Washington Capitals: Garnet Hathaway 2020 Report Card
Review time for the rugged 4th liner, how did Garnet Hathaway fair in 2020?
At the conclusion of the 2019 season the Washington Capitals found themselves with many items to address thanks to a first round playoff exit. First, being secondary scoring depth that was lacking during their defense of the Stanley Cup, leaving the load to be carried by their top scorers. Next would be their 8th worst penalty kill unit, which coincides with the struggling team defense on and off throughout the year.
One of their solutions came by the signing of Garnet Hathaway, meant to provide some sound defense from the bottom six along with a penalty killer to shore up that side of the teams deficiencies. This signing also would alleviate the pressure for Tom Wilson to be the sole player to be the enforcer on the ice. So did Hathaway provide all that was expected of him?
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In the beginning of the 2019 season, we took the time to predict the output seen by Hathaway. Surprisingly we were fairly close to our estimates. Hathaway finished with 9 goals and 7 assists over 66 games. Additionally he accounted for 46 blocked shots (3rd most by forward) to go along with 189 hits (2nd on the team), while maintaining an overall CF% of 53.3.
Anyone looking directly at these numbers would assess this production as a positive sign. However, the other facet Hathaway was expected to improve for the Washington Capitals was the PK. When Hathaway was called upon to defuse the oppositions power play, the teams save percentage in these instances (oiSV%) came out to 87.2%. This occurred while opposing teams scored 5 PP goals with Hathaway on the PK, and a shorthanded goal was scored by the Capitals. In comparison, for all other instances the oiSV% was 93.1% with a ratio of 19 GA versus 24 GF while Hathaway was on ice. So he was able to do better when at even strength than on the PK where his services were looked to improve the most.
The only other tarnish on his good inaugural season with the Washington Capitals was a 3 game suspension due to spitting on an opponent during an altercation. One which he admits was hard to take. Mainly because he had to sit out and was unable to help his teammates over something that could have been avoided. But in the midst of the suspension he showed his true leadership as he took sole responsibility and didn’t appeal the suspension, instead took the full time and moved on from the incident. This actually seemed to motivate Hathaway to amp up his game.
With the season shortened due to Covid, Hathaway was actually on pace to finish the season with approximately 20 points. Taking this into account along with the chemistry he was able to formulate with Nic Dowd and Richard Panik on a revamped 4th line, we would grade Hathaway’s season with an A-. The only reason for the grade not being improved is the minimal improvement seen on the PK when Hathaway was involved. It would be hard to ask for more offensive production considering he was mainly added for his defensive game.
The Washington Capitals didn’t realize all they were adding with signing Hathaway, he wasn’t just a more defensive aware forward but a great leader on and off the ice. Since joining the Capitals, Hathaway has shown what it means to dive right in and embrace your new environment helping where needed. Once the pandemic was in full swing Hathaway teamed up with the team chef Robert Wood to form “Hath’s Heroes” with the purpose of providing meals to first responders on the front line.
Again his love of the community was on display when he showed his support of a young fan who was doing his part to provide during the pandemic as well who started hand making masks for first responders. Hathaway surprised the fan by showing up to support him and award him a future ticket to a game. These actions are what drove the team to nominate him for the King Clancy award for Leadership on and off the ice to the player has also made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in the community.
More. Washington Capitals will still be the team to beat in the East. light
While it would be hard to give Hathaway a full score of 100% for his production on the ice for the season, his humanitarian work and leadership overall gives him a 110% for what he has brought to the team and community. Keep up the good work Hath and we hope to watch you grow as a player again next season.