| 27 June 2009
The 2009 NHL Draft concluded Saturday afternoon, with the Capitals making use of all of their draft picks. The Caps didn't make any important trades and the gap at the second line center position remains to be filled, but as far as the draft goes, it could potentially be a strong draft class.
Here's how the day went, and some of their junior league highlights (cough fights cough).
Round 2: Dmitri Orlov - Defense - 6'0'' - Novokuznetsk, Russia
A puck-moving Russian defender, Orlov recently logged games for the KHL's Metallurg club. At the World Juniors, he had two goals and two assists in seven games. Orlov is expected to play in the KHL next season which, given the increasing talent in that league via departures from the NHL, could speed up Orlov's "NHL-readiness."
Round 3: Cody Eakin - Center - 5'11'' - Winnipeg, Canada
A speedster and strong skater, Eakin is a playmaker but his strong suit is defense. In the WHL with the Swift Current Broncos, Eakin tallied 24 goals and 24 assists for 48 points this past season. Tarik El-Bashir reports that there are concussion issues with Eakin, but the youngster claims he is "symptom-free."
Here's some highlights from a Swift Current Broncos game featuring an Eakin assist early in the video; he's wearing No. 21.
Round 4: Patrick Wey - Defense - 6'3'' - Pittsburgh, Pa.
A USHL prospect, Wey scored seven goals and 27 assists in 58 games with a +22 rating for Waterloo this past season. Wey will be attending Boston College next year. Here's a game-winning goal and fight for your enjoyment.
Trade: Sami Lepisto to Phoenix for the Coyotes' 2010 Fifth Round pick.
Lepisto never really panned out and stands a better chance of becoming an NHL regular in Phoenix than in Washington, where the crop of defensive prospects is strong.
Round 5: Brett Flemming - Defense - 6'0'' - Regina, Canada
A physical defender, Flemming recorded three goals, 28 points and 89 PIMs in his past season with Mississuaga in the OHL.
Round 6: Garrett Mitchell - Right Wing - 5'10'' - Regina, Canada
A WHL prospect, Mitchell recorded 10 goals and five assists with the Regina Pats last season. The kid also has one mean...cannonball.
Round 7: Benjamin Casavant - Left Wing - 6'1'' - St.-Hyancinthe, Canada
A QMJHL prospect, Casavant was a point-per-game scorer for the Prince Edward Island Rocket in 2008-2009. He had 39 goals and 41 assists for 80 points last season.
"When he is not making the lives of goaltenders miserable, Casavant can inflict punishment along the boards, throwing his weight around and fighting through checks to dig pucks free for his teammates. However, that size comes at a cost and the Quebec native sometimes appears sluggish on his feet, especially later on in games." - Hockey's Future
Oh, he can scrap, too. Not bad for a seventh rounder.
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