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Washington Capitals: 3 things we’d love to see at Rookie Tournament

By Michael Marzzacco

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Alexander Alexeyev poses with team personnel 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 Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Alexander Alexeyev poses with team personnel 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 Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, VA – JUNE 26: Ilya Samsonov is seen during Washington Capitals Development Camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Tuesday June 26, 2018 in Arlington, VA. (Photo by Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

#2 Our first look at Ilya Samsonov in 2019

We are very excited to see what Ilya Samsonov, Washington’s 2015 first rounder, could do in an NHL game. That will have to wait at least a little while but in the meantime we can get a look at Samsonov in Capitals red as soon as this weekend. He’s spent some time training at the team’s headquarters in Arlington, VA for some summer informal skates and there’s a strong chance he could even be a backup in Washington if he has a phenomenal training camp.

SUNRISE, FL – JUNE 26: Ilya Samsonov poses after being selected 22th overall by of the Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center on June 26, 2015 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FL – JUNE 26: Ilya Samsonov poses after being selected 22th overall by of the Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center on June 26, 2015 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

But it is likely Samsonov will be back up in Hershey this season and the scouting staff needs to watch him closely up there. The way he plays throughout the season will factor in the Capitals future goaltending plans including but not limited to Braden Holtby’s contract situation with a tight salary cap as well as who to expose in this upcoming summer’s Seattle expansion draft.

HERSHEY, PA – NOVEMBER 28: Hershey Bears goalie Ilya Samsonov (1) skates to the corner during a stoppage in play during the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Hershey Bears on November 28, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HERSHEY, PA – NOVEMBER 28: Hershey Bears goalie Ilya Samsonov (1) skates to the corner during a stoppage in play during the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Hershey Bears on November 28, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Samsonov finished his first season in Hershey with a 20-14-2 record with a 2.70 goals-against average and an .898 save percentage. Per the Rookie Tournament guide, Samsonov was tied for eighth in shutouts with three. His best stretch came from Feb. 2 to the 27th where Samsonov won six in a row with a 1.46 GAA and a .947 save percentage during that stretch. In the Calder Cup playoffs Samsonov went 2-3 with a 2.99 GAA and a .897 save percentage.

Samsonov is splitting time in net this rookie tournament with Logan Thompson and Beck Warm.

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