We are miles and miles away from the 2024 NHL Draft. We don’t even know if the roster that’s constructed today of the Washington Capitals will be the final product come opening night.
But we do this every year so why not continue the tradition of doing a way too early mock draft.
So let’s have at it. If the Caps roster is the same I don’t think they make the playoffs. But they won’t stink enough to make the top eight either. They could finish at 11.
Of course they could make the playoffs and pick from 16-32. Unless they win the Cup, I think the Caps go for Igor Chernyshov.
Chernyshov plays for Alex Ovechkin’s hometown Dynamo Moscow as a right wing. Here’s what Corey Pronman of The Athletic (subscription required) said about him:
"Chernyshov had a highly productive junior season in Russia and even got some KHL games with Dynamo. He has a highly desirable combination of traits. He’s a big, strong winger who skates well and handles the puck at a high-end level. He creates offense with pace, can power his way to the net and projects to be able to do so at the higher levels. I wouldn’t call him an amazing playmaker, even though I think he does have hockey sense, as his game is more direct. There’s a lot of pro potential in his game."
In he MHL last season he had 38 points in 38 games with 18 goals and 20 assists. In International Jr. with Russia U18 he had four points in six games with three goals and one assist.
Now a lot can change between now and the start of the season and a lot can change between the start of the season and the start of summer. But if the Caps miss the playoffs maybe they go for him or draft someone better? But we’re done retooling. Time to make a top six splash.