I don’t think Leason is ready, but he could become a pretty good player for us with a bit more seasoning. I remember Corey Pronman, I think, surmising that Leason might ‘get some NHL games’ but would never be more than an AHLer. I think if he keeps pushing himself he could become a really solid and productive third liner for this team.
Protas is looking like the team’s future 3C, for sure. And a bottom-six winger until then. Really like what he brings. It looks like our second and third round picks are starting to come through for us, finally.
Great game by Vanecek. Team doesn’t get a point without that level of goaltending.
Has Ovi ever had a season where he’s had more assists in than goals - while scoring more than 0.8 per game?! Feels like we’ve been transported back to his early seasons, but where history has been rewritten so he’s well coached and on a well-balanced team. He’s just so engaged in every aspect of his game under Lavi.
Kudos to Eller, too, for having played every Center position this year with practically every winger on the team (and a bunch from Hershey). Some nights he’s a fourth line grinder, others the second line center, last night on the first line. PP and PK. Late game situations. In and out of the lineup injured/ in protocol. He’s been something of a Swiss Army knife for this team.
I also continue to like Sheary’s game. He’s gets to be a trusted role player on this team, and increasingly a PKer too, who brings speed and energy to make up for the lack of size. It’s a role he plays really well on a stacked Caps team, and he’s stepping up with guys out.