Is Ethen Frank NHL ready next season?

Ethen Frank is one Washington Capitals prospect we forgot to mention and he's been lighting it up for the Hershey Bears all season long. That has continued into the Calder Cup Playoffs. Last season the Frank had 30 goals and 19 assists for 49 points. In the 2023 playoffs where the Bears hoisted the Calder Cup, Frank contributed two goals and four assists for six points.

In the regular season this year Frank finished with 29 goals and 18 assists for 47 points. So far in the Calder Cup playoffs where the Bears look to defend their title, Frank has three goals and two assistws for five points. That includes a two goal effort on May 4 in a win over Lehigh Valley where the Bears took care of them in four games.

Now Frank and the Bears gear up for the Atlantic Division Finals on Thursday night at Giant Center. The way too early for training camp question is can the prospect graduate to the NHL level? Yes.

Back in February Frank won the AHL's fastest skater event for the second straight year. That's what the Caps need. Quickness down the ice and crisp tape to tape passes. Frank won the contest in San Jose, California as part of the Skills Competition. The 25 year old finished his lap of the CCM Fastest Skater in 13.032 seconds, falling just short of surpassing his previous record of 12.915.

Frank joined Clay Stevenson along with defenseman Dylan McIlrath as captain in the AHL All Star Classic. Head coach Todd Nelson also oversaw the bench for the second straight year as the Bears finished the regular season with 111 points with a 53-14-0-5 record, leading the AHL and the team they beat in last year's Calder Cup Finals by eight points.