The Capitals made clear that Philipp Grubauer was getting moved on or before the draft, with an ask of a first round pick. Logically, GMBM decided to add Brooks Orpik, to get a lower return (47th overall), but clear much needed cap space.
Here are the results thus far, along with a brief analysis:
Round 1, pick 31:
Alexander Alexeyev, D, Red Deer, WHL
Injuries may have caused Alexeyev to slip a bit, since the big left handed defenseman with some offensive punch was projected to go slightly higher, or at least before a few blueliners who were picked before him. No matter; the Caps made a safe pick on a well-rounded player who projects as a top 4 physical defenseman - think Josh Manson without as much of a mean streak. It might take a couple years, especially with the logjam of prospects ahead of him, but Alexeyev is a solid selection.
Grade: A
Round 2, pick 46:
Martin Fehervary, D, Oskarshamn, HockeyAllsvenskan
Maybe a bit of a reach, as he was projected to be available in the third, but he is a solid pick as the Capitals look to restock the cupboard. The smooth skating Fehervary projects to be a solid NHL contributor, when and if he makes it across the pond. While left defense was not a point of weakness for the team, overstrength on defense is usually a good problem to have.
Grade: C-
Round 2, pick 47:
Kody Clark, RW, Ottawa, OHL
The son of Wendel was also projected to go a little later than 47th, but we like this pick. A two-way forward who plays with grit and tenacity, Clark should fill a middle-six role after he puts on some more weight. At it currently stands, his offense leaves room to be desired, but with a couple more years of conditioning and preparation, we expect Clark to be a solid offensive contributor too. He fits a need and plays the part that helped the Caps win the Stanley Cup.
Grade: B+
Round 3, pick 93:
Riley Sutter, RW, Everett, WHL
The Caps dipped back into the 'Dub, this time selecting the last member of this generation of Sutters. Riley projects to be an agitating bottom-6 forward, who can chip in offensively, and fill in at center if he needs to. He has NHL size already, but his skating needs work, so we expect some more seasoning before he advances to the AHL. Sutter does play a strong two-way game though, so depending on player movement on the Capitals, he may get a cup of coffee sooner rather than later.
Grade: A
Round 4, pick 124:
Mitchell Gibson, G, Lone Star, NAHL
We like this pick. Gibson dominated in juniors, albeit in a lesser league, and is heading to Harvard to major in government and hone his craft between the pipes. The Capitals have a long and well stocked pipeline and a history of both drafting and developing goaltenders well, so we expect to see this pay off in due time. Both Braden Holtby and Philipp Grubauer were 4th round selections, too. So there's that.
Grade: B+
Round 6, pick 161:
Alex Kannok-Leipart, D, Vancouver, WHL
The Caps traded up 25 picks to snag another guy from the WHL, this time a RHD (thankfully) with a heavy right hand. He looks to play a physical game, apparently, as both of his fights last season started with him landing a solid bodycheck (here's video proof of his second fight: http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/139179). Otherwise, I cannot find much else on him, so we will just assume he will become an overager in the WHL before we see him make a serious roster push.
Grade: C
Round 7, pick 217:
Eric Florchuk, C, Saskatoon, WHL
Notice a trend here? The Capitals again went west for the draft pick, again selecting a versatile forward who can play center and wing. Drafting in the last spot in 2018, the Caps may have found some sleeper value, as Florchuk was consistently ranked in the mid- to high- 100s. He projects as a bottom-6 forward who won't turn heads, but he shouldn't disappoint either.
Grade: A
Overall, the Capitals drafted 3 forwards, 3 defensemen, and a goalie, and while they probably could have swung for the fences with one of their second rounders, the team had a solid draft.
Grade: B+
Here are the results thus far, along with a brief analysis:
Round 1, pick 31:
Alexander Alexeyev, D, Red Deer, WHL
Injuries may have caused Alexeyev to slip a bit, since the big left handed defenseman with some offensive punch was projected to go slightly higher, or at least before a few blueliners who were picked before him. No matter; the Caps made a safe pick on a well-rounded player who projects as a top 4 physical defenseman - think Josh Manson without as much of a mean streak. It might take a couple years, especially with the logjam of prospects ahead of him, but Alexeyev is a solid selection.
Grade: A
Round 2, pick 46:
Martin Fehervary, D, Oskarshamn, HockeyAllsvenskan
Maybe a bit of a reach, as he was projected to be available in the third, but he is a solid pick as the Capitals look to restock the cupboard. The smooth skating Fehervary projects to be a solid NHL contributor, when and if he makes it across the pond. While left defense was not a point of weakness for the team, overstrength on defense is usually a good problem to have.
Grade: C-
Round 2, pick 47:
Kody Clark, RW, Ottawa, OHL
The son of Wendel was also projected to go a little later than 47th, but we like this pick. A two-way forward who plays with grit and tenacity, Clark should fill a middle-six role after he puts on some more weight. At it currently stands, his offense leaves room to be desired, but with a couple more years of conditioning and preparation, we expect Clark to be a solid offensive contributor too. He fits a need and plays the part that helped the Caps win the Stanley Cup.
Grade: B+
Round 3, pick 93:
Riley Sutter, RW, Everett, WHL
The Caps dipped back into the 'Dub, this time selecting the last member of this generation of Sutters. Riley projects to be an agitating bottom-6 forward, who can chip in offensively, and fill in at center if he needs to. He has NHL size already, but his skating needs work, so we expect some more seasoning before he advances to the AHL. Sutter does play a strong two-way game though, so depending on player movement on the Capitals, he may get a cup of coffee sooner rather than later.
Grade: A
Round 4, pick 124:
Mitchell Gibson, G, Lone Star, NAHL
We like this pick. Gibson dominated in juniors, albeit in a lesser league, and is heading to Harvard to major in government and hone his craft between the pipes. The Capitals have a long and well stocked pipeline and a history of both drafting and developing goaltenders well, so we expect to see this pay off in due time. Both Braden Holtby and Philipp Grubauer were 4th round selections, too. So there's that.
Grade: B+
Round 6, pick 161:
Alex Kannok-Leipart, D, Vancouver, WHL
The Caps traded up 25 picks to snag another guy from the WHL, this time a RHD (thankfully) with a heavy right hand. He looks to play a physical game, apparently, as both of his fights last season started with him landing a solid bodycheck (here's video proof of his second fight: http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/139179). Otherwise, I cannot find much else on him, so we will just assume he will become an overager in the WHL before we see him make a serious roster push.
Grade: C
Round 7, pick 217:
Eric Florchuk, C, Saskatoon, WHL
Notice a trend here? The Capitals again went west for the draft pick, again selecting a versatile forward who can play center and wing. Drafting in the last spot in 2018, the Caps may have found some sleeper value, as Florchuk was consistently ranked in the mid- to high- 100s. He projects as a bottom-6 forward who won't turn heads, but he shouldn't disappoint either.
Grade: A
Overall, the Capitals drafted 3 forwards, 3 defensemen, and a goalie, and while they probably could have swung for the fences with one of their second rounders, the team had a solid draft.
Grade: B+
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