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Washington Capitals: Top 5 Defensemen Prospects

By Michael Marzzacco

ARLINGTON, VA - JUNE 30:Washington Capitals defensive prospect Connor Hobbs, right, gets hit from behind by center prospect Tim McGauley, left, during the Washington Capitals Development Camp at Kettler IcePlex on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, VA - JUNE 30:Washington Capitals defensive prospect Connor Hobbs, right, gets hit from behind by center prospect Tim McGauley, left, during the Washington Capitals Development Camp at Kettler IcePlex on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
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Connor Hobbs

BRIDGEPORT, CT – JANUARY 21: Connor Hobbs #7 of the Hershey Bears looks to pass during a game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Webster Bank Arena on January 21, 2019 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. (Photo by Gregory Vasil/Getty Images)
BRIDGEPORT, CT – JANUARY 21: Connor Hobbs #7 of the Hershey Bears looks to pass during a game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Webster Bank Arena on January 21, 2019 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. (Photo by Gregory Vasil/Getty Images) /

Connor Hobbs was drafted in the fifth round at 143rd overall by the Capitals in 2015. A native of Canada, Hobbs spent the first two seasons for his hometown WHL team Regina Pats.

Hobbs was an offensive weapon on the blueline in Regina. In 2015-16, Hobbs recorded 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists). That summer, the Capitals signed Hobbs to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Coming off that payday, Hobbs had a monster season in his final season of WHL action as he scored a career-high 31 goals and 53 assists for 85 points. During the 2017 Capitals training camp auditions for the defensive void looking to be filled, Hobbs tried his best but didn’t make the team.

MONTREAL, QC – SEPTEMBER 20: Washington Capitals defenceman Connor Hobbs (36) passes the puck during the Washington Capitals versus the Montreal Canadiens preseason game on September 20, 2017, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC. (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – SEPTEMBER 20: Washington Capitals defenceman Connor Hobbs (36) passes the puck during the Washington Capitals versus the Montreal Canadiens preseason game on September 20, 2017, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC. (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

He did join the Hershey Bears and played in 44 games. The early part of his rookie season was hampered by a wrist injury that sidelined him for seven weeks. Hobbs finished his rookie AHL season with 16 points (3 goals, 13 assists) and had 61 penalty minutes.

His numbers improved last season which saw his playing time go up. in 59 games, Hobbs once again had three goals but improved his assist total to 15 for 18 points. His penalty minutes went up to 82 and his +/- went from a -11 the previous year to a -7 and helped get the Bears back into the playoffs

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