We had a productive draft. I bet at least two of the kids drafted can make our team or play in the NHL. If that happens, we can all be happy.
We still have work to do. There weren’t many trades made at the drafting tables this year. Perhaps now we all go to work in free agency and those moves will open up personnel needs and create some dynamism in the league?
Don’t expect us to make any big long term expensive signings though in free agency. We have many core young players to reward and keep in the fold. We are up near the cap max now. We have some wiggle room but I am hopeful - as noted before - that we add to the team via internal promotion, trades, deadline trades and some smaller free agent signings.
Wish us luck. We have work left to do. Click here to read a good article that summarizes the draft.
Tags: Hockey, NHL Draft, Ted Leonsis, Ted's Take, Washington Capitals
The one trade that was made by the Caps doesn’t make much sense to me. I think Lepisto is worth much more than a fifth round pick, I don’t see a player equal to him coming that late in the draft. I would have rather seen him stay on the team, but if he was going to be dealt I think there should have been a larger return.
Congratulations on the draft — you have it exactly right. Might be a couple of years, but you have 1-2 draft choices this year who can “rock the red,” particularly your second round choice, Orlov (?) from Russia. Not big, but skilled.
You did free up some cap space with departures, so signing one good second line center — which you have suggested previously — should be a priority. But with the richness of depth that you have in Hershey on offense is a blessing.
Nik Antropov is available. Can you bring him in as a second line center?
Both Johansson and Orlov look like they might be decent picks for our position in the draft. I like the picks Detroit made behind us in Landon Ferraro and Tartar (standout kid from the Czech team in the world juniors). I was hopeful that Ferraro would be in the Caps’ system.
Best of hard work to all the youngsters. Go Caps!