Washington Capitals defenseman Christian Djoos poised to claim the last defensive spot following Brooks Orpik one-year signing.
Washington Capitals defender Christian Djoos ready to play a key third pair role.
The left-handed defenseman measures up a bit undersized at 6-feet 169 pounds. This is in no way a death sentence for an NHL defenseman, but it does mean he’s going to need a niche in which he can succeed.
He excelled in his rookie campaign notching three goals and 11 assists in 63 games played, mostly on the third pair. After sitting for the start of the playoffs, he came off the bench in the pivotal Game 3 against Columbus and didn’t look back.
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Djoos isn’t a strong net-front presence that players like Brooks Orpik and John Carlson are, nor is he going to lead in blocked shots, but he has an equally important role to fulfill. The Capitals are in need of defensemen who can be relied on to carry the puck.
During the breakout, it won’t always be possible to outlet the puck through the defensive zone using wingers and the center. Even when it is, this isn’t a great formula for generating offensive speed and momentum.
A great breakout for competing against fast, forechecking teams is to have a capable stick handler get one forechecker to miss and then skate the puck into the neutral zone fast. Djoos can excel in this role with his natural quickness, agility and competent stick handling.
This sort of contribution could make him valuable on the power play, even if it’s the second power-play line. He’d also be a reliable third pair linemate for Orpik, who after 982 games played will be a step slower than some attackers.
That alone is not enough to land him a consistent spot in the lineup. He’s going to need to continue his development in space. As with most great defensemen in the NHL, knowing where to be before a play happens in the most valuable skill you can have.
Summed up simply, that would be hockey IQ.
As a seventh-round pick who found himself playing in the Stanley Cup Final, it would seem he has this in spades. If he can force turnovers, get his stick in the way of passes and shots, and pester some forwards, he’s going to walk into this third pair role, and likely more.
Christian Djoos isn’t the only player vying for this spot. Madison Bowey will have a strong case to make as well. Djoos has the upper hand at this moment but the real battle will come in the Washington Capitals training camp.