Jack St. Ivany Debuts for Washington Capitals Against Philadelphia

Ten games into the 2026-27 NHL season, the Washington Capitals are turning to their ninth different defenseman of the young campaign. Jack St. Ivany will make his debut for the franchise tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers, stepping onto the ice just days after a whirlwind waiver claim that upended his weekend.

St. Ivany, a 27-year-old product of Yale and Boston College, arrives in the District via the Winnipeg Jets. The fourth-round draft pick of the Flyers in 2018 found out he was heading to Washington while his girlfriend was boarding a flight to Winnipeg for the Heritage Classic outdoor game against the Montreal Canadiens. Placed on waivers Friday, St. Ivany received the call from Washington general manager Chris Patrick shortly after, turning an anticipated weekend in Manitoba into a rapid relocation to DC.

Cole Hutson Draws His Seventh Partner of the Season

With blueliners Rasmus Sandin and Vincent Desharnais sidelined on injured reserve, and Matt Roy having missed time early in the year, Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery has shuffled defensive pairings constantly. St. Ivany will be paired immediately with Cole Hutson, who has already logged even-strength minutes alongside six different partners over the first ten games.

The Washington Capitals have claimed defenseman Jack St. Ivany off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets, senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick announced today. pic.twitter.com/rYHIsXr70J

— https://x.com/CapitalsPR/status/2114058217105825903

Carbery noted after Wednesday’s morning skate that Hutson possesses a unique, offensive-minded skill set that requires his partner to constantly read and adapt off his instincts. St. Ivany spent time reviewing video on Monday and Tuesday to get up to speed on team systems.

The staff has been great at trying to speed me up, and trying not to throw too much at me at one time.

Goaltending Outlook and Roster Adjustments

In the crease, Logan Thompson is expected to return for Washington after missing Saturday’s game against Buffalo with a lower-body injury. The Capitals loaned goaltender Mitch Gibson to AHL Hershey on Wednesday afternoon, signaling Thompson’s readiness to reclaim the net. Thompson holds a 4-1-1 lifetime record against Philadelphia with a 2.84 GAA.

Philadelphia enters the finale of Washington’s five-game homestand following an overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, where they erased a three-goal first-period deficit before falling 4-3. Former Toronto netminder Joseph Woll is expected to start in goal for the Flyers.