Friday, May 18, 2007

Draft plans

Ken McKenna at the Sporting News is doing a series of blogs on the NHL teams that have the top five picks for this year's draft. The Caps round out that list at number five and Ken offers his take on prospects in the works:

The Capitals also have two good goaltending prospects in Semen Varlamov, a Russian taken in the first round of the 2006 NHL draft, and Michal Neuvirth, another player chosen in what is looking like a very good 2006 draft for the Capitals. Neither backstop is ready to step into the NHL at this time, but the combination gives the club some enviable goaltending depth for the future.

And, in addition to the defenders Green and Schultz, the Capitals also have several solid defensive prospects for the future. Twin towers Sasha Pokulok (6-5) and Joe Finley (6-7), both first round selections in 2005, should provide a commanding presence in the future. And diminutive Sami Lepisto could be a power play quarterback for the Capitals when he comes to North America to begin his pro career.

2 comments:

Abhinav said...

I'm basically writing Pokulok off as a prospect. Frankly, if the guy's got concussion issues, I'd rather him not play than risk anything. It's really not worth it.

Hopefully he's ok and he can play for 20 more years. But he's had something like 2 or 3 concussions already, and there's no reason to put yourself at risk (especially in light of everything that's happened in the NFL).

Shmee said...

I dont know that Dave Steckel has a future here either. At the NHL level he is a checking line center and the Caps have a surplus of those.