Washington Capitals: Daniel Sprong making the most of golden opportunity
Earlier in the month, the Washington Capitals were hit with adversity as Tom Wilson was serving a seven game suspension. But it was actually a blessing in disguise. Not only did the Caps win seven games in a row in Wilson’s absence, but fan favorite Daniel Sprong finally got some ice time… and he made the most of it.
Sprong was once a top Pittsburgh Penguins prospect before he got traded to the Anaheim Ducks. Big mistake by the Penguins. As a 21 year old stud he had 14 goals in 47 games in 2018-19. He thought his future was set but then he was faced with his first adversity as a pro.
He was told at training camp that he wouldn’t make the varsity squad. Instead he was sent down to the AHL with the San Diego Gulls. He felt betrayed by the organization and who wouldn’t want out in that situation.
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Sprong though would get a better opportunity in the middle of the season when the Caps traded defenseman Christian Djoos in exchange for Sprong. Sprong had a goal and an assist in eight games with the Ducks last season as well as 11 goals and 16 assists in 39 games with the Gulls.
Sprong turned 24 last Wednesday and he has taken full advantage of his opportunity. Ever since the team traded for him, Caps fans have been clamorning on Twitter for him to get ice time. Tom Wilson’s suspension finally did that and when Lars Eller comes back there will be some tough decisions to make by Peter Laviolette.
Sprong had three goals in Washington’s seven game winning streak. He even had some impressive snipes including one that stunned Ovi himself. Sprong has six goals in 20 games averaging 10 minutes and 23 seconds of ice time. When Wilson returned on Saturday, Sprong continued to skate on the third line but someday let’s give him a look on the top line for the heck of it.
Sprong wants to be in the lineup every night. Part of the problem was that he was planned to until the team acquired Conor Sheary, putting him as the odd man out. He did look good in the NHL restart and the former coaches favored him, promoting him to travel with the team to the bubble in Toronto and spending practice time with his idol Ilya Kovalchuk.
More. Washington Capitals: Comparing The Goalies Since Samsonov’s Return. light
The only time we’ve really seen Sprong all season is when someone is injured, sick with COVID or suspended. Now that we’ve gotten a good sample size in 20 games, it begs the question, should Sprong be an every day player? What do you think?