After bouncing from the Anaheim Ducks to the Montreal Canadiens and the New Jersey Devils in a span of three seasons, rugged winger Devante Smith-Pelly found a home with the Washington Capitals ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.
With 16 points in 75 games, “DSP” was a key component to the Caps’ fourth line, and really found his stride last spring after posting 7 goals and 1 assists in 24 playoff games on route to the team’s first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Following Friday night’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Capitals completed their fourth pre-season game to date. By now, all veterans around the league have at least suited up for one game, minus those who are suffering from minor injuries, like defenceman John Carlson.
But one player that isn’t listed as injured who has yet to suit up is Smith-Pelly, who, according to new head coach Todd Reirden, “is still trying to get to the level where he was at last year,” as per NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti.
"He’s still trying to get to the level where he was at last year, and until he does, it doesn’t do us any good for him to be playing in games. He’s working really hard to get back to that spot and he’s close, but until he’s at that spot, he won’t be in the lineup because I don’t feel that’s setting a player up for success at all. But we’re hoping that’s in the next little bit here.
“He had just a phenomenal postseason for us and he was a really important player for us. If you don’t get that sort of impact from your bottom six guys, then you’re not going to win a Stanley Cup and he was a huge part for us. Like I said, we need him in there and I hope to have him in there soon.”
Reidern didn’t specify whether he was injured or not, as he opted to keep the answer “in house.”
When pressed by reporters, Smith-Pellyy confirmed that he isn’t injured and implied that he wasn’t quite in proper shape after having a much shorter summer than the average player.
“I want to play every game, but that's coach's decision to get everyone ready for when it matters,” Smith-Pelly said. “Just like everyone else, I'm working to be ready for October 3.”
“These games don’t count points,” he said. “When the time [comes when] they count, that’s when I’m trying to be ready for.”
The Capitals will raise their Stanley Cup banner against the Bruins in their home opener on October 3rd.
Washington re-signed the 26-year-old to a one-year, $1 million contract in the off-season after signing a two-way contract a year ago following a contractual buy-out from the Devils.
(h/t Tom Gulitti)
