Washington Capitals: Top 5 prospects heading into 2019

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.

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.