A reassignment to the minor leagues is usually accompanied by disappointment, but Stanislav Galiev was excited. It had been two weeks since he last played in an NHL game with the Washington Capitals, his confidence slightly shaken. When he was approached about a conditioning stint with their American Hockey League affiliate in Hershey, he was just happy he’d see actual ice time again.
Getting sent down for conditioning purposes meant Galiev couldn’t be in Hershey for longer than two weeks, he would still receive his NHL salary and he wouldn’t be exposed to waivers. After playing in five AHL games, Galiev returned this week to Washington, where he could be in for a long year.