Washington Capitals acquire 43rd overall pick from Buffalo Sabers for Beck Malenstyn – NoVa Caps

The Washington Capitals announced Saturday morning that the team has acquired the 43rd overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft later in the day from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for left wing Beck Malenstyn, who can become a restricted free agent on Monday and is eligible for salary arbitration.

The 26-year-old has established himself as a full-time NHL player in 2023-24, posting six goals, 21 points and a .4091 expected goals percentage at five-on-five in a checking-line role. Malenstyn, who appeared in all four of Washington’s playoff games in April, reportedly drew some interest ahead of the trade deadline.

In 105 career NHL games, Malenstyn has eight goals and 24 points.

Malenstyn, who led Washington forwards in shorthanded ice time per game (2:37) last season, won the Calder Cup with the AHL’s Hershey Bears in 2023 and recorded four goals and eight points in 20 postseason games to help the team win its first consecutive championship.

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MacLellan said the Capitals were comfortable re-signing Malenstyn and did not want to move him.

However, the opportunity for a solid defensive prospect was too good to pass up.

– Sammi Silber 🏒 (@sammisilber) June 29, 2024

The Capitals, who currently have a salary cap hit of $7,135,000 with Nicklas Backstrom (hip) expected to remain on the long-term injured list next season, also hold the 52nd overall pick in the second round. They acquired this pick from the Vegas Golden Knights in the trade that sent left winger Anthony Mantha to the desert on March 5.

The team now has 10 forwards, seven defensemen and one goaltender under contract for the 2024-25 campaign, with center Connor McMichael (not eligible for salary arbitration) set to become a restricted free agent on Monday. The team has expressed a desire to reshuffle its defensive group ahead of the weekend.

Washington acquired center Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Los Angeles Kings as a replacement for goaltender Darcy Kuemper on June 19, before acquiring right wing Andrew Mangiapane from the Calgary Flames for the Colorado Avalanche’s 2025 second-round pick on Thursday.

By Harrison Brown