Capitals Offseason Notebook: Cristall's Path, Lapierre Putting In Work, Prep For Season, News & Notes
Some musings on the Capitals amid the ongoing dog days of summer.
The Washington Capitals are just a few weeks away from returning to the rink for the start of training camp, and a handful of players are already back and taking part in informal skates at MedStar Capitals Iceplex.
While some players have returned and while others are scheduled to be back sooner rather than later, others are still aboard, including Andrew Cristall, who continues to step up his training and look better and better with camp around the corner.
Cristall is training with Kaivo Hockey this summer, with familiar faces in Connor Bedard, Kent Johnson and more pros and up-and-coming players. He also spent some time at the Rink Hockey Academy in Kelowna.
What’s impressive about Cristall is not just his stickhandling; it’s his confidence and poise with the puck, and most importantly, his skating and speed. He’s fluid out there and dominant on the ice, and on top of it, he’s been adding size and strength to try and get ready for the pro jump.
Right now, I find it more and more likely that Cristall begins the year up at the NHL level with the Capitals.
That said, while I also see Sonny Milano making quite a bit of noise in camp to try and win back his spot after missing nearly all of last season with injury, as well as an ambitious Ivan Miroshnichenko, Cristall’s earned this chance.
There’s nothing to lose from having him play a handful of games and giving him the chance that he’s clearly earned, and if it doesn’t work out, having him develop the rest of the season in Hershey.
Here are my projected forward lines:
Aliaksei Protas-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Anthony Beauvillier
Andrew Cristall-Connor McMichael-Ryan Leonard
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Justin Sourdif
Here are some other notes and thoughts ahead of the season:
- Hendrix Lapierre is also ramping up his training ahead of camp as he looks to make the most of what’s seemingly his final chance with the organization. He’s working with Amped Hockey and looks sharp on his skates, quick and confident. For him, it’s about finding that confidence and consistency.
- A dark horse prospect to watch at training camp: Ilya Protas. He did quite a bit of damage with Windsor this past season and finished as one of the OHL’s top performers, and his older brother, Aliaksei, thinks he could make a run for a spot come camp. Anything can happen, and the siblings both put in quite a bit of work in the summers.
- Nicklas Backstrom is looking like his vintage self to kick things off with Brynäs IF, but when it comes to those asking, “Well, was he healthy this whole time?” I don’t think so. Backstrom loves the game, and if he were good to go and wanted to play, there would’ve been a way to make it work. I think there were complications and trouble getting back up to NHL speed, and he did need a couple of years to rehabilitate completely before returning.
That said, the SHL is very different from the NHL; there’s more space, and it’s not as fast and physical as it is in North America. It’s the perfect place for the 37-year-old to restart as he makes his comeback.
- Writing about the Capitals’ power play over at The Hockey News, I still think that Alex Ovechkin is utilized for the full two minutes; I don’t see that changing with his role. That said, I do see Protas getting more time on the man advantage, and Ryan Leonard also getting his chance.
Entries and retrievals are a problem, and those are two difference-makers who can help. I even see Cristall contributing on the PP if he makes it past his trial run.