A look at the top 3 Capitals prospects heading into 2023
Before we preview our final defenseman, let’s take a look at the Washington Capitals of the future. It’s time for our annual and ever changing but latest top 3 prospects list.
These can change every year and are based on where they’re at in their development. Of course I can only choose 3 for this one. But I can tell you right now who didn’t make the list.
Connor McMichael did not make it. While he kind of is a prospect, he needs to graduate to the NHL sooner rather than later after being a key player with the Hershey Bears. Aliaksei Protas also did not make the cut. He played in 58 NHL games last season so I wouldn’t really consider that prospect status.
But here are the ones that did make it:
#3 Vincent Iorio
Based on my player previews about the defenseman the last several weeks and days with one more to remain, it’ll be hard to see Vincent Iorio make the opening night roster. But that doesn’t mean we won’t be seeing NHL action from the kid this season.
The 20 year old skated in three NHL games last season. Associate general manager Chris Patrick told NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti that he expects Iorio to play in 10-20 NHL games this season before moving into a full time role next season. Definitely something to watch when training camp begins September 21.
#2 Ivan Miroshnichenko
Ivan Miroshnichenko was selected by the Capitals at #20th overall in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft. ESPN had high praise for him and the fact that he fell into the Capitals’ laps at 20th is huge. Sadly it was because of his diagnosis with Hodgkin’s lymphoma but he is now cancer free and ready to go.
The six foot one, 185 pound forward who’s 19 years old signed a three year entry level deal with the Caps on May 1. He did this after he was allowed to terminate his contract with Omsk in the Kotinential Hockey League or KHL.
The Russian forward got to participate in development camp this year after watching from the sidelines last year. He’s got a good release and he can score goals, now it’s just a matter of seeing what he can do on a North American rink.
He probably won’t make the opening night roster this season but if he can at least start the year with the Hershey Bears and put up good numbers, he could have a big role next year at the NHL level.
#1 Ryan Leonard
This was a good pick by the Capitals in this year’s NHL Draft. I wanted Ivan Michkov at first but after finding out how his off the ice attitude made a Caps scout angry, I’m glad they went for Ryan Leonard.
Leonard was a standout for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under 18 team and was picked eighth overall. He’s 18 years old. He’s got the offensive skills and the physicality of a power forward. Some have went far to compare him to Tom Wilson.
He’s six foot and 192 pounds. Chris Patrick told NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti:
“I’m not comparing him to Tom Wilson, but he’s got that kind of swagger. He’s willing to compete. He’s willing to get in guys’ faces. He’s willing to challenge guys.”
He is going to suit up for Boston College this season so it’ll be a few years before we actually see Leonard don the Capitals red, white and blue. Gulitti projects him to arrive around the 2025 26 season.
light. More. Trevor van Riemsdyk can play on any D pair
That should give him ample time to get his education and adjust to bigger level hockey before he adjusts to even bigger levels in the AHL and NHL. This pick by the Capitals was a home run and he should be one of the bright spots in the dark post Alex Ovechkin days.