Can you guys give me some insight into these Caps players who made their NHL debut last season? Specifically what type of player they are, if they have an NHL future and what role they project as in the long-term. Thanks!
Shane Gersich
Madison Bowey
Nathan Walker
Christian Djoos
Travis Boyd
Jakub Jerabek
Gersich - Quick, waterbug type player. Probably has an NHL future, but it's unclear if he will simply be a depth/energy guy, or if he will be able to translate his scoring prowess and become a legitimate top 6/9 guy.
Bowey - All the tools to be a top 4 defenseman, but unclear if he's got the hockey IQ to execute that at an NHL level. Probably played his best hockey of the year after he got sent back down to the AHL. Not waiver-exempt next year, so he'll likely stick on the roster in some capacity, but it's possible it could be as a #7 depending on who they keep.
Walker - Few play with more hustle, but he's probably not much than an organizational depth guy. If there's enough cap/free agency casualties, he could be 4LW next year, but ultimately he's probably more of a #13-15 forward. He was waived this year because Trotz didn't like that he didn't kill penalties, but he has PKd at all the lower levels, so we'll see.
Djoos - Super slick, smooth skating defenseman. Can make some incredible plays with the puck on his stick. Really undersized, and can get smothered when he's not jumping plays. Played top 4 for a while this year, but ultimately settled into the seldom-used third pairing in the playoffs.
Boyd - Playmaking forward that has achieved high levels of success in the NCAA and AHL, but is probably just organizational depth at the NHL level. Not a PKer or checking forward.
Jerabek - Mobile defenseman acquired at the trade deadline from Montreal. Helped provide some depth and balance to the blueline, but ultimately was struggled mightily against Columbus and was benched in favor of Djoos (who outplayed him). Not sure if he'll be back in Washington or not, but he's probably worth an NHL contract somewhere.