The Capitals have a number of intriguing and exciting prospects in the pipeline, making the future in Washington look pretty bright. A few of those players seem poised to make the big club, while some others are not. Maybe one or two gets traded this summer as the Capitals look to add a top-six forward to their roster. Or maybe they hold onto their promising young players and hope one (or more) of them can be a difference maker. Here are 4 prospects that will make the Caps roster next season and 1 who most certainly won't.
Ivan Miroshnichenko
Miro has proven all that he could in the AHL, playing at a high level on the first line in Hershey, leading the Bears to the Calder Cup back in 2024. Now, he has to show that he be an everyday NHLer. He skates well, has a good shot and is very skilled. He is in remission from Hodkins Lymphoma he was diagnosed with before he was drafted back in 2022, which obviously slowed his development. Miro was not sent to Hershey after the season, which signals that he will get every opportunity to make the Caps this fall.
Ilya Protas
Ilya Protas looked ready for the NHL in the last four games of the season playing between big brother Aliaksei and Tom Wilson. He flashed the skill and puck awareness that he demonstrated in Hershey. PJ (Protas Jr.) could fill the Capitals need for a playmaking center. That would make it easier for the Caps to find a trade for an elite winger instead of having to compete with other clubs for a top center. Lil’ Pro still has to make the team in the fall, but based on his play in April, that seems likely to happen.
Cole Hutson
Unless there is some serious regression, Cole Hutson should make the team out of training camp. Like his brother Lane in Montreal, Cole is a great skater and has some serious skill. Head fakes, spin-o-ramas, and pinpoint passing make Hutson hard to defend despite his diminutive size. With the Capitals suddenly thin on the blueline with the trade of John Carlson and the injury to Rasmus Sandin, Hutson would really have to stink up training camp to be sent down to Hershey.
Andrew Cristall
Cristall has been close to making the Caps out of training camp in each of the last two season before he was ultimately sent down. His offensive skill is undeniable, putting up great numbers in juniors and scoring 60 points in 72 games in his first season in the AHL last season. Cristall’s issue has been his skating and defensive play, both have which have improved since the Caps drafted him in the 2nd round of the 2023 draft. Maybe he needs a bit more seasoning in Hershey before he makes the jump, although the Blackhawks Connor Bedard seems to think Cristall will tear it up when he makes it to the NHL.
Lynden Lakovic
The Caps are high on Lakovic and have compared him to Tom Wilson. (Can you imagine having with two unicorns playing in DC?) Unfortunately, I doubt that he makes the jump next season. Lakovic only played 22 games for Moose Jaw in the Western Hockey League after he was injured and required surgery last January, the second season in a row he missed time due to injury. The Caps would be smart to give Lakovic time to get stronger more playing experience before introducing him to the NHL game. He’s only 19 and they don’t have to rush him.
