Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Can't get into lineup
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Alexeyev was scratched for the 10th game in a row when he sat out Friday's 5-4 overtime win over the Islanders.
Alexeyev's five appearances this year came consecutively from Oct. 31 to Nov. 8. He recorded 10 blocked shots and six hits in that span. The 25-year-old defenseman hasn't had a chance to play since the Capitals got Jakob Chychrun and Matt Roy back from injuries sustained in October. Alexeyev would require waivers to be assigned to AHL Hershey, so it appears the Capitals are content with having him and Dylan McIlrath on board with the big club as extra options on the blue line.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Rejoins team Thursday
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Alexeyev (personal) was back with the Capitals ahead of Thursday's clash with Montreal, Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network reports.
Alexeyev will slot into the lineup for Washington for the first time this season due to injuries to Matt Roy (lower body) and Jakob Chychrun (upper body). Since both injured players still sported non-contact jerseys at Thursday's game-day skate, the 24-year-old Alexeyev could also be pressed into service for the Capitals' upcoming back-to-back versus Columbus and Carolina on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Absent for personal reasons
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Alexeyev was absent from Wednesday's practice session due to a personal matter, Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post reports.
The 24-year-old would likely be in line to play Thursday against Montreal if Jakob Chychrun (upper body), who is considered day-to-day, is unable to suit up. However, it's not yet clear whether Alexeyev will be back with the team in time for Thursday's home game. Head coach Spencer Carbery also said Wednesday that Matt Roy (lower body) is "getting real close" to returning, but it's not yet clear who would enter the lineup if both Chychrun and Alexeyev are unavailable.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Lends assist Sunday
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Alexeyev recorded an assist and two hits in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Rangers in Game 4.
Alexeyev set up a Hendrix Lapierre goal in the second period. The helper ended Alexeyev's 19-game point drought, though it was encouraging to see him in the lineup regularly down the stretch. The 24-year-old blueliner had just three points with 48 hits, 59 blocked shots and a minus-8 rating over 39 regular-season contests. Alexeyev is under contract for 2024-25, so he'll have a chance to compete for a bottom-four role with the Capitals in training camp.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Deals helper in win
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Alexeyev notched an assist in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Canucks.
Alexeyev has two helpers over his last five outings. The 24-year-old defenseman saw just 10:16 of ice time Saturday, his lowest total since November. He remains in the mix for third-pairing minutes, sharing a spot in the lineup with Ethan Bear. Alexeyev has a meager three points with 10 shots on net, 38 blocked shots, 20 hits and a minus-5 rating over 23 appearances.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Pots first goal
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Alexeyev tallied a goal and added two shots while logging 10:55 of ice time in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win against the Sabres.
The goal marks the first of Alexeyev's NHL career -- not to mention his first point of the season. The 24-year-old has struggled to garner a consistent role and has been competing with Lucas Johansen and Hardy Haman-Aktell for playing time as the Capitals have dealt with various injuries to their defense corps. With Joel Edmundson now back in the fold after missing the first month of the season and Martin Fehervary (lower body) nearing a return, it's unlikely Alexeyev will get the regular playing time he needs to deliver much in the way of dividends for fantasy managers.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Snags helper in loss
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Alexeyev recorded an assist in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Blues.
Defenseman Nick Jensen has an upper-body injury that caused him to miss the most recent contest, and that has opened up additional opportunities for Alexeyev, whom the Capitals drafted 31st overall in 2018. Alexeyev has five assists accounting for his point total through 20 contests. He's bound to go through his share of growing pains in the NHL, but the big defender at 6-foot-4, 213 pounds has a bright future, and he'll be a physical force for a Capitals blue line forming a new identity following the trade of Dmitry Orlov to the Bruins.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Steps up Wednesday
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Alexeyev logged an assist, three shots on goal and two hits in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Ducks.
Alexeyev was called upon to log 25:08 of ice time due to injuries taking Nick Jensen (upper body) and Martin Fehervary (lower body) out of the contest. This was all the more impressive for Alexeyev since he had played just five of the Capitals' 23 games since the start of January, with his last appearance being Jan. 21. The 23-year-old could be set for a much larger role if either of his injured teammates miss more time. Alexeyev now has three assists, 10 shots on net, 14 hits, 17 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating through 13 outings.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Won't play Thursday
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Alexeyev (upper body) isn't expected to play Thursday versus Ottawa, according to Mike Vogel of the Capitals' official site.
Alexeyev was taken off the injured reserve list, per the NHL media site, but he didn't participate in Thursday's pregame warmups. That suggests that he's now available, but a healthy scratch. Alexeyev has an assist in five games this season. The 23-year-old last played Dec. 9.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Expected to be activated
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Alexeyev (upper body) is expected to be activated off injured reserve ahead of Thursday's game versus Ottawa, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports.
Although Alexeyev is on track to be available Thursday, he's expected to sit as a healthy scratch against the Senators. He's picked up one helper through five NHL appearances this season.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Departs with upper-body injury
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Alexeyev won't return to Friday's game against Seattle because of an upper-body injury.
Alexeyev sustained the injury when he absorbed a hit from Seattle's Jamie Oleksiak, who received a match penalty at 9:48 of the second period because of the incident, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com. Alexeyev had an assist in 7:42 of ice time before leaving the contest. It was his first career point in his sixth NHL game.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Making season debut
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Alexeyev (shoulder) will be activated off injured reserve and make his season debut Wednesday against the Penguins, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.
Alexeyev will likely slot into a botom-pairing role after missing the first 14 games of the campaign while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. The 22-year-old defender spent most of the 2021-22 season in the minors, picking up one goal and 19 points through 68 games with AHL Hershey.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Completes conditioning stint
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Alexeyev (shoulder) has completed his AHL conditioning loan.
Alexeyev had an assist in four AHL games. He's still on the long-term injured reserve list, but the fact that he was able to play in the AHL suggests that he might be activated in the near future. He underwent shoulder surgery in June and was originally projected to miss 4-5 months.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Loaned to AHL
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Alexeyev (shoulder) will begin a conditioning stint with AHL Hershey, per Samantha Pell of The Washington Post.
Alexeyev underwent shoulder surgery in June that was projected to keep him sidelined for 4-5 months. If all goes well on his conditioning assignment, Alexeyev could compete for a spot on Washington's blue line. The 22-year-old defenseman was held scoreless in his lone game with the Capitals last season but showed some promise in the AHL, logging a goal and 18 assists in 68 games.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Undergoes shoulder surgery
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Alexeyev (shoulder) underwent a surgical labra repair of his left shoulder and is projected to miss 4-5 months.
Alexeyev seemed primed to challenge for a roster spot given the pending free agency of Justin Schultz, Michal Kempny, and Matt Irwin, but he now looks likely to miss at least the first few weeks of the upcoming season. The 22-year-old notched a goal and 19 points in 68 games with AHL Hershey during the 2021-22 campaign.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: On taxi squad
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The Capitals added Alexeyev to their taxi squad Monday.
Alexeyev figures to join the Capitals if they play games in the near future, as a handful of NHL regulars entered COVID-19 protocol Monday. If he does suit up for Washington, the defenseman will be making his NHL debut.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Summoned by big club
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Alexeyev was recalled by Washington on Tuesday, source reports.
Alexeyev will be on hand as an injury-replacement option for the Capitals' playoff run. The 2018 first-round pick has yet to make his NHL debut, but he was productive in limited action with AHL Hershey during the regular season, picking up nine points while posting a plus-11 rating through 12 contests.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Returning from overseas
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Alexeyev was re-assigned to AHL Hershey on Monday.
Alexeyev has been summoned to the minors following the conclusion of his season with KHL Salavat Yulaev Ufa. The 31st overall selection from the 2018 NHL Entry Draft posted eight goals and 16 points in 55 games while riding out the pandemic in his native Russia and is expected to serve primarily as a depth option in the minor-league ranks for the balance of the 2020 season. The 21-year-old has intriguing long-term fantasy upside as his development continues, so those in dynasty formats should consider stashing him.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Suiting up for practice Monday
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Alexeyev (undisclosed) will take part in Monday's practice, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.
Alexeyev had yet to participate in Phase 3 training camp, and though he is not expected to participate in scrimmage drills, he will at least return to the ice. The 20-year-old has a bright NHL future as he develops but is not expected to garner significant playing time in the postseason.
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Capitals' Alexander Alexeyev: Suiting up for Phase 3
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Alexeyev was added to the Phase 3 training camp roster Sunday.
Alexeyev managed three goals and 21 points in 58 games during his inaugural pro season with AHL Hershey. The 20-year-old owns excellent NHL upside and could be a reliable defenseman for the Capitals as he continues to develop. The 31st overall selection from the 2018 NHL Entry Draft could see some playing time during Washington's playoff run, but he is not likely to see a regular role in the NHL for another season or two.
