Capitals Prospect Ranking: Fall Edition

EHE Prospect Rankings Fall Edition:

1. (2) Kale Clague D 6' 0" 176 lbs - Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Clague has grabbed the number one spot, his start to the year has him scoring at over a 2 PPG clip with 17 points in his first 8 games. He's eclipsed his goal total from all of last year of 5 within the first few games and will be setting a new career high. It may take time for him to earn the coaches trust in the pros but make no mistake, he will never be a defensive defenseman.

2. (NR) Kole Lind RW 6' 1" 185 lbs - Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Lind has somewhat settled in after a hot start to the year. The versitile forward has been driving his lines offense from the right side and looks to have improved his shot over the summer. He'll need to stay consistent this year to maintain his #2 ranking on this prospect list.

3. (1) Dennis Cholowski D 6' 1" 196 lbs - Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Cholowski lost his #1 ranking but it wasn't due to his performance. There were many nay sayers after his NCAA season last year produced a less than spectacular stat line. This year he's moved to the dub after signing a pro contract and has shown why he was drafted so high scoring at a PPG clip. He currently sits with 4 goals 5 assists for 9 points through 8 games on a weak PG team.

4. (5) Victor MeteD 5' 10" 181 lbs - London Knights (OHL)
The knock on Mete was his size, but he certainly hasn't let that get in his way. Mete is a strong kid despite his small stature, he's great at winning races to loose pucks and even holds his own in battles in front of the net and along the boards, usually coming out with the puck on his stick. No points through 5 pro games is of little concern, he'll need to earn the coaches trust to start/join more rushes.

5. (3) Nicolas Roy C 6' 4" 207 lbs - Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
Roy showed off some great playmaking skills last year to go with his scoring touch. He's turned pro this year and has been playing on the third line, so don't expect to see big numbers from the big man. The coaching staff will give him time to learn the defensive side of the game in the pros as he projects as more of a 3rd liner than a top 6 guy.

6. (9) Jordan Greenway LW 6' 5" 238 lbs - Boston University Terriers (NCAA)
New recruits to BU have leap frogged Greenway and pushed him down to a 2nd line role after spending all of last season as the #1 option at LW. This might be a good thing in the long run because nobody was expecting him to be a top line player at the NHL level. It also allows him time to adjust to playing RW, where he has been used occationally this year.

7. (7) J.T. Compher C 5' 11" 194 lbs - Michigan Wolverines (NCAA)
The versatile forward can play in any role and is expected to be a big contributor to the Bears this season if he does not make the direct jump from college to the NHL with the Caps.

8. (NR) Adam Ruzicka C 6' 4" 209 lbs - Sarnia Sting (OHL)
A bit of a slow starter last season, this season has been a total 180 in terms of his play with 15 points through the first 10 games. Ruzicka saw his draft stock drop after questions were raised about his offensive production at the next level. He's certainly put some of those rest with his hot start this year. He's a possession player and sees the ice very well, he needs to work on his shot and start converting chances in scoring areas.

9. (6) Sonny Milano LW 6' 1" 205 lbs - Hershey Bears (AHL)
Milano will finally get a shot at the NHL this year. The former YouTube sensation had been in coaches dog houses in the past for a lack of commitment to the defensive side of the game. He will probably never be even close to a Selke type player but he does need to show the commitment the coaches are looking for in order to move up the line-up. As for right now, it seems he may fine his place on the third line.

10. (14) Ian McCoshen D 6' 3" 218 lbs - Boston College (NCAA)
Having completed his college commitment, the former 31st overall pick in 2013 is solid defensively and even shown there is a bit some offense to his game. He'll never be labeled an offensive player, but he does have good skating ability and makes good decisions with the puck on his stick.

11. (NR) Jack Lafontaine G 6' 3" 196 lbs - Michigan Wolverines (NCAA)
The Wolverines crease is less crowded this year, which means both him and undrafted Hayden Lavigne will get more starts. He's only played 1 game so far and got the win allowing 1 goal. Jack is a strong technical goalie who has great athleticism and uses his big frame well. I suspect he'll end the year as the clear cut #1 in Michigan.

12. (8) Julius Nattinen C 6' 2" 192 lbs - Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Nattinen has some guys ahead of him in the depth chart so he'll likely been used as a defensive forward in the Caps system. He really disappointed last year prior to the playoffs and was invisible in a smaller role with the Spitfires. He has a strong two-way game though and will need to continue to work on his play without the puck if he's to earn a bottom-6 role at the next level.

13. (4) Jordan Schmaltz D 6' 2" 190 lbs - Hershey Bears (AHL)
Many have penciled him into Washington's bottom defensive pair this off-season but his 4 points, minus-11 in 25 games could mean some younger players pass him on the depth chart. He should still be the first call-up if an injury should occur, as he holds the talent to be too good for the AHL.

14. (NR) Jake Leschyshyn C 5'11" 190 lbs - Regina Pats (WHL)
Jake saw his draft stock drop after a knee injury limited him to only 47 games last year. Still scouts saw enough to warrent a 2nd round selection. What they saw was a player with a great work ethic, high motor, and a willingness to go into the dirty areas. This year he'll need to show he can also produce offensively if he's to still be considered to have 2C upside.

15. (11) Kevin Roy LW 5' 9" 174 lbs - Northeastern University (NCAA)
Offensive is the name of Roy's game. He produced pretty solid numbers in his college career. He'll need to be on a scoring line to be effective at the next level.

16. (NR) D'Artagnan Joly RW 6' 3" 181 lbs - Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
Joly was injured to start the year, so we'll need to let him play a few games yet to see where he's at. The big winger has showcased some soft hands last year around the net and used his line mates well. He's still considered a raw prospect and will need time in the AHL after his junior career is over.

17. (NR) Brandon Crawley D 6' 1" 205 lbs - London Knights (OHL)
It's a bit puzzling why Crawley went undrafted in 2016 after he showed a big improvement to his game. Well the next year he took it to another level and showed off a bit of an offensive touch to go with his physical play which put him on the radar this past draft. He'll need to let his mean streak out a bit more because he's probably not going to be leaned on for his offense in the pros.

18. (12) J.D. Greenway D 6' 5" 209 lbs - Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA)
It is unknown why Greenway has missed the Badgers first 5 games this year. Perhaps he's in the coaches dog house? When you look at the size of this kid, you'd think he is a shutdown guy...that's not the case. J.D. likes to have the puck on his stick and join the rush.

19. (10) Spencer Martin G 6' 3" 201 lbs - Hershey Bears (AHL)
Martin got off to a tremendous 20-4-2 record last season for the Bears after splitting time with Anthony Stolarz. This year he will be the clear-cut #1 for Hershey and could see time in the NHL again this year if Vasilevskiy or McElhinney are injured, assuming Matt Hackett is not called upon.

20. (16) Gabriel Gagne RW 6' 5" 185 lbs - Wichita Thunder (ECHL)
I've said it before, just wait on this kid. He's been showing steady improvement and is looking like he may yet reach the NHL. He'll need to show some consistency and stay away from ECHL demotions. Still projected as a 3rd line player.

21. (15) Nathan Noel C 5' 11" 174 lbs - Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
Noel is injured heading into camp and will miss the start of the season. He was highly regarded going into major junior but showed little progression offensively. He did progress in other areas though, he improved in the faceoff department and showed off some versatility playing the wing.

22. (NR) Justin Kloos RW 5' 9" 179 lbs - Minnesota Golden Gophers (NCAA)
A bit of a wild card here, the tiny Kloos spent 4 years in Minnesota and captained the team in his last two years. He can play every forward position and will play in any role he is given. A heart and soul type of guy who can be plugged in anywhere in the line-up.