Future prospects in the Washington Capitals Alexander Suzdalev Unconfirmed where he will play for the 2023-24 season. He could go back to the Regina Pats of the WHL, or he could play with the Hershey Bears. According to Assistant General Manager of Capitals Ross MahoneyThat will depend on his performance this fall at Capitals training camp.
“[It’s] always [a fun] The experience of coming here in North America and camping here with the Capitals organization, Suzdalev said the following on the second day of the 2023 Capitals development camp. “You learn more things now and you keep things last year and it’s great to come in year two and know some people and you’re kind of familiar.”
This is the second camp for the 19-year-old Capitals development. The 2022 third-round pick led all rookies in the WHL with 86 points (38 goals, 48 assists) and was the second-leading scorer for Regina, trailing only Conor Bedard. Suzdalev was also named to the CHL All-Rookie Team.
There is a lot to like about Suzdalev. He is a powerful playmaker and has a powerful shot, although he tends to be careless at times with the puck due to his loose playing style. His 200-foot game also needs improvement as he was a minus 4, but that will probably come in time.
“Strength will be important for me this summer. I try to focus [on it] Every day here, ”said Suzdalev.
The last work of Suzdalev. He has very fast feet. # the capper pic.twitter.com/vE4T94uTbk
– Jacob Cheris (@JCheris17) July 2, 2023
The ultimate goal for any hockey player is to play at the highest level. If Suzdalev fails to go to the AHL, his next goal will be to make Team Sweden’s World Junior Team. He has been named to Team Sweden for the upcoming World Junior Summer Show that will be held later this month in Plymouth, Michigan. The show is being used for national teams to assess their potential talents for this year’s Junior World Championships which will be held in Sweden in December.
With the tournament taking place in his home country, and he also failed to make it to the U20 team last year, the 6-foot-2 left winger has extra motivation to make the final list and represent his country.
A good summer of training will probably help determine where he ends up. Said Assistant General Manager Ross Mahoney. “When we recruited him, he was weak and so the American Hockey League is a great league. Big, strong adults play in this league.”
Suzdalev will be pitted against top talent, such as first-round draft pick Noah Ostlund from the Buffalo Sabers, and first-round draft pick Axel Sandin-Belica from the Detroit Red Wings. However, despite his drive to reach the next level, Suzdalev only has one focus at the moment.
“I’m just trying to develop my game and I think in camp and September we’ll see where I can play,” he said.
Suzdalev was also with the Bears during their Calder Cup run, getting a sense of what it was like to be a professional hockey player.
“I am very grateful for that and being around the heroes,” Suzdalev said. “It was a good experience. Very good team. Very good leaders.”
By Jacob Shires