Why is Sonny Milano such an exciting addition for the Capitals?
2 goals and 3 points in 5 games in the AHL isn’t anything out of the ordinary, so why are Washington Capitals fans so excited to see Sonny Milano join this team?
Milano trying to prove himself:
Sonny Milano was initially rostered with the Hershey Bears. From the get-go Milano had a point to prove in Hershey, and with injuries to start the year he knew the possibility of him being called up was eminent if he was able to display what he can bring and how he can adapt to a new lineup with the Bears, he could earn his call-up.
In his time in Hershey, Milano quickly adapted to their 1-3-1 forecheck, scoring 2 points in his first 2 games including a highlight reel pass, and goal. With this, he was able to show his ability to adapt to new schemes and willingness to do his part in a bigger system, which we know Peter Laviolette is very adamant on with his younger/less experienced players in his lineup.
Why the Capitals need him now:
Unfortunately, as we have found out from the past few days and weeks, the Capitals will be out without forwards Tom Wilson, Connor Brown, Nicklas Backstrom, Carl Hagelin, and TJ Oshie for a considerable amount of time.
Alongside all these forwards, the leading point getting defenseman for the Capitals in every season but 1 since 2014-2015, John Carlson also was placed on the IR. Though we are hoping for a speedy return from Carlson, that is more points missing from a lineup that already is missing such a copious amount of point getting forwards.
To take a quick deeper look at the guys missing for the Capitals, lets take a look at a few numbers. Last year, throughout the season, the Capitals scored 270 total goals over 82 games, averaging out at out about 3.3 goals per game which had them ranked 10th in the league.
This year, even though it is early in the season, the Caps have averaged only approximately 2.9 goals per game, giving them the 22nd ranking in the NHL. We are seeing problems offensively that this Ovechkin led team rarely ever incurred.
Looking again back at last season, we see of the guys on the IR, that the Capitals are missing a large portion of their point getters from the season prior. If we look at each guy, we had Oshie averaging .568 points per game (ppg), Carlson .910 ppg, Backstrom .659 ppg, and Wilsons .666 ppg, which combines for 2.803 ppg missing from last years lineup due to injury.
Last year, The Capitals had a total of 706 points and the missing players made up 193 of those points. That’s approximately 27.3% of all of their points missing, making players like Connor McMichael, Alexsei Protas, and newly added Sonny Milano, become an even more important part of this Capitals team and ability to not get pushed around in a hectic Metro Division, and stick around while they wait for these huge pieces to return. If we take away 27.3% of last years goals per game, we then go from the 10th ranked team to the 32nd ranked team, again showing the importance of getting points out of 3rd-4th liners and AHL call ups during this time.
Where can Milano Fit in?
Milano while in Anaheim, jumped anywhere from the 4th line to the 1st line, but for the most part spending time as the 2nd or 3rd line left wing. For the Capitals, I can assume we will see lines changing quite frequently as new players enter and exit the Capitals starting lineup.
Sonny Milano, isn’t exactly the type of player for our current energy/hitting 4th line with Dowd and Hathaway. I do however, see a great fit for Milano, on a line with the vastly improving Alexsei Protas and a good puck mover who can also score in either Lars Eller or Connor McMichael.
Having guys with enough skill along side him where he can play set up man or can be the finisher when need be, also not to mention having a big body like Protas on his line, creating space and playing a physical game that can help Milano in many ways. Their is a few combinations throughout our forward group of people Milano can play with, but to me starting him on the third line without the pressure of being on a top 6 line, can help Milano settle in and get comfortable with his new team.
Realistic Expectations:
Sonny Milano will not likely become the player the Blue Jackets thought he would when they drafted him in 2016, but I do believe Sonny Milano can bring some well needed points, energy and excitement to this injury riddled Capitals Team.
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Milano has had past problems with head injuries and I do believe he would have fetched much more money if this were not the case. So, if we can use him in the right role, and can avoid any additional head trauma or injuries, I think Sonny Milano can finish the year with very similar numbers to last years, and help this team turn the corner even with all the important players missing.