The Washington Capitals have recalled defenseman Ryan Stanton from their American Hockey League affiliate, the team announced on Friday. With John Carlson and Brooks Orpik still on injured reserve with unspecified lower-body injuries, Stanton will likely be the team’s extra defenseman until Carlson or Orpik are activated.
Capitals Coach Barry Trotz said neither veteran blue-liner would travel with the team to Buffalo for Saturday night’s game. Both have skated with trainer Mark Nemish before team practices this week.
Washington had recalled Stanton before its game at Columbus on Jan. 2, but he was scratched for every game until he was re-assigned when center Marcus Johansson got suspended for two games for an illegal hit.
Stanton, 26, has registered 27 points (four goals and 23 assists) and 69 penalty minutes in 119 career NHL games with the Blackhawks and Canucks. He appeared in 54 games with the Vancouver Canucks last season and recorded 11 points (three goals and eight assists) and 35 penalty minutes.
Stanton set NHL career-highs in goals, plus/minus (+9) and penalty minutes in 2014-15 and ranked fourth among Canucks defenseman in hits (93) and blocked shots (113). Stanton signed with the Capitals as a free agent on July 24, 2015.
Stanton tallied seven points (two goals, five assists) and 34 penalty minutes in 30 games with the Hershey Bears this season.
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