Washington Capitals: 5 Caps With A Lot To Prove In 2015

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Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Capitals will enter the 2015-2016 NHL season with a revamped top six forward group, having added T.J. Oshie (via trade) and Justin Williams (via free agency). On paper, it appears that the Washington Capitals will have the deepest forward group that they’ve had in years. Add that to a strong top two defensive pairings and an elite goaltender (Braden Holtby) and the Washington Capitals just might have what it takes to bring the Stanley Cup to DC for the first time.

Washington Capitals With A Lot To Prove: Marcus Johansson

Last season, Marcus Johansson had a career season for the Washington Capitals. He set career highs in various categories, including even strength goals (15), points during all situations (47) and goals during all situations (20). For the first time in his career, Johansson had a even strength CorsiFor% of over 50% (53.2%). At times, he carried the second forward line. He was also important on the Washington Capitals power play, adding 15 points with the man advantage. Most importantly, he had success away from Ovechkin and Backstrom, something that he had not done since 2011-2012.

So why does he have a lot to prove? It sounds like Andre Burakovsky has unseated Johansson as the second line left wing, at least according to what Barry Trotz and Brian MacLellan have said recently. Johansson has to be pretty motivated by that. He’s going to have to channel that motivation to be productive as a third line wing if he wants to get that luxurious second line left wing job back.

Johansson has what it takes to thrive in a third line role for the Washington Capitals. While he isn’t “heavy”, he is at worst above average defensively. He should also help the third line be something more than a dump and chase line. Last season, nobody on the third line had much success at zone entries, so they had to settle for dumping the puck in and starting the forecheck. If Johansson’s on the third line, he should help the Washington Capitals third line be better at zone entries.

If the Washington Capitals want to win the Stanley Cup, Johansson will have to continue to grow as a player. He must continue to be more aggressive with the puck. Last season, Johansson saw a lot of improvement. That improvement must continue this season, and it must continue despite most likely having his playing time reduced. He will also most likely be playing to prove himself for a long-term deal.

Next: Two Defensemen Who Must Prove Themselves

Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

#4: Nate Schmidt And Dmitry Orlov

Considering how little faith Barry Trotz showed in Nate Schmidt and Dmitry Orlov last season, I admit I’m a bit surprised that the third pairing is currently penciled in to be Schmidt and Orlov. However, the Washington Capitals clearly have faith in Schmidt and Orlov for the first time. It will be their job to make the Washington Capitals look smart for having that faith in them.

Schmidt had very solid possession numbers last season for the Capitals. However, his production never matched his puck possession numbers, so Barry Trotz didn’t have much faith in Schmidt. It got to the point where Jack Hillen and Tim Gleason got playing time over Schmidt. That should change this season as Schmidt looks to have a regular role with the team. The Caps showed faith in Schmidt by giving him a two year deal.

Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Dmitry Orlov is a bit of a wild card at this point. He had a very promising season in 2013-2014, as he was one of the few defensemen who looked like he knew what he was doing out on the ice despite being in Adam Oates‘s system that never took advantage of his strengths. Orlov is a very impressive puck mover. He’s not an offensive defenseman in the traditional sense (production), but his ability to move the puck could make him a very valuable asset on offense as the Washington Capitals look to replace Mike Green.

One area that Orlov could prove himself to be valuable in is the power play. I’m intrigued to see how the Washington Capitals plan to use him on the power play, as the Caps current system pretty much requires a right handed shot to operate it from the point. Orlov is left-handed. Knowing Trotz, I think he and Todd Reirden will adjust the power play slightly so that Orlov can be used during it.

Next: #3: Every Dog Has Its Day

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

#3: Jay Beagle

First off, not only will Jay Beagle have a lot to prove in 2015, Caps bloggers will have a lot to prove because we have to keep making “so awful they’re hilarious” Beagle puns. In all seriousness, Beagle earned himself a bit of a pay day last season by having a career year. He set career highs in points (20), goals (10) and assists (10). He also set career highs at even strength in points (17), goals (10) and assists (7). Beagle was heavily deployed on the penalty kill because of his ability to win face-offs and block shots. Barry Trotz went as far as to call Beagle his “lucky charm”.

Beagle will have to justify that pay day that he got from the Washington Capitals by perhaps taking on a much larger role than the fourth line center role he had last season. In 2015, it appears that he will be running for the third line center role, though the Caps are still looking to add another center into the mix. Even if he is the fourth line center once again, he will be expected to repeat his production from last season, which will be no easy feat with the minutes he would get.

Beagle tends to be a target of those who value advanced stats such as myself. While I’ve come around to like Beagle because of his ability to generate shot attempts (particularly high-danger ones), he needs to have a strong season to garner the respect of everyone. As long as we never see first-line Jay Beagle ever again, I’m all in favor of Beagle being on the Washington Capitals.

If the Caps can get scoring from Beagle and whatever line he’s on, that will go a long way to helping them get to the Stanley Cup Finals from the first time since 1998.

Next: #2: More Than A Handsome Face Puncher

Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

#2: Tom Wilson

Up to this point in his career, Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson has largely been known for hitting people hard, whether that be with his stick or his fists. The Caps are showing a lot of confidence in Wilson by penciling him as the third line right wing to get him more playing time. To this point in his career, outside of some first line minutes last season, he has largely been a fourth line enforcer. Wilson is committed to changing that perception about him.

“I’ve just got to have the confidence around the blue line, down low, to hold on to it, find them, give them the puck. Whatever role, I’m going to do whatever I can in the offseason to come in the best shape and give myself the opportunity to play at the first line right wing. But whatever the coaching staff feels, I’m going to take that responsibility and take that role and do the best I can with whatever role they give me.” – Washington Post

While Tom Wilson has always been a very energetic player, he has used that energy and aggression for mostly negative purposes so far in his career. He’s got to change that next season if he wants to ensure his future role with the Washington Capitals. It’s worth noting that next season will be his third year in the league so he will be a restricted free agent after next season for the first time.

Next: An Overpaid Fourth Liner

Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

#1: Brooks Laich

Brooks Laich is the longest tenured Washington Capitals player. The Caps clearly view him in a very positive manner. Their reason for doing so sure isn’t for his production because at this point, he is most likely a fourth line wing.

It’s not all Laich’s fault that he has fell so far in such a short period of time. A lot of his decline had to do with injuries. From the 2013 lockout shortened season to 2015, he has yet to stay healthy for a full season. 2015 could be different for Laich in that regard. He seems optimistic that he could improve in 2015, which would be huge for the Washington Capitals.

“Last couple years I’ve been concerned about health and so I’ve been focusing on rehab, and a lot of my days were spent skating without pucks to try and make sure my legs were there and this year I don’t have to worry about my legs being there,” Laich said. “I can do stick drills, I can do puck drills, I can do hands drills, I can shoot more pucks, more stuff that’s going to help me out offensively, rather than just being able to skate. At the time, that’s what I needed to do, and this summer, that’s why I’m so excited already for the summer to improve my game, not just my skating.” – Washington Post

Caps general manager Brian MacLellan said that the Caps need more offense out of Laich.

“I don’t know if there’s an answer,” general manager Brian MacLellan said. “I don’t think he’s happy with the year he had. I had a year-end meeting with him, and we want the two-way Brooks Laich playing, contributing offensively, scoring goals, making plays and the defensive part. I think he did a good job on the PK and defensive role, but I think we need more out of him to be a successful team.” – Washington Post

While Laich is certainly an extremely important member of the Caps penalty kill unit, he must be more productive on offense to give the Caps their best chance of winning a Stanley Cup.

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