Dylan McIlrath. Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

Report: Capitals make surprising final roster cuts, new additions ahead of deadline

By Austen Bundy | Last updated 10/7/24

Ahead of Monday's 5 p.m. ET deadline for NHL teams to finalize their 23-man opening-night roster, the Washington Capitals made some interesting decisions.

With those, the team's opening-night roster is coming into focus with a former fan favorite and a veteran prospect appearing to make the final cut.

Per Monumental Sports Network's Tarik El-Bashir, 2018 Stanley Cup champion Jakub Vrana is expected to sign a contract with Washington by the deadline. He was invited to training camp on a professional tryout in August.

Related: Jakub Vrana, in camp on a PTO, is still here. The 28-year-old winger had a goal, an assist and a team-high 11 shots on goal in four preseason games. (Yes, the #Caps are practicing at Capital One Arena this morning.) pic.twitter.com/U7z9kjzbYM
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) October 7, 2024

Vrana recorded a goal, an assist and a team-high 11 shots on goal in four preseason appearances, quite the turnaround after a tough couple of seasons in Detroit and St. Louis.

Defenseman Dylan McIlrath is also expected to crack the roster, per El-Bashir. The 32-year-old has made several appearances for Washington in the past but became a prime candidate to earn a full-time spot after an impressive preseason.

Now, for the two to make the squad, there needed to be some who unfortunately missed out. The team announced on X that forward prospects Andrew Cristall and Ivan Miroshnichenko were loaned back to their respective minor league teams (Cristall, WHL Kelowna and Miroshnichenko, AHL Hershey).

The cuts were surprising given Cristall and Miroshnichenko combined for five points (three goals, two assists) and 18 shots on goal in the preseason.

A few injury designations are likely on the way as well. Veteran forwards T.J. Oshie and Niklas Backstrom are expected to land on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) to clear salary-cap space. Oshie has been dealing with back issues and Backstrom has a nagging hip problem following surgery two years ago.

Whatever combination of players is announced after Monday's deadline will have the entire week to practice as a unit. Washington will open its season on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils.

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