Washington Capitals: Top 3 team needs ahead of 2020 NHL Draft

#2 Forwards

The Caps may likely draft a forward in the first round after taking Connor McMichael last year. One player they could go for is his London Knights teammate Antonio Stranges. With the Knights he scored 19 goals and added 21 assists for 40 points in 60 games played this past season.

Another player that they could select is John-Jason Peterka. This past season for EHC Muchen, he scored seven goals and added four assists for 11 points. He’s an offensive winger with great speed and quickness.

If they draft another forward, they’ll look to have the same success as they did last year. They hit a home run with Connor McMichael.

In 2019-20, McMichael recorded 102 points with 47 goals and 55 assists in 52 games with the Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). No player selected in the 2019 NHL draft averaged more points per game than McMichael, who had 1.96 points per game.

McMichael became the third Knights player selected in the first round to record at least 100 points in the season following their draft year, joining Mitch Marner (2015-16, 116 points) and Corey Perry (2003-04, 113 points).

The six foot, 181 pound forward finished 34 points ahead of the next highest scoring forward on London. Liam Foundy was second with 68 points.

Defense and forwards are two needs for the Capitals in the draft which brings us to our last need.