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Chandler Stephenson has been one of the most impressive Caps prospects this season (Photo: Derek Leung/Getty Images)
The first half of the 2013-14 season has been mostly positive for Washington Capitals prospects. Unknowns like Andre Burakovsky and Chandler Stephenson have shown real NHL potential, while the elder statesmen of the pool like Nate Schmidt and Patrick Wey, both coming off tremendous college careers, have made steps up the Caps’ depth chart.
However, top two Caps prospects will wish their first half was better: Evgeny Kuznetsov‘s injuries have limited his action and Tom Wilson has had a hard time gaining a meaningful role with the big club.
The feel-good story of the season so far has been Stephenson, who had been bugged by injuries in the past, but is now thriving in a veteran role as an offensive go-to guy for his team. I’ve got more on these stories and our full top-20 ranking below.
See our previous prospect ranking.
Player | Club/League |
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| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 1. Evgeny Kuznetsov, LW | Traktor (KHL) |
| Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 198 lbs | Age: 21 | Shoots: L | Born in: Chelyabinsk, RUS Acquired: 26th overall, 2010 Draft | Rights held indefinitely |
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| Kuznetsov was plagued by injuries in the first half of his season, missing more than two months. Despite having a few strong outings, he hasn't contributed steadily and has allegedly been playing through some of the persistent ailments. Kuznetsov's injuries and inconsistent play cost him a slot on the Russian Olympic team. He's set to join the Caps later this season. | ||
| Potential: First-line scoring forward | Previous rank: 1 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 2. Tom Wilson, RW | Washington |
| Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 210 lbs | Age: 19 | Shoots: R | Born in: Toronto, ON Acquired: 16th overall, 2012 Draft | Contract expires in 2016 (RFA) |
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| The Caps' decision to keep Wilson up with the team instead of sending him back to the OHL's Plymouth Whalers was controversial. Since the beginning of his NHL career, Wilson has rarely had anything more than a fourth-line role with no special teams, giving him just around seven minutes on the ice per game. He's done well in the limited role but whether it will have a positive affect on his development remains to be seen. | ||
| Potential: Top-six power forward | Previous rank: 2 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 3. Riley Barber, RW | Miami (NCAA) |
| Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 198 lbs | Age: 19 | Shoots: R | Born in: Livonia, MI Acquired: 167th overall, 2012 Draft | Rights expire in 2016 |
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| Barber didn't impress me with his skating in limited NCAA viewings, but he did splendid at WJC. As captain of a young American squad, Barber netted a team-leading four goals in five games. He's proven his freshman year at Miami wasn't a fluke, picking up where he left off and dominating the college ranks together with running mate Austin Czarnik again, even though the Redhawks, who have moved from disbanded CCHA to the newly-formed NCHC, had some struggles out of the gate. | ||
| Potential: Second-line two-way forward | Previous rank: 5 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 4. Philipp Grubauer, G | Hershey (AHL) |
| Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 184 lbs | Age: 22 | Catches: L | Born in: Rosenheim, GER Acquired: 112th overall, 2010 Draft | Contract expires in 2015 (RFA) |
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| The Caps recalled Grubauer when Michal Neuvirth went down due to injury, and Grubi made the most of that chance and then some. Despite facing a lot of shots, he stole some games and really showed off his progression since lockout forced him to the ECHL just one year ago. Grubauer's emergence pushed Neuvirth's agent to publicly request a trade as Grubauer seemed to have stolen the back-up job. Even though he's been sent back down after a couple of sub-par outings, this young, flexible German netminder is a big riser in the Caps prospect pool. | ||
| Potential: Average-to-below average starter | Previous rank: 6 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 5. Andre Burakovsky, LW | Erie (OHL) |
| Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 179 lbs | Age: 18 | Shoots: L | Born in: Klagenfurt, AUT Acquired: 23rd overall, 2013 Draft | Contract expires in 2016 (RFA) |
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| The shifty Swede had impressive success at the start of his North American career with Erie of the OHL. His offensive tools made him one of the OHL's most feared goal-scorers and a part of the league's leading powerplay unit in no time. At the WJC, where the star-studded Swedish team won silver, Burakovsky played on the third line, limiting his opportunities at even strength. But he made the most of his role on the powerplay. | ||
| Potential: Second-line scoring forward | Previous rank: 4 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 6. Connor Carrick, D | Washington |
| Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 190 lbs | Age: 19 | Shoots: R | Born in: Orland Park, IL Acquired: 137th overall, 2012 Draft | Contract expires in 2016 (RFA) |
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| Carrick impressed with his play in the NHL preseason. He got three games of NHL experience at the beginning of the season, scoring one goal. Though he looked overwhelmed at times, the talent was clearly on display. He kept up the scoring display in the AHL, but has had some injuries as well. At the WJC, he didn't get much powerplay time, but performed admirably at even strength, leading his team in plus-minus. He was recalled back to DC in January, taking third-pairing job from Steve Oleksy. | ||
| Potential: Second-pairing offensive defenseman | Previous rank: 9 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 7. Michael Latta, C | Hershey (AHL) |
| Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 215 lbs | Age: 22 | Shoots: R | Born in: St. Clements, ON Acquired: Trade from Nashville, 2013 | Contract expires in 2014 (RFA) |
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| This feisty center has made a name for himself in DC after bouncing back and forth a little between Washington and Hershey in the first half of the year. He has faceoff ability and reliable play on defense, as well as good speed and playmaking skills. With him in the middle, the Caps fourth line was arguably more balanced than with other centers. An injury kept him out of action for a few weeks. | ||
| Potential: Third-line center | Previous rank: 7 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 8. Nate Schmidt, D | Hershey (AHL) |
| Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 194 lbs | Age: 22 | Shoots: L | Born in: St. Cloud, MN Acquired: Free agent signing, 2013 | Contract expires in 2014 (RFA) |
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| An offensive defenseman, Schmidt played well in the preseason, which (along with Dmitry Orlov's bad fortune) earned him a gig with the Caps early in the season. He didn't look out of place, showing glimpses of the offensive talent that made him one of the NCAA's most feared blueliners, but the recovery of John Erskine forced his re-assignment to Hershey. In the AHL, Schmidt gets a lot of ice time, including powerplay opportunities he didn't receive in DC. In January, he joined the big club again but only to suit up for one game. | ||
| Potential: Bottom-four offensive defenseman | Previous rank: 10 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 9. Madison Bowey, D | Kelowna (WHL) |
| Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 203 lbs | Age: 18 | Shoots: R | Born in: Winnipeg, MB Acquired: 53rd overall, 2013 Draft | Rights expire in 2015 |
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| The Winnipeg-native blueliner had a productive first half to the season, staying among league leaders in both goals and points for a defenseman. Earlier in the year, Bowey was named captain of the stacked Kelowna team and went on a hot streak. In my viewings of him, Bowey impressed me with speed and strength though he needs to work on his positioning and finding the right time to join the rush. | ||
| Potential: Second-pairing two-way defenseman | Previous rank: 11 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 10. Chandler Stephenson, C | Regina (WHL) |
| Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 200 lbs | Age: 19 | Shoots: L | Born in: Saskatoon, SK Acquired: 86th overall, 2010 Draft | Rights expire in 2014 |
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| Stephenson is another player whose stock rose during the preseason. Stephenson is a smart two-way forward. Though originally considered a left winger, he has found success as a centerman in the WHL with Regina. He is one of the Pats' top players, conducting the team's play with speed and a high hockey IQ, getting assignments in all situations. He plays a lot, especially with the games on the line. | ||
| Potential: Third-line two-way forward | Previous rank: 18 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 11. Patrick Wey, D | Hershey (AHL) |
| Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 210 lbs | Age: 22 | Shoots: R | Born in: Pittsburgh, PA Acquired: 115th overall, 2009 Draft | Contract expires in 2015 (RFA) |
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| The Pittsburgh-native defenseman reached a rare achievement this year, playing in his first (and only) NHL game less than a month from his last ECHL game (so far). After a one-game audition with the Capitals in which he looked good in his 13:36 of playing time and minute of penalty killing, he returned to Hershey. A lower-body injury sidelined Wey for a month. | ||
| Potential: Third-pairing defensive defenseman | Previous rank: 14 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 12. Tomas Kundratek, D | Hershey (AHL) |
| Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 200 lbs | Age: 24 | Shoots: R | Born in: Prerov, CZE Acquired: Trade from NY Rangers, 2012 | Contract expires in 2014 (RFA) |
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| Kundratek didn't show much in the preseason, so he started the first year of his new contract in Hershey. He missed a few games as a healthy scratch due to tight competition on defense for the Bears. Shortly after getting a spot in the line-up, Kundratek suffered a torn ACL and underwent surgery that may sideline him until the end of the season. Kundratek played in just seven games in the AHL this season. | ||
| Potential: Bottom-four offensive defenseman | Previous rank: 8 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 13. Garrett Mitchell, RW | Hershey (AHL) |
| Ht: 5'10" | Wt: 188 lbs | Age: 22 | Shoots: R | Born in: Regina, SK Acquired: 175th overall, 2009 Draft | Contract expires in 2014 (RFA) |
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| Mitchell started the season looking a step slower compared to his old self, both in NHL preseason and AHL. Even though he fought more, his overall physical game and intensity-- which had allowed him to get goals and points on the forecheck, weren't where it used to be. He missed a few games due to an unknown ailment, but then returned to the line-up. Later it became known that Mitchell played with a shoulder injury that required potentially season-ending surgery. | ||
| Potential: Fourth-line energy forward | Previous rank: 12 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 14. Thomas DiPauli, C/LW | Notre Dame (NCAA) |
| Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 189 lbs | Age: 19 | Shoots: L | Born in: Woodbridge, IL Acquired: 100th overall, 2012 Draft | Rights expire in 2016 |
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| DiPauli was a surprise pick for Team USA at the World Juniors, but at the tournament he proved it wasn't a mistake. DiPauli embraced his fourth-line role and contributed offensively with a couple of good offensive chances every game. His defensive game was strong as well. DiPauli still looks for an extended role in Notre Dame; the sophomore has been mostly playing on the Fighting Irish fourth line. He's also had a couple of injuries that kept him out of the action. | ||
| Potential: Fourth-line energy forward | Previous rank: 16 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 15. Zach Sanford, C | Waterloo (USHL) |
| Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 190 lbs | Age: 19 | Shoots: L | Born in: Auburn, NH Acquired: 61st overall, 2013 Draft | Rights expire in 2018 |
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| Sanford started the year off slowly, adjusting to the USHL coming from the lower-tier EJHL (now a part of USPHL). Due to his underwhelming production, Sanford didn't get the call to Team USA for the World Junior "A" Challenge -- an analogue of the WJC for players not in major junior or college leagues. He's improved since then, becoming a big-time producers for one of the league's top teams, Waterloo Black Hawks. | ||
| Potential: Second-line two-way forward | Previous rank: 15 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 16. Christian Djoos, D | Brynas (SHL) |
| Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 161 lbs | Age: 19 | Shoots: R | Born in: Goteborg, SWE Acquired: 195th overall, 2012 Draft | Rights expire in 2014 |
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| Djoos had a slow start offensively with just one point in his first 29 games, but before leaving for WJC he posted a three-point game. At World Juniors, Djoos seemed to regain his confidence, participating in both of Sweden's goals in the gold medal game (both on the powerplay). Upon his return, Djoos was bumped up to the first pairing due to some injuries on the Brynas back-end. Just like last year, the small blueliner looks to finish the year off strong. | ||
| Potential: Third-pairing defenseman | Previous rank: 20 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 17. Cameron Schilling, D | Hershey (AHL) |
| Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 205 lbs | Age: 25 | Shoots: L | Born in: Carmel, IN Acquired: Free agent signing, 2012 | Contract expires in 2014 (RFA) |
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| Schilling has been one of the key pieces for the Bears, being one of just three players who dressed for all 45 of Hershey's games so far this year. One area where Schilling made a leap compared to last year is the rough stuff. He began a year with AHL preseason fight and has had 73 penalty minutes (including 22 in one of the rivalry games against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins) -- more than he had in the full season a year ago. | ||
| Potential: Third-pairing defensive defenseman | Previous rank: 13 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 18. Tyler Lewington | Medicine Hat (WHL) |
| Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 195 lbs | Age: 19 | Shoots: R | Born in: Sherwood Park, AB Acquired: 204th overall, 2013 Draft | Rights expire in 2015 |
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| Lewington turned some heads at the NHL Draft Combine, where he dominated some workout categories. So it was very strange to see the middleweight defenseman fall at the Draft day. Anyway, the Caps seemed to be more than happy with selecting him in the seventh round. This year, he's found some offense with Medicine Hat to go along with his usual physical defensive play. Washington's director of scouting, Ross Mahoney, also praised Lewington's hard-working attitude. | ||
| Potential: Bottom-pairing defenseman | Previous rank: Outside of top-20 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 19. Jaynen Rissling, D | Calgary (WHL) |
| Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 223 lbs | Age: 20 | Shoots: L | Born in: Edmonton, AB Acquired: 197th overall, 2012 Draft | Rights expire in 2014 |
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| Rissling stepped up his offensive play after returning to WHL's Calgary for one more year though he was eligible to play in Hershey. "Hershey is a strong club," Caps' director of amateur scouting told Hockey Prospect Radio. "It has a lot of veterans on that club and we're looking at what's best for the development of our young players. In this case we thought that going back to Calgary, being a captain and playing in all situations would be very good for him." | ||
| Potential: Bottom-pairing defenseman | Previous rank: Outside of top-20 | |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  | 20. Caleb Herbert, C | Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA) |
| Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 195 lbs | Age: 22 | Shoots: R | Born in: Bloomington, MN Acquired: 142nd overall, 2010 Draft | Rights expire in 2015 |
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| After a frustrating sophomore season, Caleb Herbert started another year with Minnesota-Duluth slowly, but he gained ground as the season wore on, taking back consistent top-six duties after bouncing up and down the line-up and becoming one of three Bulldogs on the list for Hobey Baker Award fan vote. The sharpshooting versatile forward is expected to return to complete his college career next season. | ||
| Potential: Fourth-line two-way center | Previous rank: 19 | |