Washington Capitals Draft Preview

On Friday night, the Washington Capitals will begin drafting and hopefully make the right moves that will bring the franchise's first Stanley Cup and DC's first championship in twenty years.  This year the Caps will have the 26th pick, in the first round, and will have picks in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.  The Caps traded there second and third round picks.  Since the lockout the Caps have drafted well all across the board as all of the Caps stars were drafted and the Caps still seem to have plenty of talent in Hershey and in the amateur leagues.  I'll just take a look at where the Caps could possibly go with the 26th pick.

The Caps have seemed to have filled there needs of defenseman  and centers in the past.  John Carlon and Karl Alzner looked to be a pairing to be reckoned with for years to come at the blue line, while young guns, Marcus Johansson and Matthew Perrault seem to be in  line for the second line centers and or wingers of the future.  In a tough NHL season you can  never have to much depth so look for the Caps to add depth at the wings and blue line this draft.  After watching this past playoffs, its obvious that they need to start getting players that don't have a "I'll do it my way" attitude and players that have a toughness about them and won't quit when the going gets tough.  Here's a few of ideas of what players the Caps may go with.

Tomas Jurco, 6'2, 193, RW: Slovakia, St. John's Sea Dogs (QMJHL).
 Jurco, is mainly known for his youtube skills, but has some great on ice stickhandling skills as well also.  Jurco has a wicked wrist shot and can also have a deadly slapshot when he needs to. scouts say he can be an all around player.  The Caps can use a player like this as Mike Knuble won't be around for long, so Jurco an be his replacement. Problem is Jurco could be gone before the Caps draft.

Alexander Khokhlachev,  5'10,  172, C:  Russia, Windsor Spitfires (OHL).
Kholkhlachev, always plays with high energy and doesn't take nights off.  Seem to be solid in shooing and passing, scouts would like to seem him bulk up a little more and his lack of size is why Khokhlachev will be available in the late first round.  Even though the Caps have plenty of young talent, at the center spot,  the Caps can use a  guy that has a high motor and high energy  and could possibly convert  him to a  winger.

Phillip Danault, 6'0, 170, LW:  Canada, Victoriaville Tigers (QMJHL).
Danault has shown he's a leader, as he was named captain of Victoriaville as a 17 year old.  Leaders are what the Caps need  right now and  Danault can fit the role perfectly.  Danault  does everything, from scoring to grinding it out and his coaches say that he will do everything  for his team.  A player like that is what exactly the Caps need, but it's not a guarntee  that Danault  will be there as Montreal has the 17th pick and has been  eying  him.

Scott Mayfield, 6'4, 200, D: USA, Younstown  (USHL).
Mayfield, is considered  to be one of  the best skating defenseman in this year's draft.  Mayfield can  also play offense, and is a great two way defenseman.  If  the  Caps feel  they can turn him into strictly  a defensive defenseman then the Caps should jump on this right away, since  the Caps want to play a defensive system. Drafting Mayfield could be risky  as he wants to play a little college hockey at, the University of Denver, before going pro.

It's also a possibility that the Caps will  trade players to get a higher first round draft pick.  As I  have stated before, the Caps must trade players to get a new culture around the locker room f they want to finally win  a cup. GM, George McPhee seems  to do well with  the draft  no matter where the Caps pick so hopefully, those will be the right moves again this year.