The Capitals have been impressed with the 19-year-old, who can either make the NHL or return to juniors.
Watching Andrew Cristall with the Washington Capitals, Charlie Lindgren is easily reminded of Hendrix Lapierre.
Both young forwards, who have formed a tight bond since Cristall joined the organization in 2023, have worked to set themselves apart with their speed and skill set on a team that has gotten younger but still has a veteran core led by 39-year-old captain Alex Ovechkin.
The similarities between the two continue now as the Capitals approach the end of training camp. Like Lapierre in 2021, Cristall is closing in on doing what seemed impossible: making the 23-man NHL opening night roster.
"He's almost got a little Lappy in him... that young energy and a very talented hockey player," Lindgren said of Cristall. "I think he plays the right way. He plays hard."
Washington's locker room is rooting for the 19-year-old standout, who can either crack the NHL out of camp or return to juniors for one more year since he's not old enough yet to play in the AHL.
Cristall had two goals and one assist in four preseason outings, but beyond his production, also impressed head coach Spencer Carbery with his tenacity on pucks, on-ice presence and work ethic, though size is still a concern.
"There's some things for being a smaller guy (where he's) bumped off the puck a little bit and puck battle stuff, but... he does a lot of good things and he's around the puck," Carbery said. "He's continued to prove through training camp and earned and proven that he deserves to be here right to the bitter end."
The Capitals waived goaltender Hunter Shepard on Sunday to cut the roster down to 25 healthy skaters. With defensemen Dylan McIlrath and Alex Alexeyev making the opening night roster, there is only room to keep one extra forward up in D.C., and three skaters vying for that spot.
Cristall is competing with the likes of 2018 Stanley Cup champion Jakub Vrana, who had a decent showing on his professional tryout for camp, along with Ivan Miroshnichenko, another highly-touted prospect and the future of Washington's top-6.
That said, where does Cristall stand with opening night rosters due on Monday at 5 p.m.?
Well, right now, he's in a decent spot for a number of reasons.
First is his ability. The talent is there, and it's evident to his teammates watching him make the run of his life.
"You can see how hard he works and he for sure deserves to play, to get those chances," Aliaksei Protas, who skated with Cristall on the third line Saturday, said. "He's fast, he's skilled."
Off the ice, he brings a "young energy" to the room and bench that gives the Capitals another edge. It's easy to see, even from the outside looking in.
"He's a fun kid to have around just because he brings that life and brings that energy," Lindgren said. "He's had a great training camp, and the games I've watched, he's stuck out to me. I'm pretty proud of him."
The only main concern is his 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame, as well as whether he can stay consistent and keep up with the size and strength of the league at this point in time.
Beyond that, his situation in particular somewhat makes it easier to keep him up in the NHL to start the year.
Cristall can't go to the AHL, and he's already proven himself at the WHL level and doesn't have much left to show there. Therefore, giving him nine games before he burns a year of his entry-level contract, and then deciding whether or not to return him, wouldn't be a bad idea, especially if he ends up producing and staying in the lineup over someone like Sonny Milano.
That's not the case for a player like Miroshnichenko, who does not require waivers, can be sent down to Hershey immediately and would probably benefit from top-6 minutes in the AHL to continue his development rather than remaining up in the NHL as an extra.
As for Vrana, he can remain on his professional tryout to open the season and wait to see if Cristall stays, and then go from there when it comes to signing a deal. If he's willing to wait, D.C. could very well get the best of both worlds and see both start the season with the team, though Vrana wouldn't be able to play.
In the end, Cristall's done a solid job of making a case for himself, though, in the next 24 hours, anything could happen.
