Capitals Fall Prospect Ranking 2018-19

The leaves are changing, the air is crisp, hockey is getting ramped up. It must be autumn, and in with autumn comes our fall prospect rankings. We'll look in-depth at the top 10 prospects, and from 11 down will just be a quicker summary to not bore you with long shots or busts. There has been some changes to the rankings in just half a year, you can find our spring prospect ranking here: http://www.elitehockeysim.com/news.php?team=29&article=606. We have a new top dog! Last spring we had Kale Clague on top, he was playing out of his mind in the WHL with Brandon until he was moved to Moose Jaw where he slowed down. Who's our new #1 prospect? Read on to find out: (Stats current as of Nov 8/18)

1.(3) Dennis Cholowski D 6'0" 195 lbs - Detroit Red Wings (NHL)

Acquired: 16th overall 2016

Stats: 13GP - 2G - 6A - 8P - 4PIM - -4

Cholowski takes the top spot away from Kale Clague, he's been the best defenseman so far this season on a weak Red Wings squad. The road to get to where he is today was an odd one to say the least, he was drafted out of the BCHL where he showed good potential. After he was drafted in the NHL he moved onto St. Cloud State in the NCAA where he had mixed opinions on his play, some were declairing bust after his NCAA season but he was playing at 170 pounds. After his unspectacular NCAA season he signed his ELC and moved to the WHL where he showed the potential he was thought to have in his draft year. He may not be able to keep up this pace into the season when the rest of Detroit's blueline gets healthy, but it will be tough to cut back his minutes based on his play.

Future EHE outlook: Top pairing D. Could be a Capital as early as next season. May not need AHL seasoning.

2.(1) Kale Clague D 6'0" 176 lbs - Ontario Reign (AHL)

Acquired: 46th overall 2016

Stats: 10GP - 1G - 6A - 7P - 6PIM - -1

I thought Clague might have a shot at making the Kings roster out of camp this year, but that didn't happen. Perhaps it's for the best though as the Kings can't seem to put it together this season. As mentioned earlier, Clague was scoring at a crazy pace for Brandon in the WHL last year setting a career best 10 goals in just 28 games. When he moved to Moose Jaw he joined a team where the puck needed to be shared amongst offensive defenders, which saw his scoring totals take a dip. He's off to a good start to his pro career in the AHL and might get called up if the Kings opt to sell off some defence.

Future EHE outlook: 2nd pairing / PP QB. Probably spends next year with the Hershey Bears.

3.(NR) Jack McBain C/W 6'3" 201 lbs - Boston College Eagles (NCAA)

Acquired: 47th overall 2018

Stats: 4GP - 0G - 1A - 1P - 2PIM - -2

The Capitals first selection in the 2018 EHE draft was Jack McBain in round 2 of the entry draft, management was high on him but realize he's a bit of a project. He's got great size, good hockey IQ to go with some good tools. He didn't face the toughest competition opting to stay in the OJHL to keep his NCAA eligibility. He started the year with Boston College on the sidelines with mono but recently started playing again, collecting his first point last night against Vermont playing LW. He should improve as the year goes on and he starts getting his strength back after battling mono.

Future EHE outlook: Middle 6 C. Could be as far as 5 years away, a real project.

4.(6) Nicolas Roy C/RW 6'4" 207 lbs - Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

Acquired: 117th overall 2015

Stats: 6GP - 5G - 2A - 7P - 8PIM - +6

These big kids are hard to project, and that's had Nicolas moving up and down our rankings regularly. This year though he's been a top player in the AHL and it's earned him a call-up to the NHL, which has him slotting into our #4 spot. He's a good skater for his size, possesses a great release on his shot, and sees the ice quite well. He does struggle to stay consistant as his role changes, he was playing about 7 minutes a game in the NHL in a 4th line role and had nothing to show for it on the stats sheet.

Future EHE outlook: 3rd line C. Making his EHE debut this year with the Hershey Bears.

5.(NR) Alexander Khovanov C 5'11" 198 lbs - Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

Acquired: 78th overall 2018

Stats: 19GP - 10G - 13A - 23P - 30PIM - +1

Khovanov was hurt in his draft year which caused him to fall to the 3rd round. He's been healthy so far this year and showing why he should have been drafted higher. The knock on him was his average skating, which is very important in prospects these days, but that shouldn't hold him back as he's the type of player who slows the game down to his pace. Look for Khovanov to move up the rankings if he can put together a full healthy season.

Future EHE outlook: Top 6 C. He may not do well in a bottom 6 type of role which makes him a boom/bust type of prospect.

6.(7) Jordan Greenway LW 6'6" 227 lbs - Minnesota Wild (NHL)

Acquired: 92nd overall 2015

Stats: 14GP - 1G - 3A - 4P - 8PIM - -3

Greenway started the year slowly, but after a 2 game wake up call in the AHL he came to life upon his return to the NHL. The hulking winger can play a skill game, but he is going to be most effective along the boards and in front of the net. His 1 goal this year came off a rebound that he pounced on, so he'll need to continue to work hard and the rewards will be there.

Future EHE outlook: 3rd line LW. He should make the Capitals roster next year, but LW is currently full.

7.(2) Kole Lind RW 6'1" 185 lbs - Utica Comets (AHL)

Acquired: 25th overall 2017

Stats: 6GP - 0G - 2A - 2P - 2PIM - -4

Kole's fall from 2 to 7 is less about what he's done and more about how other prospects are playing. Kole still projects well as a middle 6 winger. He can play every forward position in a wide variety of roles, which should allow him to play anywhere in a line-up. He's currently listed as day-to-day with an injury but shouldn't miss a lot of time.

Future EHE outlook: Middle 6 two-way winger. He might be 2-3 seasons away from competing for a pro spot.

8.(4) Victor Mete D 5'9" 183 lbs - Montreal Canadiens (NHL)

Acquired: 84th overall 2016

Stats: 14GP - 0G - 2A - 2P - 2PIM - +3

Mete was able to produce in the OHL but has struggled to put up points at the NHL level so far in his career. Last year saw his season cut short upon returning from the WJC. Points aren't everything, his skating and stick work without the puck has made him a steady defender this year. If he sticks to playing his game he should start getting some opportunities to produce.

Future EHE outlook: 4th/5th two-way D. His ratings aren't good enough to be a pro player in the EHE currently, so he'll get top minutes in Hershey.

9.(5) Adam Ruzicka C/W 6'4" 203 lbs - Sarnia Sting (OHL)

Acquried: 86th overall 2017

Stats: 17GP - 3G - 14A - 17P - 14PIM - -7

Where did you go Adam? Ruzicka was nearly invisible in the OHL playoffs last year, collecting only 3 assists in 12 games. This season he's started strong showing good chemistry with his linemates in Sarnia but he'll need to show he can do more consistantly in order to earn an ELC. The thing is he may not get another shot at the playoffs because Sarnia is terrible this year. He has a pro shot already but doesn't use it nearly enough, he likes to play the game with the puck on his stick and that's showing this year by his 14 assists.

Future EHE outlook: 3rd line two-way C. He's at least 3 years out from competing for a roster spot.

10.(NR) Dominik Kahun C/W 5'11" 174 lbs - Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)

Acquired: 140th overall 2018

Stats: 16GP - 1G - 6A - 7P - 0PIM - -1

Kahun is another player who can play every forward position, which makes him very versatile. The Hawks haven't been good this season but Kahun has looked good so far while moving around the line-up. He's seen time on the top line and has played mostly the right wing.

Future EHE outlook: Middle 6 playmaking winger. Should make his Capitals debut next year.

11.(8) J.T. Compher C/W 6'0" 194 lbs - Colorado Avalanche (NHL)

Acquired: 426th overall inaugural draft

Stats: 5GP - 3G - 1A - 4P - 6PIM - 0

Hard worker plays a two-way game.

12.(NR) Otto Somppi C 6'0" 181 lbs - Syracuse Crunch (AHL)

Acquired: 148th overall 2018

Stats: 0GP - 0G - 0A - 0P - 0PIM - 0 (Injured)

Finger injury is keeping him out of the line-up

13.(14) Jake Leschyshyn C 5'11" 190 lbs - Regina Pats (WHL)

Acquired: 55th overall 2017

Stats: 16GP - 9G - 11A - 20P - 18PIM - -5

The big scoring totals are expected of older players in the CHL

14. (9) Sonny Milano W 6'0" 194 lbs - Cleveland Monsters (AHL)

Acquired: 29th overall 2015

Stats: 2GP - 1G - 0A - 1P - 0PIM - -9

This kid is running out of time to put it all together. May need a change of scenery

15.(10) D'Artagnan Joly RW 6'3" 181 lbs - Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)

Acquired: 147th overall 2017

Stats: 19GP - 8G - 8A - 16P - 4PIM - +7

Bit of a project, will require lots of seasoning in the AHL

16.(18) Gabriel Gagne RW 6'5" 185 lbs - Belleville Senators (AHL)

Acquired: 59th overall 2016

Stats: 12GP - 1G - 3A - 4P - 2PIM - -1

This kid was shooting the puck at an alarming rate last year, he'll need to be more invovled this year.

17.(12) Jordan Schmaltz D 6'2" 190 lbs - St. Louis Blues (NHL)

Acquired: 605th overall inaugural draft

Stats: 9GP - 0G - 1A - 1P - 2PIM - 0

In and out of the line-up for STL, needs to show some offense.

18.(13) Ian McCoshen D 6'3" 218 lbs - Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

Acquired: Traded from Anaheim Ducks

Stats: 10GP - 0G - 1A - 1P - 19PIM - +4

He was misused last season and is finally being given minutes in the AHL

19.(11) Kevin Roy W 5'9" 170 lbs - San Diego Gulls (AHL)

Acquired: 1026th overall inaugural draft

Stats: 0GP - 0G - 0A - 0P - 0PIM - 0 (Injured)

Was in the battle for a roster spot in camp prior to injury

20.(17) Justin Kloos C/RW 5'9" 179 lbs - Iowa Wild (AHL)

Acquired: 211th overall 2017

Stats: 11GP - 4G - 3A - 7P - 2PIM - 0

Solid player keeps producing everywhere he goes.

21.(16) Jack LaFontaine G 6'2" 205 lbs - Penticton Vees (BCHL)

Acquired: Traded from Chicago Blackhawks

Stats: 15GP - 9W - 5L - 1OTL - 2.12GAA - .916SV%

Taking a step back to regain confidence before re-joining Michigan in the NCAA.

22.(NR) Spencer Martin G 6'3" 209 lbs - Colorado Eagles (AHL)

Acquired: 207th overall 2015

Stats: 4GP - 0W - 1L - 0OTL - 4.23GAA - .837SV%

Does not appear to have NHL upside.

23.(20) Nathan Noel C/LW 5'11" 174 lbs - Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

Acquired: 119th overall 2016

Stats: 12GP - 0G - 1A - 1P - 15PIM - -3

He works hard and plays solid defensively. Has a long way to go yet.

24.(NR) Francois Beauchemin RW 6'1" 190 lbs - Belleville Senators (AHL)

Acquired: Signed as free agent

Stats: 9GP - 2G - 1A - 3P - 6PIM - -1

FA signing is a long shot, but didn't cost any assets.

25.(19) J.D. Greenway D 6'4" 205 lbs - Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)

Acquired: 76th overall 2016

Stats: 13GP - 2G - 8A - 10P - 20PIM - +2

Rumours say the Leafs will walk away from the younger Greenway. Has tools but no toolbox.

26.(15) Julius Nattinen C 6'2" 205 lbs - JYP (Liiga)

Acquired: 89th overall 2015

Stats: 10GP - 0G - 1A - 1P - 0PIM - -3

Mutually voided contract, does not possess NHL skating.