Top 5 Washington Capitals prospects heading into 2024-25

#3 Andrew Cristall

Andrew Cristall was selected with the 40th pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and last season with Kelowna of the WHL recorded 40 goals and 71 assists for 111 points in 62 games played.

The five foot 10, 167 pound forward had a solid first NHL training camp last season and after returning to Kelowna he led the team in points for the second straight season. He probably won't arrive until 2026-27 but since being drafted the 19 year old has been focusing on skating and improving his strength and conditioning to take that next step forward.

Patrick would add:

"I think he's going to continue getting better, so I'm really curious to see how he looks at training camp this year, his second camp. He's a guy that he either has to be in Washington or be back in junior, so I'd love to see him make it hard on Spencer and his staff to have to send him back."

- Chris Patrick

If, and that's a big if, Cristall can blossom into the preseason the pressure will indeed be on the coaching staff. And preseason camp battles are the name of the game these days. So it'll be interesting once the prospects get to work before the veterans.