Smith-Pelly surprised by demotion, prepared to return to Capitals

The past week has been a complicated one for Devante Smith-Pelly, recently of the Washington Capitals and now of the AHL's Hershey Bears after clearing waivers.

With just eight points (four goals, four assists) through 54 NHL games this season, Smith-Pelly's heroics in the Capitals' Stanley Cup run last year are firmly in the rearview, and the former second-round pick is left to re-establish his value on the minor-league circuit.

"I was surprised," Smith-Pelly said of the demotion Saturday night, according to The Athletic's Chris Kuc. "I wasn't really sure what was going on. But around trade deadline time you kind of think something is going to happen. Right now, it is what it is. I'm just going to come down here (to Hershey) and play and get my stuff together and try and get back there."

The 26-year-old winger wasn't expecting to go unclaimed by another team but is relishing the opportunity to stay within the organization.

"I want to stay with Washington," he said. "It was surprising, but I'm happy to still be around here."

Smith-Pelly turned down offers from other teams for multi-year deals at higher annual salaries in the offseason to re-sign with the Capitals on a one-year, $1-million contract.

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