For professional athletes, few things sting more than watching your role diminish just as your team surges toward success. That was the reality for a former Washington Capitals defenseman, who found himself increasingly sidelined as the team solidified its playoff-bound roster. Once a reliable presence on the blue line, he was gradually pushed down the depth chart, a move that left him both frustrated and reflective.
The Capitals, known for their strong defensive core and postseason ambitions, had little room for error. As younger talent emerged and strategic acquisitions were made, the veteran defenseman saw his ice time dwindle. It wasn’t a matter of poor performance—he still had the skills and experience—but rather a shift in team priorities. The coaching staff leaned into speed, youth, and versatility, leaving seasoned players like him to watch from the press box.
“It’s tough,” Alexeyev admitted in a post-trade interview. “You want to contribute, especially when the team’s doing well. But sometimes, you’re just not part of the plan anymore.”
His disappointment was tempered by a sense of relief when he was traded to a rebuilding team. There, he found renewed purpose and more consistent playing time. While the new team lacked the immediate promise of playoff contention, it offered something equally valuable: opportunity. He embraced the chance to mentor younger players and prove that he still belonged in the league.
His story is a reminder of the emotional toll professional sports can take. Success isn’t always measured in wins or playoff berths—it’s also about feeling valued and having the chance to play the game you love. For this ex-Capital, the trade wasn’t just a change of scenery—it was a second chance.
Alex Alexeyev shared signing with Penguins
Unlike the Capitals, the Penguins have few playoff aspirations for next season. Instead, the club has focused on selling off veteran assets and sparking a rebuild under general manager Kyle Dubas. The Penguins have missed the playoffs three years in a row and replaced long-time head coach Mike Sullivan with first-time NHL bench boss Dan Muse this offseason.
In 2024-25, Alexeyev found himself shoved down the Capitals’ playoffs-bound depth chart after the club added top-four defensemen Jakob Chychrun and Matt Roy. The team also picked up defender Declan Chisholm at the 2025 draft, leaving the writing on the wall for Alexeyev.
“I think it was heading in that direction from the start,” Alexeyev said. “No real shock. Early or mid-June, they told me they wouldn’t extend my contract. I wasn’t surprised at all. Given how little I played, I’m actually glad it worked out this way.”
Despite spending six years in the Capitals organization, Alexeyev never played a full season’s worth of games, departing DC with 80 career NHL appearances under his belt. He played in just eight regular-season games this past year and was only forced into playoff duty after Martin Fehervary underwent knee surgery in April.
Alexeyev’s final contract with the Capitals was a two-year deal signed ahead of the 2023-24 campaign. He expected regular playing time with the club but never received it, which took its toll.
“I had a strong finish to the [2023-24] season, and they told me: ‘Next year, be ready to play.’ Then they signed Chychrun,” Alexeyev said. “How do you take that? I still don’t know.”
While the end to his time with the organization may not have gone as he wished, Alexeyev still expressed nothing but respect for the Capitals.
“I’m grateful they gave me the chance to play my first NHL game, taught me to be a pro,” Alexeyev said. “I spent seven years there. I came in as a kid who didn’t care about much, and left as a grown, serious player. I’m thankful to every teammate, coach, and manager. This place will always be in my heart.”
Alexeyev is one of eight defensemen the Penguins have under contract for next season. Instead of his primary competition being Chychrun, Fehervary, and Rasmus Sandin, he’ll be battling with names like Ryan Graves, Parker Wotherspoon, and Ryan Shea for time on the left side of the team’s defense.
With the Penguins, Alexeyev will also reunite with his former head coach, Todd Nelson, who coached him for seven AHL games with the Bears. Nelson joined the Penguins’ bench as an assistant last month.
