The Washington Capitals 50th season is inching closer and today we're going to embrace the future by talking about the Caps of tomorrow. Introducing our list of the top five prospects starting out with number five.
#5 Vincent Iorio
Vincent Iorio was selected with the number 55 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft and appeared in six NHL games last season while suiting up for 60 with the Bears recording four goals and 10 assists for 14 points.
Although the prospect started out slow he found his groove as he progressed and the late season call up for the six foot four, 200 pound defenseman helped get the Caps into the playoffs. Unfortunately the 21 year old got hurt in Game 1 with the Caps and again after returning to the Bears which caused him to miss the Calder Cup Finals.
Chris Patrick recently told NHL.com's Tom Gulitti:
"I'm sure he would have loved to be on the ice for the last game and everything. But overall, after kind of a slower start, it was a positive season and he should be ready to come in and, hopefully, keep moving forward for us."
- Chris Patrick to NHL.com
Iorio could graduate to NHL status as early as this season if he can remain healthy.
#4 Terik Parascak
Terik Parascak was selected with the number 17th pick in this year's NHL Draft. He appeared for Prince George of the WHL last season where he had 43 goals and 62 assists for 105 points in 68 games.
The six foot, 173 pound forward impressed the Caps by finishing third on Prince George in points and it was another first round steal by Brian MacLellan, Ross Mahoney, and Chris Patrick.
He is likely to head back to the WHL after experiencing his first NHL training camp with the team later this month but the Caps are high on his potential and he could arrive as early as 2026-27 unless something crazy happens.
Chris Patrick would add:
"He seems like a guy that kind of plays a 200 foot game and, obviously, shows some scoring ability as a younger guy in the WHL. He looks like a guy that can be a solid NHLer, and we'll see where that top end is."
- Chris Patrick
There's no need to rush the kid and the Caps have shown over the years their patience with the prospect development.
#3 Andrew Cristall
Andrew Cristall was selected with the 40th pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and last season with Kelowna of the WHL recorded 40 goals and 71 assists for 111 points in 62 games played.
The five foot 10, 167 pound forward had a solid first NHL training camp last season and after returning to Kelowna he led the team in points for the second straight season. He probably won't arrive until 2026-27 but since being drafted the 19 year old has been focusing on skating and improving his strength and conditioning to take that next step forward.
Patrick would add:
"I think he's going to continue getting better, so I'm really curious to see how he looks at training camp this year, his second camp. He's a guy that he either has to be in Washington or be back in junior, so I'd love to see him make it hard on Spencer and his staff to have to send him back."
- Chris Patrick
If, and that's a big if, Cristall can blossom into the preseason the pressure will indeed be on the coaching staff. And preseason camp battles are the name of the game these days. So it'll be interesting once the prospects get to work before the veterans.
#2 Ivan Miroshnichenko
Ivan Miroshnichenko blossomed after he was selected with the number 20th pick in the 2022 NHl Draft. In 21 games with the Caps down the stretch he had two goals and four assists for six points while in 47 games with the Hershey Bears the Russian forward had nine goals and 16 assists for 25 points in 47 games played.
Tom Gulitti of NHL.com wrote the following on the forward
"Miroshnichenko adapted well in his first season in North America, getting experience in the NHL and American Hockey League. After playing one game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with Washington, the 20 year old native of Ussuriysk, Russia, helped Hershey win it's second consecutive Calder Cup championship with 12 points with seven goals and five assists in 20 AHL playoff games. "
- Tom Gulitti/NHL.com
He's projected to arrive this season especially if he can keep scoring goals like the one he did in his NHL debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Caps coach Spencer Carbery said the other day that he'd like to see Miro develop into a "quality" and "well rounded" player. He has the chance to do that this upcoming training camp.
Ryan Leonard (9)
#1 Ryan Leonard
We can't end this slideshow without Ryan Leonard. He was picked at eighth overall in the 2023 NHL Draft and last season had 31 goals and 29 assists for 60 points in 41 games played with Boston College.
The six foot, 192 pound forward was third among NCAA Division I players in goals and was tied for fourth in points this past season to help Boston College reach the NCAA Frozen Four championship game before they fell short to the University of Denver.
In addition the 19 year old helped Team USA capture the gold medal at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship with six points in seven games, three goals and three assists.
Last season fans were crushed that he passed on signing with the Caps deciding to play two full collegiate seasons before turning pro. But he could be inserted to the lineup down the stretch.
New Capitals general manager Chris Patrick has given Leonard his full support:
"His goals are he wants to win another (World Juniors) gold and he wants to win an NCAA championship with BC. I'm hoping he can do both of those and he's ready to come to us afterwards."
- Chris Patrick
