Caps Top Ten draft picks of the decade past

Here is out list of the Top Ten draft picks for the Washington Capitals, 2000-2009. Obviously, this list is the subjective opinion of the writer.  We welcome our readers comments.

10.  Braden Holtby (2008, 4th round, 93rd).  It’s an early call on Braden Holtby, drafted just two drafts ago, but the promise is showing, enough to arguably give the Caps the Top 3 young goal tenders in the NHL.    This is Holtby’s first professional season and has filled in for Michal Neuvith on Hershey, who was recalled to Washington with Semyon Varlamov’s injury.  His response in Hershey exceeded expectations.  Holtby has posted a 7-1 record and a whopping 1.22 GAA and an even more impressive .956 save percentage.  Holtby is showing his stuff and showing the Caps may have hit the nail on the head int he 2008 4th round.  Holtby’s success also give the Capitals tremendous flexibility between the pipes.

9.  John Carlson (2008, 1st round, 21st).  When the Capitals drafted John Carlson 21st overall, many NHL: draft analysts said Carlson was near NHL ready.  We believe he is NHL ready.  In his first professional season, Carlson has scored 1 goal and 23 assists with an impressive +17.  Briefly called to Washington, Carlson did not earn a point in 3 games.  Carlson is going to be good.  You can see it.  This was an excellent pick for the Caps.  He will likely join 2007 first rounder Karl Alzner in Washington at some point to be a long term duo.

8.  Mathieu Perreault (2006, 6th round, 197th) Perreault is small, but quick and steady with the puck.  He was recalled to Washington earlier int he season and started out with a bang, recording 2 goals and 3 assist in his first 6 NHL games.  He finished an 18 game stint with 2 goals and 5 assists, before being sent back to Hershey.  In 18 games with the Bears, Perreault has 4 goals and 12 assists and is a +10.  Perreault handles the puck well, works hard to not let his small size be a problem for his game, and is a quick skater.  The fact he was a 6th rounder, and has shown signs of potential jumps him onto this list.

7.  Karl Alzner (2007, 1st round, 5th overall).  Alzner is a classic stay at home defensemen.  He will not be a big scoring defensemen (IE Mike Green).  That’s not what he does.  He plays solid, sound defense and is progressing and learning the NHL with each and every game.  Last season, Alzner was trapped most of the season in Hershey due to salary cap restraints.  In 48 games last year with Hershey, Alzner scored 4 goals, has 16 assists and was a +23.  In 30 games with Washington, he scored 1 goal, 4 assists and was a -1.  This season looked to be more of the same, but when the Caps eventually were able to remove Michael Nylander from the salary cap, Alzner was recalled, and my bet is, Alzner is a permanent Capital.  In 21 games with Hershey, Alzner was a +13.  So far in DC, Alzner has 4 assists and is a -1 in 12 games.  Alzner is considered to be a centerpiece of the future Caps blue line, along with John Carlson.

6.  Michal Neuvirth (2006, 2nd round, 34th).  Neuvirth was taken immediately after the Caps drafted Semyon Varlamov, giving the Caps a potential potent duo in goal in the future.  Caps fans are starting to see a real glimpse of that future.  In his first season last year, Neuvirth led the Hershey Bears to the Calder Cup Trophy.  Neuvirth posted a 1.92 GAA effort in 22 postseason appearances setting a Hershey franchise record.  He posted a 16-6 postseason record with a .932 save percentage. This season, Neuvirth has recorded a 10-5 record with a 1.99 GAA and a .925 save percentage in Hershey.  Neuvy was recalled to sub in for an injured Semyon Varlamov.  After a shaky start in Toronto, Neuvy put together three impressive consecutive wins, before falling 5-2 to San Jose.  In Washington this season, he is 3-3 with a 3.18 GAA.

5.  Semyon Varlamov (2006, 1st round, 23rd).  Varlamov was taken in the same draft, right before Neuvirth.  Varlaqmov struggled early with injuries, but came up to Washington late last season when backup Brent Johnson was injured.  Varlamov took over for a struggling Jose Theodore in the Stanbley Cup playoffs  and after losing his playoff debut, Varly went on to win game three 4–0 recording his first career NHL shutout.   The very next game, Caps won Game 5 and Varly earned his second shutout by the same score.   He won the next two games  to help the Caps advance to the second round.  Varlamov was not handed the starting job by HC Bruce Boudreau this season, but has clearly stood out as the best net minder in DC.  He has posted a 12-1-2 record.  Overall, Varly in his short career thus far is 16-1-3 with a 2.23 GAA and a .923 save percentage.  His biggest challenge now is not mastering the NHL pipes, but trying to prove he can stay healthy. He is due back soon and has set himself up as the present and future goaltender in Washington.

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http://dcprosportsreport.com/2010/01/01/caps-top-ten-draft-picks-of-the-decade-past.html