Washington Capitals: Top 5 prospects heading into 2019

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DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Alexander Alexeyev poses after being selected thirty-first overall by the Washington Capitals during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The Washington Capitals have a few prospects worth keeping an eye on in the 2019-20 season.

Whether it’s in the AHL with the Hershey Bears, the ECHL with the South Carolina Stingrays or elsewhere in North America or overseas, there’s several players vying for a chance to someday be a star on the Washington Capitals.

Their path to that destination goes through the 2019-20 season. Here are the five names to watch.

5. Alexander Alexeyev

2018 first rounder Alexander Alexeyev has been a standout in the WHL for the Red Deer Rebels. The team signed the defenseman to a three-year entry level deal prior to last season. Alexeyev enjoyed a career season that was cut short with a brutal knee injury. The 19-year old since recovered and was in attendance at the team’s annual summer development camp.

Alexeyev finished with 43 points (10 goals, 33 assists) with the Rebels last season and helped lead Russia to the Bronze Medal in the World Junior Championship with two goals and four assists in seven games.

After three WHL seasons Alexeyev will likely be in the AHL this season looking to compete for a spot in the Bears starting lineup. With the departure of Aaron Ness, it opens up a door. It is likely he’ll be on the Bears this season but unlikely he’ll see NHL action in Washington.

4. Brett Leason

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 22: Brett Leason, 56th overall pick of the Washington Capitals, poses for a portrait during Rounds 2-7 of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Capitals drafted Brett Leason in the second round this summer and many consider the pick a steal. He is likely to be a star on the Hershey Bears this season and he’ll be fun to watch. The 20-year old right winger is coming off a monster 89-point season with 36 goals and 53 assists in 55 games.

The Capitals drafted just four players but Leason is the one who’s the closest towards his development. He was passed over in two consecutive drafts prior to Washington’s selection, and he’ll be ready to prove himself in the AHL.

KELOWNA, BC – JANUARY 19: Brett Leason #20 of the Prince Albert Raiders warms up against the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place on January 19, 2019 in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images) /

Leason will look to bring a winning mentality to an AHL team built on a tradition of excellence. Leason led Prince Albert in scoring all the way to the Ed Chynoweth Cup, adding 10 goals and 15 assists during that playoff run.

McKeen’s Hockey described Leason this way on Elite Prospects:

“Has an NHL caliber wrist shot, with a super quick release. He positions himself very well on the puck, and has plus hand-eye coordination.”

Future Considerations added:

“Savvy with and without the puck, his hockey IQ is the backbone of his game and he loves to use his big frame in puck battles.”

It’s going to be fun watching Leason help carry the offense up in Hershey. Don’t be surprised to see him as a top-six forward.

3. Tyler Lewington

OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 29: Washington Capitals Defenceman Tyler Lewington (78) and Ottawa Senators Center Zack Smith (15) fight during second period National Hockey League action between the Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators on December 29, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

One defensemen prospect in the Capitals system who is a clear cut favorite to get recalled to the lineup should an injury occur is Tyler Lewington, and for good reason. Lewington had a big highlight last season and is a Caps player with the rarity of accomplishing a Gordie Howe Hat Trick.

The 2013 seventh rounder was named an alternate captain for the Bears last season and finished with 15 points (3 goals, 12 assists) in 65 games while adding 121 penalty minutes. Lewington’s best season was the 2015-16 campaign where he recorded 17 points (4 goals, 13 assists) in 72 games in Hershey’s run to the Calder Cup Final.

TORONTO, ON – MAY 25 – Marlies’ William Nylander gets a pounding by Hershey’s Tyler Lewington during 2nd period action between Toronto Marlies and Hershey Bears in game three of seven in the Calder Cup Eastern Conference Final in the American Hockey League. May 25, 2016. (Bernard Weil/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

The Capitals defense had a few injuries last season and Lewington got his opportunity when Brooks Orpik and Christian Djoos both missed time. The Gordie Howe Hat Lewington recorded on Dec. 29, 2018 in Ottawa against the Senators was the first time in Capitals history a defenseman accomplished the feat since Kevin Hatcher on Feb. 10, 1991 against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Lewington also isn’t afraid to drop the gloves and had seven fights in the AHL last season as well as the fight in his Gordie Howe Hat Trick. There’s a strong possibility he could be a plug for a number seven defensemen only time will tell during training camp.

2. Vitek Vanecek

BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 16: Washington Capitals goalie Vitek Vanecek (41) warms up 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) /

Vitek Vanecek is right at the top of the Capitals prospect pool with just one other goaltender narrowly ahead of him in the rankings, one that he happens to split the netminding duties with up in Hershey. The 2014 second round pick has been a mainstay in the Hershey Bears net since the 2016-17 season.

After a 12-13-0 record with a 3.04 goals-against average and a .888 save percentage in 2017-18, Vanecek bounced back with his best season in Hershey going 21-16-3 with a 2.62 GAA and a .907 save percentage.

Vancecek split the goaltending duties with Ilya Samsonov last season and that’s the highest likely thing that could happen once again this season as both await their NHL shot. With the shaky salary cap situation, don’t be surprised if Vanecek somehow beats out backup goaltender Pheonix Copley for the main backup goaltending spot.

LAVAL, QC – FEBRUARY 16: Goaltender Vitek Vanecek #30 of the Hershey Bears makes a save in the second period against the Laval Rocket during the AHL game at Place Bell on February 16, 2018 in Laval, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

The Capitals extended Vitek Vanecek’s contract believing that they clearly see potential in him However, with the Seattle expansion draft and another top prospect goaltender it’ll be a “prove it season” from Vanecek.

Vanecek is an important face in the future of the goaltending in Washington and it’ll be interesting to see if he winds up getting a bit of NHL playing time if they feel Samsonov isn’t ready.

1. Ilya Samsonov

SUNRISE, FL – JUNE 26: Ilya Samsonov leaves the stage after being selected 22nd by the Washington Capitals during Round One of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center on June 26, 2015 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The future is now for Ilya Samsonov. The 2015 first round goaltender enters an important season in Hershey in his development that could dictate the future of goaltending in Washington for the years to come. Sound dramatic? Well simply put, the better Samsonov plays, the harder the decision on what do do with Braden Holtby, should the sides not reach an agreement on an extension before the season.

HERSHEY, PA – MARCH 16: Hershey Bears goalie Ilya Samsonov (35) looks through the bars of his Washington Capitals goalie mask during the Bridgeport Sound Tigers vs. the Hershey Bears AHL hockey game March 16, 2019 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Samsonov is heading into his second season in Hershey after four seasons in the KHL with the Metallurg Magnitogorsk. He got off to a slow start dropping his first three starts but rebounded to finish with a 20-14-2 record in 37 games with a 2.70 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage including three shutouts.

The 22nd overall pick has been highly regarded as the “goaltender of the future” ever since his draft selection four years ago. Fast forward to now, all eyes will be on him in both the AHL and the NHL should he get a callup. One would think it’d be wise to give him a few games of NHL experience in case Holtby truly isn’t back next season.

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It’s going to be a lot of fun following Samsonov this season and his NHL debut is sure to draw plenty of buzz should it happen.

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