Washington Capitals: Top 5 prospects heading into 2019

SUNRISE, FL - JUNE 26: Ilya Samsonov leaves the stage after being selected 22nd by the Washington Capitals during Round One of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center on June 26, 2015 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FL - JUNE 26: Ilya Samsonov leaves the stage after being selected 22nd by the Washington Capitals during Round One of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center on June 26, 2015 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
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DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Alexander Alexeyev poses after being selected thirty-first overall by the Washington Capitals during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Alexander Alexeyev poses after being selected thirty-first overall by the Washington Capitals during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Washington Capitals have a few prospects worth keeping an eye on in the 2019-20 season.

Whether it’s in the AHL with the Hershey Bears, the ECHL with the South Carolina Stingrays or elsewhere in North America or overseas, there’s several players vying for a chance to someday be a star on the Washington Capitals.

Their path to that destination goes through the 2019-20 season. Here are the five names to watch.

5. Alexander Alexeyev

DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Alexander Alexeyev poses after being selected thirty-first overall by the Washington Capitals during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Alexander Alexeyev poses after being selected thirty-first overall by the Washington Capitals during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

2018 first rounder Alexander Alexeyev has been a standout in the WHL for the Red Deer Rebels. The team signed the defenseman to a three-year entry level deal prior to last season. Alexeyev enjoyed a career season that was cut short with a brutal knee injury. The 19-year old since recovered and was in attendance at the team’s annual summer development camp.

Alexeyev finished with 43 points (10 goals, 33 assists) with the Rebels last season and helped lead Russia to the Bronze Medal in the World Junior Championship with two goals and four assists in seven games.

After three WHL seasons Alexeyev will likely be in the AHL this season looking to compete for a spot in the Bears starting lineup. With the departure of Aaron Ness, it opens up a door. It is likely he’ll be on the Bears this season but unlikely he’ll see NHL action in Washington.