Washington Capitals: Top 10 prospects entering 2019

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: Connor Mcmichael poses for a portrait after being selected twenty-fifth overall by the Washington Capitals during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) /

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10. Lucas Johansen

Acquired: 2016 NHL Draft (first-round pick)

Age: 21 (turns 22 in November)

Position: Defenseman

Stats: 45 games played, 3 goals, 11 assists, 14 points, 9 postseason games, 0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points (Hershey Bears, AHL)

Prospect Report

After a promising rookie AHL season in 2017-18 that saw Lucas Johansen put up 27 points in 74 games with the Hershey Bears, he took a big step back last season. His production got cut in half thanks to injuries.

Johansen is quite mobile for his size (6’2″) and does a good job in his own zone. Unfortunately, his offense has not developed as planned. Johansen has struggled to make an impact in the offensive zone, as he simply doesn’t seem confident there at all.

Numerous defensemen, most notably Tyler Lewington and Jonas Siegenthaler, have surpassed him on the depth chart. They each got called up over Johansen when the Capitals needed a defenseman.

Johansen has youth on his side, but he won’t have it for much longer. The 2019-20 season will be a telling one for him. Johansen will have opportunities in Hershey to prove himself. He can’t let Alexander Alexeyev, the Capitals 2018 first-round pick, surpass him on the depth chart. If he does, his future with the Caps could be in jeopardy.

Future Outlook

Johansen’s ceiling is a number five or six defenseman. If his offense improves, I could see him being a capable number four defenseman. But Johansen hasn’t shown much to give me confidence there. His floor is a depth defenseman.

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