Washington Capitals Fantasy Breakdown

Washington Poised To Capitalize On A Weak Division

Club: Washington Capitals
Fantasy Impact Rating: Cool

Superstars: Alexander Ovechkin
Big Producers: Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Green
Mid-Level Flyers: Chris Clark, Michael Nylander
Rookies/Prospects: Eric Fehr, Karl Alzner, Simeon Varlamov, Mathieu Perreault, Francois Bouchard
Sleepers: Alexander Semin, Viktor Kozlov
Avoid the Hype: Sergei Fedorov

Analysis:
The Washington Capitals will be a far better team than their fantasy projection makes them and there are a couple of names that you should consider when drafting this season. There is very little chance that Alexander Ovechkin will make it out of the top 5 players picked in any format this season. Let’s not dance around it; he’s a superstar. He very well could hit the 50 goal mark and add 40 helpers, much of which would be on the power play.

It took Nicklas Backstrom some time to come into his own last season, but the rookie had a dynamite second half of the season and should produce significantly this year playing along side of AO. He’ll see time on the power play for sure and has the opportunity to hit the 70 point mark setting up Ovechkin all year. Firm believers in the sophomore slump should put their premonitions aside on this one and look for Backstrom later on in the early rounds of a 12 manager draft.

Mike Green came out of nowhere last season and emerged as one of the best offensive defenseman in the league. The Caps are really lacking in point getters from the blue line, so Green will be their main man on the power play and serious source of points again this year. There are more well known defenders out there ahead of Green, so if you’re patient on him, you might be able to steal him in the 4th or 5th round of your draft. Many people view defenders differently, so it’s plausible to see him drop because he’s a relatively fresh face in fantasy hockey. Also, Green has some serious keeper luster to him now that we have seen what he’s made of, so managers in keeper situations be aware of Green’s potential.

Chris Clark and Michael Nylander will be anchoring Washington’s second line this season and should be merit some attention in middle rounds. Nylander spent significant time on injured reserve last season with a shoulder injury, but was nearly a point per game before he went down. There is little doubt of whether he can play, and would be a superb 3rd option at center. If he picks up where he left off last year, expect between 50 and 60 points from him this season. To his right is tough guy Chris Clark. Clark has put up decent numbers in the two full seasons he has played with the Caps and should be appealing to managers looking for a player who has the potential to hit the 50 point/100+ penalty minute mark. Consider Clark a 3rd or 4th option at right wing and reap the benefits of a player who will fly under the radar in most drafts this season.

Two sleepers to consider in your draft this season are Alexander Semin and Viktor Kozlov. Semin spent the majority of the regular season on injured reserve last year but appears ready for training camp this year. He’s a dynamite talent that is stuck on the 2nd line in Washington because of Ovechkin’s status. Make no mistake, though. He’ll be on the first line power play for sure and could very well hit the 70 point mark this season as well. He’s a great 2nd option at left wing for any team and should be considered later on in the early rounds. Kozlov will begin the season to the right of Backstrom and Ovechkin and could soak up the benefits of playing with two phenomenal talents. Kozlov has shown pockets of production over his 13 year NHL career, and he may have walked into a situation to achieve his best production year to date. You’ll be able to get Kozlov in the middle rounds for sure. Slot him in as your 3rd option at right wing and soak up the production.

The Washington Capitals have some monster talent in their system right now and could be showcasing these young guns over the course of this season, and on into next. Mathieu Perreault and Francois Bouchard have put up some sparkling numbers in the QMJHL over the past two seasons and are prime candidates for consideration for those in dynasty leagues. Don’t go drafting these guys just yet, however. They are still developing and may be a year or so out. It’s unclear how Washington will use them, but if they can find a place for them on the team, it could pay huge dividends for those who take a chance on them. Again, just keep an eye on them for now. Karl Alzner and Eric Fehr are two players that very well could see time with the caps this season. Fehr is a player that has produced at every single level he’s played at and is itching to get a full NHL season under his belt. If he doesn’t crack the starting roster, he’ll be a prime candidate in case of an injury or an underachieving player. Washington’s 3rd and 4th line are primed to allow players from the minor league to move up to the NHL. Nothing is set in stone on these lines, and Fehr could benefit from another player’s poor play. Alzner could be an answer to the Caps’ lack of production from the blue line. He’s a highly decorated defenseman with an offensive mindset that would take some of the pressure off of Mike Green. Like previously mentioned, there isn’t anyone in line behind Green to step up and run the power play. Throw him on your radar and monitor his progress.

Sergei Fedorov is nearing the end of his career and may only be a stopgap caliber player this season. He’ll be on Washington’s third line with some fairly mediocre talent around him. Federov certainly has the name, but be the wiser manager and allow someone else in your league to draft him.

Goaltending:
Situation: Rock Solid
Grade: B-
1. Jose Theodore
2. Brent Johnson

Despite some early projections and ranks that are coming out, Jose Theodore is certainly not going to be one of the best goaltenders in the league this year. He really has struggled in recent years, which makes his appeal so much less. The Caps acquired Cristobal Huet in a deadline deal last season, then opted for Theodore this season. Considered a downgrade to many, the Caps are going to have to rely on their goal scoring if Theodore begins to struggle. Brent Johnson is a back-up, and will probably never amount to much more, so in terms of catching a secondary tender sleeper if Theodore begins to struggle, you may be out of luck. Slot him in as your 2nd option in net this season and make sure to nab a 3rd goaltender in case the situation becomes unstable. Hope may be in sight, however, for the Caps. Russian goaltending prospect Simeon Varlamov is working his way up through the system as we speak. He’s a dynamite talent with a huge upside. Theodore isn’t a franchise goaltender by any means, but Varlamov may be. Throw him on your radar and see where he progresses to this season.

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