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Washington Capitals: Top 5 players to watch this preseason

By Michael Marzzacco

ARLINGTON, VA - JUNE 29: Capitals prospect goalie Ilya Samsonov during camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on June 29, 2016 in Arlington, Va. (Photo by Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, VA - JUNE 29: Capitals prospect goalie Ilya Samsonov during camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on June 29, 2016 in Arlington, Va. (Photo by Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 21: Connor McMichael, 25th overall pick of the Washington Capitals, poses for a portrait during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 21: Connor McMichael, 25th overall pick of the Washington Capitals, poses for a portrait during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /

#4 Connor McMichael

The top Washington Capitals draft pick of the summer is going to get a lot of eyes on him during the preseason and for good reason. He is groomed by the legendary Dale Hunter, who’s got a good thing brewing with the London Knights.

Connor McMichael made a couple good plays at the Prospect Showcase. He also suited up for Monday’s Capitals preseason opener against the Chicago Blackhawks. McMichael centered the third line next to Chandler Stephenson and Damien Riat. He had an assist on the game’s first goal which belonged to Riat.

The Capitals possession metrics were solid with the one-game sample size from McMichael. He played a total of 11:19 and finished with a Corsi-For percentage of 57.69% and a Fenwick For percentage of 52.63% (via Natural Stat Trick).

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 21: Connor McMichael, 25th overall pick of the Washington Capitals, poses for a portrait during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 21: Connor McMichael, 25th overall pick of the Washington Capitals, poses for a portrait during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /

“After a couple shifts I felt good. I felt like it was just another game for me. I felt more comfortable and had a lot of fun,” McMichael told the media after the game.

McMichael added:

"“A lot of veterans were playing so the speed was up, the physicality (was up). Like I said, I had a lot of fun and I hope I can get another one in.”"

Hopefully McMichael will get another game or two for a chance to light up the lamp.

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