Post by ALL CAPS on Feb 25, 2024 20:37:22 GMT -5
WASHINGTON ROUND-UP:
Once again, in this series we will review quick updates on some of the emerging news stories & trends from your Washington Capitals. In this installment, we keep our eyes on the future of the Caps with several updates coming in on the team's self identified youth movement of Season 20.
DUBOIS REACQUIRED & REACQUAINTED WITH GOAL SHEET:
In news not related to the future, Pierre-Luc Dubois, or "PLD" as Washington media refers to him by, showed that he has arrived and is very present. PLD potted his first goal since being reacquired by the Caps during Saturday's 5-3 home victory over the Ottawa Senators when he gave the Capitals an early 2-0 lead. The red hot Capitals (7-1-2 in last 10, winners of 4 straight) will face the Senators again on Monday in the back-half of a home-and-and series.
FUTURE GAINS:
Caps GM Willis told DC Leaks Sports recently that the Caps would be making opportunities for young players to showcase their talents with the team, as part of Washington's youth movement that the team started last year. Right on cue, Caps prospect Jesse Ylonen made his NsHL debut on Saturday night before being reassigned to AsHL Baltimore in time for Sunday's road game. The Capitals have also given auditions to Kevin Stenlund and Jordan Spence this year. With other talented youngsters including Connor McMichael and Rasmus Kuprari seemingly knocking on the door for a shot with the Caps, call-ups could become a common occurrence.
FIRKUS JOINS THE WHL CENTURY CLUB:
Jagger Firkus scored his 100th point of the 2023-24 season for the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors on Saturday night. Firkus, considered by some to be the fastest rising prospect in hockey, has 45 goals and 55 assists in 52 regular season games so far this year. Firkus is up to 284 career WHL points, moving him to 4th place all-time for the franchise behind: Theoren Fleury [472] Chad Hinz [332] and Brayden Point [324].
THREE CAPS PROSPECTS MAKE TSN'S TOP 50 LIST:
Take it with a grain of salt, but it never hurts to get another professional opinion, and so Caps fans should be pleased to find that TSN's Craig Button gave a nod to three Capitals prospects on his recent Top 50 NsHL-affiliated prospects list. Tom Willander (#9), David Reinbacher (#33) and Jagger Firkus (#36) made the list, which is a good sign that the team is finding a balance between being competitive on the ice, and in the development of young players.
VEJMELKA SHINING IN BACKUP DUTIES WITH CAPS:
In a somewhat surprising development, Karel Vejmelka has been providing the Caps with quality starts all season long, thus turning an area of concern into another strength suddenly. Vejmelka, who's long journey to the NsHL includes 2-Championships in Europe, is currently sporting a 10-3 record in 17 GP this year. Perhaps more impressive, Vejmelka's 918 SV% and 2.48 GAA are both stronger than his All-Star teammate Darcy Kuemper's current numbers.
Once again, in this series we will review quick updates on some of the emerging news stories & trends from your Washington Capitals. In this installment, we keep our eyes on the future of the Caps with several updates coming in on the team's self identified youth movement of Season 20.
DUBOIS REACQUIRED & REACQUAINTED WITH GOAL SHEET:
In news not related to the future, Pierre-Luc Dubois, or "PLD" as Washington media refers to him by, showed that he has arrived and is very present. PLD potted his first goal since being reacquired by the Caps during Saturday's 5-3 home victory over the Ottawa Senators when he gave the Capitals an early 2-0 lead. The red hot Capitals (7-1-2 in last 10, winners of 4 straight) will face the Senators again on Monday in the back-half of a home-and-and series.
FUTURE GAINS:
Caps GM Willis told DC Leaks Sports recently that the Caps would be making opportunities for young players to showcase their talents with the team, as part of Washington's youth movement that the team started last year. Right on cue, Caps prospect Jesse Ylonen made his NsHL debut on Saturday night before being reassigned to AsHL Baltimore in time for Sunday's road game. The Capitals have also given auditions to Kevin Stenlund and Jordan Spence this year. With other talented youngsters including Connor McMichael and Rasmus Kuprari seemingly knocking on the door for a shot with the Caps, call-ups could become a common occurrence.
FIRKUS JOINS THE WHL CENTURY CLUB:
Jagger Firkus scored his 100th point of the 2023-24 season for the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors on Saturday night. Firkus, considered by some to be the fastest rising prospect in hockey, has 45 goals and 55 assists in 52 regular season games so far this year. Firkus is up to 284 career WHL points, moving him to 4th place all-time for the franchise behind: Theoren Fleury [472] Chad Hinz [332] and Brayden Point [324].
THREE CAPS PROSPECTS MAKE TSN'S TOP 50 LIST:
Take it with a grain of salt, but it never hurts to get another professional opinion, and so Caps fans should be pleased to find that TSN's Craig Button gave a nod to three Capitals prospects on his recent Top 50 NsHL-affiliated prospects list. Tom Willander (#9), David Reinbacher (#33) and Jagger Firkus (#36) made the list, which is a good sign that the team is finding a balance between being competitive on the ice, and in the development of young players.
VEJMELKA SHINING IN BACKUP DUTIES WITH CAPS:
In a somewhat surprising development, Karel Vejmelka has been providing the Caps with quality starts all season long, thus turning an area of concern into another strength suddenly. Vejmelka, who's long journey to the NsHL includes 2-Championships in Europe, is currently sporting a 10-3 record in 17 GP this year. Perhaps more impressive, Vejmelka's 918 SV% and 2.48 GAA are both stronger than his All-Star teammate Darcy Kuemper's current numbers.