The Washington Capitals had a disappointing season. This belittles him. After missing the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons, big changes come in 2023-24.
One of the Capitals’ primary goals this season is simple: to get younger.
This season we got a glimpse into the future. Aliaksei Protas played in 58 games and had a strong rookie season, putting up 15 points (four goals and 11 assists). However, former coach Peter Laviolette was sometimes reluctant to use it.
When Caps fans think of the top prospects in the organization, they think of guys like Connor McMichael and Hendrix Lapierre. However, these players are still developing and have not been consistent at the NHL level whenever their name is called. The only player who has shown consistency is Joe Snively.
In his 24-game NHL career, Herndon, Virginia, had 11 points (six goals and five assists). In the 12 games he played this season, he had four points (two goals and two assists). While these numbers aren’t eye-catching, an eye test showed the 27-year-old to be one of the most effective young prospects in the organisation.
This season at Hershey, he has 27 points (nine goals, 18 assists), which is ninth on the Bears.
What sets the Yale product apart is how hungry he is on pucks. He’s a buzzsaw, winning puck fights to create scoring opportunities. His best game of the season was a two-point night against the Carolina Hurricanes on February 14.
The organization knows what he’s capable of, but childhood friends have known about his competitive hunger for a while.
Ontario Reign Forward Tore Linden He trains with Snively in the offseason. While they did not play live together for the Washington Little Cubs due to their age difference, 10-year-old Linden looked up to him.
“I remember watching one of their practices and he was ruthless on pucks and everywhere. He always seemed to have endless energy,” Linden said. “I think he has that quality and that’s why he’s where he is.”
This drive and hunger is the kind of young player Washington desperately needs in its next campaign.
Snively also takes these traits to practice as well, even if he’s not in the lineup.
“That’s how it is,” Linden said. “I don’t think he has an off switch when he’s on the ice.”
Snively is a versatile player who can play anywhere in the lineup. This is very important. As the fans know, the core is getting old, getting hit more frequently and we don’t know the future of forwards Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha.
Snively has reached the pinnacle of his career and the caps are falling. Whoever becomes the next bench coach should take a good look at the local kid and have him firmly in mind for a spot on the 82-game roster.
He’ll be just as hungry for a place on the roster next season as he is for the Pucks at training camp in September.
By Jacob Shires
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