Which Prospects Stood Out To The Capitals' Front Office At Development Camp

From Ivan Miroshnichenko to Ryan Leonard, here are which players stood out to Capitals management at camp.

ARLINGTON, V.A. -- As assistant general manager Ross Mahoney watched a handful of Washington Capitals prospects take the ice at development camp on Thursday, he felt a feeling of confidence and reassurance as he realized that he and his organization made the right calls.

From 2022 first-rounder Ivan Miroshnichenko to this year's No. 8 overall selection in Ryan Leonard, several prospects made a statement in the five-day camp, and management took notice.

Here's who the front office was impressed with and what Mahoney had to say about them:

This was the first week that Ivan Miroshnichenko was on the ice for the Capitals. He'd been at camp last year, but for off-ice sessions early; the 19-year-old had just entered remission from Hodgkin's Lymphoma and wasn't medically cleared to skate yet. Now a year in, he's feeling great, and after a stellar KHL campaign, he got on the ice for Washington and put on a show.

Miroshnichenko was a goal-scoring machine, showcasing his lethal shot and vision. He also showed the Capitals that he regained all of the weight he lost due to chemotherapy -- and then some -- while also putting on more muscle. He also declared that his sights are set on making the NHL.

"He can shoot the puck, he also plays hard. He also had a little bump on Leonard there in 3-on-3... I think he might have been a little bit surprised by that, but he'll finish his check there," Mahoney said. "Really happy for him just to see where he's at hockey-wise and also just physically."

Ryan Leonard said after being drafted that he wanted to prove to the Capitals that they made the right choice at eighth, and he did just that as he took the ice at MedStar.

The NTDP product was a force to be reckoned with, throwing his weight around, going hard to the net and being unafraid to show a bit of grit here and there (he also had chirps ready to go for his fellow campers).

Beyond that, though, he showed that he has pure skill. He's a smooth skater and his shot also stood out big time, becoming known for its speed and power. After all, power is the biggest thing about a player like Leonard, and management knows

"He showed why we were so pleased to get him," Mahoney said. "Strong, explosive... his shot was on display here at this development camp. It's not only accurate, not only does he have a quick release, but it's such a heavy shot.

"He is very competitive," Mahoney added. "He's not afraid to take the puck to the net. Kind of score goals in those tougher areas, really happy with him."

Alexander Suzdalev impressed this year with 38 goals and 48 assists for 86 points in 66 games with the Regina Pats, and his production was not a result of simply being on the same team with Connor Bedard. He also spent some time with Hershey as a black ace during the Bears' Calder Cup run.

He showed what he can do at camp, utilizing his high hockey IQ and scoring prowess to make great plays, score some nice goals and lead his team to a 3-on-3 tournament title.

Management has been impressed with how far he's coming along, and also said that he's been working on his strength, which is exactly what the front office wanted to see.

"He played very well... watching this camp, you can see that he's getting stronger and more confident," Mahoney said.

Suzdalev also helped fellow Russian Miroshnichenko when it came to understanding the drills, translating and helping with English.

Andrew Cristall, the team's No. 40 pick this year could have very well gone higher, put his skills to the test at camp and shined with his dangles and scoring ability. However, management wants to see him put on more size.

"You could see his hands and you could see his sense, you can also see h needs to get a little bit stronger," Mahoney said. "BUt his team won [3-on-3], the hands and sense were on display there, too."

Cam Allen went in the fifth round of this year's draft. The U18 Canada captain is a smooth-skating defenseman who has a good first past and isn't afraid to join the rush. 

This week in D.C., he wasn't the flashiest player on ice, but when it came to testing, he dominated. He crushed the on-ice testing and skating sessions with Wendy Marco, and also impressed in the gym.

That stood out to Mahoney, and he believes that the team's camp could work wonders for Allen's confidence after he fell in the draft.

"Good effort. I think getting a little bit of confidence back is good for camp, you know, when you're kind of projected to go maybe higher in the draft and you have a bit of a tough year, and they do get drafted where he did," Mahoney explained. "I thought he did really well... it was a good experience."

The front office has spoken highly of Keller, the French and Swiss goaltender that the team traded back into the seventh round to pick. The 18-year-old wasn't necessarily expecting to go in this year's draft and was on vacation in Spain when he got the call that he'd been taken after all. He then scrambled to get out to development camp, ending the family trip, flying back to France for his gear and arriving in D.C. on Monday.

Mahoney said that it said a lot about his determination and what type of person he is.

"He wanted to come... kind of showed a little bit more of his character," Mahoney said. 

Keller put his skill on display when he got between the pipes, showing his collectedness and attention to detail while also relying on structure. He made some big saves and backstopped his team to the 3-on-3 title, and he also caught the eyes of management.

It was also a big week for him in that he got chosen in the second round of the CHL Import Draft and now has the opportunity to take his talents overseas and play with the QMJHL's Acadie-Bathurst Titan if he wishes. He has been playing in Switzerland since he was 13.

"Really looks like he can adapt very quickly and very pleased with how he played... we made that decision to make a trade to get him and we're happy."

Mahoney also said that he was impressed with all of the goaltenders in attendance as well, including Mitchell Gibson, who just signed his entry-level deal with the team, and Garin Bjorklund, who is looking to rise back up and show the team what he can do after missing all but one game last year due to back surgery.

"We're trying to give all of those positional players everything we have. Now it's up to them to spend the next several weeks working on what they need to."

Honorable mention: Bogdan Trineyev