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Monday, June 16, 2008

Capitals 2008 Draft Preview


Let’s take a look at the upcoming draft and see who the Capitals will go after with their 1st round pick. The Caps have the 23rd overall pick and should be looking to the best possible player rather than a specific position. In the most recent draft, only four European prospects were taken in the first round. Going on that basis we can look at a range of players the Caps may be looking to select.

First is Tyler Cuma, a 6’-2”, 180-pound, defensemen for Toronto, Ontario. Cuma played for the Ottawa 67’s in the Ontario Hockey League and was born January 19, 1990. In 59 games this past season he scored 32 points and took 69 minutes in penalties. He’s an offensive defensemen with good defensive sense and loves to get up in the rush.

Jamie Arniel is a center from Kingston, Ontario. He was born November 16, 1989 and played last season with the Sarnia Sting in the OHL. His uncle was a former NHL player and he represented Team Canada at the 2007 Under-18 World Championships in Finland. He is known as an adept face-off man, a bit of a sniper, and a gritty 2-way forward.

Nicolas Deschamps is a 6’-0” center who was selected the QMJHL’s Best Defensive Player and to the All-Rookie Team. He scored 24 goals and 67 points in 70 games with Chicoutimi in the Q. He’s from Lasalle, Quebec and is a good skater and hard worker who surprised a lot people this season.

Greg Nemisz is another center who brings a little size with him. He’s 6’-3” and 197 pounds. He scored 34 goals and 33 assists in 68 games with Windsor of the OHL. He was a member of Team Canada at the 2008 Under-18 IIHF Worlds. The Oshawa native has one of the best nicknames - “Nemo.” He plays on the power play as well as the penalty kill and is looked at as a power forward type. He has good hands but needs to learn to use his size to his advantage.

From Vetlanda, Sweden is Mattias Tedenby. He’s a 5’-10” left wing who played 23 games for HV 71 of the Swedish Elite League. He was a member of Sweden’s Under-18 World Championship team. Plays fearlessly and has been compared to Saku Koivu.

Lastly is Anton Gustafsson, a reach pick but he is the son of former Caps great and current Team Sweden Head Coach Bengt. He scored 32 points in 33 games with his Swedish Junior team Frolunda. Sports a big body at 6’-2” and 194 pounds and plays center like his dad. He is considered a playmaker with strong puckhandling skills and excellent vision.

A lot can happen on draft day but if the Caps hold on to the 23rd pick on Friday look for one of these players to be wearing Capitals red, white and blue in the near future.


3 comments:

Hoop said...

It should be interesting to see who they draft

You can get different players from the team on checks if you a big fan, i dont know if the other visitors would be interested. they have a team option then you can upload your own photos

http://www.nhlhockeypersonalchecks.com/Washington-Capitals.htm

Eli said...

I like the new layout.

I've also heard there are some goalies available at that point in the draft. It'd be cool if they pick another Gustaffson. OFB will flip.

I'm not so sure anybody they pick will be in rwb in the near future, though. I predict whoever they choose will be someone headed for a few years of NCAA to alleviate what looks like something of a logjam of young talent the team faces.

Joe said...

eli,
Thanks for the good words.

I don't know that they would take a goalie in the first round. The Caps have taken 4 goalies in the last 3 drafts. With Daren Machesney (2005 draft), Simeon Varlamov (2006) and Michal Neuvirth (2006) set to play in the minors this year and Dan Dunn (2007)getting some more time in the NCAA ranks, unless a goalie prospect is far and away the best player on the board I look for the Caps to take a position player. With that being said I wouldn't be surprised to see the Caps take a goalie with one of their other 8 picks.

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