Top 3 UDFAs that are worth signing by the Capitals
If the Washington Capitals were to sign any undrafted free agents, there are several good names on the market. That’s what this post will focus on, which three undrafted free agents would best suit the Capitals for the present and most importantly the future.
These are the three top players in the world of hockey that ended up not getting drafted in the 2022 NHL Draft. The Caps had a good draft in my opinion and in the opinion of a lot of others. So that’s important in terms of improving your teams prospects.
#3 Spencer Sova
Spencer Sova is a left handed defenseman that plays for the Erie Otters of the OHL. He was an alternate captain for the Canadian U 18 team and seemed destined to get picked in the draft but it never materialized.
He is a strong skater and a stout defender that has a willingness to use his frame and size on both ends of the ice. He has all the tools and utilizes them to their maximum potential. He’s got the speed, skating skills, size and good puck handling.
Sova was really good was he was able to get the puck in the open ice and would utilize his mobility to score.
#2 Kasper Lundell
Kasper Lundell plays for HIFK U20 of the U20 SM Sarja. He is the younger brother of Florida Panthers rookie Anton. He has the same two way tendencies his brother exhibited but not quite to the level his older brother had in his draft year.
Still the younger brother is a good player with a lot of potential. He understands his position and he displayed good awareness at both ends of the ice while displaying shooting talent and passing accuracy.
Perhaps the reason he was undrafted was because of his mobility being less than sub par compared to his brother. He still needed to come a step, or two, or three, in skating so he can keep up to NHL speed.
He still has a good defensive IQ and can work on his offensive game at the Finnish junior level and even the Liiga level. He just has to figure out how to take his game to the NHL level.
That can come with an improvement in skating and extensive work in the skills department. They always say better late than never and that’s always the case with these undrafted free agents. You never know how things pan out either.
#1 Ilya Kvochko
Ilya Kvochko plays for Magnitogorsk of the MHL. He’s a five foot nine Russian. Russian players were at a disadvantage in the draft compared to years past because of all that’s going on right now in the world.
But we’re a hockey blog so we’ll just leave it at that. A lot of people still believe he has a shot to make it to the NHL. He is a highly creative player and he’s got excellent offensive instincts whether he’s passing or shooting.
Kvochko also does a good job at protecting the puck. He can also establish body position in battles along the boards. He can also drive to the net and create scoring chances for himself. He’s got all the skills but still a ton of adversity.
Elite Prospects said this about him in their 2022 NHL Draft Guide:
A heady, playmaking centre, Kvochko likes to slow the game down to a pace at which he’s most comfortable and pick apart the defence one pass at a time. Kvochko has an excellent knack for letting plays develop before dispatching the puck, often with the perfect weight and placement for his intended target.
More. Breaking down the April schedule of the Capitals. light
Those are three Caps players and then some that are undrafted free agents the team should sign.