Andre Burakovsky is the best Caps prospect yet to play a game with the big club (Photo: Elsa/Getty Images).
With rookie camp upon us, RMNB presents the new edition of its semiannual prospect rankings.
Prospect rankings factor in a player’s potential, his probability to reach his ceiling (including an assessment of that player’s adaptation to NHL’s style of play), and physical and mental maturity.
The Caps prospect pool is considered top-heavy, with four Caps prospects ranked in top-50 league-wide by both Corey Pronman and NHL.com. However, there’s believed to be a significant drop-off in talent after that. While Capitals management has tried to make their prospect pool deeper, they’ve still got work to do. The Caps are considered thin at center in particular, underlined by auditioning their two top wingers for a center slot.
Check out our rankings from this past winter.
You can also take a look at other Caps prospect rankings by Jonathan Willis of Bleacher Report, Adam Kimelman of NHL.com, and Jason Lewis of Hockey’s Future. Japers Rink has a hybrid list of prospects and Caps players under 25 as well (Part I and Part II).
Player | Club/League |
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|---|---|---|
 | 1. Evgeny Kuznetsov, F | Washington |
| Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 198 lbs | Age: 22 | Shoots: L | Born in: Chelyabinsk, RUS Acquired: 26th overall, 2010 Draft | Contract expires in 2015 (RFA) |
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| After missing the KHL playoffs, Kuznetsov left a good impression upon joining the Caps late in the season. While the transition wasn't easy for him and minutes were limited as the team fought for a playoff spot, he had no issues with intensity or effort. After an injury-plagued year, the two-time World Champion is poised to seize a top-six position. | ||
| Potential: First-line scoring forward | Previous rank: 1 | |
 | 2. Andre Burakovsky, LW | Hershey (AHL) |
| 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 Erie Otters’ season ended when they ran into a machine called Guelph Storm in the conference finals. For the most part, Burakovsky had a solid second half of the season, but he could not avoid injuries. When playing, he was an offensive force, especially dominant on the Otters’ deadly power play. While his effort on the defensive side were wanting at times, he generally held his own there as well. To better utilize Burakovsky’s talent, Caps management has attempted to move him from wing to center. That experiment paid dividends at the Development Camp and is likely to continue in the pre-season. | ||
| Potential: Second-line scoring forward | Previous rank: 5 | |
 | 3. Riley Barber, RW | Miami (NCAA) |
| Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 198 lbs | Age: 20 | Shoots: R | Born in: Livonia, MI Acquired: 167th overall, 2012 Draft | Rights expire in 2016 |
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| Team USA captain at the 2014 WJC, Barber will return to Miami for his junior year. He was a key player for the Redhawks who came close to going on a cinderella run after a shockingly disappointing regular season. At the Development camp, Barber was one of the most pro-ready players, showing improvements in skating as well as high hockey IQ and strong physical presence. | ||
| Potential: Second-line two-way forward | Previous rank: 3 | |
 | 4. Jakub Vrana, LW | Linkoping (SHL) |
| Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 183 lbs | Age: 18 | Shoots: L | Born in: Praha, CZE Acquired: 13th overall, 2014 Draft | Contract expires in 2017 (RFA) |
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| The Caps drew a lot of ire when they picked Vrana 13th overall in the last Draft. Many experts labelled that pick a reach, as Vrana’s unimpressive performance in Swedish pro league seeded doubt in his abilities just like with Burakovsky a year ago. However, it’s been so far so good for him: even playing on a line with another goalscorer in Burakovsky, Vrana shined at Development Camp, earning him an entry-level contract. Pro performance improved as well as Vrana looked right at home playing in a top-six position for Linkoping in the Champions League, where he's expected to be loaned if he doesn't make the Caps roster. However, according to the Hershey Bears head coach Troy Mann, there's also a chance Vrana will end up in Chocolatetown. | ||
| Potential: Second-line offensive forward | Previous rank: N/A | |
 | 5. Madison Bowey, D | Kelowna (WHL) |
| Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 209 lbs | Age: 18 | Shoots: R | Born in: Winnipeg, MB Acquired: 53rd overall, 2013 Draft | Contract expires in 2017 (RFA) |
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| Bowey’s Kelowna was stopped in the WHL Conference Finals. Despite a high talent level, he had a somewhat uneven second half of the year offensively, going on a cold spell in the month of February. Defensively, Bowey can be a bit inconsistent as well, which was especially obvious in Team Canada Development Camp in August. However, he’s a primary candidate to represent Canada at the home World Juniors this Winter. He signed ELC with the Caps in April. | ||
| Potential: Second-pairing offensive defenseman | Previous rank: 9 | |
 | 6. 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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| After a prolonged stint in the NHL, Philipp Grubauer played strongly in the AHL, finishing 13th in the league in save percentage. He capped off a year by suiting up at the World Championship. In one of his two games, Grubi was named player of the game, making 27 saves on 29 shots to keep his team in the game against a dominant Russian team. The Caps’ signing of Justin Peters, in all likelihood, will keep Grubauer in Hershey. | ||
| Potential: Average-to-below average starter | Previous rank: 4 | |
 | 7. Connor Carrick, D | Hershey (AHL) |
| 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 left an uneven impression last year. In the second half, he seemed in over his head in the NHL, especially considering he was expected to be the creative force on the third pairing most nights. That was one occasion when Adam Oates’ strict handedness philosophy hurt the team, as the Caps would have been better off calling up an older, more experienced defenseman like Nate Schmidt. But Carrick’s not to blame for such misuse and for a 19-year-old he was still quite impressive. Now it’s a matter of building on that experience while developing in Hershey. | ||
| Potential: Bottom-four offensive defenseman | Previous rank: 6 | |
 | 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 2015 (RFA) |
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| Schmidt played for Hershey during the second half of the season, while also missing more than a month due to injury. His offensive production was far from excellent as the Bears struggled. This year, Schmidt, who signed a new contract this summer, is facing an uphill battle when it comes to making the team. As it stands right now, Schmidt is sitting behind eight first-team defensemen as well as a couple of prospects who are not waiver-exempt next season: Tomas Kundratek and Cam Schilling. | ||
| Potential: Bottom-four offensive defenseman | Previous rank: 8 | |
 | 9. Patrick Wey, D | Hershey (AHL) |
| Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 210 lbs | Age: 23 | Shoots: R | Born in: Pittsburgh, PA Acquired: 115th overall, 2009 Draft | Contract expires in 2015 (RFA) |
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| Patrick Wey’s first taste of the NHL action was going well before an unfortunate ending with a concussion in a needless fight with Predators’ enforcer Rich Clune. In nine games, Wey was starting a lot of shifts in the defensive zone and still managed to have positive relative corsi, which is impressive for a defenseman at the beginning of his NHL career. He was also seen knocking down Dustin Byfuglien. Just like Schmidt, Wey looks like he’s going to be blocked from big team action by the organizational depth on defense, boosted by two big July 1st signings. | ||
| Potential: Third-pairing defensive defenseman | Previous rank: 11 | |
 | 10. Michael Latta, C | Washington |
| Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 215 lbs | Age: 22 | Shoots: R | Born in: St. Clements, ON Acquired: Trade from Nashville, 2013 | Contract expires in 2016 (RFA) |
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| After his first taste of the big league play, Michael Latta spent second half of the season with Hershey, playing next to Chris Brown. He’s expected to be one of several players in competition for bottom-line spots come training camp and being waiver-eligible helps his cause. Latta’s offensive upside is limited as he’s unlikely to grow into anything more than a fourth-line player, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be valuable for his team. Latta’s style is similar to that of an ex-Cap Matt Hendricks. | ||
| Potential: Fourth-line energy center | Previous rank: 7 | |
 | 11. Chris Brown, C | Hershey (AHL) |
| Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 215 lbs | Age: 23 | Shoots: R | Born in Flower Mound, TX Acquired: Trade from Phoenix, 2014 | Contract expires in 2015 (RFA) |
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| Hard-working forward, Brown made his mark with the Caps quickly after they acquired him in a trade that sent Martin Erat to Phoenix. He scored his first NHL goal after a fluky bounce off Dan Boyle. 2011 World Juniors participant, Brown is expected to compete for the fourth line role with Jay Beagle and Michael Latta come training camp. | ||
| Potential: Bottom-six defensive forward | Previous rank: N/A | |
 | 12. Chandler Stephenson, C | Hershey (AHL) |
| Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 200 lbs | Age: 19 | Shoots: L | Born in: Saskatoon, SK Acquired: 86th overall, 2010 Draft | Contract expires in 2017 (RFA) |
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| Playing a big man’s game at five-foot-ten, Stephenson broke out last season, leading his Regina team in points. This summer, he added another strong Development Camp to his resume, too. While his name isn’t mentioned often as a player who is knocking on the door of an NHL roster, watch out for Stephenson, who might get his first chance in the big league as soon as this season. | ||
| Potential: Third-line two-way center | Previous rank: 10 | |
 | 13. Caleb Herbert, C | Hershey (AHL) |
| Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 195 lbs | Age: 22 | Shoots: R | Born in: Bloomington, MN Acquired: 142nd overall, 2010 Draft | Contract expires in 2016 (RFA) |
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| After completing three seasons at University of Minnesota-Duluth, Caleb Herbert kicked of his pro career with a two-point performance in his first AHL game. He’s still a dark horse after seemingly coming back into his own last season. He’ll likely need a few years in the AHL, but he looked very good in the second half of last year with 21 points in 20 NCAA games in 2014. | ||
| Potential: Fourth-line energy forward | Previous rank: 20 | |
 | 14. Nathan Walker, LW | Hershey (AHL) |
| Ht: 5'10" | Wt: 185 lbs | Age: 20 | Shoots: L | Born in: Cardiff, GBR Acquired: 89th overall, 2014 Draft | Contract expires in 2017 (RFA) |
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| Walker’s offensive performance dropped off after a strong debut. The Australian forward didn’t play in 28 of 46 Hershey games in 2014. In the games in which he played, his role decreased as well. However, he left a good enough impression to warrant the Caps using a third-round pick on him at the Draft and immediately signing him to an entry-level contract. Walker’s strong qualities are his work ethic and good skating. He plays both end of the ice with equal hard-working mentality. | ||
| Potential: Bottom-six energy forward | Previous rank: N/A | |
 | 15. Zach Sanford, C | Boston College (NCAA) |
| 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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| Zach Sanford’s season didn’t bring much clarity as to his position in the organization. On one hand, he posted pedestrian numbers with USHL’s Waterloo, going all the way to the Clark Cup finals with them. On the other, he showed the type of game that usually translates well to pro hockey. Next season will be crucial for Sanford — as a freshman at Boston College, he’ll have an opportunity to shine on one of NCAA’s top club alongside other notable NHL prospects, such as Alex Tuch and Ryan Fitzgerald, helping the Eagles to overcome the departure of Johnny Gaudreau and Jimmy Hayes. Or he might take a back seat on the BC roster that looks deep even after Sonny Milano decommitted. | ||
| Potential: Second-line two-way forward | Previous rank: 15 | |
 | 16. 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 2015 (RFA) |
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| Tomas Kundratek missed the whole second half of the season recovering from a knee surgery. The Caps’ offseason acquisitions as well as the resurgence of defensive prospects will make it difficult for him to find a spot on the Caps, but if he shows the same kind of offensive proficiency with the Bears that earned him 25 NHL games in a lockout-shortened season, his name may re-emerge in the conversation for an NHL call-up when some of the D get injured. Don’t count him out just yet. | ||
| Potential: Third-pairing defenseman | Previous rank: 12 | |
 | 17. Christian Djoos, D | Brynas (SHL) |
| Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 161 lbs | Age: 19 | Shoots: R | Born in: Goteborg, SWE Acquired: 195th overall, 2012 Draft | Contract expires in 2017 (RFA) |
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| After a heartbreaking World Juniors, Christian Djoos showed improvements, getting a larger and larger role as the season wore on. Just like one year ago, Djoos was relied on to step up in the playoffs and he did fine. However, Brynas couldn’t go deep in the postseason. This year, Djoos, who signed an entry-level contract with the Caps, is expected to go back to Brynas again and get a significant role as the team’s blue line underwent significant changes in the offseason. | ||
| Potential: Third-pairing offensive defenseman | Previous rank: 16 | |
 | 18. Garrett Mitchell, RW | Hershey (AHL) |
| Ht: 5'10" | Wt: 188 lbs | Age: 23 | Shoots: R | Born in: Regina, SK Acquired: 175th overall, 2009 Draft | Contract expires in 2015 (RFA) |
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| Garrett Mitchell missed the whole second half of the season recovering from a shoulder surgery that sidelined him since December. Mitchell has signed a contract extension with Washington this summer, but he’ll be waiver-eligible for the first time in his career. With no NHL experience and fourth-line aspirations it’s hard to see him getting snatched if exposed to waivers, but anything can happen. | ||
| Potential: Fourth-line energy forward | Previous rank: 13 | |
 | 19. Brian Pinho, C | Providence (NCAA) |
| Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 184 lbs | Age: 19 | Shoots: R | Born in: Beverly, MA Acquired: 174th overall, 2013 Draft | Rights expire in 2018 |
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| Brian Pinho was arguably the Caps prospect who progressed the most last year. From a sixth-round pick a year ago, he went on to become well above a point-per-game player in the USHL in the second half of the season. Even though he had some struggles in the postseason, he finished his year with a championship-winning goal late in the all-or-nothing Game 5. Pinho played an integral role for the Indiana Ice on both even strength and power play. Speedy and smart centerman with a shoot-first mentality, Pinho will be looking to keep developing as he joins Providence College. | ||
| Potential: Bottom-six two-way center | Previous rank: Outside of top-20 | |
 | 20. Vitek Vanecek, G | Benatky nad Jizerou (CZE-2) |
| Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 180 lbs | Age: 18 | Catches: L | Born in: Havlickuv Brod, CZE Acquired: 39th overall, 2014 Draft | Contract expires in 2018 (RFA) |
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| The Caps signed Vanecek to an ELC shortly after the Development Camp. Vanecek is an athletic and mobile goalie who plays with a lot of aggressiveness to his game. While technically he’s far from perfect (just like all goalies his age), he has the tools to become a good goalie. Vanecek, who was not eligible for CHL Draft due to their ban on European netminders, will be spending next year in Czech Republic on loan from Washington. After a strong U18 Worlds last spring, he’s expected to get a shot at a starting gig for the Czechs for the World Juniors. | ||
| Potential: Back-up goalie | Previous rank: N/A | |