The Washington Capitals made a move to restore depth to their forward group on Saturday morning.
Washington announced they recalled Henrik Rybinski from the AHL’s Hershey Bears after officially placing Lars Eller on injured reserve. Eller will miss the next two games before the holiday break due to an illness and will be eligible to return against the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 28.
Rybinski’s callup with the Capitals marks his first with the team in his career. The 23-year-old centerman was a key part of Hershey’s effective checking line during their run to the Calder Cup last season, posting nine points (5g, 4a) in 19 postseason games.
Rybinski blossomed further at the start of 2024-25 campaign, recording 20 points (6g, 14a) in 28 games while being defensively responsible and killing penalties for the Eastern Conference-leading Bears. The Vancouver native has been especially hot lately, notching seven points (2g, 5a) in his last six games.
Rybinski was one of the Capitals’ final cuts during training camp, impressing head coach Spencer Carbery after getting into three preseason games. Among current Capitals forwards, Rybinski received the fifth-most penalty-killing ice time (4:30) on the team, and three of the players ahead of him played in an extra fourth game.
“I think he’s been one of the big surprises of someone that wasn’t necessarily on our radar to make the Washington Capitals,” Carbery said in late September. “We’ve followed him and what he’s done in Hershey, becoming a bigger part of their Calder Cup-winning team last year. So, coming into camp, you know, you’ve watched him a little bit in the American League, seen him, and now he really impressed our staff.
“I know management feels the same way. That’s why he’s earned the opportunity that he’s gotten into games, and I thought he’s done a tremendous job of excelling in the games that he’s played in, and he’s been good in the practices. Feels like he’s trending [up] in our organization.”
Rybinski, a roommate of Hendrix Lapierre and Vincent Iorio, was a 2019 fifth-round draft selection of the Florida Panthers. Washington signed him as a free agent in 2022 after Florida did not ink him to an entry-level contract. He could make his NHL debut as soon as Sunday against the Los Angeles Kings.
Here’s the full press release from the Capitals:
Capitals Recall Henrik Rybinski
Forward Lars Eller Placed on IR
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled forward Henrik Rybinski from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick announced today. In addition, the Capitals have placed forward Lars Eller on Injured Reserve (IR).
Rybinski, 23, has recorded 20 points (6g, 14a) in 28 games with Hershey this season, his third season with the Bears. The 6’1”, 187-pound forward has already established single-season career highs in goals, assists and points (previously 2022-23: 5g-13a–18p in 51 GP). Rybinski, who averaged 0.31 points-per-game in 2023-24, has a points-per-game rate of 0.71 this season. Rybinski ranks second on Hershey in assists, tied for second in plus-minus (+9) and third in points. The Capitals signed Rybinski to a three-year entry-level contract on March 1, 2022.
The Vancouver, British Columbia native appeared in 52 regular-season games with Hershey in 2023-24, registering 16 points (5g, 11a). Rybinski tied for the team lead in shorthanded points (4) and shorthanded assists (3). Rybinski added nine points (5g, 4a) in 19 playoff games and ranked tied for first on the team in plus-minus (+7) and tied for sixth in goals as the Bears won their second-straight Calder Cup championship.
Rybinski recorded 18 points (5g, 13a) in 51 games during his first professional season with Hershey in 2022-23. Rybinski ranked tied for third among Bears rookies in goals and fourth in assists, points and shots (42).
In 131 career AHL games with Hershey, Rybinski has recorded 54 points (16g, 38a).
Rybinski was originally drafted by the Florida Panthers in the fifth round (136th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft. Rybinski played five seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL) prior to signing with Washington. From 2017 to 2022, Rybinski registered 176 points (50g, 126a) in 233 career games with the Medicine Hat Tigers and Seattle Thunderbirds.
