2014 Development Camp Thoughts

  Every year I get a chance to drive to Kettler Capitals IcePlex to watch one of their inter-squad scrimmages. This year I was excited because I believe that a lot of the Caps prospects are close to becoming pro ready. Also, this was the first time Barry Trotz ran the camp. I just wanted to share my thoughts on what I saw.

   I thought this was the best develpoment scrimmage I have ever been to. The competativness was high and a few guys stood out to me.  First, the line of Andre Burakovsky, Jakub Vrana, and Slovenian Olympian Jan Urbas was the most dominent. Burakovsky was being tried out at center and looked like a seasoned vet. Now, he wasn't playing against pro talent but he made a big step in his development with a 4 point game in the scrimmage I was at.

   Secondly, Jakub Vrana looks like natural goal scorer. He can fire the puck in small spots in the net, and is a fast skater. I do think he needs to get a little stronger, but he was a better two-way player then I was hearing when the Caps drafted him 13th overall.

   Another player who caught my eye was C/W Travis Boyd. The Caps drafted Boyd in the 6th round in 2011. This past season he was the third line center for U. of Minnesota. I have noticed big improvement ever year he has been to camp.

  Lastly, I am impressed with D Madison Bowey. This past year he was the captain of the Kelowna Rockets and scored 21 goals along with 39 assists. He just has a swagger about him that makes me think he can make the Caps roster in 2 years.

   One more quick thought is on RW Riley Barber. I have had high hopes for him since watching him in the World Junior Championships. I feel like he has the talent to make the Caps, but they are loaded at RW and Barber is also going back to Miami U. He did well playing with LW Nathan Walker who was drafted in the 3rd round this year after impressing the Caps in the preseason last year. Walker also saw time with the Hershey Bears.

   I will write more on Caps prospects leading up to training camp. I will show my Top 10 prospects in the month of August.


Jakub Vrana shootout goal: 

Andre Burakovsky Goal during scrimmage:

A New Beginning in D.C

    This offseason has been a busy one for the Washington Capitals. After missing the playoffs for the first time in seven years Ted Leonsis knew it was time for change. The owner would let head coach Adam Oates go after just two seasons, and also let go general manager George McPhee after seventeen years on the job.

    Ted Leonsis would find the new leaders of the Caps organization with hiring Barry Trotz as head coach and promoting assistant GM Brian MacLellan to the the head chair as the new GM. 

New Head Coach Barry Trotz

New General Manager Brian MacLellan 

My view: 

  Coach Trotz and B-Mac have only been on the job for a short time. However, I have very excited to see how they build this team going forward. Their first draft together has already take place and I will give my opinion on that. Also, they were quite busy in Free Agency. Time will tell how these hires will go, but one things for sure. It's a new day for the Washington Capitals. 

Welcome to All Things Caps Hockey

  Welcome to the new fan blog. My name is Chris Brown and I am an avid Washington Capitals fan. I love to talk about hockey, and can all day if you let me. This offseason has been a very busy one. So, with it still being July we still have a ways to go before opening night. I will provide updates also on the Hershey Bears and South Carolina Stingrays.