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Washington Capitals: Predicting their next breakout prospect

By Michael Marzzacco

QUEBEC CITY, QC - SEPTEMBER 20: Look on Washington Capitals left wing Axel Jonsson-Fjallby (45) during the Washington Capitals versus the Montreal Canadiens preseason game on September 20, 2018, at Centre Videotron in Quebec City, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
QUEBEC CITY, QC - SEPTEMBER 20: Look on Washington Capitals left wing Axel Jonsson-Fjallby (45) during the Washington Capitals versus the Montreal Canadiens preseason game on September 20, 2018, at Centre Videotron in Quebec City, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Washington Capitals don’t have the best prospect farm system in the NHL.

In fact, some sites such as The Athletic (subscription required) have ranked them near the bottom of the league. Part of this is from later draft selections from making the playoffs year after year but that doesn’t mean the Washington Capitals don’t have any bright prospects whatsoever.

Over the last few years the team has had successful drafts. They’re fully stocked among defensemen and forwards for the forseeable future, however, I think this year’s top prospect candidate to breakout is none other than Axel Jonsson-Fjallby.

Jonsson-Fjallby was selected in the fifth round at 147th overall in the 2016 NHL Draft. He remained in Sweden with his club Djurgardens IF on both their JU20 and Swedish Hockey League (SHL) clubs.

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Just before his selection, Jonsson-Fjallby posted 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) in 39 games. The next season, Jonsson-Fjallby recorded 37 points (17 goals, 20 assists) in 32 J20 games while also getting some game action at the SHL level.

In 2017-18, Jonsson-Fjallby not only recorded 16 points in 42 games with Djurgardens IF, he also represented Team Sweden in the World Junior Championships. Jonsson-Fjallby scored two goals and added two assists as Sweden advanced to the semifinal round before falling to Team Canada.

The Capitals signed Jonsson-Fjallby to a three-year entry level deal following the season and had the hope that he would represent the next wave of talent with the Hershey Bears.

Coaches and scouts got decent looks at him each development camp and raved about the left winger’s talent. He continued to impress at training camp and earned a spot in the Bears opening night lineup.

Things however didn’t quite work out. After recording just three points including two goals in 15 games, Jonsson-Fjallby elected to return home to Sweden to finish out the year with Djurgardens IF. He finished out a tough season with 10 points (1 goal, 9 assists) in 36 SHL games.

In the playoffs, it was a different story. Just like his speed and his hair, Jonsson-Fjallby had a fire performance with seven goals and five assists in 19 playoff games, leading Djurgardens all the way to the final. After the season, he returned to Hershey as an extra for their Calder Cup playoff run.

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On his goals for next season, Jonsson-Fjallby told J.J. Regan of NBC Sports Washington:

"“My goal is to one day be in Washington, but if not I will be here in Hershey.”"

I predict Jonsson-Fjallby to have a breakout season with the Hershey Bears and post a 20-goal season. The lineup will look vastly different with some departed forwards but Jonsson-Fjallby will be beloved among Bears fans for his speed, hustle, and highlight-reel plays.

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