Five European draft prospects Capitals fans should know at No. 8
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Five European draft prospects Caps fans should know at No. 8 originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
With the Capitals landing the eighth pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, NBC Sports Washington’s Matt Weyrich and Ethan Cadeaux are examining five prospects from each of the two major continents who could be available when the Capitals are on the clock. Up first: Europe.
The Capitals find themselves at an intriguing spot in this summer’s NHL Draft. No, they didn’t win the lottery and the right to select generational prospect, Connor Bedard. They did, however, land high enough in a draft where the talent is top-heavy to select one of the higher-upside players before things start to get muddled in the middle.
It puts Washington in prime position to choose between several of the best prospects to come out of Europe this year. The 2023 European class is headlined by Russian winger Matvei Michkov and Swedish center Leo Carlsson, neither of whom would ever be expected to be available at No. 8 under normal circumstances. They both have the traits and prospect pedigree to go as high as third to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
But while Carlsson will almost certainly be off the board early, Michkov has a chance to drop down to the Capitals’ range due to his contract status with the KHL. The 18-year-old has some of the best hockey IQ in the class and his playmaking ability rivals that of even Bedard. Here’s the catch: Michkov is signed to a KHL deal through 2025-26, creating a murky timeline for when he might be able to actually play for the team that drafts him.
There’s precedent for players getting out of their KHL deals, even within the Capitals’ organization. Ivan Miroshnichenko, their 2022 first-round pick, agreed to a mutual contract termination with his KHL club in early May before signing his entry-level deal with Washington. It’s not yet clear whether Michkov would be able to negotiate something similar.
If he falls to No. 8, Michkov — the best Russian skater…
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