Chandler Stephenson initially was disappointed when he didn’t make the Washington Capitals’ opening night roster after making it to the last round of cuts in training camp.
But then the 21-year-old center’s emotions settled, and his perspective changed slightly. He still wished he had made the opening night roster, but being so close was a good thing. Coach Barry Trotz said Stephenson should be proud of the strides he had taken, from a questionable prospect to one he expected to make his NHL debut this season.
So Stephenson returned to the American Hockey League focused on playing well to accelerate a possible call-up to Washington.