SWITCHING TO GLIDE
TWO OF THE PAST
three drafts have been abbreviated affairs for the Caps (four picks each time) and the 2020 crop could be the same, depending on one conditional pick with San Jose. Washington does have its first-rounder, however, so there will be the chance for value. When you’re in your Stanley Cup window, that’s all you can ask for. IMMEDIATE NEEDS: The defense corps unravelled in the second half, casting aspersions on John Carlson’s Norris Trophy quest. This team needs more puck-movers and fewer battleships. Getting younger would help, too: Jonas Siegenthaler was the only regular in his early 20s – everyone else was pushing 30. LONG-TERM NEEDS: With Ilya Samsonov going from goalie of the future to goalie of the present in short order, the Caps’ roster is in great shape for the next half-decade. Alex Ovechkin is still producing, Jakub Vrana continues to get better and Evgeny Kuznetsov will be a great center for a long time. The defense needs to improve, but options such as Alexander Alexeyev and Martin Fehervary are a start. With all that being said, the Capitals need to add bodies to their system. The scouting department did a nice job getting value out of just four picks in 2019, but breadth is important. CAP SITUATION: With about $10 million to play with, the Caps have one major decision on their hands. The major UFA is goalie Braden Holtby. But with Samsonov dazzling, it’s hard to see GM Brian MacLellan laying down big term and money for Holtby. Other UFAs include Ilya Kovalchuk, Brenden Dillon and Radko Gudas.
IN THE SYSTEM 2020-21: Center Connor McMichael put up huge numbers with OHL London and showed his versatility at the world juniors. He’s too young to play in the AHL next season and has outperformed major junior.
DID YOU KNOW: Towering center Aliaksei Protas doubled his production year over year with WHL Prince Albert, going from 40 points to 80. He has one more year of eligibility.