Washington Capitals: Top 5 Forward Prospects

HERSHEY, PA - DECEMBER 01: Hershey Bears left wing Shane Gersich (10) skates back in the defensive zone during the Springfield Thunderbirds at Hershey Bears on December 1, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HERSHEY, PA - DECEMBER 01: Hershey Bears left wing Shane Gersich (10) skates back in the defensive zone during the Springfield Thunderbirds at Hershey Bears on December 1, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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VANCOUVER, BC – JUNE 21: Connor McMichael shakes hands with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman after being picked twenty-five overall by the Washington Capitals during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC – JUNE 21: Connor McMichael shakes hands with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman after being picked twenty-five overall by the Washington Capitals during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

With the 2019 NHL Draft in the books, things are looking up currently in the future for the Washington Capitals. It’s never too early to look ahead.

We all know and witness the talent firsthand in Washington but many of these players you know and love on the team today were once a Hershey Bear not too long ago. Or a South Carolina Stingray or playing through another professional hockey rank. They had to come up through the ranks both overseas and the Washington Capitals system and prove they belonged in the NHL.

Who you’ll see on these next five slides is a glimpse into that future. They could make an impact on the big club in Washington as soon as next season or in a few seasons from now depending on how things shape out.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 28: Shane Gersich, 134th overall pick of the Washington Capitals, poses for a portrait during the 2014 NHL Entry Draft at Wells Fargo Center on June 28, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 28: Shane Gersich, 134th overall pick of the Washington Capitals, poses for a portrait during the 2014 NHL Entry Draft at Wells Fargo Center on June 28, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images) /

You may even recognize a face from the Stanley Cup roster from that magical 2018 run. Also, if you come out to the team’s annual development camp you may see a few of these faces if not all.

BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 16: Washington Capitals forward Garrett Pilon (40) before a preseason game on September 16, 2018, between the Boston Bruins and the Washington Capitals at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeated the Capitals 2-1 (SO). (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 16: Washington Capitals forward Garrett Pilon (40) before a preseason game on September 16, 2018, between the Boston Bruins and the Washington Capitals at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeated the Capitals 2-1 (SO). (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Capitals added stock to their youth this recent draft and in a suggestion on what they should do this offseason, we noted it’d be wise that they take a forward. They not only added one but added two more. Here’s are five of the best forward prospects they currently have in their system.