Washington Capitals training camp is in full swing and on Sunday evening at 5 p.m. against the Boston Bruins, the Caps will open up the preseason. There isn’t a lot of openings on the roster but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things to watch for nor things to predict. Here are the top 5 bold predictions heading into the preseason.
#5 Connor McMichael will make the opening night lineup
If this was written a week ago, it would be even more bold of a prediction. However, after the Caps announced Nicklas Backstrom was listed week to week and that he could miss significant time, it opens up an opportunity at the center position. Connor McMichael won’t be centering the top line but perhaps there’s a spot for him on the third line if the Caps want to leave their fourth line intact.
Scott Allen is the new head coach of the Hershey Bears but was an assistant coach for the two previous years. He got a look at McMichael in Hershey last season and an even closer look at him last weekend at Rookie Camp.
Connor McMichael discusses his offseason workout regimen and his continued focus on building strength after the first day of Rookie Camp at MedStar Capitals Iceplex.#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/GKWKaK4cRs
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 18, 2021
Allen said this on McMichael via JJ Regan of NBC Sports Washington:
"“Certainly, [McMichael’s] a very confident player. He’s very good with the puck. He’s certainly improved without the puck, which is a big part of playing in the National Hockey League, right? You have to be responsible without the puck on both sides of the puck, both offensively and defensively, and I think he’s certainly taken that and run with it.”"