Washington Capitals: Top 3 players they could lose in NHL Expansion Draft

#3 Richard Panik

Richard Panik had an up and down first season with the Caps. He struggled on the third line but thrived on the fourth. He struggled in the beginning of the season but performed well down the stretch just before the season was paused due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Panik, despite his weaknesses, is still one of the most skilled players of the bottom six. The team hopes he can add more consistency to his game as he approaches his second year with the team. If he does, maybe this spot goes open and the team will protect him instead of Carl Hagelin.

Panik scored nine goals and added 13 assists for 22 points in 59 games played. In the bubble he had a goal in eight playoff games. Panik would bring depth scoring to the Kraken and perhaps a new change in scenery might be best for him to tap into his potential.

Panik was brought on to try and be an upgrade over the departures of Andre Burakovsky and Brett Connolly. Maybe Panik’s second year with the Caps will be even better and he will find consistency. After all, the bottom six needs to step up this season. The top six can’t do it all.