Comments on: Washington Capitals’ Top Prospects, Spring 2008

By: George McPhee = late bloomer « the red skate

George McPhee = late bloomer « the red skate — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:40:02 +0000

[...] get to pick again until #83, when he took local product Stephen Werner. Werner might barely hang on the end of a list of top Caps prospects; otherwise, not much else was McPhee able to pluck out of this deep draft [...]

By: b.orr4

b.orr4 — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:18:23 +0000

Nice analysis, but isn’t Josef Boumedienne a little old to be considered a prospect?

By: Doug

Doug — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:59:44 +0000

I consider the “dark-horse” candidate to make the Capitals opening day roster to be Jay Beagle. I say he ousts none other than Boyd Gordon.

Regards the “D” corps, I see Jurcina bundled with Fleischman for a higher draft pick, or another journeyman D-Man. I envision Jurcina as the 7th D-Man next year, and that Emminger will get his ‘real shot’ at a full time pairing. Perhaps Alzner starts in Hershey, but we’ll see lots of him next year, as well as some of Lepisto. If Pothier does have to medically retire, then either Lepisto or Alzner starts the year with the Capitals.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 05 May 2008 21:37:51 +0000

There’s nothing wrong with having rookie defensemen playing important minutes for a playoff team — it just has to be the right rookies. Dallas has 3 rookies this season on the blueline and they are obviously doing quite well.

If Alzner shows he’s got what it takes come Fall, then who cares if he is a rookie or not? If he is better than Jurcina and Erskine he should be out there. We know Jurcina and Erskine will make mistakes…at least Alzner (in theory) can bring a lot more upside to the defense.

By: usiel

usiel — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:56:36 +0000

I’m willing to give Pokulok a bit of a pass similar to Fehr. Sasha essentially missed almost a full year of dev. last year. Concussions problem could easily be career threatening so the big plus is that there has been no reocurrence. He’s played well for the caps ECHL team and I believe there was a nice article on Pokulok on how well he’s done down there. That being said if he comes into the Hershey camp this next season and still having issues establishing himself in the AHL then he most assuredly should be ‘dropped down’ the proverbial prospect list.

I don’t know about Dovgan. Was impressed that he came over and played being so young. Haven’t heard much of his play in russia this year and I’m sure it was family issues why he went back but his game seemed to be much more suited to NA style.

By: pepper

pepper — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:37:01 +0000

Are Kyle Wilson and Jay Beagle really ahead of Perreault? From what I’ve heard and read, Wilson and Beagle sound like your classic NHL work ethic but AHL talent guys who may not ever stick on an NHL roster, whereas Perreault has much more offensive upside. I’m also surprised you have Boomer so high.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:29:34 +0000

John, I don’t believe Tommy Maxwell is under a Caps contract,and was hurt most of this year with the BEARS,but he could very well be a guy who is young, can fight and can play the game. He “could” be someone to keep an eye on should he remain healthy.

By: MulletMan

MulletMan — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:07:28 +0000

I think that the caps will have to re-evaluate their defense. After watching Eminger sitting on the sidelines most of the season, and seeing a rookie stepping over him onto the lineup, he really came though in the playoffs. That alone in my mind shows that he has what it takes to play at this level. I think he definitely deserves a spot on the roster next season. I think that if they want to rotate some rookies up for playing time, they might want to think about sending Shultz down for some more experience. I think he has shown all season that he is still a little rough around the edges and with a little more development, could truly turn into the shutdown dman that we are looking for.
Just some of my thoughts.

By: pucksandbooks

pucksandbooks — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:03:53 +0000

Dez, I included prospects’ draft year (for almost all) so that readers could gain a sense of their respective ages. Figure 18 for each by draft year, though it’s true that in some cases kids are selected a little prior to their 18th birthdates.

By: Dez

Dez — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:52:32 +0000

Thanks for the analysis fellas.. Things definitely look promising for years to come..

Just a quick one though, can you add their respective ages to the table? Thanks..

By: dmg

dmg — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:13:46 +0000

I very seriously doubt the Capitals consider Dovgan a better prospect that Pokulok; personally I’m not ready to give up on Pokulok yet. I think he’s getting a bit of a bad rap because the Capitals have enjoyed such rapid success with their first rounders recently, and given that he seems to have a good attitude and a lot of natural talent (plus his large frame), he can still have a very good NHL career if he puts it together in the next couple years.

By: usiel

usiel — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:12:49 +0000

Just my 2cs but I think Alzner/Lepisto will be in Hershey next year. Considering the expectations for the Capitals are to go farther in the playoffs next season I find it hard to believe that the team will be breaking in pretty rookie dmen. Let them dev in Hershey. The time has passed to give rooks NHL play time so they can learn the game.

By: Brad

Brad — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:30:47 +0000

I think you’re underestimating Dovgan. He’s definitely one of our better blueline prospects, above Pokulok on the depth chart easily. He just has a family with visa troubles, which is making it tough for him to come over. Hopefully the Caps can get that ironed out this offseason, he would be a real asset in the AHL.

By: pucksandbooks

pucksandbooks — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:16:29 +0000

That’s a great question, VT, and the answer as best as I can tell is no.

By: VT 90

VT 90 — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:56:33 +0000

Thanks for the great analysis and even more reason to look forward to next season. Given that Donald is not getting any younger and players willing to drop the gloves still have a place in the league, do the Caps have anyone in the wings that fit the bill?

By: pucksandbooks

pucksandbooks — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:33:29 +0000

Dovgan has returned to Russia and I think has to be regarded as a long-term prospect project. Pokulok may as well be developing in Siberia; his was not what you’d call a profitable ‘07-’08. Seabrook probably has some intriguing upside but also isn’t in the near term timeframe.

By: Capital Fanatic

Capital Fanatic — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:16:30 +0000

Very nice analysis. I would say Alzner and Lepisto are with the big club from day 1 pushing Jurcina and Erskine to the 7 & 8 roles. I also see Bourque with a strong chance of making the club, plus if you’re looking for a sleeper to break camp with the Caps, how about Josh Godfrey? I could see him excelling in Bruce Boudreau’s system.

And a couple guys you left off. How about Keith Seabrook, Sasha Pokulok, and Viktor Dovgan? And chance Dovgan comes back to NA this year?