Washington Capitals: Takeaways From Rookie Tournament

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Capitals might not have won the Estero Tournament, but there were still some good things that happened there.

For Washington Capitals fans, hockey in September is enough to pique a hunger, but hardly enough to satiate an appetite. The Estero Rookie Tournament between the Washington Capitals, Predators, Lightning, and Panthers’ upcoming prospects offered much more than a nibble. It was a foray into what the future may hold. So, with the tournament now finished and the table all cleared, let’s review what we’ve witnessed.

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The Washington Capitals rookies didn’t win the tournament after dropping their final game against the Nashville Predators yesterday. The Lightning and Predators both finished with 2-1-0 records. The Capitals finished with a 1-1-1 record. While it’s easy to feel bummed about the Washington Capitals prospects not winning the tournament, it’s important to remember that rookie tournaments are just a development tool. Winning is secondary. What’s more important is developing.

MORE FROM STARS AND STICKS: Top Ten Caps Prospects

In previous years, the Washington Capitals prospects would engage in intra-team scrimmages before playing their annual game against the Philadelphia Flyers’ hopefuls. The Estero Tournament, by contrast, thrust players into three games over four days and removes the emphasis on practice drills in lieu of real competition. After all, isn’t that what training camp is for?

We learned a lot over the four days of the tournament, not just about the Washington Capitals future assets, but those from around the league. The Nashville Predators rookies, despite many of them being drafted prior to the arrival of current head coach Peter LaViolette, looked impressive. Their defense certainly gave Washington trouble getting the puck out of their own zone.

While the puck was there, Nashville’s 2014 1st Round pick Kevin Fiala made everyone pay, picking up two goals and an assist during the tournament. He’ll be one to watch, for sure. The Tampa Bay Lightning look loaded going into the future as well. That’s a scary prospect for a team that already has a plethora of depth on their extended roster.

The Washington Capitals forward trio of Jakub Vrana, Chandler Stephenson and Riley Barber were excellent during the tournament. They will all most likely play for coach Troy Mann this season on the Hershey Bears. Vrana, the Washington Capitals 2014 1st-Round draft pick, joined the Bears’ roster late last year during their playoff run and looks to have already captured Mann’s imagination. The trio were featured heavily during the tournament as the team’s top line and really look to be gaining the benefits from playing together so frequently.

Chandler Stephenson told Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post about that forward line and why he enjoys it.

“Just the chemistry and knowing where each other on the ice, development camp helped a lot with that, just getting a feel for one another. When you’re playing with guys like Barbs and Vrans, it’s easy to play with those guys and know where they are. Very skilled and can just do so much with the puck, make it very easy to play on their line. It’d be great to play with those guys, keep that chemistry going.”

Travis Boyd looked like an experienced forward as one of the older prospects in the Washington Capitals farm system. Working on a line with previous training camp standout Liam O’Brien, the two seemed to be connecting for chances whenever possible. Tim McGauley of the WHL Brandon Wheat Kings (who earned a training camp invite) seemed to have his name called often by announcers in Estero. He impressed me with his skating and play-making determination. I think he deserves another look.

On the back end of the ice, Jonas Siegenthaler (2015 second round pick) came to the Capitals as advertised. He was a giant among young men. The 6’3″, 220-pound 18-year old from the Swiss Elite League likely isn’t done growing. He looked like a guy who knew he belonged. He formed a great top pairing with Madison Bowey. Bowey jumped into the forward play as anticipated and looks absolutely ready to light it up in the AHL. Bowey and fellow defense prospect Christian Djoos look destined for greatness under Mann soon.

Vitek Vanecek is showing confidence in his adjustment to the North American game from the Czech Republic and you can already see the invisible finger prints of Mitch Korn all over him. He made 22 saves in his first appearance against the Panthers and looks to have made nearly double that against the Predators. Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby got locked up with the team for the next 5 years over the summer. Vitek will have lots of time to grow. At worst, he could be a very valuable trade asset for the Washington Capitals.

Getting back to Troy Mann for a moment, it really should be noted what an asset the Washington Capitals have landed in him as coach of their development team. The Hershey Bears are an outstanding team and a perennial contender in the AHL, which isn’t easy. At the same time, he’s helped groomed players like Stanislav Galiev, Connor Carrick, and Nate Schmidt. They will all likely see at least a little time on the Barry Trotz roster this season.

Having a coach that preaches responsible hockey in these young players’ ears before they make it to the Washington Capitals bench is an invaluable facilitator to their development. Having a tournament like the one in Estero, where players and coaches need to work in rapid synchronicity together and where players have to think inside of a pro system is even more treasured.

The players have already begun to trickle in for informal practices and training camp is finally upon us. I have a good feeling that the main course of non-exhibition hockey with the Capitals this year is well worth the wait.

Next: 5 Reasons the Caps Win it All This Year

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