The web portal The Atlantic writes the Washington Capitals have the weakest farm system in hockey. What are the Caps doing to improve?
It is an understatement to stay the Washington Capitals are thin in their minor leagues.
Corey Pronman, who used to watch prospects for ESPN, writes for The Atlantic the Caps have the worst farm system in the NHL. (Yes, a subscription is required to read his piece.)
At first blush, this is not good. Ilya Samsonov is the consensus best prospect in the system and he will play in North America for the first time this fall. How fast he ascends to Washington and backing up Braden Holtby depends on Samsonov’s fast development and Pheonix Copley’s current skills.
Outside Samsonov, the other players under 23 Pronman mentions are already with Washington. Led by forward Andre Burakovsky, the Caps have tapped the best of their young talent.
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For a defending Stanley Cup champion, Washington’s sparse prospect load is not a worry. At least for now. The veteran pieces and parts for winning another title are there. No one questions what Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson bring to the table. Tom Wilson climbed up the ladder to hit the top line.
Of the seven teams with a serious chance of eating Lucky Charms or sipping a few frosty adult beverages out of the Cup, Washington is in the chase. Last season was not a fluke.
But, teams age and injuries strike.
General Manager Brian MacLellan has started the hard process of rebuilding depth. By drafting Alexander Alexeyev and Martin Fehervary early, Washington nabbed two defenders who have time to grow and mature into NHL blue-liners.
Alexeyev will get another full season with Red Deer in the Western Hockey League before beginning his pro career in earnest. Fehervary signed an entry-level deal and will either play in Sweden of Hershey in the AHL. However, his potential ceiling varies from scout to scout.
Shane Gersich, who made the immediate jump from the University of North Dakota to Washington, will toil around the rinks of the AHL. Again, he is another player with decent potential but needs polish.
Because Washington drafts at near the end of each round, it is difficult to draft top-level prospects. There is not a Jack Eichel or Auston Matthews to fall into their lap. Successful teams do not need immediate help.
But, the Washington Capitals are not immune to the salary cap or Father Time. Take the low rating with a grain of salt. Still, the next couple Drafts are key in finding quality replacements for aging players. Free agency can get you a piece, but growing your own players wins championships.