With the NHL draft to begin tonight in Florida, the Washington Capitals will look at add more high-end talent and continue to accumulate depth in their minor league system. There have been numerous prospects that have graduated recently to the NHL including Nate Schmidt, Michael Latta, Andre Burakovsky and Evgeny Kuznetsov over the last calendar year. Prior to the draft, The Hockey Writers takes stock of Washington’s current farm system, ranking the top 20 prospects in the system.
Generally, skaters 23 years or younger are included in the list and have not played more than 65 games in the NHL. Players who have played less than that game allotment that are not included in the list are an exception, since they are locks to make the NHL roster, including Andre Burakovsky. Philipp Grubauer is included in the rankings, because he has only played in 20 NHL games.
1. Madison Bowey
Position: Defense
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 209
Shoots: Right
Acquired: 2013 Draft (2nd round, 53rd overall)
2014-15 Stats: 58 GP, 17 G, 43 A, 60 P (Kelowna Rockets, WHL)
After totaling 60 points in the 2013-14 season, it was intriguing to see what Bowey could do for an encore. Over the past season, Washington’s top defensive prospect totaled the same amount of points in 14 fewer games for the top club in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Bowey is a two-way defenseman with room to grow and already brings an NHL-ready body to the table. He could make the Capitals roster out of training camp and become a contributor to their power play along with bringing a strong offensive game and speed to the Washington blue line.
“I like to think of myself as a two-way defenseman,” Bowey told The Hockey Writers in 2014. “Drew Doughty is a guy I really try to model my game after and focus on; I know he’s a tremendous guy not only in the defensive zone, but he can also put up his numbers too offensively.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzAnYJlFplU
Bowey was awarded the top prospect in this year’s rankings, because of his potential of being the prospect with the most impact potential. He’s capable of becoming a top four defenseman no question and could eventually play significantly in three big areas: even strength, power play and the penalty kill.
Upside: Top four defenseman
2. Jakub Vrana
Position: Forward
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 185
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2014 Draft (1st round, 13th overall)
2014-15 Stats: 44 GP, 12 G, 12 A, 24 P (Linkopings HC)
Drafted by Washington with their first selection in the draft last year, Vrana is a smaller, yet very skilled forward who should succeed in today’s NHL. After his season in Sweden the past campaign, Vrana excelled in the AHL with the Hershey Bears, posting 11 points in 13 regular season games. He’s a great skater and brings a level of skill with the puck that most prospects don’t have. He will likely start the season in Hershey to continue to develop his body and gain experience playing against better players, but it won’t be long until he reaches the NHL.
Stan Galiev will get a shot in training camp. Ideally MacLellan says he does not see Jakub Vrana being on the roster. #CapitalsTalk
— Chuck Gormley (@CharlesAGormley) June 25, 2015
“Didn’t get to see Jakub play in Hershey, but all the reports we got was that Jakub played really well,” Capitals assistant general manager Ross Mahoney told the Washington Post. “A bit of an advantage, he did transition going from playing in the Elite to playing in the American League. Went from playing with men to playing with men. The smaller ice will be an adjustment. That’s always an adjustment for a European. We’re happy he had some success.”
Upside: Top six forward
3. Riley Barber
Position: Right Wing
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 6’0”, 198
Shoots: Right
Acquired: 2012 Draft (6th round, 167th overall)
2014-15 Stats: 38 GP, 20 G, 20 A, 40 P (Miami University of Ohio, NCAA)
Selected by former Caps GM George McPhee late in the final day of the draft in 2012, Barber has climbed up prospect charts over the past few seasons. He’s been one of the top college players in North America and signed his entry-level contract this past season. Barber has the ability to play in all three zones effectively which should make him a quality NHL asset. I think he’ll end up being a third line forward, but he could be bumped up to the top six in certain circumstances.
Upside: Marginal top six forward
4. Connor Carrick
Position: Defense
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 5’10”, 183
Shoots: Right
Acquired: 2012 Draft (5th round, 137th overall)
2014-15 Stats: 73 GP, 8 G, 34 A, 42 P (Hershey Bears, AHL)
Carrick is another right-handed defenseman prospect in the Capitals system and has already played in the NHL. Under Adam Oates, Carrick was misused and played in the NHL far earlier than he should have. Developing his body will unquestionably help him when he makes the jump back up. Carrick is an offensive playmaker from the blue line and has great skating ability. He should be a power play contributor in the NHL to maximize his abilities.
Upside: Last pairing defenseman, power play specialist
5. Philipp Grubauer
Position: Goalie
Age: 23
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 184
Catches: Left
Acquired: 2010 Draft (4th round, 112th overall)
2014-15 Stats: 49 GP, 2.30 GAA, .921 SV %)
He recently signed a two-year, one-way deal with Washington and will likely never return to the AHL again. The German native is another case study of a goalie that the Capitals have been able to develop, just like the one that starts in Washington already. Grubauer is an athletic net minder who has the tools to become a top backup in the NHL and could be a starter on some teams.
Upside: Fringe starter, strong backup goalie
6. Stanislav Galiev
Position: Right Wing
Age: 23
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 188
Shoots: Right
Acquired: 2010 Draft (3rd round, 86th overall)
2014-15 Stats: 67 GP, 25 G, 20 A, 45 P (Hershey Bears, AHL)
Most improved player award goes to Stan Galiev! pic.twitter.com/rMtEhp215m
— Chocolate Hockey (@ChocHockey) April 18, 2015
Galiev has been cast off by many prospect rankings, but he’s still an intriguing candidate to become a skilled forward in the NHL. He had the best season of his pro career last year in Hershey, under first-year Bears head coach Troy Mann. He still needs to add some size, but he brings solid skating along with great hands and an amazing shot. Galiev needs to work on playing without the puck along with becoming more reliable in the defensive zone.
Upside: Third line winger, fringe second liner
7. Zach Sanford
Position: Forward
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 191
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2013 Draft (2nd round, 61st overall)
2014-15 Stats: 38 GP, 7 G, 17 A, 24 P (Boston College, NCAA)
The Capitals don’t have a lot of potential power forwards in their system, but Sanford is one worth keeping an eye on. Not only should be able to find success around the net, Sanford is capable of making plays, totaling 17 assists in his first year with Boston College. He’s one of the most raw prospects in the system and will need time to develop.
Upside: Top six forward
8. Vitek Vanecek
Position: Goalie
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 167
Catches: Left
Acquired: 2014 Draft (2nd round, 39th overall)
2014-15 Stats: 20 GP, 2.24 GAA, .925 SV % (Benatky)
Vanacek was another goalie selected by Washington in the draft and will likely spend another year playing overseas. As a 19-year-old, Vanacek still needs to add some size to his frame, especially because he’s under six feet tall. He’s still very raw and the next step of his development will be performing at the AHL or ECHL level.
Upside: Top 15 NHL starter, very raw
9. Pheonix Copley
Position: Goalie
Age: 23
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 175
Catches: Left
Acquired: Signed as free agent
2014-15 Stats: 26 GP, 2.17 GAA, .925 SV % (Hershey Bears, AHL)
Signed as a free agent out of college, Copley found enormous success in his first full season, playing for the Hershey Bears of the AHL. He played alongside expected Capitals backup net minder Philipp Grubauer and learned a lot from him. Copley will be Hershey’s starter this season and it will be interesting to see how he handles playing close to 50 games.
Upside: Average NHL starter
10. Shane Gersich
Position: Forward
Age: 18
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 175
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2014 Draft (5th round, 134th overall)
2014-15 Stats: 52 GP, 27 G, 22 A, 49 P (Omaha Lancers, USHL)
Gersich will be attending the University of North Dakota in the fall and will be another Caps prospect to play in college. He had a phenomenal year for the Omaha Lancers in the USHL this past season, almost recording a point per contest. He’s somewhat undersized, but in today’s NHL it is very wise to take a chance on someone who can skate and has scoring potential like Gersich.
Upside: Bottom six forward
11. Thomas DiPauli
Position: Center
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 189
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2012 Draft (4th round, 100th overall)
2014-15 Stats: 41 GP, 8 G, 21 A, 29 P (Notre Dame, NCAA)
DiPauli was one of the Capitals prospects on the rise when he first entered Notre Dame as a freshman, but has not improved his stock over the past few seasons. There isn’t any one skill that jumps out which signals that he’s very unlikely to become an impact player. He needs a strong senior season with Notre Dame to receive any entry-level contract with Washington.
Upside: Fourth line forward
12. Chandler Stephenson
Position: Center
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 190
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2012 Draft (3rd round, 77th overall)
2014-15 Stats: 54 GP, 7 G, 7 A, 14 P (Hershey Bears, AHL)
Stephenson played his first professional season with the Hershey Bears last season , but was sidelined 15 games due to a concussion. Although he only registered 14 points during the regular season, Stephenson contributed five points in ten playoff games. Stephenson dominated the WHL with the Regina Pats (195 points in 230 games), but has faced expected struggles at the pro level. He’s just 5’11” and isn’t a dominate skater. He needs to improve on multiple facets of his game to become an NHL player, including his ability to win face offs.
Upside: Fourth line center
13. Christian Djoos
Position: Defense
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6’0”, 159
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2012 Draft (7th round, 195th overall)
2014-15 Stats: 50 GP, 5 G, 12 A, 17 P (Brynas IF Gavle)
Taking a chance on Djoos was a great move by the Capitals, even if it never works out, which history says it won’t. Process is more important than results in this situation and Djoos is a case study of that. If he builds up his body a substantial amount, he could potentially make a run at the NHL. He’s a strong skater and has the ability to generate offense on the power play as well. Djoos is expected to suit up for the Hershey Bears this season and will be his first look at the pro game.
Upside: Organizational depth, bottom pairing defenseman
14. Brian Pinho
Position: Center
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 186
Shoots: Right
Acquired: 2013 Draft (6th round, 174th overall)
2014-15 Stats: 39 GP, 6 G, 12 A, 18 P (Providence College, NCAA)
Like all the players listed from about number ten on down, they’re unlikely impact players. Pinho is a different type of player and could become a solid third liner, but needs to improve in numerous areas in order to do so. He’ll be just a sophomore at Providence this fall and should be there for a considerable amount of time before turning pro.
Upside: Third line center
15. Travis Boyd
Position: Center
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 184
Shoots: Right
Acquired: 2011 Draft (6th round, 177th overall)
2014-15 Stats: 32 GP, 19 G, 22 A, 41 P (Minnesota University, NCAA)
Boyd is very similar to Pinho in terms of NHL upside and the role he will play. Boyd is a strong faceoff man and brings strong defensive attributes to any team. He won’t be much of an offensive contributor in the pro game, but he has potential to wind up as a penalty killing fourth line forward.
Upside: Fourth line forward
16. Tyler Lewington
Position: Defense
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 197
Shoots: Right
Acquired: 2013 Draft (7th round, 204th overall)
2014-15 Stats: 69 GP, 9 G, 36 A, 45 P (Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL)
Lewington will play for the Hershey Bears this season after his time in the WHL, adding to Hershey’s young defensive core that could include Madison Bowey. Lewington will need to be a defense first type of player to succeed at the pro level. He’s more organizational depth at this point and has minimal opportunity at becoming an NHL regular.
Upside: Depth defenseman, AHL player in system
17. Steven Spinner
Position: Right Wing
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 6’0”, 202
Shoots: Right
Acquired: 2014 Draft (6th round, 159th overall)
2014-15 Stats: 56 GP, 22 G, 20 A, 42 P (Omaha Lancers, USHL)
Drafted just last year, Spinner had success like teammate Shane Gersich with the Omaha Lancers during the 2014-15 season. He’s a speedy forward and will play for the University of Nebraska-Omaha next season. Gersich has a long road to travel to become a potential NHL player, but the Capitals like the skills he brings and believe they can develop him.
Upside: Bottom six forward
18. Kevin Elgestal
Position: Right Wing
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 176
Shoots: Right
Acquired: 2014 Draft (7th round, 194th overall)
2014-15 Stats: 33 GP, 10 G, 16 A, 26 P (Frolunda Jr.)
When you’re down at this stage of the farm system, you find players that are extremely raw and are long shots to become contributors at the pro level. He’ll spend another year overseas in all likelihood and needs to continue to develop his game, including adding size.
Upside: Organizational depth forward
19. Garrett Mitchell
Position: Right Wing
Age: 23
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 195
Shoots: Right
Acquired: 2009 Draft (6th round, 175th overall)
2014-15 Stats: 64 GP, 4 G, 4 A, 8 P (Hershey Bears, AHL)
Caps re-sign Garrett Mitchell to a 2-year, 2-way contract today, 64 games with Hershey last year. Hear it on Caps Radio 24/7 news
— Caps Radio 24/7 (@CapitalsRadio) June 2, 2015
Mitchell is one of the Hershey Bears veterans for the upcoming season although he’s just 23 years old. He’s one of the hardest working players on the team both on and off the ice and places a big emphasis on fitness. He could be a fourth line winger who can also play on the penalty kill.
Upside: Fourth line forward, penalty killing specialist
20. Nathan Walker
Position: Left Wing
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 5’8”, 186
Shoots: Left
Acquired: 2014 Draft (3rd round, 89th overall)
2014-15 Stats: 28 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 4 P (Hershey Bears, AHL)
Walker was drafted by Washington after playing on an AHL contract for the Hershey Bears. He didn’t produce at all this past season, but was never a top prospect, even though he generated significant buzz in the Capitals organization. He’s a good skater for his size and isn’t afraid to go to the corners or in front of the net. However, Walker doesn’t have enough puck skills and just isn’t strong enough to matchup against NHL players yet.
Upside: Organizational depth