Washington Capitals sign Daniel Sprong, can he make lineup?
The Washington Capitals have signed Daniel Sprong.
The Washington Capitals announced on Friday that they signed prospect forward Daniel Sprong to a two year deal. It’s a one way contract for both seasons and will carry an average annual value (AAV) of $725,000.
The 23 year old was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks at the trade deadline in exchange for Christian Djoos on Feb. 25. Sprong was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round at 46th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Sprong, who’s listed as five foot 11 and 191 pounds, scored 12 goals and 21 assists for 33 points in 44 games split between the San Diego Gulls and the Hershey Bears in the AHL last season. He also recorded two points with a goal and an assist in eight games with the Ducks.
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Sprong recorded three points with two assists and the game winning goal in his Hershey debut on Feb. 29, ironically against his old farm club the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He registered a point in four of his five games with Hershey.
Sprong has played in 97 NHL games between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim and has 30 points with 19 goals and 11 assists. Additonally, the Amsterdam, Netherlands native recorded 98 points with 44 goals and 54 assists in 109 AHL games between Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, San Diego, and Hershey.
Sprong was invited to join the team in training camp and impressed the coaches. He had two goals in the intrasquad scrimmage before the team left for Toronto. Yet then head coach Todd Reirden still didn’t play him in the playoffs and it might’ve been a reason why the Caps didn’t go far.
Penguins fans are salty. Sprong was once their future but then he joined the Caps farm system last season at the trade deadline. Now with next season approaching and questions facing the team as they head in a new direction, is there a roster spot available for Sprong.
There might be. Ilya Kovalchuk is a unrestricted free agent and likely will be on the move. The Caps need to tinker with their bottom six on the third line and maybe the fourth. Mostly the third.
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We don’t know when training camp will be but when it comes, Sprong will be one of our players to watch as he looks to crack the lineup and make the opening night roster. He has a legitimate chance to and his contract is one way so it’s likely they could be giving him a shot.