Making the case why Capitals should not call up Connor McMichael
The Washington Capitals should call up some young guys and give them a chance at playing time. But they should not call up Connor McMichael.
Remember there’s still eight games left in the regular season and Peter Laviolette is still the head coach. Though according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman it may not be for long. After there were talks earlier in the season about a contract extension, those talks have since stopped.
McMichael played in six games this season averaging 8:52 minutes of ice time per game. Not a lot and even though there were injuries all season long Laviolette opted to put him in the press box until the team finally sent him to the Hershey Bears.
In 48 AHL games, McMichael has recorded 34 points with 15 goals and 19 assists. The Bears clinched a spot in the Calder Cup playoffs. Why would McMichael want to come to the NHL and play for a coach that won’t play him for a team that isn’t going to the playoffs when he could taste playoff hockey where he’s at right now?
That’s where I am with this. I don’t hate the kid at all. In fact, I love McMichael.
The thing is whoever the Caps hire as their next head coach will have to make a decision with both McMichael and possibly Hendrix Lapierre. That’s whether to keep them where they are in the organization or trade them off for a top six forward that will help the Caps next year compete for a return to the playoffs.
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I don’t think trading both is the answer. As far as trading one of them, I’m listening to the offer first before I pull the trigger. That is if I was GMBM. But for the greater good of McMichael’s development, keep him away from the Caps NHL club for at least right now until Laviolette packs his bags.