Capitals mysteriously call up ECHL goaltender ahead of the playoffs
The Washington Capitals are gearing up for the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, and have made a mysterious move ahead of the post season by calling up an ECHL goalie.
With the Washington Capitals managing to sneak into the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs by grabbing the last wild card sport in the Eastern Conference in their final game of the regular season, the team is now getting ready to take on the New York Rangers. It won't be an easy task to beat the President's Trophy winners, and GM Brian MacLellan is leaving no stone unturned in his search for back up. Just today, MacLellan called up a goaltender straight from the ECHL.
While it's not unheard of, it's not a common thing for players or goaltenders to go from the ECHL to the NHL. However, netminder Mitchell Gibson did just that today.
The Capitals selected Gibson, 24, with their fourth-round pick, 124th overall, in the 2018 NHL Draft."
The Caps have been going with the tandem of Charlie Lindgren, who has played 50 this season, as well as Darcy Kuemper, who has dropped to backup after Lindgren's breakout year at the age of 30.
While Gibson may very well get a chance in the NHL should injuries occur, this move by MacLellan seems to be for more than just the Capitals. South Carolina is not in the ECHL playoffs, but AHL affiliate Hershey Bears are in the post season. One ECHL goalie, Garin Bjorklund was called up to the Hershey Bears, while Gibson was brought to Washington, allowing both teams to have three if needed.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 19 | 111 ANSWERS Capitals mysteriously call up ECHL goaltender ahead of the playoffs Who do you think will win the series between the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals, who just called up Mitchell Gibson from the ECHL? | ||
| Rangers | 77 | 69.4 % |
| Caps | 20 | 18 % |
| Not sure | 14 | 12.6 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Vladislav Namestnikov | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Nino Niederreiter | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Gabriel Vilardi | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Kyle Connor | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nikolaj Ehlers | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Noel Acciari | - | - | - | |
| Mason Appleton | - | - | - | |
| Morgan Barron | - | - | - | |
| Anthony Beauvillier | - | - | - | |
| Michael Bunting | - | - | - | |
| Sidney Crosby | - | - | - | |
| Dylan DeMelo | - | - | - | |
| Haydn Fleury | - | - | - | |
| Matthew Grzelcyk | - | - | - | |
| Connor Hellebuyck | - | - | - | |
| Alex Iafallo | - | - | - | |
| Tristan Jarry | - | - | - | |
| Erik Karlsson | - | - | - | |
| Rasmus Kupari | - | - | - | |
| Kristopher Letang | - | - | - | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 19 | 16 | 3 | - | 32 | |
Wild | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 29 | |
Hurricanes | 19 | 14 | 5 | - | 28 | |
Devils | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 27 | |
Golden Knights | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
Flames | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||