Joe Snively

December 2024 – Now 28, Snively is what he is by this point, a depth piece who puts up consistent scoring numbers in the minors. He is on a one-year deal with Detroit and may well be headed elsewhere after the 2024-25 campaign. He’s been one of the scoring leaders in Grand Rapids this year as part of a veteran core, bridging the gap between the Berggren / Kasper / Mazur era and the next wave of young Wings led by Nate Danielson and Dmitry Buchelnikov. Ben Gehrels

August 2023 – Snively will be in the second year of his one-way deal. His AAV is just $800k so he could be still placed on waivers and likely unclaimed. The Capitals have around two to four roster spots open, depending on what happens with Mantha and Kuznetsov in the coming month and a bit, for younger players to battle as the roster needs from fresh faces. Snively will be in competition with (main players as of now) McMichael, Protas, Matt Phillips, and Malenstyn. A darkhorse player could make the team but Snively is going to have to prove he can play in the NHL, and if not then it will be another year of mainly AHL play. Pat Quinn

May 2023 – Snively was one of the leaders on the Bears as he helped lead the team to the Calder Cup, finishing the season with 27 points in 32 games and 15 points in 20 playoff games. Snively was the lead distributer for the Bears, especially on the powerplay. He also got in 12 NHL games, registering just four points but was not afforded much ice time until the end of the season. Going in to 2023-24 he could have a chance to make the Capitals roster as Washington will be opening a few spots for competition, especially with Laviolette gone. Pat Quinn

January 2023 – Snively managed one more NHL game in the same scenario described below. The Capitals put him on waivers and were lucky he barely played so no team decided to claim him off of waivers. Now in the AHL he already has two points in two games. At 27, as of January 1st, the time is very close to running out for him to be an NHL player. He may end up just being an AHL or overseas star player. Pat Quinn

December 2022 – Snively has played in just five games for the Capitals so far as he is used as the 13th forward playing around 12 minutes a game in the bottom six, so he has had no chance to solidify himself as an NHL player as Milano was afforded an opportunity before he was and Milano started in the AHL. That does not bode well for Snively in a Laviolette system. Pat Quinn

September 2022 – The Capitals did all they could do to make sure Snively does not have an NHL spot this off season, but he has one thing that may keep him on the NHL roster over a player that can still be on waivers (Connor McMichael). That is a two-year one-way contract that pays an AAV of $800k. That could just be there to keep him off of other teams if he is put on waivers, but the Capitals may want to try him out in the NHL for a time to see what they have too. Snively deserves an NHL chance and if it is not with the Capitals then hopefully a team claims him off of waivers. Pat Quinn

February 2022 – Since being called up to the NHL Snively has seven points in nine games, seeing around 12 minutes a game usually in the top six. If the production can keep up around 0.5 ppg until the Capitals are fully healthy Snively may earn himself a look next season full time. Pat Quinn

January 2022 – Snively has 27 points in his last 20 games with 65 shots on goal in that span. He has the AHL figured out but will he ever get a legitimate shot for the Capitals with the contracts the team has in his way, or will he even get a legit NHL shot being 26 and 5-9. In his one game recall he had one assist, and two shots, in seven minutes of ice time. Snively may live in the “AHL All-Star but never a legit NHLer”  sphere of hockey but here is hoping he gets a legitimate NHL shot. Pat Quinn

October 2021 – Snively was sent to the AHL and has started the season slowly only getting points in two of his first six games. There is not a lot of room on the Capitals due to a bevy of one-way contracts. Snively will have to bide his time and hope Laviolette actually plays him if he gets NHL time. Pat Quinn

May 2021 – Snively improved his points per game in 2020-2021 going from 0.53 last season to 0.61 this season. He has been steady for the entire shortened season, preferring to distribute instead of shooting the puck. A smaller skilled player really needs to stand out to make the NHL, especially on a Capitals team that loves size and strong two-way play. It is unknown if he can make the Capitals but improving his production will ensure he could become a middle-six NHL winger. Pat Quinn

January 2021 – Snively will enter the 2020-2021 campaign in the AHL for Hershey as he looks to improve upon his first AHL season. The Bears spread out offense so he will at least have a top nine role. Hopefully, Snively can progress as he has a short window to become an NHL player. Pat Quinn

March 2020 – Snively had a very good first AHL season even though he only had 24 points in 45 games, but in typical Bears fashion he was also hurt for a month in January. The Capitals signed Snively to a two-year contract beginning in 2019-2020. After his first season of production there is something there for the under-sized forward, the problem becomes if there will ever be room for him in the NHL. The Capitals have a big problem of having the top 9 locked up long term, but if any can be moved and Snively can up his production he could be in the NHL. At 24 he needs all the breaks he can get before he is considered just another productive AHL forward. Pat Quinn