The Capitals prospect's camp hasn't gone according to plan so far, and he's hoping to turn that around and prove he belongs at the highest level.
Ethen Frank knows the clock is ticking. It's no secret for the Washington Capitals prospect, who's in the thick of the fight of his career as he battles for one of the limited vacancies in D.C. to open the season.
So far, training camp hasn't gone according to plan for Frank; while he hasn't necessarily played himself out of an NHL roster spot, he hasn't played himself into one, either.
"(My camp's been) not bad, not great," Frank said. "Just a lot of things I could be better at."
The 26-year-old noted that he's coming off a "pretty chaotic summer" after he and the Hershey Bears repeated as Calder Cup champions, though he's not trying to use that an excuse.
Now, it's just about getting back to his game and showing head coach Spencer Carbery what he can do at the highest level, while also trying to outplay the likes of Jakub Vrana, Ivan Miroshnichenko, Andrew Cristall, Pierrick Dubé and Alex Limoges for a spot.
"I just want to get back in the swing of things and get back to normal," Frank said, adding, "(I want to show) more of my speed, more playmaking, offensive ability, just being a reliable guy on defense and without the puck."
Frank had 29 goals and 18 assists for 47 points in 64 games for Hershey last season, but despite his impressive play, he didn't earn a call-up last year with it just not being the right time or place for him to showcase his game at the NHL level.
With there finally being a chance for a roster spot, he knows he'll have to make the most of these final preseason games. Frank will be on the second line with Vrana and Connor McMichael on Friday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, per NHL.com's Tom Gulitti, and this matchup could be a make-or-break one for several roster hopefuls.
For Frank, though, he understands it's all just part of the job, and he's not overthinking it. Instead, it's just time to go out and lay it all on the line.
"It's probably in the back of everybody's head, that's why we're here... It means a lot (to have this chance) especially after having some success at the AHL level," Frank said. "Being able to have this opportunity means the world to me. I'm just trying to make the most of it."
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