Chandler Stephenson Position: Left Winger/Center Height: 5'10 Weight: 192 Shoots: Left Born: 04/22/94, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan NHL Central Scouting Rank: #33 North American Skater Player Pages:   NHL - EP - HF - WHL

Talent Analysis:
The 77th overall pick, Chandler Stephenson is an offensively-minded center with good speed. He was voted his junior team's most gentlemanly player, as he is not prone to taking penalties.  He displays good creativity in the offensive zone, he has good hands and good hockey sense and is willing to play with a physical edge.  He is not very large, but he is very strong and has a powerful slap shot.  He is working to improve his all-around game, but he is able to control play in the offensive zone well enough for his defense not to be an issue most of the time. 

Last Season:
Though he missed 14 games with a sprained knee, Stephenson still managed 22 goals and 42 points in 55 games as the fourth-best scorer on the Regina Pats of the WHL.  He finished the season with a -1 rating and just 24 PIM, but perhaps most impressive was the fact he had just 2 powerplay goals, meaning his production should take off with more special teams time next season.  In the WHL playoffs, Stephenson finished tied for third in team scoring with a goal and 4 points, but the more impressive numbers might have been his team-leading +4 and 0 PIM. 

NHL Projection:
If Stephenson continues to play center, he projects to be a playmaking center, probably a second- or third-liner because of his size.  He will take several seasons to develop into that type of role, but he has a good brain for hockey and a good starting skill set.  His NHL upside will be limited if he does not improve his defense, though. He should be well motivated and coached with three cousins who play professional hockey.

Plans for next season:
Most likely, Chandler Stephenson will follow the path of another speedy, 5'10 center the Caps drafted, Mathieu Perreault.  After his draft year, Perreault played two more years of junior and a full season in the AHL before making his NHL debut in hist fourth year after the 2006 Draft.  Then Perreault was a part-time center for the Capitals for two seasons before making the team for good in year 6.  Stephenson will need to continue developing in the WHL for at least one more season, probably two, where he will be expected to take on a larger role for Regina.  He should get the chance to develop in the AHL in 2014-15 before getting the chance to make the NHL roster in 2015-16. 

PITTSBURGH - The Washington Capitals have selected G Sergei Kostenko with the 203rd overall pick. More to follow.

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PITTSBURGH - The Washington Capitals have selected D Christian Djoos with the 195th overall pick and D Jaynen Rissling with the 197th overall pick. More to follow.

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PITTSBURGH - The Washington Capitals have selected RW Riley Barber with the 167th overall pick. More to follow.

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Thomas Wilson Position: Right Winger Height: 6'4 Weight: 203 Shoots: Right Born: 03/29/94, Toronto, Ontario NHL Central Scouting Rank: #15 North American Skater Player Pages:   NHL - EP - HF - OHL

Talent Analysis:
Tom Wilson is a big, strong, tough winger who thinks in straight lines.  He takes the shortest route to the puck, often running through puck-carriers at high speed.  He creates room for his linemates in the offensive zone and stands up for himself and teammates with his fists when necessary.  He has good hands, is strong in the corners, has good speed, and has the mental make-up to be effective playing against large-bodied men.  He is somewhat injury-prone with his playing style, but his work-ethic and stubbornness will allow him to recover quickly. He also has solid defensive acumen.

Last Season:
Wilson missed a big chunk of time with a broken knuckle suffered in a fight, but he was a demon on the ice when healthy.  Wilson only posted 9 goals and 27 points in limited ice time for the OHL Plymouth Whalers, but his 141 penalty minutes speaks to his willingness to stick his nose where it isn't welcome and to get his hands dirty.  His +17 shows he can keep the puck out of his own net, too.  His offense came to light in the playoffs when he posted 7 goals and 13 points in 13 games to go along with a +10 rating and 39 PIM. 

NHL Projection:
Wilson already plays with the reckless abandon of an NHL power forward.  He is the type of player who can be useful on any line, but he is most likely to have a positive impact on a scoring line in need of a net-crashing presence and forechecker.  Wilson will make the NHL in some role if he can stay healthy, it's just a matter of how good his offense will be and how long it will take. 

Plans for next season:
Wilson will spend next season in the OHL where he will be expected to take on more responsibility.  He may also get a look for Team Canada at the World Juniors.  Wilson will probably spend a season in the AHL after that before splitting 2014-15 between the AHL and NHL.  He will probably get the chance to be an NHL regular in 2015 on a scoring line, but his regular NHL duty may come sooner on a checking or energy line because of his size and versatility. 

PITTSBURGH - Below is the transcript of the draft day interview with Filip Forsberg from last night. 

Photo by Andy Green of Rockthered.net

What’s your initial reaction of going to Washington?

Well, of course it’s a big honor to get to go to the Washington Capitals and to be a part of their great organization so, yeah, really looking forward to it.

What did you think when you saw your name on the board?

Well I guess it’s been a pretty busy season, with all the meetings with teams, so yeah, I’m kind of glad I’m done.  This is just the start of hopefully a good career.

This would have been Colorado’s pick if they hadn’t made the trade, so maybe you’d have played with Landeskog and not Backstrom.  How does that feel for you?

Well of course its glad to have some Swedes on the team.  Anything can happen in NHL, whenever I can play in NHL maybe some Swedish players not there, maybe some new Swedes are there. Yeah, really looking forward to playing for the Capitals and hopefully with Nick.

How many years until you make the NHL?  Will you stay in Sweden another year?

I have one year left on my contract back in Sweden, so yeah, that’s my plan for next year.  Then I’m not sure, we’ll see, hopefully I can have a good season and then anything can happen.

What were your nerves like sitting there waiting to be drafted?

Well, I would lie if I say I wasn’t nervous.  I was pretty nervous but I’m glad to have my family with me there.  I guess they’re pretty proud of me.  It was a good day for both me and also for them.

Do you know anyone on the Capitals?

You mean the players?  No not really.

Have you crossed paths with any of them, like Marcus Johansson?

No. I haven’t played against any of the Swedish guys, unfortunately, but hopefully I will play with them in the coming years.

A couple scouts have compared your style to a North American game like Brendan Shanahan, do you think you play more a North American game than a European style game?

I’m a kinda big sized player, I’m try to play a bit physical and try to take the puck to the net.  I guess that’s more of a North American style than a Euro style of game.  Yeah a little bit.  Hopefully I can bring that with me when the time is ready for me to come over.

What part of your game do you try to work on for next year?

You have to become stronger, and if I can make my skating a bit better, I think I could be an even better player.  I try to work on those things.  I’ve been practicing every it day, hopefully I can improve it.

How much do you know about the Capitals organization?  How much have you watched any of their games in the past 2 years?

Well, I haven’t watched that much because it’s a bad TV time back in Sweden, because the games are on in the middle of the night.  I will try to watch, they have some, some good seasons with some good draft picks playing good for the organization, so hopefully I can be a part of a winning team.

Any idea why you dropped out of the top 10?

It was a Dman draft this year, so, I’m very happy to be part of the Washington Capitals, yeah, I’m very excited.

Did you have any idea the Caps would draft you?

Well, I had a meeting at the combine with them, and also I have been talking a bit to their Swedish scouts [back in Sweden].  Yeah, a little bit.

Any disappointment for you in terms of where you went in the draft?

I don’t look at a disappointment at all.  It’s like a dream coming true, being drafted.  Hopefully I make the team in some years and  I will be working hard to become a part of the Capitals organization in the coming years.

Is D.C. a place you anticipated going to?

It’s a happy moment when they called my name out.

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PITTSBURGH - The Washington Capitals have selected D Connor Carrick with the 137th overall pick.  More to follow. no comments

Filip Forsberg Position: Right Winger/Center Height: 6'2 Weight: 181 Shoots: Right Born: 08/13/94, Ostervala, Sweden NHL Central Scouting Rank: #1 European Skater Player Pages:   NHL - EP - HF

Talent Analysis:
The Capitals' first pick in the NHL draft at 11th overall, Forsberg is a smart, conscientious hockey player who is solid in all three zones.  He is creative in the offensive zone, but it is his physical frame and mental make-up that make him such a great prospect.  He will be able to adapt to any system and have the size and strength to make his presence felt.  He was the drive and skill to be a scorer, but it may take time for him to develop the confidence to try to do more in the offensive zone against tougher competition. 

Last Season:
After a dazzling performance in international play over the summer and big numbers in juniors in 2010-11, Forsberg stepped up to play in the second men's division in Sweden, the Allsvenskan.  While playing against grown men, Forsberg put up only 8 goals and 17 points, in 43 games, but his offensive play was somewhat reserved compared to his abilities.  Forsberg also put up just one assist in 6 World Junior games, but it was excellent experience as one of the younger players in the tournament. He broke out again in the spring as captain of the silver medal-winning Swedish team with 5 goals and 7 points in 6 games, displaying the skill and confidence scouts had been waiting for all season long. 

NHL Projection:
Forsberg projects to be a solid two-way forward who could play on any line.  He is the safest forward pick in the draft as he will almost certainly play in the NHL and be able to play in any situation.  If his offensive abilities blossom sooner rather than later, he will almost certainly be a top-line forward in the NHL. 

Plans for next season:
Forsberg has already stated he'll be playing in Sweden another season, which is what will happen.  He may come over to North America after next season, but if he has not advanced beyond the Allsvenskan by next season he may not be ready for the NHL.  It is likely he'll spend another year in Sweden in the Elitserien or will come over to the AHL for a year before stepping up to the NHL.  At soonest, he could play in the NHL by 2013-14, but it is more likely he'll be an NHL regular in 2014-15. 

PITTSBURGH - The Washington Capitals have selected RW Austin Wuthrich with the 107th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Wuthrich has played the last two years with the USNTDP in Ann Arbor Michigan and like fellow Capitals draftee Thomas Di Pauli, is committed to play at Notre Dame.  Also like Di Pauli, Wuthrich is a two way player who takes pride in his defensive ability and will need to work hard to make a real impact at the next level.

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PITTSBURGH - The Washington Capitals have selected C Thomas Di Pauli with the 100th overall pick in the 2012 Entry Draft.  

Di Pauli is committed to play for the University of Notre Dame and classifies himself as a two way player who is good on faceoffs and can shut down the oppositions top players on every shift.  The center was born in Italy, and noted that his family moved to America and made huge sacrifices for his hockey dream - including his father still travelling back and forth to Italy for his job.  He recorded 11 points, including six goals, this past year for the National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

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