading the way." Ovechkin is signed through the 2025-26 season with a $9.5 million cap hit.
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Capitals' Anthony Beauvillier: Gets team's only goal in loss
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Beauvillier scored a goal Thursday in a 3-1 loss to Carolina in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Second Round.
Beauvillier was in the right spot at the right time when the puck caromed off the end boards to the winger who was at the top of the crease. He stuffed the puck between Frederik Andersen's pads to knot the game 1-1 at 13:41 of the first period. Beauvillier was red-hot to start the playoffs (five points in his first four games), but this goal was his first point in six games. The winger becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1 after putting up 25 points, including 15 goals, in 81 regular-season games between Pittsburgh and Washington.
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Capitals' Logan Thompson: Can't deliver miracle for team
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Thompson made 18 saves in a 3-1 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 5 on Thursday.
Thompson was brilliant early when he made a lunging save with 36 seconds left in the first to preserve the tie, but he should've stopped the eventual game winner. Andrei Svechnikov somehow put the puck in from below the right circle with 1:59 remaining. "It's my job to find the lane and get my eyes on it, and he sifted it through. It was a terrible goal to give up to end a season, and I've got to wear that," said Thompson after the game, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com. "I'm an adult. That's on me, and I can be better." Thompson finished the postseason with a 5-5 record, 2.41 GAA and .917 save percentage in 10 starts.
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Capitals' Charlie Lindgren: Available Thursday
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Lindgren (personal) will serve as the backup goaltender at home for Game 5 against Carolina on Thursday, per Sammi Silber of The Hockey News.
Lindgren has made one appearance in the 2025 playoffs, stopping four of five shots en route to a 6-3 loss to Montreal on April 25. Logan Thompson is expected to serve as the starting netminder versus the Hurricanes.
Lindgren is dealing with a personal matter which could sideline him for Game 5 against the Hurricanes on Thursday, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.
With Lindgren in doubt, the Caps promoted Clay Stevenson from AHL Hershey to potentially serve as the backup to Logan Thompson in Game 5. The 31-year-old Lindgren was on the ice for the morning skate and could still dress in Thursday's game. Regardless of who backs up, Thompson will get the starting nod, making fantasy value for the others minimal.
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Capitals' Clay Stevenson: Called up from minors
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Stevenson was recalled from AHL Hershey on Thursday.
Stevenson's elevation to the NHL roster could be an indication that Logan Thompson or Charlie Lindgren is in danger of missing out against the Hurricanes in Game 5 on Thursday. The Bears aren't in action until Friday's clash with Charlotte, so there is still time for Stevenson to head back down if he's not needed by the Caps.
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Capitals' Logan Thompson: Slated to start Game 5
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Head coach Spencer Carbery said Wednesday that Thompson is slated to start Thursday's Game 5 at home against the Hurricanes, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.
Thompson hasn't been particularly sharp over the last two games, posting a 4.03 GAA and .877 save percentage en route to back-to-back losses. The Capitals are now facing a 3-1 deficit in the series, but the team appears set to lean upon the 28-year-old once again Thursday. Thompson was much more effective over his first seven appearances in the playoffs, going 5-2-0 with a 2.01 GAA and .931 save percentage, so he'll attempt to bounce back in Thursday's Game 5.
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