Dylan McIlrath - NHL News & Rumors

Limited chances to play McIlrath was scratched for the fifth game in a row in Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Bruins.

Impact McIlrath has played just once since the Olympic break. The Capitals' trade of John Carlson to Anaheim didn't open the door for McIlrath, especially after a separate deal with San Jose brought in Timothy Liljegren. For now, McIlrath, Liljegren and Declan Chisholm continue to compete for one spot in the lineup, and that battle could get tougher if Cole Hutson signs his entry-level deal coming out of Boston University.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

Fights in 100th career game McIlrath had five PIM in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Canadiens.

Impact This was McIlrath's 100th NHL contest, and he celebrated the occasion with a second-period bout against Arber Xhekaj. McIlrath has played in four of the Capitals' last eight games, which isn't much, but it's an uptick in his usage as the team has had to navigate some short-term absences. He's still looking for his first point of the season while adding two shots on net, 10 PIM, 15 hits and five blocked shots over eight outings.

JANUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Capitals rally with 2 in the third, then beat Montreal 3-2 on McMichael's goal in OT

Connor McMichael scored with 37.6 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Washington Capitals to a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens

JANUARY 14 • Associated Press

Heavyweights Arber Xhekaj and Dylan McIlrath throw down in very spirited tilt McIlrath did NOT like those dirty rabbit punches at the end!

JANUARY 14 • HOCKEYFEED.COM

Dylan McIlrath and Ross Johnston drop the gloves for a true heavyweight tilt The big boys can chuck 'em!

JANUARY 6 • HOCKEYFEED.COM

Limited playing time since injury McIlrath was scratched for the sixth time in eight games in Wednesday's 7-1 win over the Sharks.

Impact Despite John Carlson (upper body) being out, the Capitals opted to bring in left-shot blueliner Declan Chisholm rather than a righty in McIlrath. Sidelined by a lower-body injury for the first five games of the season, McIlrath has seen action in just three games since his Oct. 19 activation from injured reserve. He's earned no points while adding seven hits and two blocked shots. The 33-year-old provides toughness when he plays, but as part of an eight-man blue line on the Capitals' roster, his opportunities are few and far between.

DECEMBER 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back from IR McIlrath (lower body) was activated off of injured reserve by the Capitals, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

Impact McIlrath has not suited up for a game yet this season while recovering from an injury suffered in the preseason. It's a good sign to see him activated, though he isn't in action for Sunday's game against the Canucks. Whether he sticks in the NHL, where he spent much of last season as a healthy scratch, or gets sent back to the AHL remains to be seen. The 33-year-old appeared in just 17 games last season, recording two assists.

OCTOBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back from IR McIlrath (lower body) was activated off of injured reserve by the Capitals, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

OCTOBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for contact McIlrath (lower body) was cleared for contact in practice Friday, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.

Impact McIlrath is a depth defenseman, playing in only 17 games with the Capitals in 2024-25. The defenseman missed Wednesday's opening Night loss to Boston, but it was unlikely that the 33-year-old would have been in the lineup if he was healthy.

OCTOBER 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Surfaces on IR McIlrath (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Monday.

Impact After suffering an injury in Saturday's preseason finale against Columbus, McIlrath won't be available for the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign. Once he's healthy, the 33-year-old defender will be a depth option for the Capitals, or he could end up on waivers for assignment to AHL Hershey.

OCTOBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Exits Saturday's game McIlrath won't return to Saturday's preseason game against Columbus after sustaining a lower-body injury.

Impact McIlrath had two assists, 28 PIM and 38 hits in 17 regular-season appearances with Washington in 2024-25. He's been in the mix for a spot on Washington's Opening Night roster. However, there's a chance McIlrath will make the team but be scratched in the opener versus Boston on Wednesday, even if he's healthy enough to play.

OCTOBER 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Dylan McIlrath, Arber Xhekaj fined for unsportsmanlike conduct Montreal defenseman Arber Xhekaj and Washington blueliner Dylan McIlrath were both fined the maximum amount by the NHL on Monday for unsport...

APRIL 29, 2025 • THESTATE.COM

Deadspin | Dylan McIlrath, Arber Xhekaj fined for unsportsmanlike conduct Deadspin | Dylan McIlrath, Arber Xhekaj fined for unsportsmanlike conduct

APRIL 28, 2025 • DEADSPIN.COM

Capitals and Canadiens fined $25K each as their 1st-round series gets increasingly feisty

Things are getting increasingly testy in the first-round playoff series between the Washington Capitals and the Montreal Canadiens

APRIL 28, 2025 • Associated Press

Ovechkin scores, needs 4 more to pass Gretzky for NHL record, and Capitals beat Bruins 4-3

Alex Ovechkin scored his 891st career goal on Tuesday night to lead the Washington Capitals to a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins

APRIL 2, 2025 • Associated Press

Capitals sign defenseman Dylan McIlrath to a 2-year, $1.6 million contract

The Washington Capitals signed defenseman Dylan McIlrath to a two-year, $1.6 million contract Thursday

MARCH 27, 2025 • Associated Press

Secures two-year extension McIlrath agreed to terms on a two-year, $1.6 million contract extension with Washington on Thursday.

Impact McIlrath has seen action in just 11 NHL games this season, in which he notched two assists, 14 PIM and 23 hits while averaging a mere 10:54 of ice time. With six defensemen already under contract next year, not including Alexander Alexeyev, who will be a restricted free agent, McIlrath will be hard-pressed to secure significantly more ice time next year even with a new deal in hand.

MARCH 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

For Strome & Several Capitals Teammates, Being A 'Girl Dad' Is The Ultimate Accomplishment ARLINGTON, V.A. — Gearing up for a Washington Capitals practice one afternoon, 6-foot-5 enforcer Dylan McIlrath went to put on his gloves an...

MARCH 24, 2025 • THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM

Stuck as healthy scratch McIlrath was scratched for the 32nd game in a row in Thursday's 3-0 loss to the Kings.

Impact The Capitals recently gave Alexander Alexeyev a conditioning stint in the minors -- both he and McIlrath have spent the vast majority of the campaign in the press box. McIlrath would need to consent to any potential conditioning stint, but he's also a veteran blueliner who can be ready to play on a moment's notice if an injury occurs. The 32-year-old shouldn't be expected to play unless there's an injury on the blue line or if the Capitals start resting players in the final weeks in preparation for the playoffs, though that's unlikely to happen until they clinch at least the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

MARCH 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Remains in press box McIlrath was scratched for 15th consecutive game Saturday versus the Canucks.

Impact McIlrath and Alexander Alexeyev are in the same boat, as neither has received much playing time while the Capitals' defense has enjoyed good health over the last couple of month. McIlrath last played Dec. 23 against the Bruins, seeing just 1:45 of ice time as a seventh blueliner. He has two assists, 23 hits, 14 PIM and seven blocked shots through 11 appearances in 2024-25.

JANUARY 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Makes rare appearance Monday McIlrath suited up as a seventh defenseman in Monday's 4-1 loss to the Bruins.

Impact The Capitals rarely go with seven defenseman, and McIlrath saw just 1:45 of ice time in the contest. That experiment may be scrapped if Alex Ovechkin (lower leg) can play Saturday in Toronto. McIlrath hadn't played since Nov. 3, and he's stuck in the press box as an extra defenseman. He has two assists, 23 hits, 14 PIM and seven blocked shots over 11 appearances this season.

DECEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

No path to playing time McIlrath hasn't played since Nov. 3, sitting out 11 consecutive games after being scratched for Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Lightning.

Impact The Capitals' defense is fully healthy after early injuries for Matt Roy and Jakob Chychrun. McIlrath filled in admirably with two assists, four shots on net, 23 hits and 14 PIM over 10 appearances, but he's now stuck in a reserve role. He likely won't play unless a right-shot defenseman suffers an injury, and when he does check in, he offers more physicality than offense.

NOVEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Ovechkin scores twice as the Capitals beat the Rangers 5-3

Alex Ovechkin scored twice as the Washington Capitals beat the New York Rangers 5-3

OCTOBER 30, 2024 • Associated Press

Matt Rempe And Dylan McIlrath Drop The Gloves For Centre Ice Showdown

OCTOBER 30, 2024 • YOUTUBE

Dylan McIlrath kept believing in himself. Now he's embracing his moment. Capitals defenseman Dylan McIlrath is set to face the team that drafted him on Tuesday night in Washington.

OCTOBER 29, 2024 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

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Capitals rally with 2 in the third, then beat Montreal 3-2 on McMichael's goal in OT

Capitals and Canadiens fined $25K each as their 1st-round series gets increasingly feisty

Ovechkin scores, needs 4 more to pass Gretzky for NHL record, and Capitals beat Bruins 4-3

Capitals sign defenseman Dylan McIlrath to a 2-year, $1.6 million contract

Alex Ovechkin scores twice as the Capitals beat the Rangers 5-3