3 Capitals Players Who Won’t Be Back Next Season

The Washington Capitals are starting to already shape up for next season after multiple trades, and what's impressive is the team is somehow still right in the playoff race, just being kicked from a playoff spot yesterday while they were idle. While many players will be returning, there are some that will likely move on.

Trevor van Riemsdyk

The Capitals have seven pretty solid defenseman on the team and others in the AHL that are on the younger side that should push for a spot in the NHL next season. Ethan Bear, in his first season with the Capitals, has proven that he can be a bottom pairing defenseman at the very least, but there isn't any space. On the right side, there is already John Carlson, Nick Jensen, and Trevor van Riemsdyk. While the first two are more than capable of playing in the top-four, van Riemsdyk may very well be the player moved to create space. He will be 33 by the time next season starts and has played on the third pairing all season. If anyone is being traded to make space, it's him.

Nic Aube-Kubel

Nic Aube-Kubel hasn't been bad for the Capitals for the role he plays, but he has split time between the NHL and AHL. These types of players that can bounce between the two leagues easily, but are fringe NHLers and it makes them expendable. He is a UFA after the season, and whether it be a different free agent brought in to bolster the lineup or somebody is given a more full time job in the NHL, it should push Aube-Kubel out.

Joe Snively

Out of the different players who have sniffed the NHL this season, Joe Snively has gotten a very short look. He is a great example of a player who dominates the AHL whenever he plays there, but struggles to find a role or be effective in the NHL. Since his debut in 2021-22, he has received less and less of a chance in the NHL, just playing in three games this season. As a 28-year-old UFA after the season, the only chance he has at receiving another contract is to be a stud AHL veteran again, not to serve much at all in the NHL.