In the latest installment of my look into the past, present and future of the Capitals’
prospects, I take on the daunting task of dissecting the defensemen.
DEFENSEMEN
Alexei Tezikov – Portland Pirates (AHL)
This was not the season that everyone expected for Alexei after showing so much promise at the
end of last year. He put up good numbers and proved that he can play in the big leagues, but was
blocked at the NHL level by a veteran defense corps. Making things worse was a broken foot that
caused him to miss the playoffs, which could have been a chance to showcase himself. Even though
he is still somewhat inexperienced, he is being counted on to play full time in Washington next
season. The Caps will make room for him as they badly want to establish another young defenseman
in DC.
GP G A PTS PIM +/-
Portland (AHL) 53 6 9 15 65 12
Washington (NHL) 23 1 1 2 2 -2
Ross Lupaschuk – Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
This has been an eventful season for Ross, as he has moved around a bit. He was invited to try
out for Canada’s National Junior Team, but was a late cut. He started the season playing in
Prince Albert but was traded to Red Deer mid-season in a blockbuster deal, giving him a chance
to be a number one defenseman. He flourished on the Rebels, finishing third in scoring and Read more»
Another day, another group of players to be picked apart. This time we will look at the right
wingers in the Capitals organization as we try to determine what the future holds for the Caps.
RIGHT WINGERS
Matthew Herr – Portland Pirates (AHL)
Matt spent the entire season in Portland after shuffling back and forth between the NHL and AHL
in his rookie year. He had a good offensive year -scoring 22 goals – but more importantly, he
had the time to work on rounding out his game. He will be given the opportunity to win a job in
training camp next year, and should be able to secure a third or fourth line winger spot. Matt
is an RFA this summer, but because of his limited NHL experience, he won’t get many significant
offers.
GP G A PTS PIM +/-
Portland (AHL) 77 22 21 43 51 12
AHL PLAYOFFS 4 1 1 2 4 -4
Roman Tvrdon – Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
Roman is quite possibly the biggest surprise of the season among the Capitals’ prospects. He
was a complete unknown on draft day and was assigned to Spokane to start the year. Not only did
he play outstanding two-way hockey, but he won the WHL rookie scoring race. His success is
carrying into the post-season as the Chiefs have made it to the WHL finals. Depending on the
direction the Capitals take in the off-season, Roman could get a chance to compete for a NHL job
in training camp.
Read more»
Today, I continue my analysis of the Capitals’ prospects with a look at the left wingers. Each
day this week I will bring you my take on the Caps depth chart position-by-position.
LEFT WINGERS
Miika Elomo – Portland Pirates (AHL)
Miika finally decided to stay in North America this season after moving back and forth to
Finland the past few years. The new dedication paid off, with a fast start to the season,
leading the AHL in goals for a while and getting the call for his first NHL game. Injuries
bothered him throughout the year and caused him to miss the All-Star Game – which he had been
selected to play in – and the playoffs. Miika made enough progress this season to be considered
for an NHL job next year.
GP G A PTS PIM +/-
Portland (AHL) 59 21 14 35 48 -9
Washington (NHL) 2 0 1 1 2 1
Jeff Toms – Portland Pirates (AHL)
Jeff continued his act of Jekyll & Hyde this season, showing flashes of brilliance, but
disappearing just when you thought he had turned it around. He bounced back and forth between
Portland and Washington, putting up big numbers in the AHL but struggling when called up to D.C.
With the Capitals starting to amass depth at the forward positions, Jeff is slipping further and
further away from a full-time NHL job. He will be a free agent in the off-season, and may get Read more»
Now that the Capitals have made their annual early exit from the playoffs, its time to look
back at the season that was. This week I will go in-depth on the Capitals’ prospects
position-by-position and see how the did this past season and what we can expect from them in
the future.
CENTRES
Kris Beech – Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
A lot was expected from Kris – the Capitals’ first round pick in last year’s draft – this
season and he did not disappoint. He finished third in team scoring and was selected to play in
the WHL All-Star Game. The same criticisms remain however – he is too skinny and somewhat
injury-prone. That was reinforced during the playoffs when he broke his finger in the first
round, causing him to miss seven games. If the Caps go on a youth movement this off-season, Kris
will be one of the rookies counted on to make the jump to the NHL.
GP G A PTS PIM +/-
Calgary (WHL) 66 32 54 86 99 25
PLAYOFFS 5 3 5 8 16 0
Michal Sivek – Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Michal was a bit of a wild card when this season began. He was entering his first season of
North American hockey and no one knew how he would hold up. But this year would have to be
considered a success for Michal. He finished tied for third in WHL rookie scoring, and helped
the Czech Republic to a Gold Medal at the WJC. His play is still a bit inconsistent and unless Read more»
Hello and welcome to the latest Washington Capitals Prospect Update. Today I will give you
up-to-date playoff statistics on all of the players on the top 50 list as well as their final
regular season stats.
In what has to be described as an incredible disappointment, both the Capitals and the AHL
Portland Pirates suffered first-round upsets in the playoffs this season. The Capitals won their
division and finished second in the Eastern Conference, but were beaten by the seventh seeded
Pittsburgh Penguins in five games. Portland finished second in their division and third overall
but lost to the Worcester IceCats three games to one.
Not all is lost for the Capitals prospects, however. There are four players still alive in
post-season play. Scott Swanson and Houston (IHL) start their playoffs tonight, while in the WHL
- Calgary (Kris Beech & Rastislav Stana) and Spokane (Roman Tvrdon) are currently playing in
separate semi-final matches. The ECHL’s Hampton Roads Admirals lost their best-of-five
quarterfinal to Trenton last night, 3 games to 2.
Misc. Notes: Three players on the top 50 list missed the post-season, all due to injury:
Forwards Miika Elomo (shoulder) and Trevor Halverson (concussion) as well as Defenseman Alexei
Tezikov (broken foot). Forward Kris Beech suffered a broken finger early on in Calgary’s playoff
run, but should be back soon. So far, only two Capitals prospects have won their league Read more»
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