From time to time we like to dabble in a ranking-updating of the Capitals’ organizational depth of prospects. In the past, we’ve offered a Top 20-type rankings or positional depth charts not long after the World Under-20 tourney, and in summer, after prospects have completed a full season of development. What we try and do with this exercise is rank players at their respective positions both in terms of perceived value inside and outside of the organization as well as in-season accomplishments during the most recent campaign. Admittedly, there’s some subjectivity to the task. But with this exercise we want very much for our readers — particularly those of you up in Hershey who saw more of the Bears than we did — to chime in with your own observations and evaluations.
From our vantage, there are some noteworthy prospect developments to point out. You’ll notice that we have placed 2004 first-round pick Joe Finley at left wing. We did this because of some feedback we’ve received of late suggestive of the Caps’ considering trying him out up front, perhaps because of the glut of young defensemen currently in the organization as well as the team’s need to develop an enforcer. It’s a potential consideration at this point, nothing more.
You’ll notice as well that we’ve slotted Steve Pinizzotto ahead of 2006 second-round pick Francois Bouchard. Pinner had a whale of a spring for the Hershey Bears — he was a wonderfully disruptive force on the forecheck, hitting everything that moved, a real high-energy pest. Bouchard, meanwhile, was typically a healthy scratch in an admittedly stacked Bears’ lineup. We have some concern that his development may have plateaued a bit.
You may also wonder at our preference for Marcus Johansson ahead of 2008 first-round pivot Anton Gustafsson. No slight on Gus, Jr., it’s just that in his draft season Johansson competed in upwards of 50 SEL games (and competed well), a league that many NHL scouts consider to be the second best in the world.
Anyway, let us know what you think. We might be better served waiting until the completion of next week’s Development Camp to offer up such a list, but this whets the appetite for the camp a bit, no?
6 Comments
I wonder how much further along, if at all, guys like Bouchard, Osala and Perreault would be if the Caps were affiliated with a different organization. Don’t get me wrong, I love our affiliation with the Bears, but they seem to put a heavier emphasis on playing AHL vets to win games more so than NHL prospects to develop.
I’m not sure that’s a bad thing Sombrero Guy. Just like what they’ll face in the NHL, they have to earn their playing time. Don’t they only get assigned to Hershey when they are deemed ready for it? IMO this means that they should be ready to take a step forward, it’s not going to be handed to them, just as happens in the NHL.
I don’t think Joe Finley will be playing LW.
@Sombrero Guy: The veterans on any AHL roster are there not only to win games, they also help the younger players develop into solid professionals. They can act like on ice coaches and can smack around rookies who think that they’re too good for the A. Every AHL team has their share of vets, Hershey just had three of them on one line.
@McPhail: I agree with you, unless the Caps are looking for him to goon it up.
@OFB: Why aren’t Joudrey, Wilson, or Orlov on the list? You mis-spelled Trevor Bruess.
I’m a Bears STH, overall the list is pretty accurate from what I’ve seen. I might switch Perreault and Beagle.
Beags had a tough year, came back from a concussion and didn’t seem to have his touch anymore. He still chased pucks all over the ice and worked his tail off, but wasn’t where he was last year in the offensive zone.
Perreault really improved this year. He worked hard and really created a lot of chances. His size works against him though, so it might be a toss up.
SiouxinPa,
Joudrey wasn’t resigned by the Caps. He’s a free agent. Orlov, too, isn’t under contract. If he comes over to play, he is Caps’ property, but this July there’s no indication that that’s imminent. Wilson, IMO, 5 years after his draft year is a productive AHLer, but I’m not sure his upside extends beyond that.
pucks&books,
My bad, I spaced that they didn’t qualify Joudrey.
I got confused with Seabrook, Eakin and other players not under contract being on the list, hence the question about Orlov.
Agree with you on Wilson, he’ll be a cup of coffee guy in the N. Just curious why he wasn’t on the list.
Thanks.
Post a Comment