Stephenson, O’Brien, Boyd tendered qualifying offers

Washington Capitals Senior writer Mike Vogel confirmed today that Chandler Stephenson, Liam O’Brien, and Travis Boyd have been tendered qualifying offers from the team before Monday’s 5 PM deadline.

The three forwards were part of a larger group of restricted free agents Washington issued qualifying offers, which included the like of three former Bears in Philipp Grubauer, Andre Burakovsky, and Dmitry Orlov.

Stephenson and O’Brien have spent time in the NHL with Washington, with Boyd still waiting to make his NHL debut.

All three players are coming off of career years. Boyd, 23, led Hershey in points with 63 and did not miss a game for the second consecutive season. Stephenson split time between the AHL and NHL, playing in 72 games for Hershey, scoring 38 points with 28 assists. O’Brien had a breakout season, almost doubling his point total from 2015-16 with 30 points in 64 games.

Both Stephenson and O’Brien will need waivers to return to Hershey, while Boyd is waivers exempt.

Former Bear Darren Dietz was not extended a qualifying offer.