In a swap of defensemen Thursday, the Washington Capitals recalled Connor Carrick from their American Hockey League affiliate while reassigning Aaron Ness. Ness, 25, is not waiver-eligible, so he can be returned to the Hershey Bears without risk of being swiped by another team.
Washington brought up Ness on Dec. 6, after defenseman Karl Alzner appeared to suffer an injury against Winnipeg the day before. With Brooks Orpik already out because of a lower-body injury, the Capitals recalled Ness in case Alzner couldn’t play. But despite what Capitals Coach Barry Trotz said were two upper-body “ailments,” Alzner hasn’t missed a game.