Welcome to the latest series here at Last Word on Hockey. Each day, we will take a look at a new team and examine three of their potential breakout or bounce-back players. What are these? These are players that have the chance to make a serious difference with their teams. Whether that’s as someone who finally finds their place in the NHL, or as someone who had previously been good but has struggled as of recently. Each day we will be looking at a different team! Today we will take a look at the potential 2020-21 Washington Capitals key players.
Potential 2020-21 Washington Capitals Candidates
Connor McMichael
First up on the 2020-21 Washington Capitals bounce back and breakout players list is Connor McMichael. Selected 25th overall in the 2019 NHL draft, McMichael spent the past season in the OHL with the London Knights. The 19-year-old tallied 102 points in the shortened season. While those numbers are impressive, that doesn’t mean he’s ready to jump headfirst into the NHL. Although, it is worth it to mention McMichael’s numbers are comparable to Connor McDavid’s when he played in the same league.
Designated a “Black Ace” for the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, McMichael got to watch and learn from veteran Capitals players and work on his game at the highest level. McMichael will need to show the Capitals front office and coaching staff that he can continue to be a skilled player with an impressive hockey IQ to earn a spot in the big leagues. His shot at the NHL will depend on his performance in training camp.
While he might be a year or two away from being the all-around player the Capitals need, if McMichael makes the team, this season will be a big one for him.
Justin Schultz
Going into his tenth full season in the NHL, Justin Schultz has had a solid career as a blueliner for the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and most recently, the Washington Capitals. Schultz put up impressive numbers in his first three years in the league, establishing his role as an offensive defenceman and power-play quarterback early. The next few years saw a trade to the Penguins, a 51 point season, and the raising of two Stanley Cups for the 30-year-old.
His offensive production took a turn for the worse during the 2018-19 season. Suffering a broken ankle, he missed the majority of the season. In the 29 games, he did play that season, he put up 15 points. Even with the injury, the Penguins expected much more from him. He went from quarterbacking the power play of a championship team to skating on the third pairing with Jack Johnson. The 2019-20 season saw his numbers get worse. During free agency, the Washington Capitals signed Schultz to a two-year, $8 million dollar deal.
A $4 million AAV through 2021-22 means the Capitals believe he’s going to be a good fit. They have faith that his offensive numbers will return to what they were during the height of his career. While he most likely wasn’t signed for his special team prowess–John Carlson has that covered–he will take the Capital’s defence to another level, especially on the stretch pass.
Henrik Lundqvist
After 15 years with the New York Rangers and zero Stanley Cups, Henrik Lundqvist signed a one-year deal with the Washington Capitals. An obvious pick for a bounce-back season, Lundqvist chose the Capitals because they have the ability to take him to all the way to the Stanley Cup. Lundqvist will officially be playing behind Ilya Samsonov as the Capitals back-up goaltender. However, they will probably end up evenly splitting the time in net this season.
Lundqvist has put up his highest goals-against-average and some of the lowest save percentages of his career these past few years. But, as one of the best goalies to ever play the game, everyone agrees he deserves a ring on his finger. With numbers that have been trending downward in the past couple of years, an offensive boost from the likes of Alex Ovechkin and a solid defence led by John Carlson, Lundqvist has a great team in front of him. Hopefully, the seasoned netminder can take this opportunity to win himself a Stanley Cup.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
