The Washington Capitals will have alternative two players elaborate in Winter Olympic 2026 qualifiers at the termination of the month. Squad France proclaimed that Capitals prospects Pierrick Dube and Antoine Keller would be on the French list after Martin Fehervary was announced to be on Squad Slovakia’s roster the previous week.
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The French squad will square off with Latvia, Slovenia, and Ukraine in three competitions from August 29 through September 1 in Riga, Latvia. The victor of the round-robin event will secure one of the 12 points at the games in Milan, Italy. Dube, born in Lyon, France, has signified his country at mutually the junior and senior levels several times since the 2017-18 season.
He previously played for the French men’s squad during the 2022-23 campaign, adding two goals in four competitions. The 23-year-old winger assisted command of the AHL’s Hershey Bears to their second straight Calder Cup championship the previous year. He ended the regular season as the squad’s second-leading goal scorer after counting 28 times in 66 games.
He then flaked in a further 10 points (7g, 3a) in 17 playoff competitions, achieving a hat trick in the conclusive Game 6 of the Calder Cup Finals. Dubé made his NHL inauguration with the Capitals the previous season and became into three total NHL games. Washington contracted the undrafted Dube to a two-year, entry-level agreement in July 2023.
Dubé and Keller to Represent France in Winter Olympic 2026 Qualifiers
Keller, born in Dijon, France, has also signified his country on the international phase at both the junior and senior stages. This past season, he made four starts for the U20 French squad at the 2024 World Junior Championship Division I, an event where France finished 2nd behind Kazakhstan.
The 19-year-old goaltender played his first season in North America last year with the QMJHL’s Acadie-Bathurst Titan. In 37 regular-season appearances, Keller recorded a 17-12-5 record with a 3.05 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage, and even scored a goalie goal. He featured in the QMJHL playoffs, working 4-2-1 with a 2.35 goals-against average and a .925 save ratio.
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Capitals’ Dubé and Keller Set to Represent France in Winter Olympic 2026 Qualifier. The Washington Capitals will have two prospects representing Team France in the upcoming Winter Olympic qualifiers, as Pierrick Dubé and Antoine Keller have been selected for the squad. France is aiming to secure a spot in the Milano Cortina 2026, with Dubé and Keller joining a talented roster that includes Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Alexandre Texier, and others.
Capitals’ Prospects Making Waves Ahead of Milano Cortina 2026
Dubé is coming off a Calder Cup-winning season with the AHL’s Hershey Bears after signing his entry-level contract with Washington last summer. In 66 regular-season games with Hershey this past year, Dubé tallied 28 goals and 20 assists, totaling 48 points. During the playoffs, he contributed seven goals and 10 points in 17 games, despite battling injuries and missing teeth, to help the Bears defend their championship. Dubé also made his NHL debut, appearing in three games.
Keller, who was the first player in Capitals’ franchise history to be drafted out of France and only the sixth French player ever drafted, signed a two-year deal with Swiss club Lausanne HC this summer, where former Capitals’ goaltender Cristobal Huet will serve as his goaltending coach. France has taken part in ten Olympic tournaments throughout their history, last qualifying for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Their highest finish was fifth place, accomplished in 1924 and 1928, while their lowest was fourteenth, in 1968 and 2002. Keller, whom D.C. selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NHL Draft, is coming off his debut season in North American hockey with the QMJHL’s Acadie-Bathurst Titan. In 37 regular-season games for the Titan, Keller recorded a 17-12-2 record with a .897 save percentage. He also stood out in the playoffs, achieving a 4-2-1 record with a .925 save percentage.
Winter Olympic Qualifiers, Injury Concerns, and Roster Moves
France will compete in the Group E final ice hockey qualification in Latvia starting on Aug. 29, facing off against Latvia, Slovenia, and Ukraine for a spot in the Winter Olympics. Martin Fehervary is also representing the Capitals at the Group F Olympic qualifier in Bratislava, Slovakia. However, his participation is uncertain due to some health concerns ahead of the NHL regular season.
The Carolina Hurricanes are unsure about winger Jesper Fast’s readiness for opening night because of a mysterious neck injury that sidelined him during the playoffs. Fast, who has seen a decline in his offensive output, is now out of his neck brace but has not provided details about his injury. ROC President Pozdnyakov Doubts Russia’s Winter Olympic 2026 Participation.
Meanwhile, Capitals prospects Pierrick Dubé and Antoine Keller have been named to France’s national team for the upcoming Winter Olympic 2026 qualifiers. Longtime Islanders forward Matt Martin is currently a free agent but is eager to return to the Islanders, despite initial comments from management suggesting otherwise.
By the Numbers
Jesper Fast recorded only 6 goals and 19 points in 73 games last season, marking his lowest production in a decade. Pierrick Dubé tallied 28 goals and 48 points in 66 games with the Hershey Bears, playing a key role in their second-straight Calder Cup win in 2024.
Yes, But
While Jesper Fast’s absence might create opportunities for younger prospects, it also raises concerns about his future performance and overall health, especially with the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his injury. Similarly, the unresolved status of Matt Martin’s contract could signal a shift in the Islanders’ roster strategy.
State of Play
Jesper Fast is in recovery but has yet to be cleared for training camp. Capitals’ prospects Dubé and Keller are gearing up for the Olympic qualifiers, which could position them for future roles on the team. Meanwhile, Matt Martin remains a free agent as the Islanders weigh their roster choices.
What’s Next
As training camp nears, updates on Jesper Fast’s recovery will be crucial for the Hurricanes’ roster planning. Dubé and Keller will aim to secure their places on the French national team and make a significant impact. Meanwhile, Martin may either explore new opportunities or negotiate a last-minute deal with the Islanders.
Bottom Line
Jesper Fast’s health is vital for the Hurricanes’ season prospects, and decisions about player contracts, particularly for veterans like Martin, could notably reshape the team’s dynamics this season.
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