After a breakout 2019 campaign, he finished 2020 with 38 points (12G / 26A) in 58 games. Strome appeared set to open the 2021 campaign as the Blackhawks' No.3 centre behind Jonathan Toews and Kirby Dach, but with both with Toews dealing with a health issue and Dach out for five months, Strome will be their No.1 centre when they start training camp on Monday.
Belpedio spent the entire 2020 season with the Iowa Wild (AHL), collecting 20 points (5G / 15A) and 102 PIMS in 62 games. Since being drafted in the third round in 2014, the 24-year-old defenseman has appeared in three NHL games, picking up two assists.
Carlson missed the entire round-robin but practiced on Monday and will be a game-time decision for Game 1 on Wednesday. If Carlson remains out, Martin Fehervary or Radko Gudas will fill his spot and Dmitri Orlov will do a lot of the heavy lifting, including PP1.
The Capitals are playing it safe with their star defenseman and have listed him as a game-time decision for Thursday. If he doesn't play, Dmitry Orlov will continue to quarterback the Capitals' top power-play unit.
Carlson was nicked up in the Capitals' exhibition game but practiced returned to practice on Saturday. Given the fact that the Capitals are already locked into a playoff spot, they may play it safe with their star defenseman. Head coach Todd Reirden said that Carlson's status for Monday is still TBD, so consider him a game-time decision and check on his status during warmups.
