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Washington Capitals: Top 5 Defensemen Prospects

ByMichael Marzzacco|
ARLINGTON, VA - JUNE 30:Washington Capitals defensive prospect Connor Hobbs, right, gets hit from behind by center prospect Tim McGauley, left, during the Washington Capitals Development Camp at Kettler IcePlex on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, VA - JUNE 30:Washington Capitals defensive prospect Connor Hobbs, right, gets hit from behind by center prospect Tim McGauley, left, during the Washington Capitals Development Camp at Kettler IcePlex on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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HERSHEY, PA – DECEMBER 01: A Springfield player grabs Hershey Bears defenseman Tyler Lewington (2) after a whistle during the Springfield Thunderbirds at Hershey Bears on December 1, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HERSHEY, PA – DECEMBER 01: A Springfield player grabs Hershey Bears defenseman Tyler Lewington (2) after a whistle during the Springfield Thunderbirds at Hershey Bears on December 1, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

After we took a look at the top five forwards in the Washington Capitals system, Stars and Sticks continues the slideshow series with the defensemen.

The Washington Capitals have been smart in drafting defenseman over the course of their history. Guys like John Carlson and Christian Djoos established themselves coming up through the ranks.

BRIDGEPORT, CT – FEBRUARY 19: Christian Djoos #5 of the Hershey Bears brings the puck up ice during a game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at the Webster Bank Arena on February 19, 2017 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. (Photo by Gregory Vasil/Getty Images)
BRIDGEPORT, CT – FEBRUARY 19: Christian Djoos #5 of the Hershey Bears brings the puck up ice during a game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at the Webster Bank Arena on February 19, 2017 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. (Photo by Gregory Vasil/Getty Images)

But even so, the Capitals have selected numerous defensemen over the last few drafts and there’s still some high profile names in the minors. Some of these guys you’ve seen or heard as a member of the Hershey Bears.

John Ewing/Staff Photographer — John Carlson, right, of the Hershey Bears has done it all this month. He played for Team USA in the world junior hockey championships, got called up by the Washington Capitals for two games, and was an AHL all-star. — (Photo by John Ewing/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)
John Ewing/Staff Photographer — John Carlson, right, of the Hershey Bears has done it all this month. He played for Team USA in the world junior hockey championships, got called up by the Washington Capitals for two games, and was an AHL all-star. — (Photo by John Ewing/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)

One of these players even had a “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” in a game last season. Others you may recognize in recent drafts that are still vying for a chance at the NHL in the future.

The complicated part about ranking these prospects was injury or inconsistencies. Back in 2016 the Capitals drafted Lucas Johansen with the 28th overall pick but his play dropped last season. He didn’t make the cut for this slideshow.

HERSHEY, PA – FEBRUARY 09: Hershey Bears defenseman Lucas Johansen (6) skates back during the Charlotte Checkers vs. Hershey Bears AHL game February 9, 2019 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HERSHEY, PA – FEBRUARY 09: Hershey Bears defenseman Lucas Johansen (6) skates back during the Charlotte Checkers vs. Hershey Bears AHL game February 9, 2019 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

But the faces you’ll see on these next five slides are some of the top prospects in the Capitals system currently and some you may have seen in NHL action at one point or another.

Either way, here are the top five defensive prospects in the Capitals organization in no particular order.

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