Nearly lost in the hubbub over Alexander Semin's contract extension was the fact that the Capitals also assigned three players to AHL Hershey this morning: goaltender Braden Holtby (pictured) and forwards Jay Beagle and Mathieu Perreault.

Holtby started three consecutive games in net for the Caps between last Thursday and Monday night, posting a record of 2-0-1, giving up just three goals and making 87 saves. As a result of the move, Holtby will be able to participate in the 2011 AHL All-Star Classic, which will take place January 31 at Holtby's home AHL arena, the Giant Center in Hershey. Holtby had played 18 games for Hershey this season, posting a record of 11-5-2, a goals-against average of 1.82 and a save percentage of .937.

Perreault, who was in the midst of his second stint with the Caps this season, played 23 of a possible 25 games since being recalled from Hershey December 6. He recorded five goals and one assist during this period. Beagle, who had been called up December 15, played 18 of a possible 19 games during his time in Washington, scoring two goals.

The Capitals current roster is after the jump. All-Stars are in italics.

Forwards

8-Alex Ovechkin

10-Matt Bradey

15-Boyd Gordon

17-D.J. King

19-Nicklas Backstrom

21- Brooks Laich

22- Mike Knuble

25-Jason Chimera

26- Matt Hendricks

39-David Steckel

90-Marcus Johansson

Defensemen

4-John Erskine

23-Scott Hannan

27-Karl Alzner

52-Mike Green

55-Jeff Schultz

74-John Carlson

89-Tyler Sloan (Currently doing a conditioning stint in Hershey)

Goalies

1-Semyon Varlamov

30-Michal Neuvirth

On Injured Reserve

3-Tom Poti (retroactive to January 12, lower-body injury, no timetable given)

16-Eric Fehr (retroactive to January 14, right shoulder, at least 3-4 weeks)

28-Alexander Semin (retroactive to January 8, groin, no timetable given)