Washington Capitals 2022 Future Watch: Daniel Sprong

Daniel Sprong has established himself as a proven NHLer this past season. Is he now able to take that extra step?

In arguably the deepest draft we’ve seen in recent years, the 2015 NHL Draft consisted of only a handful of players who would start their NHL careers that same year. Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Mikko Rantanen, Noah Hanifin, and who would seem to be the odd man out, Daniel Sprong.

Sprong, the Pittsburgh Penguins 2015 second round pick appeared in 18 games in the 2015–16 season, recording 2 goals before being ultimately sent back down to Charlottetown of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he would remain for the next season and a half. Sprong who has bounced between the NHL and AHL over the years, has struggled to show consistency in the NHL with stints with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks. After being traded from the Ducks to the Washington Capitals at the 2020 trade deadline, the shifty winger has seemed to have found his groove in his first year with the Capitals this past season.

In a shortened NHL season, Sprong managed to appear in 42 of 56 games, recording a career high in points per game (0.48) tallying 13 goals and adding 7 assists for 20 points. Sprong played a substantial role on the Capitals bottom six this past season, displaying flashes of his junior self showing explosive speed as well as a mighty quick release. Expected to make a bigger impact this coming season, Sprong will be an under the radar player this year, seeking a significant pay raise as he enters his last year of a two year deal carrying an AAV of $725,000.

Sprong is not only a player who can show offensive upside, but has proved himself as a consistent two–way player this past season. Daniel Sprong is a work horse, who has been relied upon to play against teams top lines, posting a +/ – rating of +7 this past season, tied for the highest +/ – rating of returning forwards this season, equaling fellow teammates Carl Hagelin, Garnet Hathaway and Evgeny Kuznetsov.

The 24 year old has greatly surpassed expectations this passed season, earning a spot on Washington’s protected list for the Seattle Expansion Draft, and is expected to have a breakout year should he remain healthy. The Dutch attacker has built himself up to be a fan favorite for Capitals fans, playing with a chip on his shoulder in every opportunity he gets.

Confidence and consistency will play key factors in his continued development, as Sprong should continue to gain trust and opportunity from Coach Laviolette.