3 prospects who could be traded this offseason
The Washington Capitals might make a trade very soon and we’ve already went over the varsity players who could go multiple times. So today, we’re going to do something different.
Since the Caps have struggled to move players like Evgeny Kuznetsov, they might have to unfortunately include a prospect into the package. These are the three that could be enough to have a team accept a trade and maybe send that decent return of a young top six winger.
#3 Lucas Johansen
I’m looking at the top defense prospects right now. Haman Aktell Hardy? Just signed him. He’s not going anywhere. Vincent Iorio? Maybe he could go if the price is right. But I wouldn’t do it. Dylan McIlrath? Could be important for the Hershey Bears.
Chase Priskie? Caps just signed him. That would be stupid. So that leaves us with 2016 first round pick Lucas Johansen.
He appeared in just two NHL games last season. Just three total. In the AHL he had seven points with a goal and six assists in the regular season. He was even better in the Calder Cup playoffs.
In Hershey’s run to glory he had two goals and four assists for six points in a span of 20 games.
#2 Hendrix Lapierre
Okay these next two slides I will get a lot of hate mail for. But let me be clear, this isn’t because I want them gone. I’ll be mad too if either of them get traded. But they’re included here because they’ll be an attractive piece in the package.
We’re starting with Hendrix Lapierre who the Caps traded up for by two spots in the 2020 NHL Draft that was virtual.
Now the NHL has a weird rule where even if you get drafted at 18 you can’t necessarily play in the AHL till you’re like 20. So it put the kid in a weird but cool spot.
After impressing the coaches including veteran loving Peter Laviolette, he got six games worth of NHL experience to begin the 2021 22 season and got the thrilling experience of scoring his first NHL goal on home ice on opening night.
Then he got sent overseas to continue his development. He didn’t play in the NHL at all last season but he did star with the Hershey Bears. He played in 60 games and had 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points in the regular season.
In the playoffs he added six points with three goals and three assists including a goal in Game 7 of the Calder Cup Finals which gave the Bears their 12th championship. Sweeter by the dozen indeed. Congrats again Bears. I will check out a game next year.
#1 Connor McMichael
Again let’s be clear, I DON’T WANT THEM TO TRADE LAPIERRE or Connor McMichael. But it might be what it takes to get a deal done. Will GMBM do it remains to be seen. Glad none of us are in that spot.
McMichael wasn’t in the lineup much at the NHL level last season. Only six games before getting sent down to Hershey. It was a necessary move if Laviolette wasn’t going to play him. Why waste time in the press box when you can develop your game and lead the farm team to playoff success?
McMichael had 16 goals and 23 assists for 39 points in 57 regular season games. In the playoffs he had 10 points with six goals and four assists and also had a goal in that epic Game 7 in the dessert.
light. Must Read. Breaking down the likeliest trade destination for Evgeny Kuznetsov
I would like to see McMichael and Lapierre battle it out this training camp. McMichael would probably have the edge in that regard having worked with new coach Spencer Carbery in the past.