Washington Capitals: Grading The 2009 NHL Draft

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Over the next several weeks, we will be taking a look back at past Washington Capitals drafts and grading them. We will use hindsight within reason. For example, just because player A was drafted in the seventh round and is an NHL All-Star, that doesn’t mean we’ll say that the Washington Capitals should have drafted player A over player B in the first round.  Today, we look at a draft that has turned out surprisingly well for the Washington Capitals: the 2009 NHL Draft. 

The Washington Capitals had seven draft picks in that draft, picking 25th in each round. In the first round, the Washington Capitals selected forward Marcus Johansson. In the second round, the Caps selected defenseman Dmitry Orlov. In the third round, the Caps selected forward Cody Eakin. In the fourth round, they selected defenseman Patrick Wey. In the fifth round, they selected defenseman Brett Flemming. In the sixth round, they selected forward Garrett Mitchell. In the seventh round, they selected forward Benjamin Casavant.

Each of those picks will be graded on several factors. First of all, what have they done in their career? Secondly, could the Washington Capitals have reasonably chosen a better player? We’ll look at the next five picks for each first and second round pick and the next ten for each of the subsequent rounds. Thirdly, what value did they bring the Washington Capitals, if any? Fourthly, what were the realistic expectations of the pick? It’s not worth getting upset over a seventh round pick, but it would be worth getting upset over a first round pick.

Next: First Round Pick: MoJo