Capitals Top 10 Prospects

Today we rank the top 10 prospects in the Capitals system. We are over a month into the NHL, AHL & CHL seasons with only the NCAA lagging behind but they don't play as much and we can get a pretty good read on how the players have progressed. Our criteria will be 24 and under and will include players playing for the Hershey Bears in the EHE. One thing is noticable on this list, there is no stand out clear cut blue chipper like Aaron Ekblad was in the past. But the depth is looking good and the team seems to be building a solid foundation of youth. Defenders are dominating this edition of the top 10 prospect list, which is nice because that appears to be the teams biggest weakness at the moment.

Without further ado, here is our list:

1. Dennis Cholowski D 6'1" 185 lbs - NCAA St. Cloud ST U - 8GP 0G 5A 5P 4PIM +/-0

A Detroit prospect, so you know he won't be rushed into the pros. Dennis has stated he intends to turn pro after his junior season but time will tell. He's off to a good start so far with 5 assists through 8 games on a weaker looking St. Cloud team. He's a great skater and plays a fantastic transition game but he will need to work on his play away from the puck, part of that will come through experience and growth.

GM's projection: Ceiling - #2 Two-way Dman / Floor - 3rd pairing puck moving D. Should be a pro player and time will tell how cautious Detroit is with this gem.

2. Nicolas Roy C 6'4" 207 lbs - QMJHL Chicoutimi Sagueneens - 15GP 10G 13A 23P 14PIM +9

Roy has improved each year in the Q and is poised to put up big numbers in his 4th season. He has good skill for his size but will require some seasoning in the AHL before he's ready for the pros. He has good mobility for a big man and has good hands in tight around the net, he also uses his size to his advantage and finishes his checks.

GM's projection: Ceiling - #2 Power Center / Floor - AHL top 6. Wide range here, could end up in a top 6 roll but would need to show an offensive touch in the AHL.

3. J.T. Compher C/W 6'0" 183 lbs - AHL San Antonio Rampage - 11GP 5G 4A 9P 2PIM -3

J.T. is looking to carry over his winning ways to the AHL this season after 3 years in the NCAA capped off with a championship. He found solid chemistry with Kyle Connor and is showing an offensive flair so far playing without him in the AHL. He's always played a solid two-way game and has been steadily improving his offensive game year by year. He still needs a bit of work on his skating but looks to be NHL ready and may see some time as a call up this year with the Avs.

GM's projection: Ceiling - 2nd/3rd line two-way forward / Floor depth forward. Compher looks very likely to be a pro player who can take on various roles when needed.

4. Jordan Schmaltz D 6'2" 190 lbs - AHL Chicago Wolves - 0GP 0G 0A 0PIM +/-0

The numbers game got the best of Schmaltz this year as he was one of the better Dmen at the Blues camp this year but was sent back to the AHL. He's currently injured but he should be one of the first considerations to be called up if someone gets hurt on the Blues blueline. Jordan is a smooth skating Dman who has shown excellent vision with the puck. He needs to continue to bulk up and work on his play away from the puck but that will probably never be a strong suit for him.

GM's projection: Ceiling - 2nd pairing PMD / Floor - AHL top 4 D. He looks more likely to be an NHL player than not, but St.Louis will need to make room for him.

5. Kale Clague D 6'0" 176 lbs - WHL Brandon Wheat Kings - 9GP 3G 9A 12P 6PIM +3

Pure offensive defenceman best describes Clague, he has great vision and can make plays happen when he has the puck. He can skate out of tough situations which does negate some of his physical disadvantages but don't expect to see him shutting down top lines in the future. He will need some work on his shot moving forward which is holding him back a bit on the power play. Expect him to see some time in the AHL honing his craft next season.

GM's projection: Ceiling - 1st pairing offensive D / Floor - AHL. A boom or bust type player, could be good enough to lead the way from the backend on the top pairing, but at the same time may never have a complete game that translates to the pros.

6. Julius Nattinen C 6'2" 192 lbs - OHL Windsor Spitfires - 8GP 1G 7A 8P 8PIM +2

Nattinen reminds me a bit of a young Mikko Koivu, great playmaking skills to go with a solid two-way game. His shot is the area he needs the most work, he's been great at finding open teammates with the puck but has to get in better shooting lanes without the puck in order to bring those numbers up. He will get to play in the memorial cup this year barring a trade which should go a long way in adding recognition to his game. He'll likely be in the AHL next season.

GM's projection: Ceiling - #2 center / Floor - #4 center. Nattinen has a high floor due to his size and unique ability to adapt to different roles.

7. Ian McCoshen D 6'3" 216 lbs - AHL Springfield Thunderbirds - 9GP 2G 0A 2P 8PIM +4

Ian is a good skater for his size but could never pull his offensive game together for BC in the NCAA like he showed in the USHL. He's honed his shot though and did have decent progression in college. As a first year pro though I wouldn't expect his numbers to jump out at you, his bread and butter will be shutting down the opposition. He's likely behind a few guys on the call-up list so don't expect to see him in the NHL this year.

GM's projection: Ceiling - 2nd pairing Defensive D / Floor - AHL Defensive D. Not the flashiest player, but should complement an offensive minded D on a pairing.

8. J.D. Greenway D 6'4" 205 lbs - NCAA U of Wisconsin - 8GP 1G 3A 4P 16PIM +3

James has a unique blend of size and skill not unlike his brother. He showcased those skills in Toronto's rookie camp dazzling fans with his shootout moves. He seems to have chosen a good path going to the Dman factory that is the U of Wisconsin. His biggest weakness right now is his decision making with and without the puck, but he should be given all the time to develop as the Leafs are not eager to rush anyone in the system.

GM's projection: Ceiling - 1st pairing two-way D / Floor - Bust. Time will have to tell with this pick, he's the biggest boom/bust player in the Caps system along with his massive brother Jordan who plays at forward.

9. Victor Mete D 5'10" 181 lbs - OHL London Knights - 16GP 6G 10A 16P 2PIM +8

Size may be his biggest weakness but will that matter in today's NHL? He's on a PPG pace right now in the OHL and is on pace to put up big numbers. Despite his small frame, Mete usually speeds into corners and does have some good strength and power to get him by. He could also be a coaches nightmare though as he loves to pinch and rush with the puck which leaves him out of position often. It's his amazing skating that usually bails him out, but will that work in the pros?

GM's projection: Ceiling - 2nd pairing offensive D / Floor - AHL top pairing offensive D. Mete has all the skill to reach his ceiling but will have to continue to get stronger to handle the size and strength of the pro game.

10. Kevin Roy C/LW 5'9" 174 lbs - AHL San Diego Gulls - 8GP 3G 2A 5P 0PIM -2

Roy is a wizard with the puck, he was the subject of some youtube video's where he showed off this wizardry in the shootout. He's quite slight coming in at only 174 pounds but his offensive game is what's taken him this far so why try to change that. He was injured last season in the NCAA which hurt his numbers but so far is showing signs of picking his game back up since turning pro.

GM's projection: Ceiling - top 6 skilled winger / Floor - AHL top 6 skilled winger. Kevin will not be an efficient bottom 6 player in the NHL or AHL due to his lack of defensive accumen unless a team is running with 3 scoring lines. The offense is there though for him to make it.

Runners up:

Anthony Stolarz G - Coming along nicely in the AHL

Jordan Greenway W - Huge winger with some offense

Nathan Noel C - two-way center showing steady improvement