Can’t see how he’s not a regular and getting some good PP and scoring line opportunities next year.
The Caps quietly have put together a pretty solid set of forwards to build their next team around. Leonard is obviously the jewel but if Miro is able to translate his considerable skillet and IQ up a level - that could be two first line wingers in the future. Lapierre looked good as a rookie and while I’m not totally sold on McMichaels still as a core piece, that’s still two solid pieces in the middle and the very versatile Protas as a Swiss army middle six piece.
It’s not a list that’s gonna top any prospect poll but it’s definitely a “stock up” organization compared to last fall IMO. Probably still need that key blueline piece - Sandin, Fehervary and Iorio strike me as more complimentary parts. And a top notch center. So work isn’t done. But I was surprised at how much I liked some of what is there especially considering this is definitely an org that is widely seen as “youth” poor. You’ve got a never ending conveyor belt of goalies too with Stevenson next up.