The Capitals got some prospect updates on New Year's Eve.
The Washington Capitals got some prospect news on New Year's Eve, as Alexander Suzdalev is headed back to North America while Ryan Leonard extended his hot streak at World Juniors.
Suzdalev is headed to the WHL's Saskatoon Blades after being acquired in a NYE blockbuster deal with the Regina Pats. He will head back to North America from the HockeyAllsvenskan, where he was loaned earlier int he year.
The 19-year-old was supposed to go pro in the start the 2023-24 season, but he didn't get much playing time with the AHL's Hershey Bears due to the team's depth at forward. As a result, he was loaned to Sweden, where he has been playing fourth-line minutes with Mora IK. He has a goal and two assists in 13 games.
Suzdalev will benefit from more playing time, and being back in the WHL, where he thrived last year as a rookie, should bring him some much-needed confidence.
"We feel Alex is one of the most exciting junior hockey players in the world," general manager and president Colin Priestner. "His performance in th playoffs against us last year was incredible, and his excitement to return to the WHL and come to Saskatoon made this an easy decision for us."
In other news, Leonard scored a goal in a dominant 10-2 win for Team USA over Slovakia at World Juniors. The 18-year-old has points in each of his WJC appearances so far as USA remains undefeated.
He is a freshman at Boston College, but at this rate, it looks like could very well be ready to make the jump to the pros. It all depends on Washington's plans for him and whether or not the Capitals want to overdevelop and play things safe rather than letting him make that jump to the next level too soon.
Fellow 2023 draft pick Andrew Cristall also impressed with a hat trick on Saturday and remains red-hot for Kelowna.