5'7 Rookie Steals A Roster Spot From 25-Goal Veteran

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James Connelly
October 8, 2023 (3:00 PM)

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A slight statured rookie has stolen the roster spot of a 6'5" power-forward veteran.

The Rise Of Matt Phillips

Matthew Phillips is a 5'7" player that most in the analytics community have been calling to get the bump up to the NHL. He has been a fantastic player in the AHL having posted 76 points in 66 games for the Calgary Wranglers last year but the Flames never seemed to give him his fair shot.

He signed a deal with the Washington Capitals this past offseason and is already showing that Calgary made a mistake by not giving him a chance to succeed.

Imagine an organization that actually appreciates and rewards young talent like the capitals are doing with Phillips? #Flames

Phillips has gone on a tear in the preseason and has been bumped up to the Capitals' first line at times playing alongside Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.

Phillips Steals Mantha's Roster Spot

In a recent column for Washington Hockey Now, an insider revealed the Capitals will have Phillips on the third line and bump Anthony Mantha out of his role with the Caps as a potential healthy scratch.

Mantha's struggles in Washington have seemingly continued this preseason � a less than ideal scenario for both sides, especially as Mantha enters a contract year. I think he would be better served in an extras role, placing a little less pressure on him to turn things around. Plus, his versatility in being able to play both wing positions increases the Capitals' roster flexibility.

Mantha will now need to prove himself as somebody deserving of a roster spot but as it is, the Capitals and coach Spencer Carbery believe that Phillips is the perfect option for one of the final spots.

As seen on Markerzone - 5'7 Rookie Officially Steals Capitals Roster Spot From 25-Goal Scorer