The Washington Capitals adjusted their roster on Thursday by sending goaltender Garin Bjorklund back to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL) and activating both Logan Thompson and Pierre-Luc Dubois from injured reserve. These changes come as the Capitals prepare for their upcoming game against the Nashville Predators and the looming NHL break for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
After recalling Bjorklund on January 31 to cover for the injured Charlie Lindgren, the Capitals have now returned him to Hershey to free up a spot needed to reinstate Thompson. Thompson, who had been sidelined with an injury, is expected to start against the Predators, while Dubois will also be rejoining the Capitals lineup after his extended absence.
Details on Player Transactions and Their Impacts
Garin Bjorklund, the 23-year-old goaltender, did not appear in any games during his second stint with the NHL club this season and has been reassigned to the Bears. Bjorklund has accumulated an overall 4-5-2 record with Hershey in 11 games so far, registering a 3.43 goals-against average, a .879 save percentage, and one shutout. His return bolsters the Bears’ roster, which also includes goaltender Mitch Gibson, as they await the return of Clay Stevenson to the AHL.
Logan Thompson was placed on injured reserve retroactive to January 28 in order to allow defenseman Matt Roy to return for the Capitals’ recent game against the New York Islanders. Thompson was injured during Washington’s 5-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken on January 27, resulting in his absence from the last four Capitals matches. At 28, Thompson is poised to start Thursday night’s game, marking his return just before the NHL’s Olympic break.
Forward Pierre-Luc Dubois, also 28, will be making his season debut since an injury sustained on October 31 in a game against the Islanders sidelined him for 52 games over two injury stints. Dubois comes off injured reserve to take the roster spot vacated when winger Bogan Trineyev was loaned to the Hershey Bears on Wednesday. His return is highly anticipated as the team looks to regain offensive strength.
Affiliates Adjust Roster Alongside Capitals
In an accompanying move within their affiliates, the Hershey Bears assigned goaltender Seth Eisele to the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays. This allows Bjorklund and Gibson to serve as the main goaltenders for Hershey until Stevenson returns. These coordination efforts between the Capitals, Bears, and Stingrays aim to ensure depth and readiness across all levels.
We have announced a pair of roster moves in conjunction with our affiliates, the @Capitals and the @SCStingrays.
📰 https://t.co/PGC34XSXIH
Klick Lewis | Players on the Move pic.twitter.com/0vWzqAN1d7
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) February 5, 2026
The Capitals’ roster adjustment signals readiness to face the Nashville Predators in their final game before the NHL pauses for the Winter Olympics, underscoring the urgency to stabilize the lineup.
Comprehensive Career Overview of Garin Bjorklund
Garin Bjorklund’s career to date highlights his significant contributions at both the AHL and ECHL levels. Selected 179th overall in the sixth round of the 2020 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound goaltender hails from Grande Prairie, Alberta. This season, he has played 11 games for Hershey, going 4-5-2 with a 3.43 goals-against average and a .879 save percentage, including one shutout. Additionally, Bjorklund has appeared in seven games for the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL, recording a 4-2-0 record with a 2.37 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage.
During the 2024-25 season, Bjorklund posted an impressive 21-4-3 record with a 2.02 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage over 29 games with South Carolina. His performance ranked him second in the ECHL for goals-against average and third for save percentage, playing a substantial role in the Stingrays securing the Brabham Cup as the top regular-season team. He made two starts for Hershey that season, remaining undefeated at 2-0-0 with an outstanding 1.49 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage. His AHL debut occurred on March 26, 2025, where he saved 26 shots in a 4-1 win over Bridgeport.
Bjorklund also appeared in 27 games for South Carolina in the 2023-24 season, posting a 14-11-1 record with a 3.33 goals-against average, a .882 save percentage, and one shutout. Across 13 career AHL appearances with Hershey, he has compiled a 6-5-2 record with a 3.11 goals-against average and a .889 save percentage, including one shutout. Over 64 career ECHL games, he holds a 40-17-4 record, a 2.63 goals-against average, a .907 save percentage, and two shutouts.
Upcoming Challenges and Team Outlook
The Capitals’ roster changes, notably the return of key players Logan Thompson and Pierre-Luc Dubois, arrive at a critical moment as the team readies itself for the NHL’s Olympic pause. Thompson is expected to provide much-needed stability in goal, while Dubois’s return lends offensive firepower that the Capitals have missed throughout his absence. The timing of these returns ahead of the break underscores the organization’s anxiety about maintaining competitive momentum.
Meanwhile, Hershey Bears continue to adjust their lineup to compensate for these moves, balancing preparations for upcoming AHL contests. Coordination with affiliated teams such as the South Carolina Stingrays further ensures that all levels are aligned, keeping the organization resilient during this tense portion of the season. How the Capitals and Bears capitalize on these roster changes in the weeks ahead will be crucial for their post-Olympic performance.
NEWS | The Washington Capitals have loaned goaltender Garin Bjorklund to the Hershey Bears. In addition, the Capitals have activated goaltender Logan Thompson and forward Pierre-Luc Dubois from Injured Reserve (IR).#ALLCAPS | @Shift4 https://t.co/CFUbEGEcqG
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 5, 2026
We have announced a pair of roster moves in conjunction with our affiliates, the @Capitals and the @SCStingrays.
Klick Lewis | Players on the Move pic.twitter.com/0vWzqAN1d7
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) February 5, 2026
