With the 23rd pick, the Washington Capitals select … right winger Viktor Tikhonov of Russia.
Look at 10 mock drafts and you’ll get 10 different players by the Caps in the NHL draft tonight. Everything but a goalie, which wouldn’t be the worst choice. The Caps probably have 10 contingency plans. It’s that uncertain.
The upside is the Caps have plenty of young talent. There are no gaping holes to fill through the draft anymore. The endless rebuilding plan finally came through last spring even if Washington lost in the postseason’s first round. This team will improve simply through maturity.
The Caps really can go with the best player available, but after concentrating on defense the last few years maybe offense gets the first nod. They’re certainly set at left wing with Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin and have plenty of centers so grabbing a right wing right away seems the most logical. Tikhonov plays both sides and is the grandson of Russia’s greatest coach ever, but a bit of a project. The Caps have time to wait so maybe Tikhonov is the pick.
Then again, there’s no tracking the Caps come draft day. You’ll get more out of street mimes. General manager George McPhee probably wouldn’t tell owner Ted Leonsis who the team is considering. In the past, McPhee gave more hints on who they wouldn’t take when discussing who they liked. If he ever quits hockey, McPhee can always be a White House spokesman. Meanwhile, coach Bruce Boudreau mostly talked of Steve Stamkos, who figures to last two seconds before taken first overall by Tampa Bay.
The Hockey News believes Washington will choose center Anton Gustafsson, son of 1980s Caps fan favorite Bengt Gustafsson. That would be cool. Maybe Al Iafrate has a teenager ready as the second coming, too. Perhaps Bobby Carpenter sends an offspring to make up for his disappointing career as the team’s first pick a generation ago.
The interesting part comes in the second round when Washington selects No. 54, 57 and 58. The Redskins just proved you can get fat in the second round when grabbing three nice prospects in April. The Caps could package them to move up, but will more likely stock the farm team. A goalie should be among the three picks.
This draft is simply about the future. If the Caps became Southeast Division champions last season after Boudreau joined them at Thanksgiving, imagine what a full season with the NHL’s coach of the year will bring? The Caps should roll deep into the postseason this time regardless of whether any of the draft picks contribute this year.
Still, if the Caps pick up Swedish goalie Jakob Markstrom or Russian right winger Kirill Petrov, who would complain?
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
