Some thoughts on the Capitals going into the back half.
The Washington Capitals are returning from their 4 Nations break midway through this week, and there's a lot of business to take care of entering the back half of the season.
Washington sits in comfortable position at the top of the Eastern Conference, but going into the break, its play was taking a bit of a hit, with the team having too face quite a few comeback situations in its final games down the stretch.
The Capitals want to have a bit of a different approach when they return and be better equipped to enjoy a longer run this spring, and all the while, Alex Ovechkin sits 16 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time record.
That said, let's take a look at 17 Things to consider going into the final stretch.
Washington Capitals 17 Things
1. Washington's front office has a bit to consider. The Capitals have been able to find ways to win with its current group, and the chemistry in the room is undeniable. However, there are some areas that the team needs help in, especially when it comes to the bottom-6.
The Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli mentioned that Washington is looking for an upgrade at third-line center, and there has also been talk that the team is looking for a middle-6 forward to bolster the offense.
2. If I'm the Capitals, I'm taking a close look at Jared McCann; he's played both center and wing, but the Seattle Kraken forward has not been utilized much down the middle this season. He's a proven, consistent player who could thrive under coach Spencer Carbery's systems.
3. Washington also has to keep in mind that Ryan Leonard could be turning pro come playoff time. He leads the NCAA in goals this season and has more than proven that he is ready for the next step and seems likely to make that jump and sign his entry-level deal when the season ends; of course, a lot could also depend on if he wants to make another run at a championship, or if he gets that done this March with Boston College.
4. If Leonard is ready to come up, that's a big acquisition in itself, and the Capitals don't want a repeat of 2009-10, where there were too many cooks in the kitchen. Alum Brendan Morrison explained on That's DC Hockey that he believes those acquisitions hurt the team a bit, because it led to a bit of an unhealthy dynamic in the room with players who'd been getting the job done having to sit out.
5. One addition, though, wouldn't likely be enough to upset the apple cart. Plus, this is a more mature room, with Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals establishing a positive veteran core that knows how to navigate all kinds of situations.
6. A lot of credit, though, should go to Ethen Frank. The 27-year-old has been a force to be reckoned with since coming up to the big club, and he's more than earned his opportunity to stay up through the rest of the year. He's been able to solve a lot of the instability on that third line, and his speed alone has made him a threat whenever he's on the ice.
Even Carbery has mentioned how he doesn't get nearly as much opportunity as he probably deserves, and each night, he continues to force the coaching staff's hand.
7. Considering that, one has to think that Jakub Vrana is the odd man out and will likely be destined for waivers when the team inevitably has to open up a roster spot, whether it be for a new acquisition or the return of Sonny Milano (which isn't expected to be any time soon). Vrana has shown flashes of what he can do, but his all-around game just hasn't been where it needs to be, and he hasn't been able to force himself back into the lineup.
8. Speaking of Milano, he was still in a non-contact jersey ahead of the break. I've heard that the upper-body injury he suffered back on Nov. 6 against the Nashville Predators was a significant one, and he still has ways to go while working his way back.
Expect a conditioning stint with the AHL's Hershey Bears when he does eventually start to work his way back into the mix.
9. Vrana isn't alone as the odd man out; Alex Alexeyev and Dylan McIlrath have regularly taken to their roles as extras, with the blue line not experiencing any injuries and the team's top-6 stacked depth-wise.
For a veteran like McIlrath, he's accustomed to the situation and knows his role, but I imagine it's difficult for Alexeyev, who has sat out for 42 consecutive games.
The 25-year-old blueliner still has plenty of upside, but one has to wonder when something has to give and when he's traded, or if he's requested a trade for a chance to be a regular elsewhere.
10. With McIlrath up as a permanent extra at the NHL level, Aaron Ness has embraced the role of the Hershey Bears captain, and what a perfect name to take on that role. All roads have led back to Chocolatetown for him over the course of his career, and his teammates look to him as a role model.
He also revealed that quite a few of the Hershey Bears do actually go to HersheyPark, and talked more about his career and experiences here.
11. Down in Hershey, Hendrix Lapierre is finally finding his game. During this 4 Nations break, he finally scored his first goal of the season, and then followed up in the next game with another goal, earning him AHL First Star of the Week honors.
It's a huge step forward for Lapierre, whose season has not been going according to plan. For whatever reason, the spark that earned him a full-time spot at the end of last year went out, and now, he has ways to go to earn his way back up.
There's still high hopes for him in the organization, though, and the hope is that he can find his game again soon — and fast.
12. Another prospect to keep an eye on is Andrew Cristall. He's continued to put up video-game esque numbers after his trade to the Spokane Chiefs, and became the first WHL player to hit 100 points this season.
He's on pace for one of the best seasons in modern juniors history, and after a huge showing at training camp this past year, I'd expect him to get NHL ice time next season.
A lot of credit has to go to Washington, though, for not rushing its prospects. There have been teams that have been too eager to get their big names up and playing at the highest level right away (i.e. Nail Yakupov and Jesse Puljujarvi), and it hasn't worked out all too well.
Considering the Capitals' impressive depth, they're a team that works well with its youth and doesn't feel the need to rush them, and ultimately, it works wonders.
13. The biggest storyline for Washington in this final half, though, is without a doubt, the Great Chase. Ovechkin spent the break in Miami training with the likes of Darius Kasparaitis, and the extra time away also allowed him to get some rest and relaxation in, too.
Carbery declared that his best hockey is yet to come, and I agree; we touched base before he left, and he's in high spirits and feeling confident. He continues to take things one day at a time, too, and as he gets more reps in, he's feeling more and more recovered from the broken leg he suffered in November.
14. Right now, Ovechkin is on pace to break Gretzky's record in April. D.C. will become an absolute circus, and rightfully so, as he approaches 99. There will never be a goal scorer quite like No. 8 again; his shot is unparalleled, and his passion and enthusiasm for each goal can't be denied.
15. Speaking of Ovi, his epic celebration at the fountain with his Capitals teammates will be commemorated with a plaque at the iconic Georgetown fountain on Friday. Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie will be there to present the plaque, too.
16. On 4 Nations: it's been quite the best-on-best tournament to watch, and the will to win and passion from the participants is the kind of attitude you want to see at All-Star Games as well.
That said, seeing no Capitals in the mix was a shock, especially when it comes down to Logan Thompson and Tom Wilson, two players that Canada could have really used. John Carlson not being on Team USA is also baffling given his ice time and growth over his career, too.
If the NHL goes forward with it, there should be more ways to include more teams to engage everyone and give everybody the chance. Still, Washington's players won't say no to more rest, which could benefit the team greatly going into the final stretch.
17. Thompson earning his contract extension from Washington, Charlie Lindgren has been in small talks with the team, but his future remains unclear. He told The Hockey News that he loves the staff, and he's beloved in the room (Ovechkin hopes he re-signs, too), but at the same time, six years is a long time, and Lindgren has shown his ability to be a starter.
Our full interview is below.
18. A bonus thought re: contracts: Jakob Chychrun has loved his time in D.C., and I'd be surprised if he didn't re-sign here. It seems he's fit in seamlessly, and he has shown interest in sticking around.
