Connor McMichael's Breakout Season
We now go to the opposite end of the spectrum. We just talked about an older guy staying at the top, to a younger guy trying to get there. Well, I don't know if Connor McMichael is trying to get there anymore. He might just simply be there.
McMichael has played in all 21 games this season. So far he is third on the team in total scoring with 20 points. He's behind only Ovechkin and his 25 points and Strome and his 29 points. Connor's 13 goals is only behind Ovechkin's 15. The next closest is 7, that being Protas.
Goals and points are one thing. Just watching him play is another. We are a quarter of the way through the season now. On a lot of these 21 games played I think you could say McMichael was the best player on the team. Yes, Strome and Ovechkin are scoring. But overall, McMichael has looked better. At least to me.
I think there are a couple of numbers that can prove this. While the team is playing 5v5 hockey there is no one on the Capitals who has more individual chances and high danger attempts than McMichael. He has 50 scoring chances, Dubois is 2nd with 41, and 27 high danger attempts, Dubois again being 2nd with 25.
I've probably said it enough already, but Ovechkin is 39. Nicklas Backstrom is gone. T.J. Oshie is probably gone. The old core is on its way out. You need young guys stepping up and claiming their spots. McMichael is doing that this season.
I honestly think watching a young guy "figure it out" is one of the more fun things in sports. I think McMichael has figured it out.
The New Guys Have Played Well
The Capitals had a really good off-season. They traded away an underperforming goalie for a potential top six center in Pierre-Luc Dubois. They traded for Jakob Chychrun. They signed Matt Roy. Acquired Andrew Mangiapane. They were also able to bring in goaltender Logan Thompson.
At the very least, three of those guys have been terrific for the Capitals.
Dubois has only been the center of the Caps best line all season long. Chychrun has been great with 6 goals and 11 points in 16 games. And Logan Thompson is 9-1-1 to start his Capitals tenure with a 2.44 goals against average and a .917 save percentage.
When you have an off-season like the Capitals had, and you bring in the amount of guys they did I think you're just hoping more of them play well than not. There's nothing guaranteed. Players switch teams all the time and for some reason they can't seem to figure it out in their new home. We'll actually talk about this is a second.
For the Caps, their fun off-season has resulted in even more fun in the regular season. Not only are the players the team brought in doing okay, you can say they are the reason the team is excelling.
The only downside to any of these players is Chychrun is on the last year of his deal. If I'm the Capitals I am doing everything I can to get him signed long term. He's had a great season so far. The more points he puts up the more expensive he will be as well. But we can worry about this later.
For now, enjoy the new guys. Because man have they been good in D.C.