35-year-old enforcer placed on waivers by the Capitals

Washington landed Poirier from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, and head coach Spencer Carbery confirmed the waiver plan ahead of the club's matchup with the Minnesota Wild.

The other 31 NHL teams now have 24 hours to put in a claim. If no one bites, Washington can assign the 34-year-old to the AHL's Hershey Bears, where he served as captain from 2022 to 2024 and lifted two Calder Cups.

McIlrath made the Capitals out of training camp for a third straight year, but his role has shrunk. He has dressed in four games this season, averaging just 6:34 of ice time without a point.

He has been passed on the depth chart by Jack St. Ivany, a recent waiver claim who has piled up four assists in his first two games with the club.

The numbers tell the story of an enforcer in an era that has largely moved on from the role. Across 109 NHL games, McIlrath has 3 goals, 6 assists and 175 penalty minutes.

At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds he brings size, and he is in the final year of his contract, which makes his next landing spot important.

With McIlrath off the roster, Washington is down to six defensemen while carrying two extra forwards and an extra goalie.

The Capitals recently dealt with injury trouble involving starter Logan Thompson, and Poirier gives them insurance behind Charlie Lindgren.

Beat reporter Sammi Silber says the team plans to keep three goaltenders for the foreseeable future.

If McIlrath clears, Washington could add him back immediately if it later waives Poirier to avoid carrying three goaltenders.

Rasmus Sandin also returned to practice this week after ACL surgery, which could help the blue line depth down the road. The Capitals enter the day at 8-4-0 and have won three straight.

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