Washington Capitals: Top 3 players guaranteed to make 2021 roster
We’re well underway into Washington Capitals training camp.
The Peter Laviolette era began on Monday and the Washington Capitals have been gearing up for the season ahead. They open up the season this Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. They’ve had several practices and an intrasquad scrimmage under their belt. Let’s dissect the roster and see who makes it onto the team.
Training camp has been split into two groups with the mostly NHL group practicing in the morning, typically at 9:30 a.m. while the second group practices in the afternoon at 3. Don’t read too much into it. Peter Laviolette has said he thinks a majority of players will play in this condensed schedule. Still let’s see who we think will make the team. We’ll start with the obvious.
#3 Alex Ovechkin
Duh! Alex Ovechkin will of course make the squad. Why did we put him here? Well the great eight enters a big season and not just because it’s the final year of his 13 year contract (don’t worry Caps fans, I think he will re-sign).
Coming off a 48 goal season, all eyes will be on him as he inches closer to Wayne Grezky’s unbreakable record. Can he do it? 56 games won’t help but putting up strong numbers will.
#2 Conor Sheary
Another player will not only make the roster but get some significant playing time on the third line. Some of these offseason additions were very weird and one that was real weird was when the team signed Conor Sheary.
Sheary was a villain for many years and many playoff battles in just a short span as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now he provides scoring depth to a team that desperately needs it. Sheary was signed to a one year deal worth $735,000.
Sheary actually spent last season with two teams, the Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres who the Caps see this Thursday. Last season he scored 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points. He even got to play on the top line with Sidney Crosby during his best season in Pittsburgh when he scored a career high 23 goals and 30 assists for 53 points.
Initally it looked like it was Daniel Sprong time on the third line but he is now likely to compete for a fourth line role or he may wind up on the taxi squad. I think both can get involved in this condensed season. This was another good offseason move by Brian MacLellan. He sure knows how to pull it off in the offseason.
#1 Connor McMichael
I know what you’re thinking. Connor McMichael won’t play on any lines on opening night but you will see him suit up in an NHL game in 2021. Though he may start out on the taxi squad, he might impress the coaches enough to get a roster spot later in the season. The kid has earned it.
On Thursday Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic reported that after playing in the World Juinors, McMichael arrived in Washington this weekend. He is required to quarantine before he can join the team.
While playing for Team Canada in the World Juniors, McMichael had four goals and four assists in eight games as Canada came up just short of the gold medal to Team USA. Still though a silver this year and a gold last year is still impressive and something you should wear with honor.
McMichael has come a long way in such a short amount of time. It’s going to be exciting to see him make his NHL debut. He’s the one player I can’t wait to see in person when they open the arena back up to fans. We don’t know when he will complete the quarantine protocol but he could join the team for practices in the next week.