Top prospects for Washington Capitals

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 8-Sept. 8. Today, the top five prospects for the Washington Capitals, according to NHL.com.

Capitals 32 in 32: [Season preview | 3 Questions | Fantasy breakdown]

1. Hendrix Lapierre, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 22 pick in 2020 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Washington (NHL): 6 GP, 1-0-1; Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL): 40 GP, 21-30-51
The 20-year-old surprised many by making the Capitals' opening night roster last season when center Nicklas Backstrom was recovering from a hip injury before being sent to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Although Backstrom is out again following hip resurfacing surgery, the signing of forward Dylan Strome and depth at center might mean Lapierre (6-foot, 180 pounds) will begin this season with Hershey of the American Hockey League so he can play regularly.
"I'm sure he's going to try to make it really hard for the coaches from a decision standpoint on where he plays in the lineup, in the organization," Capitals assistant general manager, player personnel Chris Patrick said. "I think we'll just have to see where he is. I think with a guy his age, first-year pro, you want to make sure you're putting him in spots to succeed."
Projected NHL arrival:2023-24 season

2. Ivan Miroshnichenko, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 20 pick in 2022 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Omsk Krylia (RUS-2): 31 GP, 10-6-16
The Capitals believe they selected a potential high-scoring forward in Miroshnichenko, who was projected to be a top-five pick in the 2022 NHL Draft before being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in February and missing the remainder of last season. The 18-year-old (6-1, 185) resumed hockey training in April and will likely play for Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League this season. Whenever Miroshnichenko arrives in Washington, he can learn from Russian countryman Alex Ovechkin, another right-handed shot who plays left wing.
"I wish I could speed up the clock," Capitals assistant GM Ross Mahoney said. "We have to be patient and allow these younger guys to continue to get stronger and really turn into men because he's a really, really talented player who has good leadership and plays hard."
Projected NHL arrival:2024-25

3. Aliaksei Protas, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 91 pick in 2019 NHL Draft
2021-22 season:Washington (NHL): 33 GP, 3-6-9; Hershey (AHL): 42 GP, 8-16-24
Protas gained valuable NHL experience when injuries left the Capitals shorthanded at forward during the first half of last season. The 21-year-old utilized his size (6-6, 225) playing center and wing with Washington and earned time on the second power-play unit with his work down low in the offensive zone. But after averaging 11:50 in ice time in the NHL, playing a bigger role with Hershey during the final three months of the season was helpful too.
Projected NHL arrival: This season

4. Vincent Iorio, D

How acquired:Selected with No. 55 pick in 2021 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Brandon (WHL): 60 GP, 11-33-44
Iorio impressed in his first NHL training camp last season and played well in one preseason game before being sent to Brandon. The 19-year-old (6-4, 200) also got a taste of the AHL by practicing with Hershey after his Western Hockey League season was over, which will aid his transition to the pro game this season.
"It will be just come in and get some coaching and listen to the coaches and the player development staff and start getting your reps as a pro," Patrick said. "I'm sure some nights will be better than others and hopefully he has some more good nights than bad, but just let him get out there and start figuring it out as pro."
Projected NHL arrival: 2023-24

5. Lucas Johansen, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 28 pick in 2016 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Washington (NHL): 1 GP, 0-1-1; Hershey (AHL): 62 GP, 8-20-28
The 24-year-old played himself back into Washington's top prospect picture last season after injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic limited him to 14 AHL games over the previous two seasons. Johansen (6-2, 176) didn't look out of place making his NHL debut last season against the Detroit Red Wings on Dec. 31, getting an assist, and is expected to compete for a spot on Washington's third defense pair in training camp.
"He was basically the best overall defenseman in Hershey on most nights for the entire season and he stayed healthy, too," Patrick said. "… It seemed like a season where he figured out his identity and played to it consistently night in and night out."
Projected NHL arrival: This season