The Capitals winger has spent the majority of the year in the press box.
Things have not gone according to plan for Sonny Milano to kick off his third year with the Washington Capitals.
Milano has spent most of the season so far as a healthy scratch, watching games take place from the press box while trying to fine-tune his game in practice.
The series of scratches came after a disastrous performance for him and his third line in the season opener against the New Jersey Devils where the trio gave up three goals on its first three shifts before ultimately being benched.
Milano got the chance to draw back into the lineup on Sunday against the Carolina Hurricanes but didn't do much in a 4-2 loss — though he didn't get much of a chance to show what he could do with just 5:37 minutes of ice time.
With Milano expected to draw back out again for Jakub Vrana, who's all but secured a full-time role in his return to D.C., one has to wonder: what's going on that's led to a regression in his game, and what's next for him in the District?
His struggles started in training camp, as head coach Spencer Carbery called his showing "just okay." He gave him the benefit of the doubt as a veteran who had shown his potential and what he brings to the table in D.C. — his strong play earned him a three-year contract extension — but those struggles carried over into the regular season.
His speed and talent are there; it's just not translating when he's on the ice, and he hasn't been able to match the level that led to him scoring 15 goals in 49 games last season.
Milano's having a hard time keeping possession of the puck, has been caught out of position and hasn't made himself a threat when he's on the ice.
At 5-on-5, Milano ranks last on the team in shots-for-percentage (35.71), expected goals-for-percentage (38.65), scoring chances-for-percentage (38.46) and high-danger Corsi-for percentage (37.5).
When it comes to what the future holds for Milano, one has to wonder if a stint with the AHL's Hershey Bears — he would have to clear waivers — would be helpful.
Though his ice time has been limited, and though it's hard to wow on the ice with just 11:37 minutes of total ice time all year, the 28-year-old is just not playing up to his standard. Washington is also 0-for-2 with him in the lineup, and he's a minus-3.
Though there's the chance he'd get claimed, it would give him the opportunity to play more minutes and also serve as a wake-up call, while allowing him to get his game back to where it should be. And, if he ends up getting claimed, he would get a change of scenery while opening up a spot for a younger forward like Ivan Miroshnichenko to eventually come up and join the NHL ranks.
In the end, something's got to give to get him back to playing his game.
