Damien Riat – McKeen's Hockey

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Washington Capitals Top 20 Prospects

Rachel Howard — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 22:30:38 +0000

McKeen's Top 20 Washington Capitals prospects for the 2020-21 season. You can read an organizational assessment prior to the draft in Ryan Wagman's article found here. Following the draft we provided a review on each teams performance based on our rankings found here.

Connor McMichael, C (25^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Few 2019 draft selections progressed as well as McMichael did this past season with London, where he went from a strong complimentary piece to the lifeblood through which the offense flowed. A strong skater, he showed much more confidence when carrying the puck, allowing him to dominate touches. He can beat you in transition because of his speed and he can beat you down low because of how well he protects the puck and how sound his decision making is. We also saw a huge improvement in his shot, especially his powerful wrist shot, and he uses different shooting angles to deceive goaltenders. McMichael also showed improved strength away from the puck, and paired with his high-end IQ, is now a strong two-way presence. Originally projecting as a winger in the NHL, he has shown enough to alter this belief. He is a very versatile player. Given the improvements he made last year, it is not impossible to see him playing in the NHL next year with the Capitals. He already skates well enough for the NHL. At this point, his projection is that of a two-way, goal scoring forward who can play inside the first two lines. – BO

Hendrix Lapierre, C (22^nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Lapierre battled consistency and injury issues all season, but of his high-end IQ and skill combination make him a potential steal. Originally thought to a concussion victim, it was later found to be a cervical spine issue. He has a very dynamic skill level and can make the spectacular look easy. He is smooth with the puck in transition and is a precise, pass-first center. He is a strong skater, who gets separation through excellent acceleration. He can work well along the wall and behind the net, with crisp turns, making him elusive in coverage. Lapierre is also a terrific two-way player who excels in all three zones because of his high-end hockey IQ. He uses anticipation and a quick stick to force turnovers on the backcheck, which he excels at transitioning the other way. He needs to take a step forward as a goal scorer. His game can be too predictable at times and to keep the opposition on their toes, he could stand to become a more well-rounded offensive player, shooting more often. Even despite a poor year, his potential remains high as a two-way, all situations center who can make his teammates better players. – BO

Alexander Alexeyev, D (31^st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

Alexeyev brings size (6-4”) and hockey IQ to the Washington organization. Making the jump from the WHL, he managed to make it through his first professional season with no serious injuries despite his shaky health track record. He struggled early in the beginning of the season to adjust to the pace of the AHL, but as the season went along his confidence grew and the skills that got him drafted began to show themselves, particularly in the form of his passing ability and offensive zone positioning. Alexeyev will need to demonstrate better conditioning when the next season gets underway to remain consistent throughout the full 60 minutes and he will need to find another gear to add more speed to his game. Numerous times last season opponents blew past him when driving the net and he will need to improve at keeping them to the outside. As he continues to develop and his game matures, there is little doubt that he has the overall ability to become a top pairing defenseman at the NHL level, it is simply a matter of opportunity and Alexeyev staying healthy, as he cannot sustain another serious injury without suffering major career setbacks. – SC

Martin Fehervary, D (46^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 3)

Tight competition between Fehervary and fellow Hershey Bears roommate and first round pick Alexander Alexeyev has been good for Fehervary’s development, pushing him hard in order to see results. The results of that developmental push have been evident as the lanky Slovakian has managed to impress in his rookie North American professional season, often using his tremendous skating to sail past opponents and earn scoring opportunities. He is the complete package as a future NHL defenseman; he plays a physical and rough game, can skate, carry the puck, and his defensive zone coverage is good. The only downsides come in the form of patience, passing, and decision making with the puck. He is not as well known for his passing abilities as he is for his skating and skill level and at times it was evident this past season with turnovers and missed important passes that oftentimes led to icings or offsides. Fehervary will need to tighten up his passing and work on how he moves the puck as well as when he moves it in order to be able to make the right choices in the NHL. - SC

Aliaksei Protas, C (91^st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Protas has a very solid offensive toolkit. His unique size and frame enable him to be an elite puck protector. He can pace the game to his level and allow plays to develop. He is able to shed defenders and maintain control just a half step longer than most which dovetails perfectly with his playmaking and passing. He has excellent vision and can play the half-wall or behind the net equally comfortably. He has a deft touch and can make highlight reel passes due to his soft hands and a great ability to hit teammates in stride. His shot is above average and enables him to always be a dual threat to defend. His willingness to shoot the puck has helped his offensive game blossom. The knock on Protas was always his cumbersome footwork and lack of pace, but he has made some serious strides in that part of his game as well. He still needs to work on his overall defensive commitment and has struggled in the faceoff dot but those have improved with coaching. He is still a long-term project but the potential upside here is much higher than most expected in his draft year. - VG

Garrett Pilon, C (87^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 5)

Standing out in the NHL will always be hard due to Pilon’s style of play. A hard-working grinder who can skate and who keeps his feet moving at all times, there is nothing particular that stands out about the way that he plays. To get too the next level, he will have to broaden his play, bettering his offensive production and puck possession skills next season. A top penalty killer using speed and determination, Pilon works hard every shift but at the next level it is about putting all of those things together and he will have to have a better, more cohesive and consistent game to earn a bottom six spot on the NHL club. He is a passionate player, and he will also need to keep his temper and frustration in check to avoid spending more time in the box than on the ice. He will be a big-league asset soon enough should he continue to put his overall game together and mature. - SC

Brian Pinho, C (174^th overall, 2013. Previous ranking: 6)

Pinho is the flashy forward with good puckhandling skills that every team has or needs. For a sixth-round selection, he has taken the long route for his development, finally coming into his own this past season, finishing top in prospect points. For his performance with the Hershey Bears, Pinho earned a spot on the Washington Capitals playoff roster and managed to also make his debut suiting up for two playoff games. Throughout the season, he was a clutch player for Hershey, often earning overtime marker and tying goals. He dominates in the offensive zone and often times earns breakaways on turnovers and long passes. That being said, he needs to work on bringing that competitive level to every game and on further developing his defensive play. With the recent call up to the Capitals, Pinho may have earned his chance at next season’s roster as a member of the bottom six. - SC

Kody Clark, RW (47^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 7)

After a decent season with the OHL Ottawa 67’s, Clark swung his talents over to the AHL’s Hershey Bears for his rookie professional season. He quickly realized that the next level would not be as smooth sailing as major junior and he was a scratch for majority of the first half of the season. Following in father Wendel’s footsteps, Clark brings the grit and offensive prowess to a mildly physical Hershey roster, but that is where his talents stop until he finds a way to keep up at the AHL pace. He is a strong skater but his puck possession was simply not there last season and he will have to find a way to get to the net if he wants to even be considered as a top priority call up option. Serving more time in the penalty box than often necessary, Clark will have to prove himself as a skilled player first more than anything in terms of next season and working his way towards a call up. He has the potential and skill to play as a bottom six forward in the NHL, but he still has a lot of learning to go before that will happen. - SC

Brett Leason, RW (56^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 8)

For a player who was passed over two years in a row in the draft, Leason has managed to defeat the odds, becoming a second-round pick for the Capitals. He has the size to play and to stay safe at the next level, proving so during his rookie season with AHL Hershey, however speed and skill is another thing. This is where the Washington offensive prospect structure starts to thin out and with Hershey last season, Leason failed to mark more than five goals, a disappointing drop from the 36 goals he scored in major junior the year before to being a healthy scratch for Hershey towards the season’s end. Leason will have to find another gear and start playing up at a professional level, as right now he is simply not fast enough to cut it and if he cannot find another gear it will be uncertain if he will ever be given a chance with the Washington Capitals as a bottom six. - SC

Lucas Johansen, D (28^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 9)

With an expired contract and only nine games played this past season, it is unsure as to where Johansen will be playing next season. It is assumed the Capitals will re-sign him; however he has not had the best of progressions in the organization as his play has gotten worse over the course of his three seasons with the Hershey Bears. As a first-round pick, Johansen needs to perform better, he has offered little in the way of point production and the quantity of turnovers he gives up is just bad. Having missed the bulk of the season with a leg injury, Johansen will need to show that he spent the time off well to come back better than ever to prove to Capitals management that he is deserving of a call up at least. As the time goes by, the Capitals are drafting more and more high-quality defensemen and Johansen’s name is getting further and further down their organizational depth list. It is now or never to prove that his passing, hockey IQ, and composure with the puck are good enough for a bottom four spot in Washington’s lineup. - SC

Vitek Vanecek, G (39^th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 10)

For a Washington Capitals organization which may be missing a goaltender next season with the expiring contract of incumbent starter Braden Holtby, it means that the young prospects in the system are getting their much-awaited shot. Although the current future may be Ilya Samsonov, recent backup and first call up Vitek Vanecek has the talent and hockey IQ to read NHL speed plays and the focus to get him to the next level. With a tight goaltender race, Vanecek will have to show his composure every time he gets a chance to be up with the Capitals. His quick reflexes and athleticism in the net are what set him apart from his counterparts as he is very active and aggressive in his crease, he fights for positioning well, and sees plays with good vision. His rebound control could use a little work and his timing when playing the puck can sometimes be a worrisome issue, however the Capitals look to have a promising goaltender tandem for the future as Vanecek could manage the starting role just as well as Samsonov. - SC

Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, LW (147^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 11)

Despite starting his North American professional career off a little shaky, including a return trip to Sweden to finish the season, Jonsson-Fjallby has redeemed himself this past season, completing the full season in North America, finishing with 23 points. It is clear to see that the winger has the speed and the offensive hockey ability to make an impact at the next level when it comes to getting to the net and putting forth the necessary individual effort. That being said, he lacks instincts as a two-way player and in the defensive end, and there is little else to be said about his giveaways and ill-advised passes in the neutral zone and on breakouts. Jonsson-Fjallby is a difficult prospect to talk about because he has NHL-level skills, but his hockey sense is poor and hard to overlook. With any luck, he will find himself in a Capitals jersey within the next season as a first choice call up to a bottom six position. - SC

Damien Riat, LW (117^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 12)

While some in the hockey world have dismissed Switzerland as a nation worth heavily scouting, the Capitals have always been believers. Look at NHLer Jonas Siegenthaler, their second-round pick in 2015, now an established NHLer. Look at Tobias Geisser, their first selection in 2017, albeit in the 4^th round. And look at Riat, taking in between the two blueliners, who signed an entry level deal with the Capitals in March after five successful seasons in the NLA. A speedy winger with intriguing puck skills, he has been the top scorer in his age cohort ever since being overshadowed by a young Auston Matthews in 2015-16, until finally being overtaken again last year. For an organization that rarely drafts out of Europe, Riat has a chance to convince the Capitals to change their scouting direction once more if he adapts well to the North American game this year. - RW

Oskar Magnusson, LW (211^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

A top scorer as a youth, Magnusson took off in his second season in SuperElit, finishing second in the league in scoring among all U18 players, behind only Carolina draft pick Zion Nybeck. Magnusson has a fine collection of offensive tools and can contribute as both a finisher as well as a playmaker. He has good instincts for the game and reads the play well, helping him to maximize his physical tools. On the other hand, he is very physically underdeveloped, and his skating is average at best. He is actually fairly explosive on his feet, but his strides are short, causing him to burn out too much energy too quickly. He earned a four game call up to Malmo’s senior side last year and is expected to have a chance to compete for a regular SHL role this season. Before even thinking of a move to North America, he will have to prove that his offense-first game can succeed against men at home in Sweden. – RW

Bobby Nardella, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Apr. 5, 2019. Previous ranking: 14)

At 5-9” Nardella is certainly undersized as defenseman go in professional hockey, however, do not be fooled as this crafty and highly offensive defenseman is a threat no matter where he is on the ice. He finished seventh on the Bears in points and tops for defenseman this past season, his rookie professional campaign. Having been trusted for a role on the Bears’ top powerplay unit, Nardella clearly shows his maturity and that he is focused enough to manage high pressure situations and smart enough to make the right plays. He also has the skill as a top-level skater and puckhandler to get to the net for scoring opportunities which can make him an asset in today’s game. The major downside is size and if the Capitals can get past that, rest assured that Nardella has the potential to be a top four pairing defenseman. The delay in cracking the Washington lineup simply comes from defensive depth and prospect hierarchy politics, because as a player Nardella offers nothing but good things to a team. - SC

Martin Hugo Has, D (153^rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

A late arrival to the OHL made Has a bit of a mystery and a difficult player to evaluate. Some may wonder about why he only played a single game for the North Bay Battalion before being moved to Guelph. The answer is because the OHL has a rule that imports cannot be traded until they play at least one game for the drafting team. In Guelph, Has was eased into a top four role for the Storm, playing as a stay at home defender with partner Daniil Chayka (a top 2021 eligible player). At 6-4”, he certainly has good length and exhibits good gap control when containing the transition game of the opposition. As an offensive player, we saw Has struggle at times with his decision making and the pace of play in the OHL. It remains to be seen just how much potential he has as an NHL prospect moving forward. Next year he will return to Guelph and will likely resume his partnership with Chayka. As he becomes more comfortable, we should get a better idea of the type of player he is and can become. – BO

Garin Bjorklund, G (179^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Playing as art of a platoon with Ottawa draft pick Mads Sogaard, Bjorklund didn’t have the kind of year that scouts hoped of him, as consistency issues plagued him in his intermittent starts. Part of that may have come from not playing consistently as part of a routine. He still has the size (6-2”) and quickness to be an NHL netminder and the potential to turn it around given more regular time between the pipes. To his credit, he tracks the play well and seems to have a solid grasp of the technical nuances of the position. A former first round pick in the WHL Bantam Draft, even in his struggles, he showed flashes of pro caliber ability, but was done in too often by juicy rebounds, and seeming to lose his composure after surrendering a bad goal. Reports of his commitment to the game are promising, and, even though he was outperformed last year on the whole by the Danish second round pick, more often than not, there was little to separate the two performance-wise, and there may be a lot of room for growth in this profile. – BO

Mitchell Gibson, G (124^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 17)

If we want to search for rays of hope with Bjorklund (#17), we need look no further than Gibson, who struggled badly in his first post draft season making the adjustment from the NAHL to the USHL. Moving on to Harvard, his performance improved by several grades. Given the chance to play regularly, he took the bulk of a time-share from senior Cameron Gornet and kept the Crimson in pretty much every game, something he could not say for his time with Central Illinois. Gibson is on the smaller side for a modern netminder but moves well and fights for every puck. He did a good job at limiting second chances and has a knack for puck play as well. Where concerns remain are in his ability to track the play through traffic, where his height works against him, as well as his propensity to lose the finer details of his technique in the crease. A second season like the last one with Harvard and he will rise up this list. - RW

Beck Malenstyn, LW (145^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 18)

Re-read everything written above about Garrett Pilon and just make him a winger instead of a center, and then lower the ceiling a fair bit. Considering how low we stated the ceiling was for Pilon, we are basically stating that Malenstyn projects as a replacement level player. His hands have promise, and he plays a hard and tough style of game, but it is hard to see him as more than an injury replacement callup. The simple fact is that his offensive contributions are meagre. Even in the WHL, he was a secondary scorer. Through two seasons in the AHL, he hasn’t exceeded 16 points, although, to be fair, he could have cracked 20 if last season wasn’t ended early due to the pandemic. He could have been a regular in the 1980s, but it is hard for players of his ilk to establish themselves in the NHL anymore, and we don’t see why Malenstyn will break that mold. - RW

Riley Sutter, RW (93^rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: UR)

One of the few of the next generation of the Sutter family to still retain NHL hopes, Riley Sutter’s projection was stunted over the previous two injury-plagued seasons. He has always carried the grit and smarts of his father’s generation, but the knock on him, from the time of his draft year, has been his heavy feet. Now, with only 63 combined games played in the last two years, split between the WHL and AHL, his chances have taken a hit with the missed development time. We can give him a mulligan for his poor numbers in his abbreviated rookie pro season, as he has solid puck skills and reads the opposition well, but he can scarcely afford a repeat of the last two seasons. A return to health and improved performance will help Sutter re-ascend this list. Continued injuries can end his NHL hopes. He has the size and strength to play a bottom six role in the future, but he has a ways to go to achieve that goal. - RW

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – WASHINGTON CAPITALS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 20

Ryan Wagman, Profiles by Brock Otten, Shaiyena Cote, Vince Gibbons, Ryan Wagman — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 17:26:50 +0000

Washington Capitals

While most competing teams make a habit out of trading draft picks (we see you, Pittsburgh Penguins!), the Washington Capitals, winners of the Metropolitan Division for five years running (which includes this season, truncated as it was, wherein the Capitals went into the pandemic-pause with a one point lead over Philadelphia in equal games played), have not.

True, they do not always have their full complement of seven draft picks, as they left draft weekend with only four players selected in three of the last five draft classes. But with the exception of the class of 2017, the Capitals have always had their own first rounder. In fact, 2016 and 2017 were also the only years in the previous five drafts that saw the Capitals without a second-round pick.

Spelling out the consequences of this approach, unlike the Penguins (one first rounder in five years), the San Jose Sharks (three first rounders in five years, one of which was traded away before playing a professional game)*, the recent vintage of the New York Rangers, who did not have a first rounder between 2013-16, and others, the Capitals are achieving long-term success without selling the future.

*The Penguins and the Sharks are also both without a first rounder going into the 2020 draft, but that is a topic for another year.

This is not to say that the Capitals haven’t traded some future assets for pieces in the here and now, but those assets are much more likely to take the form of a middle or late-round draft pick. Perhaps we can say that the organization is under the after-effects of the “once bitten, twice shy” mentality. After trading future star Filip Forsberg within ten months of selecting him 11^th overall, the Capitals prefer these days to use a more minor asset, picks from the back half of the draft, or youngish depth players, to make the upgrades they need to remain competitive at the highest level. If absolutely necessary, they will deal away a second-round pick, such as the one they shipped to San Jose for Brendan Dillon at this year’s trade deadline.

If anything, the Capitals feel more secure in trading away a later pick as they also try to add them when dealing away excess talent. Since winning the Stanley Cup in 2018, the Capitals have acquired five draft picks in various trades while shipping out six (two of which were conditional).

All else being equal, you would want your team to have more draft picks to play with than less, but if you have to move some picks for a roster upgrade, it is far better to send away something farther from the top. There have been numerous studies performed over the years, by people far more numerically savvy than myself, noting how the value of a pick at the top of the draft starts very high (on aggregate) and drops off rapidly, flatlining sooner than one might expect. In short, once we get past the first round, the expected value from a third rounder or a seventh rounder is not all that large. We might even say that that value can be replaced through the astute signings of undrafted talent from the collegiate or European ranks, such as Bobby Nardella further down this list, or Joe Snively, who was our first cut.

As of this writing, the Capitals own five picks for the 2020 draft and will sit out the second and seventh rounds.

Connor McMichael of the London Knights. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Iimages.

Connor McMichael, C (25^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 3)

Few 2019 draft selections progressed as well as McMichael did this past season with the London Knights, where he went from a strong complementary piece to the lifeblood through which the Knights’ offense flowed. This has many scouts re-evaluating his potential as an NHL player.

A strong skater, McMichael showed much more confidence when carrying the puck and this allowed him to dominate touches when on the ice. He can beat you in transition because of his speed and he can beat you down low because of how well he protects the puck and how sound his decision making is. He is just a solid all-around offensive player. We also saw a huge improvement in his shot that saw him nearly hit the 50-goal mark. His wrist shot is powerful, and he is great at using different shooting angles to deceive goaltenders.

McMichael also showed improved strength away from the puck, which when paired with his high-end IQ, makes him a strong two-way presence. Originally thought of by many to be an eventual winger at the NHL level, he has shown enough to alter this belief. This is a very versatile player. Given the improvements he made this year, it is not impossible to see McMichael playing in the NHL next year with the Capitals. He already skates well enough to be an NHL player.

His versatility will make him very valuable and he could fill a variety of different roles for Washington if he shows himself worthy at training camp. At this point, McMichael’s projection is that of a two-way, goal scoring forward who can play inside the first two lines. – BO

Alexander Alexeyev, D (31^st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 1)

When people think of the Washington Capitals they think of their offensive prowess as a system and the big names on the attack which is why for the past few years the Capitals management has not had to bother drafting forwards with their first round picks. From goaltenders to defensemen, the Capitals have decided to build up their back end and defensive structure instead.

Alexeyev, their 2018 first rounder, is no exception to the defensive pattern and he adds size (6-4”) and hockey IQ to the game. Making the jump from the Western Hockey league’s Red Deer Rebels, he managed to make it through his first professional season with no serious injuries despite his shaky health track record. He struggled in the beginning of the season to adjust to the pace, but as the season went along his confidence grew enough for the skills that got him drafted to make themselves present, particularly in the form of his passing ability and offensive zone positioning.

Alexeyev will need to come back to the Bears better conditioned in order to remain consistent throughout all three periods and he will need to find another gear when it comes to skating and speed. Numerous times last season opponents blew past him when driving the net and he will need to get stronger in keeping them to the outside.

Overall as he continues to develop and his game matures, there is little doubt that he has the overall ability to become a top pairing defenseman for Washington, it is simply a matter of the Capitals finding the right time and Alexeyev staying healthy, as he cannot sustain another serious injury without suffering major career setbacks. - SC

ARLINGTON, VA - SEPTEMBER 12: Martin Fehervary of the Washington Capitals (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)

Martin Fehervary, D (46^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 5)

Having earned a spot on the Capitals 2020 playoff roster, as well as having suited up for his first playoff game in the NHL, Fehervary is off to a good start to the somewhat long and drawn out COVID-19 season. Tight competition between Fehervary and fellow Hershey Bears roommate and first round pick Alexander Alexeyev has been good for Fehervary’s development in the Washington organization, pushing him hard in order to see results. The results of that developmental push have been evident as the lanky Slovakian has managed to impress Capitals management is his rookie North American professional season, often using his tremendous skating ability to sail past opponents and earn scoring opportunities.

He is the complete package as a future NHL defenseman; he plays a physical and rough game, can skate, carry the puck, and his defensive zone coverage is good. The only downsides come in the form of patience, passing, and knowing when to hold onto the puck or to pass it. He is not as well known for his passing abilities as he is for his skating and skill level and at times it was evident this past season with turnovers and missed important passes that oftentimes led to icings or offsides. Fehervary will simply need to tighten up his passing and work on how he moves the puck as well as when he moves it in order to be able to make the right choices in the NHL when his time comes to suit up as a top four defenseman. - SC

Aliaksei Protas, C (91^st overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 8)

His shot is above average and enables him to always be a dual threat to defend. You have to respect his shot as he has been averaging 3.6 shots/game this season, over double his previous years. His willingness to shoot the puck has helped his overall offensive game blossom into one of the best in the WHL this past season.

The knock on Protas in his draft year was always his cumbersome footwork and lack of pace, but he has made some serious strides in that part of his game as well. He will never be mistaken for a speedster, but his speed has improved enough that it does not hinder his game anymore. He still needs to work on his overall defensive commitment and has struggled in the faceoff dot but those are both things have improved with coaching. He is still a long-term project but the potential upside here is much higher than most expected in his draft year. - VG

Garrett Pilon, C (87^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 17)

For a player like Pilon, making the NHL and standing out will always be hard due to his style of play. Every team is in need of a hard working grinder who can skate and who keeps his feet moving at all times, however there is nothing particular that stands out about the way that Pilon plays and that is the main issue. The Capitals roster currently has its fast skaters and its fourth line grinders in the likes of Carl Hagelin and company, therefore Pilon will have to impress by broadening his play and bettering his offensive production and overall puck possession next season.

He finished fifth in team scoring with the Hershey Bears this past season and managed to establish himself as one of the AHL club’s top penalty killers with his speed and determination, both with and without the puck. It is clear that Pilon takes his hockey seriously and works hard every shift but at the next level it is about putting all of those things together and he will have to have a better, more cohesive and consistent game heading into next season in order to pull away from the pack and lead his way into a bottom six spot on the NHL club.

He is a passionate player and he will also need to keep his temper and frustration in check to avoid spending more time in the box than on the ice. As stated before, if the Capitals cannot find a spot for him, all teams are in need of a hard working grinder to do the dirty work and Pilon will be a big-league asset should he continue to put his overall game together and mature. - SC

Brian Pinho, C (174^th overall, 2013. 2019 Rank: UR)

Throughout the season, he was a clutch player for Hershey, often earning overtime markers and tying goals. He dominates in the offensive zone and often times earns breakaways on turnovers and long passes. That being said, he needs to work on bringing that competitive level to every game and on further developing his defensive play. With the recent call up to the Capitals, Pinho may have earned his chance at next season’s roster as a member of the bottom six. - SC

Kody Clark, RW (47^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 11)

He is a strong skater but his puck possession was simply not there this season and he will have to find a way to get to the net if he wants to even be considered as a top priority call up option. Serving more time in the penalty box than often necessary, Clark will have to prove himself as a skilled player first more than anything in terms of next season and working his way towards a call up. He has the potential and skill to play as a bottom six forward in the NHL, but he still has a lot of learning to go before that will happen. - SC

Brett Leason, RW (56^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 4)

For a player who was passed over two years in a row in the draft, Leason has managed to defeat the odds, becoming a second-round pick for the Capitals. He has the size to play and to stay safe at the next level, proving so during his rookie season with AHL Hershey, however speed and skill is another thing. This is where the Washington offensive prospect structure starts to thin out and with Hershey this season, Leason failed to mark more than five goals, a disappointing drop from the 36 goals he scored in major junior the year before to being a healthy scratch for Hershey towards the season’s end. Leason will have to find another gear and start playing up at a professional level, as right now he is simply not fast enough to cut it and if he cannot find another gear it will be uncertain if he will ever be given a chance with the Washington Capitals as a bottom six. - SC

Lucas Johansen, D (28^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 7)

As a first round pick, Johansen needs to perform better, he has offered little in the way of point production and the quantity of turnovers he gives up is just bad. Having missed the bulk of the season with a leg injury, Johansen will need to show that he spent the time off well to come back better than ever to prove to Capitals management that he is deserving of a call up at least.

As the time goes by, the Capitals are drafting more and more high-quality defensemen and Johansen’s name is getting further and further down their organizational depth list. It is now or never to prove that his passing, hockey IQ, and composure with the puck are good enough for a bottom four spot in Washington’s lineup. - SC

Vitek Vanecek, G (39^th overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: 14)

With a tight goaltender race, Vanecek will have to show his composure every time he gets a chance to be up with the Capitals. His quick reflexes and athleticism in the net are what set him apart from his counterparts as he is very active and aggressive in his crease, he fights for positioning well, and sees plays with good vision. His rebound control could use a little work and his timing when playing the puck can sometimes be a worrisome issue, however the Capitals look to have a promising goaltender tandem for the future as Vanecek could manage the starting role just as well as Samsonov. - SC

Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, LW (147^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 16)

That being said, he lacks instincts as a two-way player and in the defensive end, and there is little else to be said about his giveaways and ill-advised passes in the neutral zone and on breakouts. Jonsson-Fjallby is a difficult prospect to talk about because he has NHL-level skills, but his hockey sense is poor and hard to overlook. With any luck, he will find himself in a Capitals jersey within the next season as a first choice call up to a bottom six position. - SC

Damien Riat, LW (117^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 18)

A speedy winger with intriguing puck skills, he has been the top scorer in his age cohort ever since being overshadowed by a young Auston Matthews in 2015-16, until finally being overtaken again this year. For an organization that rarely drafts out of Europe, Riat has a chance to convince the Capitals to change their scouting direction once more if he adapts well to the North American game this year. - RW

Tyler Lewington, D (204^th overall, 2013. 2019 Rank: UR)

With his contract expired and the end of his prospect eligibility coming up, Lewington has hopefully proved himself to be enough of an asset on the backend in the Washington organization to be offered a new contract.

He is a big body and has been a physical, mature presence on the ice for the AHL Hershey Bears. He plays a solid defensive game and often times lends his shooting ability in offensive situations which allows him to stand out with his overall in-game effectiveness as a two-way player.

He is a good defenseman with a promising future ahead and the potential to be a bottom four contributor either with the Capitals or another team should they choose not to resign him. There are slight discipline issues but nothing of concern with Lewington’s actual play and for a seventh round pick his development has surpassed anything expected when he was first drafted. - SC

Bobby Nardella, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Apr. 5, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Having been trusted for a role on the Bears’ top powerplay unit, Nardella clearly shows his maturity and that he is focused enough to manage high pressure situations and smart enough to make the right plays. He also has the skill as a top-level skater and puckhandler to get to the net for scoring opportunities which can make him an asset in today’s game.

The major downside is size and if the Capitals can get past that, rest assured that Nardella has the potential to be a top four pairing defenseman. The delay in cracking the Washington lineup simply comes from defensive depth and prospect hierarchy politics, because as a player Nardella offers nothing but good things to a team. - SC

Martin Hugo Has, D (153^rd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 20)

At 6-4”, he certainly has good length and exhibits good gap control when containing the transition game of the opposition. As an offensive player, we saw Has struggle at times with his decision making and the pace of play in the OHL. It remains to be seen just how much potential he has as an NHL prospect moving forward. Next year he will return to Guelph and will likely resume his partnership with Chayka. As he becomes more comfortable, we should get a better idea of the type of player he is and can become. - BO

Washington Capitals 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 13:30:48 +0000

Many clubs in the Capitals’ position of always being in the hunt, always being buyers at the trade deadline, see their prospect stock stumble, mostly due to the combined effects of having fewer picks, picking later when they do make picks, and sometimes trading away still developing youth for the more reliable promise of tested veterans.

In many cases, teams supplement their prospect income with free agent signees, and Washington has been no exception, although to a lesser extent than many other teams, with only seven qualified having been brought into the organization – having been brought into professional hockey – as undrafted free agents. That said, the player’s inked by the Capitals off the free prospect market do not have the organizational impact that you see from free agents in other systems. While the two free agent collegians signed by Washington this year (Joe Snively from Yale and Bobby Nardella from Notre Dame) were considered for the top 20 list, none of the free agent signees ultimately featured in the list below.

Also incidentally not appearing anywhere in the top 20 below is a single product from the Capitals’ small draft class of 2017, when they did not select a single player prior to the fourth round.

The above factors would typically lead to a system that is among the bottom end of systems in the game, and while we have not yet scored out all systems as of this writing, and even without Chase Priskie, who would have likely been in the top six here were it not for his stated intentions to explore free agency after Washington’s right on him expire in mid-August as a college graduate, the Capitals have a decent system, buttressed by a top four who all profile to be top half of the NHL roster players.

The system, from the 30,000 foot view lacks for inspiration, but between minute munching, two-way defender Alexander Alexeyev, long-touted netminder Ilya Samsonov, who began to demonstrate the potential that had Capitals’ brass salivating for years in the second half of his season in North America, and their top two picks from the 2019 class, forward Connor McMichael and Brett Leason, there are four players here who could grow into future core pieces for a franchise that should reasonably expect to continue to contend for postseason glory.

What the system lacks, on the other hand, is the breadth and depth of the system that is also needed to ensure that a team can withstand the inevitable injuries that teams accrue over the course of a season. The AHL talent – at least those guys who will not be AHL rookies this year – has very few forwards who could be expected to play NHL roles yet, with the only young potential 2019-20 contributing players coming on the blueline. In fact, two of the following three players listed below after the aforementioned top three, and three of those in the 5-10 range are defensemen with at least one full season of AHL experience under their belts.

The moral here, if there is one, is that the Capitals have a better system than might be expected, but that the system may not be structured to help the NHL team as needed, depending on how those needs shake out. Expect their depth to be tested this year.

-Ryan Wagman

Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire)

1 Alexander Alexeyev, D (31^st overall, 2018. Last Year: 3) Alexeyev is a great story wrapped in a very good player who has all the tools to be a top four defender in the NHL. He has good size, skates very well, and has more snarl in his game then most give him credit for. Couple all that with a defender who is an excellent passer both in his own zone as well as when quarterbacking a powerplay, and he shows real promise. He has had some injury trouble the past couple of seasons and had a tragic loss as his mother passed away mid-season in his draft year. Despite so many ups and downs he has been one of the top defenders in the WHL since his arrival from Russia. He projects as playing both sides of special teams although maybe on second units and he could be an very solid second pairing defender. - VG

2 Ilya Samsonov, G (22^nd overall, 2015. Last Year: 1) Having had good numbers in the KHL, Samsonov was destined to be a top goaltender in North America, however despite his cool demeanor, depending on the outcome of a play he can get easily frustrated and distracted. His playoff performance with AHL Hershey was less than desirable and he seemed to lack the maturity to keep his focus into the postseason. Samsonov is a very intense, high pressure goaltender and he has all the traits to be a starter in the NHL. It will be a matter of time and perhaps a chance at a better playoff run to build his confidence up before we see him make the leap to starting more than a game or two with Washington. There is no doubt that with his tracking abilities and poise Samsonov will see another call up to the NHL again this season and hopefully for a longer time frame in order to further his NHL experience. - SC

3 Connor McMichael, C (25^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) McMichael was one of the most consistent performers for the London Knights this past season, despite being in his NHL draft year. His hockey IQ is his best asset as he is such an intelligent player in the offensive zone. He is also a great skater, which he uses in combination with his vision and anticipation to find those soft spots in the opposing defense. As a shoot first center, McMichael’s ability to create for his linemates will need to improve should he want to stick down the middle moving forward. A lot of that comes from a need to play with more intensity, especially with the puck on his stick. He needs to attack the middle of the ice with more ferocity. While scouts are unsure as to whether McMichael is a center or wing in the future, he profiles as a strong two-way middle six forward who can provide versatility and goal scoring to the Capitals in the future. - BO

4 Brett Leason, RW (56^th overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) Leason’s skating has improved by leaps and bounds since his first time through the draft. He is now an average skater but it is now enough to enable his many other skills to shine through now that he can keep up with play. He is an underrated passer with good instincts in the offensive zone. He is a monster on the cycle game and below the dots where he can tire out opponents forcing them to chase the game. His shot is lethal and he is an excellent net front presence as he battles and keeps his skill free to tip pucks or reach loose pucks. If the scoring doesn’t translate he can still be an effective energy guy that can tilt the ice and generate offensive zone time. At his best he could be a power forward with 20-25 goal potential. -VG

5 Martin Fehervary, D (46^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 6) An aggressive import from Slovakia, Fehervary played full time in the SHL last season, in his last year qualifying for junior hockey. He finished the season ranked sixth on HV71 in ice time. All told, he had a good, but not great, season. He played in his customary aggressive style, with quick skating, physicality, and good reach. His game was well suited to the SHL level and he had mostly good underlying numbers. The one area where his stats were not as strong was in his on-ice save percentage. While that rate is usually luck-related, with only a single season of data, it is hard to tell for sure. He still has NHL potential, with the look of a third pairing blueliner. His skating, reach and aggressiveness will becoming a strong defensive defender. He should be playing n North America next season, most likely in the AHL, which will go a long way in pushing his development along. - JH

6 Jonas Siegenthaler, D (57^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 12) Siegenthaler really stepped up at the end of last season and managed a good enough performance as a call up to the Capitals to earn a spot as one of their starters for this coming season. He is a strong and smooth skating defenseman who has a very high hockey IQ which makes him an asset to any team. As a bottom pairing defender with the Capitals to start this season, it will be up to Siegenthaler to work his way up the ladder a little more. An added bonus is his playoff experience from last season, having already proved himself in the most high pressure of situations. It should be a relatively easy transition from training camp into NHL mode this season with fewer nerves to worry about. It is safe to say that Siegenthaler’s time in the AHL is done if he can clock his first full season with the Capitals in 2019-20. - SC

7 Lucas Johansen, D (28^th overall, 2016, Last Year: 2) It is debatable whether Johansen is a good skater. His crossovers and edgework are fine but he lacks consistency with his speed in-game. If he can continuously maintain an urgency to his game and avoid being caught standing still then he will be on the right track to earning his first call up to the Capitals next season. For now, he will remain at the AHL level with the Bears until he finds the maturity in his game to take him to the next level. As a first rounder in 2016, Johansen has the skill to play the NHL and the potential to be a second pairing defenseman but he is still only scratching the surface with his development. Johansen will most likely be relegated to another two seasons in the AHL before being in position to gain a full time roster spot with the Capitals. - SC

8 Aliaksei Protas, C (91^stoverall, 2017. Last Year: IE) Protas is a monster on the ice. His presence is as noticeable as his shadow. He needs to work on his feet as he is slow and cumbersome as he moves around the rink. That said, he has pretty good puck skills and is a very deft passer. He is able to create from the halfwall or from behind the net where he can hold on to the puck for longer than most. He uses his size very effectively although his overall game is not especially physical. He gained more scouting notoriety as he upped his offensive game drastically in the WHL playoffs, playing a key role in pushing the Raiders to a WHL championship. If he can improve his skating stride there is some potential there. - VG

9 Riley Sutter, RW (93^rd overall, 2018. Last Year: 9) Riley is the latest chapter in the Sutter family dynasty with the Capitals selecting him in the third round of the 2018 draft. He was on a good pace last year, with 41 points through 38 games, before suffering a severe lower body injury that cost him the remainder of the regular season (although he managed to return for the end of Everett’s postseason run, as well as a cameo with AHL Hershey in their playoffs). Sutter is a solid two way forward with good size and smarts. He is versatile and can play either center or on the wing, has a nose for the net, and an above average shot. He projects to be a bottom six forward at the highest level and will most likely be used in checking roles as he moves up. As he turns 20 in October, he could still return to Everett for another season, but the ods suggest he will spend next season in the AHL. - KO

10 Connor Hobbs, D (143^rd overall, 2015. Last Year: 4) Hobbs is a great team player and a solid passer compiling 15 assists over the course of the season. He is not the smoothest of defensemen and may seem somewhat scrambly but he gets the job done. Although he plays a more gritty and passionate game than other defensemen on this list, his maturity on the ice is what will carry him to the next level. His positioning is good and he is dynamic and capable of playing an offensive role which only adds to his value. Hobbs plays with vibrant energy and his progression with the Capitals organization has been good and will only get better should he stay focused. That being said, expect him to play another full year in the AHL before earning a call up. The unorthodox, late blooming defenseman has the potential to be a Tory Krug type of defender, but will need another full year in the AHL to come into his own. - SC

11 Kody Clark, RW (47^th overall, 2018. Last Year: 13) One would expect the son of former NHL’er Wendell Clark to be quite the physical aggressor and that expectation happens to be a correct one. Kody Clark is an intense competitor who is very active on the forecheck and in puck pursuit. He also has great lower body strength which makes him difficult to separate from the puck as he works the wall and prolongs possession for his more skilled linemates. There are some limitations to Clark’s offensive game and subsequently his offensive ceiling. His puck skill, creativity, goal scoring instincts, hands, and vision would all have to be classified as average. Likely the key to Clark’s development moving forward will be the development of his defensive game. This will determine whether he becomes more than just a fourth line agitator and energy player. -BO

12 Colby Williams, D (173^rd overall, 2015. Last Year: Not ranked) Among defensemen in the Washington system, Williams is on the smaller end but that does not stop him from making smart plays. He plays a physical game, is strong on the boards and does well at keeping the puck on his stick. His shot production and offensive play needs to improve a little more before he can be considered for a call up to the NHL. He is a mature enough player to earn the call and he plays with enough determination and control that he would be a solid addition to the Capitals’ roster. It is hard to estimate at this point whether or not Williams will play another full year with the Hershey Bears or be sent up for a few games. If he checks off every area of development, he could emerge on a third pairing in time. - SC

13 Shane Gersich, C (134^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 5) Gersich is a high energy and entertaining forward to watch and having already won the Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018 he has high pressure experience with the big club under his belt already. Unfortunately however, Gersich fell short this season with Hershey as he did not quite live up to expectations. Gersich is a very fast and skilled player with a great set of hands but these skills were lost as he adjusted to the pace of his first professional season while making the jump from NCAA. Gersich had a great development camp and it is without question that he will be better adjusted and prepared this coming season when he starts with Hershey. It is well known that the Capitals have a strong forward lineup but a spot on the Capitals’ roster is not too far away for Gersich as he is certainly dynamic, aggressive and skilled enough to be a bottom six forward once he gets the call. - SC

14 Vitek Vanecek, G (39^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 14) Vanecek is a tricky case with the Washington Capitals in terms of goaltenders in their system as they have a lot of goaltending talent and it is quite a competitive system in terms of skill. On the smaller end of the standard goaltender size spectrum, Vanecek moves well, has good vision and keeps rebounds low which are all things that make him a contender for a spot on the Capitals. Last season, Vanecek and Ilya Samsonov nearly split the starts evenly. Vanecek finished in the top 20 in the AHL for his goals against average which is a testament to his athleticism. His temperament may be stable enough for an NHL club however consistency is an issue and he needs to work on being more stable in net if he wants to earn a spot as a backup goaltender in the future. - SC

15 Eric Florchuk, C (217^th overall, 2018. Last Year: Not ranked) Florchuk has been a mixed bag this past season but he has some offensive skills and good hockey IQ. He is a pass first player who makes smart plays in all three zones. He needs to add some strength to continue to develop into his pro-sized frame. He is a responsible two-way player who back checks hard and gets in on his forecheck well. He projects as a bottom six forward that helps on the penalty kill and contributes to an overall team game. While not the most exciting or high skilled forward in the system, he looks like great value for literally the final pick of the 2018 draft.- VG

16 Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, LW (147^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 7) When he is at his best, Jonsson-Fjallby is a highly energetic and quick player to play with and tough to keep up when paired against. His speed makes him a force to be reckoned with and his hockey IQ has improved drastically in the last year. He has become a smart and reliable two way player, whereas once his defensive game was insubstantial. His backwards skating is weak and his consistency and ability to read the play needs to drastically improve. Jonsson-Fjallby still has the potential to be a bottom six forward but first he needs to complete a full season in North America - last season did not go as planned and he returned back home to play with Djurgardens in the Swedish Hockey League - and prove that he has made a proper adjustment to the ice size and style of North American professional hockey. - SC

17 Garrett Pilon, C (87^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 17) Pilon is a hard working forward capable of winning battles, allowing for good puck possession. He is dynamic and has a good head on his shoulders where playmaking is concerned. He creates offensive opportunities and passing is certainly a strength of his with his goal/assist ratio only proving that fact. He is a clean, but physical player who gets well into the tough spots and adds notable pressure to create turnovers. However, good two way players are a valuable commodity and Pilon needs to find an extra gear and find a way to keep up the tempo in all zones and not just the offensive end to move to the next level. His level of comfort moving from the Everett Silvertips of the WHL to the AHL has been shifted somewhat and it will be up to him to manage his transition better in order to be noticed as a potential bottom six center with Washington. - SC

18 Damien Riat, LW (117^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 11) Last season, Riat left his childhood team of Geneve-Servette for NLA competitor Biel-Bienne, and there was some hope that the fresh start would allow him to take that next step in his development as a prospect. And while he had a decent season with his new team, Riat did not take any such steps. His point production barely budged (from 24 to 25 points in an equal number of games) and according to first-hand accounts, the skilled winger didn’t look any better in producing the way either. He is still an agitating winger whose feet are as quick as his hands, but with his NLA contract expiring this summer, this will be a critical year for him to show that his greasy game would be worth an ELC from the Capitals. - RW

19 Beck Malenstyn, LW (145^th overall, 2016. Last Year: Not ranked) Last season was rough for Malenstyn and presumably not how he expected to start off his professional career. With only a meager 16 points throughout 74 games, the regular season was disappointing. He started to pick up steam as he hit the playoffs only for Hershey to be eliminated, killing his momentum. It is optimistic to say that he will need a confidence boost next season in order for him to be able to showcase his skills better. When on his game, Malenstyn is a natural goal scorer and great at gaining puck possession, but he will have to have a much better showing in order to prove to Washington that he still has NHL upside. With his shot and natural scoring ability, he will have to find the back of the net more than just 7 times next season to reach even ensure that he can remain in the AHL long term. - SC

20 Martin Hugo Has, D (153^rd overall, 2019. Last Year: IE) The Capitals selected the towering Czech defenseman in the fifth round of the 2019 draft. Has spent the past two seasons with Tappara U20 and unless he makes the Liiga team this year, it is reasonable to think that he will stay at the U20 level. His shooting ability stands out, with a wrist shot that is hard and accurate, while his slap shot features a lot of power and a good wind up. He also has a knack for getting shots through on the net. His other attributes project to be more around average and the jury is still out on whether he has enough upside to play a significant role in the NHL at his maturation. His acceleration and overall mobility need work and although he shows promise in his defensive and physical games, there is room for improvement in those areas as well. – MB

Washington Capitals Prospect System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:30:56 +0000

At this time last year, we were collectively nonplussed by Washington’s system. Of course, we recognized that Ilya Samsonov was one of the better goaltending prospects in the sport, but we also recognized that he would not be available to the Capitals during the season, except as an asset to dangle in trade talks.

That take on a bland system was the natural result of an organization that had been trading draft picks like hockey cards for years. The Capital made only four selections in both the 2015 and the 2017 drafts. In the latter year, their earliest pick came at the tail end of the fourth round.

Some teams can get away with not drafting often as they supplement their systems with undrafted free agents. After all, the difference in quality between players drafted in the sixth or seventh rounds and the top 30-50 undrafted free agents can be pretty minimal. In fact, the latter group, as they are generally older, are closer to realizing their potential than 17-18 year-olds who are still in the early stages of their respective journeys.

Unfortunately, Washington has not had a strong track record of luring undrafted talent into their ranks. Most of the undrafted players playing with their AHL affiliate in Hershey were of the older variety. To wit, their average age on the farm last year was 25.51 years old, second oldest in the league to only the San Diego Gulls.

As it happened, any successes experienced by Hershey last year were largely the product AHL veterans, instead of NHL prospects. Their 1A goalie turned 26 during last season, and four of their top ten scorers will be at least 28 years old before the 2018-19 season begins.

In fairness, there were some pretty important contributions from Washington’s top prospects on the team’s run to their first Stanley Cup championship. Number two prospect Jakub Vrana, a former first rounder, had 27 points in his rookie NHL season and added eight postseason points. Chandler Stephenson, who had ranked eighth on this list last year, was a fixture on the fourth line. He contributed 18 points in the regular season and another seven in the postseason. Madison Bowey, who we had ranked fifth, was the ostensible seventh defenseman during the regular season, although he did not play in the playoffs at all. Finally, thirteenth ranked Christian Djoos, who had cycled in and out of the lineup with Bowey in the regular season, cemented his place in the lineup in the playoffs, playing in 22 of the Capitals’ 24 games. A few other guys snuck into games here and there, but he have covered the bulk of the prospect contributions to the championship.

We can appreciate the fact that the Capitals’ championship was a largely veteran affair, but we cannot overlook the value of the draft in creating the Cup raising team. Instead of making a series of veteran-adding trades at the deadline, this team was run by players who had spent years in the organization. From former first rounders such as Ovechkin, Backstrom, Kuznetsov, Carlson, Wilson, Burakovsky, and the aforementioned Vrana, to later round picks like Dmitri Orlov, and Braden Holtby, the importance of the draft cannot be overlooked. By it is also a reminder that the payoff is generally not immediate.

1 Ilya Samsonov, G (22^nd overall, 2015. Last Year: 1^st) The wait on one of the best goalies on the planet not yet in the NHL has seemingly come to an end with Samsonov’s dominant three year run with Magnitogorsk of the KHL coming to an end with a combined .929 save percentage and a 2.20 GAA. His game between the pipes is very well rounded. He is a high-end athlete who adjusts his body quickly and acrobatically to get to puck that other goalies would have no chance on. He is competitive, reads the game well and technically sound, covering his angles well and playing with an understanding of depth. He even does well at controlling the first shot, thereby minimizing second and third chances. He could still to improve his puck handling skills. While Washington’s net is in capable hands with Braden Holtby, in Samsonov, they have a succession plan in place, and he will spend most, if not all, of the coming season in the NHL.

2 Lucas Johansen, D (28^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 3^rd) An exceptional puck mover, Johansen has developed at a stately but reasonable pace since the Capitals made him a late first round pick in 2016. Coming out of the blueline factory in Kelowna, he is another highly mobile, modern-era defenseman who has more upside than any other skater in the system. Thanks to his late birthdate, he was able to play in the AHL before his 20^th birthday and he ended the season fifth in points among U21 blueliners in the league. Almost as impressive as his offensive capabilities, he also shows a responsible game in his own end. His point shot is strong enough to pick up time on the power play once he reaches the NHL. Speaking of the NHL, he still needs to add muscle to his lanky frame while the chance to dominate at a lower level will allow him to explore the extent of his game before being under the spotlight.

3 Alexander Alexeyev, D (31^st overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) The final pick of the 2018 first round, Alexeyev had to overcome quite a lot to get to that point. Not only did he leave home before his 17^th birthday to play hockey in Red Deer, but he also dealt with a few injuries in his time on the WHL, notably a knee injury that robbed him of a large chunk of his draft year. Even more than that though, he dealt with the unexpected passing of his mother near mid-season. Alexeyev showed a lot of maturity and drive to come back to Canada within a few weeks of that tragedy and continue to play a high end two way game. He brings size and processing power to his own end, and a big point shot and even more impressive passing ability to the offensive game. His above average skating comes with him wherever he goes. May have more untapped potential than any skater in the system.

4 Connor Hobbs, D (143^rd overall, 2015. Last Year: 4^th) The Capitals took a risk drafting Hobbs after a draft year partially lost due to a dispute with his original WHL club. The subsequent growth in his game in his final two WHL years make him the best value pick in the organization still working his way up the ladder. He plays a punishing physical game with a big, strong frame. His offensive output from the WHL has not yet followed him to the AHL, but he has been able to demonstrate a promising ability to move the puck, both as a carrier and as a passer. There will be an expectation placed on his shoulders to stand out more in his second-go-round with Hershey, such as being more selectively assertive with his powerful point shot, but his first step showed enough to keep him high in Washington’s future plans.

5 Shane Gersich, C/LW (134^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 9^th) The Capitals were very patient with Gersich. After using a fifth round pick on him four years ago, they waited as he spent one more season in the USHL and three seasons in NCAA with North Dakota. He played a depth role as UND won a national title in his freshman year but was more prominent in their failed attempts to return to the summit in the last two years. He is a fantastic skater, with both speed and slipperiness. Gersich is also a creative stickhandler, able to find ways out of tricky situations. After his junior year, he signed a late-season ELC with Washington, getting into three regular season games and two in the postseason, to add an NHL title to his NCAA glory. More likely to break into the league as a winger than a center, he should spend most of the next season apprenticing in the AHL first.

Martin Fehervary

6 Martin Fehervary, D (46^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) A smooth skater with a rich resume in international hockey, Fehervary had already represented his country in two WU18s, two WJCs, and one World Championship before being selected in the second round by the Capitals this past June. He does not jump out on the stats pages, and unfortunately, that is indicative of the type of game he brings to the ice. In addition to his prime acceleration and overall mobility, he has a large frame that he knows how to use and has an advanced feel for the game. With the puck, he is less of a sure thing, sometimes looking downright jittery. He does not have great upside, but has a mature game that can find a fit on the back half of an NHL defensive corps.

7 Axel Jonsson Fjallby, LW (147^th overall, 2016. Last Year: not ranked) With his rock star flow and sprinter’s speed, Jonsson Fjallby had a coming out party in last year’s WJC, dazzling as he helped Sweden to a Silver Medal. He grew into a depth scoring role in his first full season in the SHL, but showed more finishing touch with six goals through the first two rounds of the SHL playoffs for Djurgardens. He can be unpredictable to cover, not just with the elusiveness that is a natural by-product of his near-elite speed, but some creativity with the puck as well. He knows how to utilize his speed to be a PK asset as well. Signed to an ELC in May, he should send this coming season in the AHL.

8 Riley Barber, RW (167^th overall, 2012. Last Year: 15^th) After a year beset by injury, Barber stayed healthy and played a practically full schedule last season, but had his worst output yet as a pro in a down year for AHL Hershey. Further, without a single callup to Washington, he was not able to add to his bulging championship collection. The Capitals will want to see more ability to control the offensive game, and he has the tools to do so. His skating, shot, and puck skills all grade out as above average and last year was his first year where he was not near his team’s scoring lead. He should have a good chance to make the team as an extra forward this year.

9 Riley Sutter, RW (93^rd overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) A prototypical member of the Sutter dynasty, son of Ron is a meat-and-potatoes winger who brings a pluggers’ mentality along with a pretty hard wrist shot that has won him a number of admirers in the WHL. The type of player who can play on both special teams units, Riley Sutter can screen the opposing goalie at one end while shutting down the play from the point at the other. He has ideal size for a bottom six winger at the NHL level, and would probably have been a first round pick in clutch and grab days of the early to mid-1990s. These days however, skating prowess rules the day, and while his top speed is alright, Sutter is a bit sluggish afoot. A more explosive takeoff can make him a high-end NHL prospect.

10 Brian Pinho, C (174^th overall, 2013. Last Year: 18^th) Like Shane Gersich above, Pinho is a product of patience on Washington’s part. He spent an additional year in the USHL after being drafted and then four full years at Providence before finally signing an ELC. Also like Gersich, Pinho won an NCAA title in his freshman year as he gradually grew into a leadership role for his school. The captain as a senior, he has a full set of solid tools to play with, although nothing that would qualify him as a dynamic talent. He projects as more of a defensive sound center who can chip in offensively, but cannot drive play on his own.

11 Damien Riat, LW (117^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 10^th) After two times each at the WU18 and the WJC, Riat has aged out of junior competition and spent part of his offseason this year helping Switzerland get to the World Championship final, albeit in a depth role. A strong skater, he also grades out well for his puck skills, hockey IQ and physical game. The point requires note that his lack of size will ensure that he is never a punishing player, but he plays with a pest’s mentality, forechecking hard and generally getting into the face of an opponent as he works to separate him from the puck. The Capitals seem to be n no real rush to bring him state-side and his new contract with Biel-Bienne in the Swiss NLA should keep him in Europe for another two seasons.

Jonas Siegenthaler

12 Jonas Siegenthaler, D (57^th overall, 2015. Last Year: 7^th) A physical specimen at 6-2” and over 220 pounds, Siegenthaler is much more than a coke machine on ice. For starters, he is fairly mobile. Not dynamic by any stretch (which is something that can be said about most parts of his game), but he gets around well and has shown that he can keep up at the pro level. He showed a bit more offense in his first year in the AHL than some had anticipated, which is to say that he could be more than a pure stay-at-home defender. The fact that he was playing professionally in his native Switzerland from age 17 shows up in his reads and positioning. His one true selling point, however, as expected by his frame, is a high end physical game. He is not mean, but when he leans on a guy, there isn’t much the opponent can do.

13 Kody Clark, RW (47^th overall, 2018. Last Year: IE) Despite his status as a second round pick of the defending Stanley Cup champions, Kody Clark has a long way to go before he ceases being primarily the son of Wendel Clark. Whereas his father was a star for his toughness and world class wrist shot – not always in that order – Kody is a very raw player. He has flashed a facsimile of what made his father great, as well as some reports of fine wheels, but he has never really put it all together on the ice and his production has been closer to that of a late round pick than someone with a number in the mid double digits. He needs to play with more consistency and start to anticipate instead of react.

14 Vitek Vanecek, G (39^th overall, 2014. Last Year: 14^th) To be absolutely clear, the Capitals highest hopes for Vanecek are as a future backup. This would be the case almost no matter how well he performs. With a former Vezina winner still in his prime in the NHL and one of the top netminding prospects in the sport ready to move into the NHL this year, the athletic Czech goaltender is more a curiosity at this point. His third pro season did not match his second, although Hershey as a whole had a down year. He does a pretty good job of limiting second chances, but the rest of his game is fairly average. Also worth noting is that at 6-1”, he is on the small side for the modern goalie.

15 Travis Boyd, C (177^th overall, 2011. Last Year: 11^th) While Hershey had a rare down year, Boyd continued to produce offense and earned his first NHL stint, including one playoff game to start his career off with a ring. The former Golden Gopher has the offensive tools necessarily to be a respectable secondary scoring presence in the NHL, although his size and lack of attention to detail in his own zone mean he will likely need to be sheltered, whether with a more responsible linemate, or with favorable shifts. Expected to compete for the fourth line center job in 2018-19, he will also need to prove that he can play effectively in the greasy areas in order to secure that spot and create new career highlights.

Nathan Walker

16 Nathan Walker, LW (Waivers: Dec. 20, 2017 [Edmonton]. Last Year: not ranked) All’s well that ends well, I suppose. The first Australian drafted by an NHL team, the Caps placed Walker on waivers in late November and he was promptly claimed by Edmonton. He was with the Oilers for eight games, six of which were spent in the press box, before he was waived again and the Capitals re-claimed him. Small, quick and feisty, he spent much of the rest of the season in the AHL, but got up to Washington for stretches, and played in one playoff game against Pittsburgh, where he even picked up an assist. He will once again be viewed as organizational depth on the wing, but he got his name on the Cup.

17 Garrett Pilon, C (87^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 17^th) Son of longtime New York Islander, the offensively declined Rich Pilon, Garrett developed as a two way forward instead. There were hopes that he could develop more offensively as he completed his junior career, but his tools have trended more towards average. As with most sons-of, his hockey IQ is the selling point of his prospects for an NHL future. At present Washington’s system is not very deep, so he will get a decent chance. But as the team replenishes its minor league ranks, he will have to show more ability to drive the play than he has to this point.

18 Chase Priskie, D (177^th overall, 2016. Last Year: 20^th) Very much a late bloomer, Priskie has shown much greater ability to drive the play with Quinnipiac than he ever had in the BCHL. Now the captain of the Bobcats, he is a fantastic skater, fast and with plus edge work, making his forays up the ice a treat to observe. Despite the impressive goal totals for the defenceman, his shot is not nearly as impressive as his ability to control the flow from the point as a distributing quarterback. He has also filled out some physically in his time on campus, but his game is lacking a physical component. Expect the Capitals to make a big push to get him under contract after his senior season ends.

19 Juuso Ikonen, RW (UDFA: May 2, 2018. Last Year: IE) One year after younger brother Joni was drafted in the second round by Montreal, Juuso signed as a free agent with Washington. Juuso is a little bit smaller and a fair amount less talented than his brother, but is still a decent player in his own right as is demonstrated by his having played high level hockey in Finland and Sweden since his age 16 season. He skates well and is tricky with the puck on his stick. His hockey has been well honed by his accumulated experience, although do not be mistaken into thinking he is a defensive specialist, as he is here to help drive the offense. He will have to prove that his size is not a detriment in the AHL before getting a full NHL opportunity.

20 Steven Spinner, RW (159^th overall, 2014. Last Year: not ranked) Yet another example of the Capitals’ willingness to let their collegians maximize their time on campus, Spinner has slowly grown into a reliable play-maker’s game with Nebraska-Omaha. He is a skilled puck handler who has good reach and strong puck protection ability. The Mavericks have not hesitated to use Spinner on the penalty kill and in other defensively challenging situations. Despite having average size, he adds a dash oh physicality to his skilled game, finishing his checks before re-assuming a defensive posture. His upside is not the greatest, but there should be room for him in Hershey after next year, if he want sot sign with Washington.

Swiss NLA – Joren van Pottelberghe (HC Davos – Detroit), Damien Riat (Geneve-Serette – Washington)

Julius Dabrowski — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 13:38:53 +0000

20-year old Detroit Red Wings goaltending prospect Joren van Pottelberghe continues to improve in his second season in the NLA and is currently third in save percentage in 11 games. Julius Dabrowski sees concerns in his game when he transitions to the North American game, but still an important netminder in the Detroit system. A detailed scouting analysis explains why below. Gritty two-way winger Damien Riat has a simple, responsible game that may translate well to North America. The Washington Capitals prospect is defensively responsible with improving offensive instincts as a force for Switzerland on the world stage including a strong performance at last years WJC.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity.

Joren van Pottelberghe	2015 Draft (110th - Detroit)
Position: G, Catches: L	H/W: 6-3", 187 lbs
Stats to date (GP-GAA)	HC Davos, NLA (11-2.70-.914)
	HC Davos, Champions HL (5-2.57-.897)
	HC Davos, Swiss Cup (2-1.07)

Joren van Pottelberghe

Athleticism/Quickness/Speed: van Pottelberghe is not an athletic Jonathan Quick type of goalie. He makes saves thanks to his positioning in the net. That said he will occasionally have a sprawling highlight save using his athleticism. He is a prototypical modern day goalie with his size and moves fairly well around his crease. Very sharp and quick on wraparound attempts. His lower body reactive saves are a class above his upper body saves. On a few occasions he has let in a goal from the higher slot on a clear lane when the shot goes high and it does not have to be a shot off the post or in the top corner. His recovery speed after the first save is very good and he quickly positions himself for the next shot. Grade: 50

Compete/Temperament: A very calm and steady goalie. His calmness is something that his teammates can count on and keeps them in tight games. He does not crumble after a goal but moves on and tries to fix his mistakes by playing better. If this trend keeps going he is more than likely to become the HC Davos starter. He is currently in a tandem with New Jersey prospect Gilles Senn. Grade: 50

Vision/Play Reading: van Pottelberghe has no issues locating the puck through a maze of players. With his 6-3” height he is able to spot the puck and set himself nicely in his net. When it comes to reading the shooters’ intentions he is about average. On some nights he might not be fully focused and you can see that he is tracking the puck carrier in the corner and not double checking what is going on in front of him. But that is relatively infrequent. Most times he is reading what is going on in the corners, as well as up front and adjusting his position accordingly. Sometimes he loses count of opponents who are behind his net which can bite him on some scoring attempts. Grade: 50

Technique/Style: Plays a butterfly style and he drops to the ice on almost every shot attempt. That will help him block effectively all shots that are fired to the bottom part of the net. On the other hand, he exposes the top part of the net and most of the goals scored on him are placed there. He also tends to stay deeper in his net than he should be especially on shooting attempts between the hash marks and the end of the faceoff circles. His strong side is his positioning in net and angling shooters coming from the sides or from behind the net. An AHL-level forward would try to shoot on his high short side when he is down low hugging the post and leaving that corner vulnerable. Grade: 50

Rebound Control: van Pottelberghe is above average at controlling rebounds from shots fired at the lower part of the net. He sends pucks to the corners or to the side safely and rarely gives up juicy rebounds. High flying pucks drop down close to him and if there is any hope for a rebound he kills it. Some high glove save attempts look a bit shaky but overall he does a fine job. Grade: 55

Puck Handling: Does not over handle the puck. He keeps it simple and lets his teammates do that. He can stop the puck from rolling behind his net but it cannot be a fast one. He is very cautious and does not want to take any risk in that department. You also will not see any amazing breakout passes from him. Grade: 45

Summary: Joren van Pottelberghe is a very promising and mature for his age goaltender. Right now he is 3rd in NLA with his save percentage and if he keeps playing like this he will be the clear #1 goalie for HC Davos next season. His biggest strengths are covering up the lower parts of the net, rebound control and poise. He does not look like a typical 20 year old goalie playing with the big boys. The things he might have to work on are his reactions with his high glove and high blocker as well as reading of the shooter. He sometimes looks surprised that the shot is going high and on net. The level of competition might not reveal all of his flaws and he may just have figured out most of the NLA shooting tendencies but he is definitely a top goalie prospect for Detroit in the upcoming future.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 50.25

Damien Riat	2016 Draft (117th - Washington)
Position: LW / RW, Shoots R	H/W: 6-0", 172 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Geneve-Servette, NLA (17-1-5-6-6)

Skating: Riat has a powerful stride and does not need many of them to reach his top speed. He has an above average top speed and seems to have powerful lower body strength. He might be a greater threat off the wing if he improves his foot speed. But his stride gives him enough acceleration to have an edge over his opponents. Usually defenders switch from skating backwards to forward (pivoting to keep up) when Riat is bursting down the wing. Outside of his speed he possesses very good balance and average agility. Grade: 55

Shot: He is a pass-first player but when he shoots he uses a wrister which has good power and accuracy. His slapshot accuracy needs improvement but luckily he does not use it often. He does not find himself great shooting positions and that is something he would have to improve in order to get more scoring chances. His style of play is more gritty and physical and we will see him more often in front of the net whacking the puck from close distance. Grade: 45

Skills: Good stick handler with no spectacular flair. He will often try to speed his way up to the offensive zone going to the outside rather than trying a flashy 1-on-1 move. He dishes the puck with good accuracy even if it is a high risk pass or short passes down in the offensive corner. Riat seems to be strong on his stick and wins most of his stick battles. He will also win most of his board battles by knowing where to be position-wise. Grade: 55

Smarts: You will not see him jumping into a risky offensive play which would lead to an offensive rush by the opponent. Riat plays very well defensively and does not let his team get caught on an odd-man rush. He is aggressive on the forecheck but does not cross the line and take stupid penalties. In the offensive zone he will play strong and simple. Strong on the boards, throw the puck on net and charge the net. When his teammates are regrouping with the puck behind the net he will make himself available for a pass and streak down the wing. His compete level is very high and he has the energy to burst with a rush at the end of his shift. His defensive play makes him potentially a great penalty killer. Grade: 55

Physicality: Not an overly physical player who will throw huge body checks but he can get into the opponent's face and separate him from the puck. He is not scared to play physical and finishes his checks on the forecheck but on some nights he can take it easy. Riat has a very active stick and makes use of it as often as he can. Taking his size and his physicality now at the age of 20 he has the potential to become even more dangerous in this department. He has time to grow into his frame and gain extra muscle. Grade: 55

Summary: Damien Riat is a gritty two-way winger with great defensive instincts and powerful skating ability. He has got the puck handling skills and wrist shot accuracy but he rarely makes use of them. He needs to work on getting into good shooting positions and start peppering the net with more frequency. His vision and passing are both above average and I can see some potential in his playmaking ability. Offensively he needs to improve in several areas although defensively he looks ready for the big stage. Last year in the Swiss U20 he wrapped up nine goals and nine assists in 11 games which shows that he has what it takes to compete in his age group and that he does have some scoring touch. I believe that he is doing exactly what his coach in Geneve-Servette wants him to do. Defensively responsible first and the scoring will come later. Riat’s development is going in the right direction. He is getting the ice-time in Geneve-Servette playing on the 2nd/3rd line as well as on the PK and PP 2nd units. I can see Riat playing this style of game on an AHL roster but for now he might be better suited playing for Geneve-Servette.

Overall Future Projection (OFP): 52.5

Washington – System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 12:10:04 +0000

Most teams scout in a variety of leagues to help replenish the minor league ranks with NHL-potential talent. Both historically and currently, the most popular destinations have been the three leagues of the CHL, the WHL, OHL and QMJHL. Looking at the various organizations around the league, the vast majority of teams had players to follow in all three leagues. There were a handful of teams that did not have a single player affiliated with a QMJHL season last year. There are also two teams that were barren in terms of WHL alumni in the system. And then there are the Washington Capitals. Not only are they the only system without players who spent last year in the OHL, but they also have not recently had a QMJHL affiliated player.

It is possible that their strong lean towards the WHL is a side effect of often having few picks to play with and often only late ones at that. Like the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are perennially contending, trading picks for players of present-day value, and thus putting an inordinate amount of faith in the their NCAA and NCAA feeder league scouts, so too might the Capitals be limiting their scouting exposure to the OHL, QMJHL, and apparently, Finland. Instead, they scout the WHL, Sweden, Switzerland, and to a lesser extent, the NAHL, very heavily, hoping that better depth in specific areas will improve their chances of successful outcomes.

To understand how deep this strategy of omission runs, the last player drafted by the Capitals out of the OHL was Tom Wilson in 2012. The last player they drafted out of the QMJHL was Stanislav Galiev in 2010. And 2004 was the last time they drafted a player out of the Finnish leagues, when they used picks on both Sami Lepisto and Pasi Salonen.

That is how the Capitals’ 2017 draft class, four players strong, included picks out of Fairbanks in the NAHL, EVZ Academy in the second Swiss league, MODO J20 in the Swedish junior leagues, and Almtuna J20, of a lower level Swedish junior league. It is also almost fair to note that the team augmented their system with a trio of college free agent signings from lower profile NCAA schools Alaska-Anchorage, Merrimack, and St. Lawrence.

From where we stand today, the depth over breadth approach to amateur scouting has not paid too many dividends. Although the team tends to be among the best in the league during the regular season, they have tended to flame out in the playoffs, at least in part due to a lack of firepower from the bottom half of the roster. Very few young players are breaking through from their (generally competitive) AHL affiliate in Hershey although the current depth chart suggests that two or three prospects may be ready for their big chance.

Without either a longer playoff run or a group of young prospects establishing themselves in short order with the NHL club, the Capitals will be forced to change their strategy or change the people executing on that strategy. Or both.

Ilya Samsonov

1 Ilya Samsonov – If the Capitals did not already have one of the best netminders in the NHL in his prime and locked up for another three seasons, they would be even more excited for having in their possession one of the clear-cut best goaltending prospects in the game. His numbers have been near the top in the KHL over the last two seasons while literally world beating at the WJC. He has exceptional athleticism for a goalie and rebounds immediately from the occasional stoppable goal allowed. When he is ready to leave Russia, the Capitals will find a way to make room for him on the NHL roster.

Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13)(Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire)

2 Jakub Vrana – In two partial seasons in the AHL, the offensively gifted former first round pick has put up very strong numbers for Hershey, there are open questions about how well his game will translate to the NHL. Not even looking at his first 21 games last year (three goals, three assists), his high end speed and puck handling skills risk being neutralized in the NHL by a general lack of urgency. If he proves that he can produce with fewer soft spots in coverage to exploit, he can be a top six winger. No guarantee, though.

Lucas Johansen of the Kelowa Rockets was selected by the Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo, NY on Friday June 24, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

3 Lucas Johansen – To the naked eye, Johansen’s first post-draft year was marginally disappointing. Scouting the stat line shows offensive totals that had dropped somewhat, from 0.71 points per game in 2015-16, to 0.60 PPG last year. Moving past the stats, Ryan Johansen’s kid brother has been rounding out his game nicely. He has plus mobility and puck playing ability and is developing his defensive zone game marvelously. He still needs to bulk up, but has shutdown, possession ace ability.

4 Connor Hobbs – Hobbs, whose draft year got off to a very rough start, demanding a trade out of Medicine Hat, sojourning with Nipawin of the MJHL before being traded to Regina, is looking like a Grade A steal for the Capitals. He checks off all of the scouting boxes. Average or better as a skater, puck handling, shooter and strong hockey IQ to boot. He also has a solid frame and uses it well. The blueliner finished his WHL career with 109 points in 100 regular season plus playoff games. He is ready for the next level.

5 Madison Bowey – Bowey had a rough second season in the AHL, as sliced tendon in his ankle kept him out of action for nearly half the season. When he did play, his numbers were no better than they had been as a rookie pro. Further, he had a disturbing propensity to make unforced errors, pointing to poor decision making. On the other hand, he is an above average skater with intriguing puck skills and he flashes his physical tools fairly regularly. The next step is consistency.

6 Pheonix Copley – Had the Vegas Golden Knights selected Philipp Grubauer in the expansion draft instead of Nate Schmidt, Copley would be the odds-on favorite to land the backup goalie role in Washington for 2017-18. Signed by the Caps as a free agent out of Michigan Tech, Copley was traded to St. Louis two years ago and traded back this year at the deadline. A good athlete who does not quit on a puck, he has already proven his worth in the AHL. All that stands between him and the NHL is opportunity.

7 Jonas Siegenthaler – Sieganthaler has a very wide frame, uses his body to good effect, skates well for his bulk and is dependable in his own end. He has an active stick, muffles shooting and passing lanes well and keeps tight gaps. On their own, those traits should be enough for the young Swiss blueliner to play in the NHL. Which is good, because he brings little to the table with the puck. He makes a decent first pass in his own zone and nothing else. His shot is poor and his puck carrying is middling.

8 Chandler Stephenson – Although not a serious offensive threat, Stephenson is an easy player to root for. An exceptionally smart two-way forward, the former third rounder is also blessed with a strong set of wheels. While not fancy with the puck, his decisions tend to be the right ones, such as deciding when to hold it or when to lay it off for a teammate. His shot also holds some potential.

9 Shane Gersich – Additional playing with the reigning NCAA champions in North Dakota have led to vastly superior results for Gersich, a talented forward. His stickhandling is his strong-suit, as he has plus hands, good vision and a flair for opportunism. He is also trusted to kill penalties and plays a tenacious brand of hockey that belies his somewhat small frame, crashing the net and not shying from the tough areas.

10 Damien Riat – On the one hand, Riat’s production in his second season of high-level Swiss hockey with Geneve-Servette dropped considerably. On the other, he was once again a force at the World Juniors for his native Switzerland. He pays a sound two-way game, combining a powerful and speedy skating stride with a hard and accurate wrist shot and attention to detail in his own zone. He will be back in the NLA for a third season next year.

11 Travis Boyd – In many ways, Travis Boyd has a lot of the same prospect attributes as Jakub Vrana, profiled above. He is a very good puck handler, understands his role in all three zones and knows how to fire the puck in anger. The main differences between the two are that while Vrana is a very good skater, Boyd is only in the range of average, and Boyd is around 2.5 years older than Vrana, giving him less room for improvement. He has earned an NHL opportunity.

12 Beck Malenstyn – A big-bodied grinder, Malenstyn may be a future success story of the Capitals’ depth approach to scouting discussed at length above. In his first post-draft season, he bumped his goals from eight to 32 and his points from 25 to 56, on a team in a down year. He is unselfish with the puck and can take a hit without being removed from the play. He is also a strong skater who flashes some emerging puck skills. Definitely one who could rise on this list in future seasons.

13 Christian Djoos – Another late round pick who has proven to be an above average AHL player, Djoos’ strongest tool is without doubt his puck moving ability. He exudes confidence with the puck on his stick and generally makes strong decisions, deftly weighing risk and reward. He is also a solid skater. The main question is whether the aforementioned attributes are enough to overcome his slight frame (6-0”, 165). He may have done enough for Washington to try to find out.

14 Vitek Vanecek – Although recently a second round pick, Vanecek has not done enough yet to cement himself in Washington’s future plans. He had a strong rookie North American pro season in the ECHL but was below average in the AHL last year, prompting the team to re-acquire Pheonix Copley. An agile, butterfly-style netminder who is aggressive in his crease. This may be his last chance to stake his claim to a future in DC before Samsonov comes to America.

15 Riley Barber – Another AHL scorer, Barber has a long history of championships under his belt. He has won a Clark Cup with Dubuque, earned Gold Medals in both WU18 (2011-12) and WJC (2012-13) play and led Miami (Ohio) to an NCHC title as a junior in 2014-15. His offensive play is still ahead of his defensive play. He also has a tendency to take extraneous offensive risks. Healthy after missing close to half of last year with a hand injury, he will get more time in the NHL this year.

16 Tobias Geisser – Selected this year at the end of the fourth round, Geisser was the first pick made by the Caps, as they returned to one of their favorite scouting haunts, in Switzerland. He is remarkably mobile for his plus frame with a strong start up. He is also very calm with the puck and is strong on his stick when digging for loose pucks. He more than held his own in his first experience with high level men’s hockey in Switzerland’s second league and is a likely WJC participant this year.

17 Garrett Pilon – Despite a strong post draft season with Kamloops, improving to nearly one point per game, Pilon is still primarily a defensive forward prospect. Most of his game screams “average!”, particularly his ability to push play in the offensive zone. The son of longtime NHLer Rich Pilon still has one more season to leave a mark in the WHL.

18 Brian Pinho – Pinho’s first two post draft seasons were very successful from a team perspective, as he first won a Clark Cup with Indiana, and followed that up with an NCAA championship as a freshman at Providence. Since then, he has steadily improved his ability to produce at the NCAA level. He is a decent skater with solid puck skills combined with offensive zone vision. Quick hands make him dangerous.

19 Hampus Gustafsson – One of three college free agents signed by Washington this offseason, Gustafsson was a decent offensive producer in his last three seasons with Merrimack, trailing only Devils pick Brett Seney in points each year. Other than a partial season in Midget hockey after first coming over from Sweden to North America, he has never produced dominant numbers. What allows him to stand out is his strong 6-4” frame.

20 Chase Priskie – A strong offensive defenseman from Quinnipiac, Priskie brings decent top end speed and confident puck play to the ice. The Florida native still turns off some observers due to risk taking and a propensity for being caught up-ice after a stalled rush. Also most points are finished by his teammates as his point shot is average at best.

The Capitals have a relatively deep system in terms of players who could play roles in the NHL, especially if AHL production is as reasonable a gauge as it usually is. The concern is that after Samsonov, it is hard to state with any certainty that too many guys will mature into players capable of being types that a team can integrate into a part of a winning core. Even those with that potential have clear flaws. It is time for some of these players to be given extended looks in the NHL.

Scouting Reports: Czech, Swiss – Radim Salda, Jakub Galvas, Damien Riat, Noah Rod, Raphael Prassl

Dennis Schellenberg — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 14:42:36 +0000

The Czech Republic at The 2016 Ivan Hlinka Tournament including Radim Salda and Jakub Galvas featured below.

Radim Salda	2017 Draft Eligible
Position: D, Shoots L	H/W: 6-1", 180 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	HC Hradec Kralove U20, Czech U20 (35-7-8-15-50)

Skating: Salda is a smooth-skating defenceman. He is agile on his skates, shows nice pivots and edgework. He possesses decent top speed and is able to move in all directions with ease. He is also a good backward skater. Grade: 55

Shot: Salda possesses decent shot power and accuracy and can beat goaltenders cleanly. He is not a guy that just shoots with every open lane he sees but rather waits for the right moment to fire the puck. He uses all of his shot arsenal. Grade: 55

Skills: An offensive-minded defenceman who looks for an offensive spark in many of his shifts, Salda often thinks the game offensively when carrying the puck. He is able to play long outlet passes that open up room and help to transition his team’s game quickly. He can also handle the puck carefully. Sometimes, he slips int a tendency of making too many complicated passes and would need to simplify his game with the puck a bit. Grade: 55

Smarts: Salda plays aggressively along the boards and does not give puck carriers time or room to make plays. He uses his active stick to do so and tries to put pressure on puck carriers, especially in the corners. He reads passing lanes well and goes down to his knees to cut off lanes. Often uses all of his body to interfere passes and makes himself as big as possible. He has a good nose for puck interceptions and anticipates stealing the puck. As mentioned above, he likes to join rushes, however sometimes over commits and gets caught leaning in too far offensively, leaving his team susceptible to quick counter attacks. Grade: 50

Physicality: Although he is not an overly physical player nor all that big and heavy in size, Salda competes hard in battles and does not back off in corners. He is capable of playing a gritty game and goes hard after puck carriers, without laying out big hits. Grade: 55

Summary: Radim Salda is an offensive-minded defenseman who likes to think the game offensively. He possesses decent hands and does not show issues when handling the puck. I like his aggressiveness on puck carriers and the active stick he uses to interfere plays. Especially as he is not overly big in size, but he does all those gritty things to make puck carriers feel uncomfortable. He definitely needs to work on his positioning game, especially when he joins rushes and plays over aggressively, he loses his position and commits space and open ice to opponents. Salda has the tools to become a two-way defender at NHL-level, but needs to mature his game. He looks to me like a mid-round pick.

Jakub Galvas	2017 Draft Eligible
Position: D, Shoots L	H/W: 5-11", 165 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	HC Olomouc, Czech Extraliga (36-1-5-6-14)

Skating: Galvas’ skating is not an issue as it gets him where he needs to be. Mobility and speed-wise he is around average, however he does not possess very explosive first strides which make him look a bit slow from time to time, creating a false impression of his overall skating ability. Grade: 50

Shot: Not being a pure offensive-minded defenseman, Galvas typically shows some issues when firing the puck with aim. His shots lack both power and accuracy. Grade: 40

Skills: Galvas plays it very safe in the defensive zone and does not commit a lot of mistakes as he carries the puck with care and does not go for dangerous passes. Most of his passes are accurate although there are essentially safety-first passes, not going for long opening passes too much. Grade: 45

Smarts: Jakub Galvas possesses great timing when using his active stick to create turnovers and steal the puck, using his stick to separate opposing forwards from the puck successfully. He also possesses good timing when closing the gap along the boards. He is a smart defenseman who understands the game well defensively; this is where he definitely excels best as he is a very dependable stay-at-home defender. Grade: 55

Physicality: Galvas is not overly big in size but possesses good strength and balance. He is able to play physically along the boards and can lay out big hits if needed. He is definitely not afraid to lay the body and takes a hit to make a play if needed. Grade: 60

Summary: I would describe Jakub Galvas more as a stay-at-home defenseman, someone you can pair with an offensive-minded player to keep a good balance. His offensive skills are somewhat limited, but defensively he plays a very reliable game and does not commit many mistakes. He also brings a solid physical game to the table which will make him a nice addition in one of the middle rounds. Galvas spent the majority of the season in the highest Czech league which made him defend against older and stronger players, something that should help to prepare him for the pro game in North America.

TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 28: Switzerland's Noah Rod #26 plays the puck while Russia's Alexander Bryntsev #12 chases him down during preliminary round action at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)

Noah Rod	2014 Draft (53rd - San Jose Sharks)
Position: RW, Shoots L	H/W: 6-0", 190 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Geneve-Servette, NLA (27-5-9-14-22)

Skating: Noah Rod is an agile skater and shows no issues with mobility. He possesses good top speed and quickness in his first steps. Overall, he is a strong skater and is quick on his feet. Grade: 55

Shot: Like with many of Rod’s attributes, his shot is decent but not outstanding. He can fire the puck with solid quickness and shot power, however he needs to work on his shot accuracy a bit. Grade: 50

Skills: Rod possesses good hands and can move the puck with impressive quickness. He can also stickhandle fairly well and shows some nice puck moves. That said, he might not possess high-end scoring skills. He is also prone to unnecessary turnovers. Grade: 50

Smarts: Rod will do all he can to make his team better. He is very well aware of his defensive responsibilities and backchecks, always trying to cover his man. He likes to go to the dirty areas and create havoc, does not shy away from crashing the net with or without the puck. He positions himself effectively in front of net. He is a good forechecker and knows how to put pressure on opposing defenders. One thing that is for sure is that Rod brings lots of energy and competitiveness to ice. Grade: 55

Physicality: His physical game is a bit conflicting as on one side he is a feisty player who gets under opponents' skin. He likes to intimidate players physically and finishes checks when forechecking. He plays a tough physical game and likes to get his nose dirty in after whistle scrums. On the other hand, Rod needs to gain more strength to compete against bigger and stronger players and the lacks size and strength to play the type of game he would like to play. Although I would like to give him a better rating, his lack of strength and injury history prevents me from doing so. Grade: 50

Summary: Since being drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the second round of the 2014-draft, Noah Rod has had trouble staying healthy in the Swiss league and has only played in 27 games this season. Next season is crucial for Rod and the Sharks as they really need him to stay healthy through the season, otherwise his dream of playing in the NHL could take a setback. He might never be the most talented or skilled player on his team but he is a guy that carries his heart on his sleeve and who does all he can to help his team win. He shows great work ethic and possesses decent puck skills. Compliments aside, I personally don’t think he can ever live up to the expectations of a second round pick.

Damien Riat	2016 Draft (117th - Washington)
Position: LW, Shoots R	H/W: 6-0", 165 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	Geneve-Servette, NLA (46-7-7-14-36)
	Switzerland U20, WJC (5-1-5-6-8)

Skating: Damien Riat is a powerful and speedy overall skater. He possesses quiet powerful strides and a decent to good top speed. To reach that top speed, he uses only few powerful strides to accelerate. He also shows decent quickness in his feet. Overall, his skating is slightly above-average, without being an outstanding skater. Grade: 55

Shot: Generally speaking, Riat possesses a good shot and can use his shooting tools as a weapon. His wrist shot is hard and accurate and can elevate the puck with good velocity. He does not use his slap shot too much and prefers to use his wrister instead. Grade: 55

Skills: Riat dishes out the puck with good accuracy and can execute crisp passes. He likes to play powerful and long passes, mostly over multiple lines, to transition the game quickly and for quick counter attacks. His puckhandling skills are decent and good enough to rate it as average, although he is not a guy with flashy hands or who shows fancy moves or dekes. Grade: 50

Smarts: Riat goes to the front of net to create havoc and does not shy away from getting his nose dirty. He also likes to go into the high-traffic areas and screen goaltenders. He plays a sound two-way game and is very well aware of his defensive zone responsibilities. He plays most of his shifts with a good energy level and rarely takes shifts off, mostly works very hard and keeps his feet moving during shifts. He also supports his defensive group and knows when he needs to contribute in his own zone and when he can join rushes. Riat can also be used killing penalties and played big minutes on his team’s shorthanded unit. Grade: 55

Physicality: Although he is not big in size, Riat plays a gritty style of game and likes to mix things up after the whistle. He plays most shifts with a physical edge and finishes checks while forechecking, where he does not give puck carriers an easy time. He is not a guy that lays out big hits, but does not shy away from any battle. Grade: 50

Summary: Damien Riat has been a steady contributor for his team in his third season back from North America. He saw a slight drop in points, even though he played similarly to how he played last year. He is a hard-working two-way forward who possesses some offensive upside, if, however limited. Riat likes to get physical and can also be used on shorthanded shifts, where he was a constant contributor this season. He was an important part of the Swiss WJC team and could step up to a more offensive role as he does not see big minutes with Servette-Geneve in the Swiss men's league. I am looking forward to next season, where I expect Riat to take the next step, contributing offensively in a more dominant way.

Raphael Prassl	2017 Draft Eligible
Position: C/RW, Shoots L	H/W: 6-0", 175 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS)	GC Kusnacht Lions, NLB (36-5-11-16-24)
	Switzerland U20, WJC (5-0-1-1-4)

Skating: Raphael Prassl is an agile skater, possessing powerful first strides and with decent top speed. He is smooth and fluid on his skates, but does not have the burner tag, does not play with a high-energy level and is more of a “floater”. Although his first steps are powerful, they could be more explosive. Playing at the WJC against players from his age group showed that he can be a dominant skater if he plays with a higher energy level. Grade: 50

Shot: To be clear, Prassl is definitely not an finisher, but is a pass-first guy. Therefore, it is not the easiest task to mention something about his shot as he often prefers to pass to a better positioned player. With that being said, I would like to add that especially at the U20-level he is more comfortable shooting the puck. His shot power on his wrister is actually pretty decent and I would definitely like to see him shooting the puck more often at the pro level. Grade: 45

Skills: Prassl possesses good hands and shows solid puckhandling skills, especially in tight, where he remains calm and makes plays. He is able to carry the puck up the ice through the neutral zone and enter the zone smoothly. His passes are accurate and he can play a dominant offensive game setting up scoring chances. Prassl is often the leader on the powerplay with players giving him the puck and the responsibility to set up plays. Grade: 50

Smarts: Prassl is a really smart player who uses all of his Hockey IQ to make good decisions. He has great vision and sees open ice very well. Combined with his good passing skills, this makes him a dangerous set up guy. His overall game awareness is above-average. When not possessing the puck, he shows solid understanding of positioning and backchecks well. He is aware of his defensive responsibilities. He can be used in all game situations with his skill set and smarts. Uses an active stick to prevent players from shooting the puck to the net and is an effective poke-checker, and is good at intercepting passes. He likes to circle in the offensive zone and shows good patience and calmness with the puck as he awaits the perfect moment for setting up scoring chances. Grade: 55

Physicality: Although not smallish in size, unfortunately Raphael Prassl does not make use of his body too much in the physical department. He does not go into board battles and often uses his good active stick to make poke checks instead of using his body to gain puck control. That said, he is exceptionally good at protecting the puck using his long reach to keep it away from opponents. Grade: 40

Summary: I have always liked watching Raphael Prassl play hockey because of his smarts. His vision and Hockey IQ are both above-average and that automatically makes him an interesting player to watch. He also plays a sound two-way game and can be used in many game situations. He will re-enter the draft this year and his biggest issue is still his lack of physical game and his poor energy-level. Too often he just floats around the ice and I would like to see him playing with more grit and more energy. He has spent most of his year in the second highest pro league in Switzerland and was again an important contributor for his team this season. I do not see him getting much playing time with his orginial team, the ZSC Lions of the NLA, and he will probably need to move to another organization to receive a legitimate opportunity at high level playing time. I see him as a valuable team player at a smaller organization, where he could take over a bigger role. He played dominantly in his games at U20-level and showed that he has some leadership qualities.

NHL Draft Review and Grades: Washington Capitals

McKeen's Hockey — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 13:17:26 +0000

Lucas Johansen of the Kelowa Rockets was selected by the Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo, NY on Friday June 24, 2016. Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL Images

Lucas Johansen was a welcome addition to a team that hadn’t drafted a defenceman in the top 50 since John Carlson’s selection in 2008. He’ll compete for a top-four position in a few years once he adds 20 plus pounds to his slender frame. A heady puck mover with a good shot and offensive instincts….his mobility, quick stick and smarts will make up for his lack of natural aggressiveness. Garrett Pilon is an undersized winger with underwhelming stats who must have impressed the Capitals with his speed...he was not expected to go in the top four rounds…let alone top 90.

RND	PICK	RNK	PLAYER	POS	CTY	HT/WT	TEAM
1	28	29	Lucas Johansen	D	CAN	6-1/175	Kelowna (WHL)
3	87	NR	Garrett Pilon	RW	CAN	5-10/170	Kamloops (WHL)
4	117	NR	Damien Riat	LW	SUI	6-0/165	Geneva-Servette (Sui)
5	145	86	Beck Malenstyn	LW	CAN	6-2/190	Calgary (WHL)
5	147	85	Axel Jonsson-Fjallby	LW	SWE	6-0/170	Djurgardens (Swe)
6	177	144	Chase Priskie	D	USA	6-0/190	Quinnipiac (ECAC)
7	207	NR	Dmitri Zaitsev	D	RUS	6-0/180	Magnitogorsk (Rus)

Beck Malenstyn

Damian Riat must have impressed the Caps’ brass at the U-20 tournament…he’s another undersized winger passed up in last year’s draft. Beck Malenstyn and Axel Jonsson-Fjallby may turn out to be better picks from the fifth round than the two wingers taken right before them…Malenstyn has the size/skating/work ethic teams look for in a bottom line forward even if his sense and hands aren’t elite. Fjallby had a solid U-18 for Sweden in a defensive role…he has decent skill and competes hard. Chase Priskie was an important piece as a freshman defenceman on a Quinnipiac team that made it all the way to the NCAA final. Dmitri Zaitsev took an unusual route for a Russian prospect by competing in the NAHL before representing Russia at the U-18’s.

Grade- C-: The Capitals only had two picks in the top 100, and Pilon at 87 was a curious selection, as was Riat in the top 120. Johansen may end up being the only NHL regular from the top four rounds…an underwhelming draft for a team with seven picks.

Promising year ahead for Swiss hockey

Rafik Soliman — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 18:36:40 +0000

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND -- The upcoming season looks like it could be a special one for Swiss hockey. Having produced back-to-back first-round NHL draft picks for the first time - in Mirco Mueller (2013,18) and Kevin Fiala (2014, 11) - Switzerland is on a roll.

To kick off the new season, both the under-18 and under-20 teams got together to prepare for the upcoming campaign. Judging from the performances at this summer's camp, the 1997-born class combined with the late 1996-born players - could easily be called one of the deepest the country has ever produced.

Here are some standouts who should come into consideration as the 2015 NHL Draft gets closer.

Auguste Impose (2015), LW, Geneve-Servette (Sui) -- An explosive skater with quick legs and tremendous acceleration .. easily shakes off opposing challengers by just speeding up with two or three strides .. an offensively-talented winger who stands just 5-foot-9 in height - yet is strongly built for his size .. a tenacious forechecker who utilizes his speed as well as an active stick to put opponents under pressure .. not easy to shake off as he can make abrupt stops and sharp turns to stay in hot pursuit .. shows poise in possession of the puck, however tends to be speculative and take risks as a passer .. will just toss a puck to the front of the net and can look like a genius if there happens to be a teammate there - but basically will make a blind pass with no recipient in mind .. will need to develop his hockey sense and a better understanding of the tactical side of the game .. nevertheless, he is still a playful performer never shy about trying gambles with 1-on-1 moves - and exploit the time and space that his breakaway speed affords .. the diminutive winger is looking at his first taste of NLA-Hockey with Geneva-Servette for the upcoming 2014-15 season.

Roger Karrer (2015), D, ZSC/GCK Lions (Sui) -- Played at the Under-18 World Junior Championships as a double-underager - and was a big element in the Swiss game .. a tremendous skater with very good first steps as well as solid mobility .. able to make abrupt stops at full speed and can make a quick change of direction to shake off an opposing forechecker - all while maintaining good control of the puck .. plays a smart and calm game - rarely over-reacting while moving the puck out of his zone to launch a new attack .. not overly large by NHL standards at 5-foot-11 - and will need to improve his physical play as he doesn't involve his body at all for his hitting game .. does compete though - and isn't afraid to go into the corners and battle for pucks, even if he lacks the strength yet to have a chance and relies mainly on using an active stick instead of his body .. does possess all the tools to become a very good puckmoving defenceman .. Karrer will start the season in the Swiss National League B with the GCK Lions and could very well get a taste of NLA-Hockey if he continues to make the same kind of progress.

Denis Malgin (2015), C, ZSC/GCK Lions (Sui) -- A playmaking forward who possesses excellent vision and strong hockey sense .. owns a soft set of hands which provide great puck control and is poised in possession while deking through traffic .. a marvelous puckmover, as he is able to pick up the puck at full speed in his own zone and execute an end-to-end rush, deking through the last line of defence and usually creating a dangerous scoring chance .. displays an uncanny feel for making the right play - and seemingly always making the right decision .. knows when to take a shot if he sees a hole - or opt for a pass otherwise - while demonstrating a strong awareness of where his teammates are on the ice .. brings a well-rounded game - with his smallish 5-foot-9 stature as well as weak shot being his only substantial weaknesses .. drafted by the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the 2014 CHL Import Draft, however has decided to stay in Switzerland for the coming season with an outside chance to play in the Swiss National League A with the powerhouse ZSC Lions in Zurich.

Damien Riat (2015), LW, Malmo Redhawks (Swe) -- A skilled winger who plays a sound two-way game .. boasts impressive puckhandling abilities and protects the puck well with his 6-foot, 165-pound frame, however will have to bulk up and get stronger in order to better hold off players along the boards .. gains decent top-end speed thanks to powerful strides, but could use some work on his explosiveness and first couple of steps .. a tenacious forechecker who will not quit until he has the puck .. utilizes either his speed or physical play to remove his opponent from the puck as he isn't afraid to throw his body around .. owns a hard and accurate wrist shot with a quick release - and is a proactive shooter who will fire when he has the chance .. looking to make the next step after spending the past two seasons with the Notre Dame Argos program and, despite being drafted in the recent CHL Import Draft by the Val-d’Or Foreurs, will move to Sweden and join the junior team of the Malmo Redhawks.

Pius Suter (2015), C, Guelph Storm (OHL) -- Enjoyed a successful first season in North America - helping the Guelph Storm compete for the Memorial Cup .. made big progress last season and is developing nicely into a solid two-way center who can contribute both offensively and defensively .. possesses decent acceleration and reaches a respectable top speed within a few strides .. only average sized at 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, but definitely looks stronger on the ice .. battles hard along the boards and effectively uses his compact positioning and strength to hold his ground .. not afraid to move forward into the hot areas in front of the net to score dirty goals and is often the first player to challenge the goaltender for rebounds .. owns a hard and accurate shot with a quick release and operates as more of a finisher as opposed to a playmaker .. will pursue his career with a second year in Guelph and is looking for his first U20 World Junior Championship appearance were he should be used in a top-six offensive role.

Damien Riat – McKeen's Hockey

McKeen’s 2020-21 Hockey Yearbook: Washington Capitals Top 20 Prospects

Connor McMichael, C (25th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Hendrix Lapierre, C (22nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Alexander Alexeyev, D (31st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

Martin Fehervary, D (46th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 3)

Aliaksei Protas, C (91st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Garrett Pilon, C (87th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 5)

Brian Pinho, C (174th overall, 2013. Previous ranking: 6)

Kody Clark, RW (47th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 7)

Brett Leason, RW (56th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 8)

Lucas Johansen, D (28th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 9)

Vitek Vanecek, G (39th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 10)

Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, LW (147th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 11)

Damien Riat, LW (117th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 12)

Oskar Magnusson, LW (211th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Bobby Nardella, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Apr. 5, 2019. Previous ranking: 14)

Martin Hugo Has, D (153rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

Garin Bjorklund, G (179th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Mitchell Gibson, G (124th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 17)

Beck Malenstyn, LW (145th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 18)

Riley Sutter, RW (93rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: UR)

MCKEEN’S 2020 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – WASHINGTON CAPITALS – ORGANIZATIONAL RANK: 20

Washington Capitals

Connor McMichael, C (25th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 3)

Alexander Alexeyev, D (31st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 1)

Martin Fehervary, D (46th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 5)

Aliaksei Protas, C (91st overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 8)

Garrett Pilon, C (87th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 17)

Brian Pinho, C (174th overall, 2013. 2019 Rank: UR)

Kody Clark, RW (47th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 11)

Brett Leason, RW (56th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 4)

Lucas Johansen, D (28th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 7)

Vitek Vanecek, G (39th overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: 14)

Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, LW (147th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 16)

Damien Riat, LW (117th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 18)

Tyler Lewington, D (204th overall, 2013. 2019 Rank: UR)

Bobby Nardella, D (Undrafted Free Agent, signed Apr. 5, 2019. 2019 Rank: UR)

Martin Hugo Has, D (153rd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 20)

Washington Capitals 2019-20 Prospect Review: Top 20

Washington Capitals Prospect System Overview

Swiss NLA – Joren van Pottelberghe (HC Davos – Detroit), Damien Riat (Geneve-Serette – Washington)

Washington – System Overview

Scouting Reports: Czech, Swiss – Radim Salda, Jakub Galvas, Damien Riat, Noah Rod, Raphael Prassl

NHL Draft Review and Grades: Washington Capitals

Promising year ahead for Swiss hockey

Connor McMichael, C (25^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 1)

Hendrix Lapierre, C (22^nd overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Alexander Alexeyev, D (31^st overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 2)

Martin Fehervary, D (46^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 3)

Aliaksei Protas, C (91^st overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 4)

Garrett Pilon, C (87^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 5)

Brian Pinho, C (174^th overall, 2013. Previous ranking: 6)

Kody Clark, RW (47^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 7)

Brett Leason, RW (56^th overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 8)

Lucas Johansen, D (28^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 9)

Vitek Vanecek, G (39^th overall, 2014. Previous ranking: 10)

Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, LW (147^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 11)

Damien Riat, LW (117^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 12)

Oskar Magnusson, LW (211^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Martin Hugo Has, D (153^rd overall, 2019. Previous ranking: 15)

Garin Bjorklund, G (179^th overall, 2020. Previous ranking: NA)

Mitchell Gibson, G (124^th overall, 2018. Previous ranking: 17)

Beck Malenstyn, LW (145^th overall, 2016. Previous ranking: 18)

Riley Sutter, RW (93^rd overall, 2018. Previous ranking: UR)

Connor McMichael, C (25^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 3)

Alexander Alexeyev, D (31^st overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 1)

Martin Fehervary, D (46^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 5)

Aliaksei Protas, C (91^st overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 8)

Garrett Pilon, C (87^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 17)

Brian Pinho, C (174^th overall, 2013. 2019 Rank: UR)

Kody Clark, RW (47^th overall, 2018. 2019 Rank: 11)

Brett Leason, RW (56^th overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 4)

Lucas Johansen, D (28^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 7)

Vitek Vanecek, G (39^th overall, 2014. 2019 Rank: 14)

Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, LW (147^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 16)

Damien Riat, LW (117^th overall, 2016. 2019 Rank: 18)

Tyler Lewington, D (204^th overall, 2013. 2019 Rank: UR)

Martin Hugo Has, D (153^rd overall, 2019. 2019 Rank: 20)