Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Jakub Vrana puts on a team sweater after being selected as the number thirteen overall pick to the Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Capitals, Jakub Vrana
For a team that underachieved in so many ways last season, the Washington Capitals needed to draft a player that could develop in their minor league system before being thrust into the pressure-packed fire that comes with playing in Washington, D.C. Hopefully they found that by drafting winger Jakub Vrana.
A playmaking talent, Vrana is very good at creating chances whenever he’s on the ice. He averaged over a point per game with the Linkoping junior team, yet only put up three points as an 18-year-old in the Swedish Hockey League. That could have something to do with playing against older, more experienced guys, but it’s still a concern.
His defensive game needs work as well, though a few years in juniors should help him round that more into form. Of course, if Alex Ovechkin‘s still part of the Capitals when Vrana makes it to the NHL, he’d probably end up teaching the kid some bad habits. The good thing: Vrana would make a good set-up man for Ovie and vice versa, so Washington’s goal scoring might be enough to cover up some horrid play in their own zone. Hey, it was almost enough last season!
Rating: 2 stars