The Washington Capitals announced that Sonny Milano will be placed on waivers at 1:00 pm Central today, according to Tom Gulitti of NHL.com. This move creates a roster spot for Connor McMichael, who is expected to be activated from injured reserve. Milano will remain a non-roster player until he is either claimed by another NHL team or assigned to the AHL’s Hershey Bears tomorrow.
Milano’s Journey with the Capitals and Recent Performance Challenges
Sonny Milano, now 29, initially joined the Capitals for the 2022-23 season on a league-minimum contract after the Anaheim Ducks chose not to tender him a new deal. His strong performance in a limited role, featuring 11 goals and 33 points over 64 games, led Washington to secure him on a three-year extension worth $5.7 million with a $1.9 million cap hit. Currently in the final year of this contract, Milano has faced setbacks due to injuries, including a concussion in November that ended his 2023-24 season after just three appearances.
Returning healthy this season, Milano has struggled to regain his earlier impact. With younger forwards such as Anthony Beauvillier, Ethen Frank, and Justin Sourdif ahead of him, Milano has effectively become the team’s 14th forward. He has been left out of the lineup frequently and, when playing, has averaged only 8 minutes and 53 seconds of ice time per game across 31 games. Despite limited opportunities, he has managed to record four goals and eight points.
Prospects for Milano as He Returns to the AHL
This waiver transaction marks Milano’s first extended use in the AHL since signing with the Capitals, aside from a brief five-game run with the Hershey Bears in 2022 where he tallied two goals and one assist. Over his minor league career, he has accumulated 118 points across 171 games. Milano excels when given a top-nine role focused on scoring, a position no longer available for him on the Capitals’ roster.
If Milano remains unclaimed through waivers and continues with Washington’s system in Hershey, the Capitals will still face a $750,000 cap charge for his contract. With the final months of his contract approaching free agency this summer, Milano may spend this period in the minors seeking to reestablish his form and potentially attract interest elsewhere.
Implications of the Capitals’ Roster Adjustment
This strategic roster modification reflects both the Capitals’ current depth and the ongoing challenges Milano faces as his role diminishes. The decision to waive him underscores the competitive environment within the team’s forward group and marks a pivotal moment for Milano’s career trajectory. How the final months of the season unfold may determine whether he returns to the NHL or moves on following free agency.
The Capitals will place Sonny Milano on waivers at 2 p.m. ET today with the purpose of assigning him to Hershey of the AHL.
He has been designated as a non-roster player and Connor McMichael was activated from IR.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) February 25, 2026
