"The Washington Capitals are close to setting their Opening Night 23-man roster for the 2025-26 NHL season after making six cuts on Friday morning. The Capitals must cut four more players from camp before submitting their final roster by 5 pm on October 6. All indications, including Friday's lines and pairings at practice, suggest that a group of seven players on the bubble is fighting to remain on the team."
"If the Capitals were to maintain the same roster composition from last year - 13 forwards, eight defensemen, and two goaltenders - the club would carry Lapierre and one of the latter players. All three have prior NHL experience, with Milano leading the way with 313 career games, followed by Miroshnichenko (39) and Frank (24). Milano, 29, has been red hot during the preseason, recording six points (4g, 2a) in three games."
"The most competitive battle for roster spots is at forward, where Hendrix Lapierre appears a surefire candidate to make the final roster. Not only that, but Lapierre may have locked up another shot at third-line center heading into the year. Fighting for spots underneath Lapierre is a group of wingers consisting of Ivan Miroshnichenko, Sonny Milano, and Ethen Frank. Of the three, Miroshnichenko is the only one who is still waivers-exempt, meaning he can be directly sent to the Bears without risk of another team in the NHL claiming him."
The Capitals made six cuts and must trim four more players before the 5 pm October 6 roster deadline. Seven players sit on the roster bubble: Hendrix Lapierre, Sonny Milano, Ivan Miroshnichenko, Ethen Frank, two defensemen and one goaltender. Lapierre appears likely to earn a third-line center role. Ivan Miroshnichenko is the only waiver-exempt winger, allowing a direct assignment to the Hershey Bears. Sonny Milano has surged in preseason scoring and leads the group in NHL experience, while Ethen Frank earned extended NHL time last season due to injuries to others.
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