While there was a lot of trade talk and a few big moves involving other teams at the 2017 NHL Draft presented by adidas in Chicago on Friday and Saturday, the Capitals were mostly quiet on that front. They didn't have a pick in the first three rounds after trading them away in go-for-it deals for Shattenkirk, forward Lars Eller and defenseman Mike Weber during the past two seasons.
Although they selected three defensemen --Tobias Geisser (Zug Academy, Switzerland), Sebastian Walfridsson (Modo Jr., Sweden) and Benton Maass (Elk River High School, Minnesota) -- with their four picks in Chicago, those players are years away from being able to help. Defenseman Lucas Johansen, the Capitals' 2016 first-round pick (No. 28) and the younger brother of Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen, will be at development camp and has the potential to play in the top four someday, but the 19-year-old isn't likely to take that step this season.
Internally, the Capitals' options on defense include veterans Brooks Orpik, who will turn 37 on Sept. 26, and Taylor Chorney, 30, as well as 22-year-old rookies Madison Bowey, Christian Djoos and Tyler Lewington.
Bowey, a second-round pick (No. 53) in 2013, probably would have gotten some NHL experience last season if he hadn't been sidelined with an ankle tendon laceration. Djoos, the son of former NHL defenseman Per Djoos, was re-signed for two seasons on Thursday after finishing with 58 points (13 goals, 45 assists) in 66 games with Hershey in the American Hockey League last season.
"We've got some good young D coming," MacLellan said. "I don't know if they're ready. We'll have to see. Their performance in training camp will dictate where they play in the lineup."