Alex Alexeyev\u2019s first venture outside of the Washington Capitals organization isn\u2019t going as he likely planned.<\/p>\n
The 25-year-old defenseman was placed on NHL waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday after failing to make the rebuilding squad\u2019s team out of camp. Alexeyev signed a one-year deal with the Penguins in July<\/a> after the Capitals declined to extend him a qualifying offer.<\/p>\n Per the Penguins, Alexeyev was one of 10 cuts on Saturday, which saw four players assigned to the Wilkes-Barre\/Scranton Penguins, five placed on waivers, and another released from their PTO. Alexeyev will be sent to the AHL and the Baby Penguins if he clears.<\/p>\n The following players have been assigned to @WBSPenguins<\/a> (AHL) training camp: \u2014 Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n After the cuts, Pittsburgh is still carrying eight defenders, including Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson, Matt Dumba, Connor Clifton, Parker Wotherspoon, Caleb Jones, Ryan Shea, and Harrison Brunicke. Wotherspoon, Jones, and Shea are all left-handed, like Alexeyev, and were likely chosen over him for roster spots.<\/p>\n Alexeyev, a Capitals\u2019 first-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, spent six seasons in the team\u2019s organization, recording eight points (1g, 7a) in 80 games over parts of four NHL seasons. He spent the entire 2024-25 campaign with the Capitals \u2014 outside of a short conditioning stint with the Hershey Bears in March \u2014 suiting up in just eight games during the regular season.<\/p>\n The Russian defender became an every-night starter in the playoffs when Martin Fehervary was lost to a torn meniscus, playing in all 10 of the Capitals\u2019 postseason games. Alexeyev received only 10:25 average ice time in the playoffs and posted just six shots on goal.<\/p>\n Shortly after the Capitals were eliminated, Alexeyev was arrested for public intoxication<\/a> after a physical altercation in Arlington, Virginia (he was ultimately issued a $91 fine by the court<\/a>). The Capitals then paved the way for Alexeyev to move on in late June<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a young guy that didn\u2019t get to play a bunch of games this year,\u201d Capitals GM Chris Patrick said. \u201cI think it\u2019s important for him to get an opportunity at the NHL level, if that\u2019s with us or if that\u2019s with somebody else,\u201d he said. \u201cSo we\u2019re going to be as helpful as we can to him to get him the best opportunity to play in the NHL next year.\u201d<\/p>\n Alexeyev appeared to appreciate the gesture, telling RG in August that he was optimistic about the change of scenery<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI liked everything about my conversations with [Pittsburgh],\u201d Alexeyev said. \u201cLooking at their roster, you can see there\u2019s a real chance to play and compete for a spot.<\/p>\n \u201cOverall, it\u2019s actually great \u2014 a kind of reset I really needed.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t
\u2013 Tristan Broz
\u2013 Avery Hayes
\u2013 Sergei Murashov
\u2013 Owen Pickering
Alexander Alexeyev, Ryan Graves, Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Boko Imama and Sam Poulin will be placed on waivers at 2:00 PM and will be assigned\u2026<\/p>\n