Hope for Washington Capitals' AHL prospects, despite mediocre record

[HF Article]

Photo: Connor Carrick has 62 points in 117 regular season games as a Hershey Bear, fine totals for a young defenceman. (Courtesy of David Hahn/Icon Sportswire)


</p>The Washington Capitals are off to one of the best starts in franchise history with a talented lineup that has dominated the Eastern Conference in 2014-15. The Hershey Bears, Washington’s AHL affiliate, has not been as impressive but there are some players who will be contributors for the Caps in the future.

Hershey has slipped to the middle of the pack since winning back-to-back Calder Cups in 2009 and 2010, failing to reach the second round of the playoffs until last season under first-year coach Troy Mann.… read more

The post Hope for AHL Washington Capitals prospects, despite mediocre record appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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[Byron Bitz]

Is it too soon to say we should have picked Larkin over Vrana?

 

[Calicaps]

Is it too soon to say we should have picked Larkin over Vrana?

It's been said elsewhere. Spilt milk. Hope Vrana develops well.

 

[hockeykicker]

Is it too soon to say we should have picked Larkin over Vrana?

Washington has done well drafting lately. I'd give them benefit of doubt until vrana plays and we can see him in nhl

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Is it too soon to say we should have picked Larkin over Vrana?

We should've picked Larkin for sure. It will take a year or two for Vrana to get to Larkin's current level.
It's okay, we can't make the perfect pick all the time.

 

[artilector]

Is it too soon to say we should have picked Larkin over Vrana?

IMO, it's ok to miss out on great players, as long as your own players pan out. If Vrana develops to a top-6 player, it's a good pick...

On the bright side, most teams can probably say the same thing about missing out on Kuznetsov Although in Kuz's case, I don't think they have any excuse after what he showed in that juniors comeback against Canada.

 

[RandyHolt]

I think George ventured into the murky red waters a bit more than other GMs....

Because he had his trump card here in Washington already. Ovi, of course. It's fun being Ovi, and almost as fun joining your countryman overseas.

 

[Langway]

Although in Kuz's case, I don't think they have any excuse after what he showed in that juniors comeback against Canada.

That was after he was already drafted, though.

In Larkin's case he was playing behind Eichel & Matthews on the NTDP so it wasn't clear what sort of upside he had. Detroit banked on his two-way instincts winning out and hit it big. It happens. I'd hope the Caps gamble on two-way instincts and competitiveness a bit more often going forward, esp. later in the draft. Not predominantly so but more of a mix.

 

[TheFountainhead]

I still believe that Vrana is going to be an awesome player. Kid has a ton of ability.

 

[artilector]

That was after he was already drafted, though.

In Larkin's case he was playing behind Eichel & Matthews on the NTDP so it wasn't clear what sort of upside he had. Detroit banked on his two-way instincts winning out and hit it big. It happens. I'd hope the Caps gamble on two-way instincts and competitiveness a bit more often going forward, esp. later in the draft. Not predominantly so but more of a mix.

Ah, alright, I guess my memory failed on that one! GMs get a pass then...

 

[usiel]

That was after he was already drafted, though.

In Larkin's case he was playing behind Eichel & Matthews on the NTDP so it wasn't clear what sort of upside he had. Detroit banked on his two-way instincts winning out and hit it big. It happens. I'd hope the Caps gamble on two-way instincts and competitiveness a bit more often going forward, esp. later in the draft. Not predominantly so but more of a mix.

That was my recollection as well.

 

[txpd]

Where is Larkin if drafted instead of Vrana? Is he playing in Washington? Lets see what Vrana becomes, but lets also not assume that Larkin would have taken Johansson's spot or has forced Burakovsky to Hershey.

 

[Hivemind]

Where is Larkin if drafted instead of Vrana? Is he playing in Washington? Lets see what Vrana becomes, but lets also not assume that Larkin would have taken Johansson's spot or has forced Burakovsky to Hershey.

Dylan Larkin would have easily won the 3C spot at the start of the season. Johansson wasn't the 3C until Beagle got hurt.

 

[Holtbyisms]

Where is Larkin if drafted instead of Vrana? Is he playing in Washington? Lets see what Vrana becomes, but lets also not assume that Larkin would have taken Johansson's spot or has forced Burakovsky to Hershey.

I suspect being as deep as we are he'd not be on the pro roster. He would have had to show up quite a few people in camp and by a mile. In DET he had a great opportunity and has made the most of it.

 

[txpd]

Dylan Larkin would have easily won the 3C spot at the start of the season. Johansson wasn't the 3C until Beagle got hurt.

No. Barry Trotz was using Beagle at 3C regardless. The only avenue for Larkin would have been to displace Burakovsky and even then the available toi was limited. The Larkin in Detroit is not close to the Larkin the Caps would have had.

 

[Carlzner]

Dylan Larkin would have easily won the 3C spot at the start of the season. Johansson wasn't the 3C until Beagle got hurt.

Lol.

 

[Hivemind]

Anyone who thinks Jay Beagle would beat out Dylan Larkin is nuts.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

Is Larkin the new Getzlaf?

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Sorry but regardless of where Larkin would go in the current lineup, I'd rather have him than Vrana who just returned from injury and plays in Hershey. Larkin has become the biggest offensive threat on the Wings, surpassing Dats and Z.

 

[hockeykicker]

Sorry but regardless of where Larkin would go in the current lineup, I'd rather have him than Vrana who just returned from injury and plays in Hershey. Larkin has become the biggest offensive threat on the Wings, surpassing Dats and Z.

question is though, we dont know if larkin would excel in dc. yes he did well in detroit but that doesnt mean anything for the caps. he would most likely jump in at 3c, would he have still taken off with chimera and wilson as opposed to playing on red wings first line?

 

[Calicaps]

Is Larkin the new Getzlaf?

It would seem so.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

question is though, we dont know if larkin would excel in dc. yes he did well in detroit but that doesnt mean anything for the caps. he would most likely jump in at 3c, would he have still taken off with chimera and wilson as opposed to playing on red wings first line?

At least on our 3rd line he'd be dealing with easier competition. The thing is, which one of Larkin or Vrana would contribute more to the Caps. The answer is Larkin for me. No regrets though, we got a good player in Vrana anyway.

 

[Todos a la Calle]

Dylan Larkin is eye-poppingly good this year. Don't think many expected him to evolve into that player. Vrana seems pretty good ... but if you could do the pick over, you go with Larkin.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

Anyone who thinks Jay Beagle would beat out Dylan Larkin is nuts.

Disagree. Trotz loves Beagle and Beagle was signed to be the 3C. Trotz has a vision for his 3rd line, and Larkin doesn't (or wouldn't have had back in camp) fit with that vision.

 

[twabby]

Larkin is really good and would have been a 3C given the talent on this team. No shame in putting Beagle down to 4C (where he is very good). 3 scoring lines and a defensive 4th line is a good way to go in today's NHL.