Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Power Rankings: #6
Coming in at number six is new Capitals forward T.J. Oshie. Like Williams and Saad, Oshie is a transplant from the Western Conference after the Caps traded for him. With Oshie, the Caps have a permanent solution at first-line right wing. The Caps have looked far and wide for an everyday first-line right wing ever since Mike Knuble retired.
His production numbers are better than most people would expect.
- 6th in even strength points per 60 minutes (1.99)
- 4th in even strength assists per 60 minutes (1.30)
He’s not much of a goal scorer. Then again, considering he’s going to likely be playing alongside Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, does he really need to be one? Oshie is a well-balanced playmaker that should help the Caps generate more scoring chances. His passing numbers suggest that he’s an extremely good passer. He’s an above average goal scorer. 20+ goals is a reasonable expectation for him in 2015.
He should play an important role on the Capitals power play. If he finds a regular spot on the first powerplay unit, perhaps even 30 goals is a realistic possibility.
Next: Number Five