The NHL Draft is coming up
June is here. The Stanley Cup Finals is set. Later this month is the NHL Draft. Who could the Washington Capitals select in the first round?
Mark your calendars for Friday June 27 as Round 1 of the NHL Draft will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on ESPN and ESPN plus. Rounds 2-7 is on Saturday June 28 beginning at 12 noon on NHL Network and ESPN plus
One player that could be on the Capitals radar is center Jack Murtagh from Boston University, a new teammate of hot prospect Cole Hutson.
Last season he was on the U.S. National U18 Team and recorded 22 goals and 31 assists for 53 points. He also added seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points on the USNTDP Juiors and six points in the World Juniors U18 with two goals and four assists.
Another option that could be on the table for the Caps is center Cole McKinney who's listed as six foot and 198 pounds and has a right handed shot.
"McKinney is an excellent center who wins face-offs and plays a hard game. The Caps could use someone like him in their pipeline, even if his ceiling is as a middle-six player. "Bleacher Nation
McKinney plans to attend University of Michigan in the fall. On the U.S. National U18 Team he recorded 27 goals and 34 assists for 61 points. He would add 15 goals and 11 assists for 26 points on the USNTDP Juniors.
Finally on USA U18 in the World Juniors U18 he would record five points in seven games with three goals and two assists.
As far as centers go we can look at more top quality. One such name is Michael Misa whom Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff ranks as the top center on the board.
Misa is coming off a season where he scored 62 goals and 72 assists for 134 points with the Saginaw Spirit. That would probably put him as the top pick in the draft.
The 15th ranked center Ellis lists is Eric Nilsson whom he describes as a great passer "who can also wire home shots." He had 12 goals and 26 assists for 38 points in the Swedish Djurgardens IF J20.
