Washington Capitals Training Camp is under way
A pleasant good evening everyone and welcome to the first installment of what we like to call “Perched on the Ice”. Tonight a look at the training camp roster of the Washington Capitals. After yet another Presidents trophy (most points in the NHL) the caps fell short again. Many of the pieces from the team has left through free agency along with the expansion draft. Nate Schmidt, gone to the Las Vegas Golden Knights, Kevin Shattenkirk left for the Rangers, long time Cap Karl Alzner left for the Canadiens, and Justin Williams returns back to the Carolina Hurricanes. However there is a lot of young talent left in Washington. The likes of future stars Evegny Kuznetzov, Andre Burakovsky, and Dmitry Orlov are still in Washington to keep the team rolling. Let’s take a quick look at players on the bubble to make the team.
First star is former first round pick Jakub Vrana. Last season he potted his first career NHL goal on the power play. He would score once more before being reassigned back to AHL Hershey for the playoff run for the Bears.
Next player to watch is winger Riley Barber. Riley played three games for the caps last season, however did not find himself on the scoring sheet. In AHL Hershey, Barber scored 13 goals and assisted on 14 others in 2016-17. During 12 games in the playoffs last season Barber had 1 goal and 4 assists.
As if the talent couldn’t get any more exciting, you bring in center man Travis Boyd! The former University of Minnesota graduate came to Hershey with a lot of speed and skill. “Boyder” as he’s called in Hershey was named with fellow teammate Chris Bourque to the AHL all star squad for the East this past season. Travis Boyd has been an iron man of sorts as he played all 76 regular season games the last two seasons, along with 33 playoff games. For those counting that’s 185 straight games without being taken out of the lineup. Last season Travis had 16 goals and 47 assists to lead Hershey in points.
A pair of young defenseman also make the list with Christian Djoos “Djooooooos” and Madison Bowey. Djoos 13 goals and 45 assists put the young d-man in the top 5 in points in the AHL. Bowey missed 1/2 the season due to injury but still mustard up 3 goals and 11 assists. Both these guys will be atop the list to make the team to cover for the loss of Alzner and Schmidt.
The last player to watch will be a historic one once he makes his NHL debut, which I feel could be this season. Forward Nathan Walker. This guy has battled through injuries, and being called “too small”. This speedster, if he bust through and debuts in the NHL this season would be the first Australian born player to play in the NHL.
Get ready ladies and gentlemen. One thing is for sure. Whether your a Washington Capitals or Hershey Bears fan or both, this season will be a lot of fun with a ton of young talent.
Soon we will be hearing the famous phrase from commentator John Walton “good morning, good afternoon and good night…name any team we beat this season”
Matt Bachota – Perched on the MD sports blog with “Perched on the ice”
