(Image Source: EA Sports)
After a 44-year wait for their first Stanley Cup, the Washington Capitals finally hoisted the coveted trophy and celebrated throughout the summer with parties and keg-stands. This season, the Caps have returned with very much the same team, managing to re-sign pivotal defenseman John Carlsson and ready to embark on the franchise’s first ever defense of the Cup. The team is strong in all areas, boasting many of the best players in the game.
Alex Ovechkin, Left Wing, 92 OVR
click to enlargeAge: 32Role: SniperHeight: 191cmWeight: 106kgShoots: RightBest Stats: 96 Hand-Eye, Offensive Awareness. 95 Puck Control, Balance, Slap Shot Power
Alex Ovechkin has long been seen as one of, if not the best wings in the NHL, especially when it comes to scoring goals and throwing the body around. Last season, his 49 goals reclaimed the Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy, which the Russian has won seven times now. The sniper’s immensely dynamic play is perfectly mirrored in NHL 19 with his 96 hand-eye, 95s for slap shots, 94s for wrist shots, 88s across the speed attributes, 91 body checking, 94 strength, and 90 durability.
John Carlson, Defenseman, 88 OVR
click to enlargeAge: 28Role: Two-WayHeight: 191cmWeight: 99kgShoots: RightBest Stats: 93 Passing, Offensive Awareness. 91 Slap Shot Power
As the team’s best defenseman, it was vital for the Caps to re-sign John Carlson. He is the elite-level defenseman that Stanley Cup hopefuls need, demonstrating his ability with 15 goals and 68 points with a neutral rating to stand as the highest-scoring defenseman in the league last season. Carlson is very well-rounded in NHL 19, but his upside is definitely on the offensive side of the puck due to his 93 passing, 91 slap shot power, and 93 offensive awareness.
Braden Holtby, Goaltender, 91 OVR
click to enlargeAge: 28Role: HybridHeight: 188cmWeight: 96kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: 93 Rebound Control, Angles. 92 Five Hole, Stick Low, Aggressiveness, Agility, Vision
Braden Holtby is one of the best goaltenders in the NHL and the EA Sports game. Through the 2017/18 regular season, the top netminder endured some struggles, finishing with a .907 save percentage, 2.99 goals against average, and zero shutouts through 54 starts. But, in the playoffs, Holtby stepped up in a big way to help his team win their first Stanley Cup, starting 22 of the 24 games, keeping two shutouts, and holding a .922 save percentage and a 2.16 goals against average. With so many attributes at 90 or over, Holtby is one of the toughest goaltenders to beat in NHL 19, and he’s only 28-years-old.
From the Day 1, September 13 update, this is how the Washington Capitals’ first lines start. The top set is a daunting combination of elite-level scoring ability, speed, and immense physicality. Tom Wilson is a very user-friendly skater to have on the ice, but getting the puck to Ovechkin in the left faceoff circle has to be the target.
NHL 19 Washington Capitals Roster
Alex Ovechkin (92) – Evgeny Kuznetsov (89) – Tom Wilson (82)Michal Kempny (80) – John Carlson (88)Braden Holtby (91)
| Name | Overall Rating | Position/Role | Height | Age | Shoots | Best Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evgeny Kuznetsov | 89 | Playmaker Center | 188cm | 26 | Left | 95 Deking. 94 Offensive Awareness, Passing, Puck Control |
| Nicklas Backstrom | 88 | Playmaker Center | 185cm | 30 | Left | 95 Passing. 93 Deking, Puck Control, Offensive Awareness |
| T.J. Oshie | 85 | Two-Way Right Wing | 180cm | 31 | Right | 90 Poise, Deking, Acceleration, Speed, Agility |
| Matt Niskanen | 84 | Two-Way Defenseman | 185cm | 31 | Right | 88 Defensive Awareness, Stick Checking, Speed, Slap Shot Power |
| Dmitry Orlov | 84 | Two-Way Defenseman | 180cm | 27 | Left | 88 Deking, Defensive Awareness, Offensive Awareness, Acceleration, Agility, Speed, Wrist Shot Power, Slap Shot Power |
| Andre Burakovsky | 82 | Right Wing Sniper | 191cm | 23 | Left | 90 Discipline. 89 Acceleration, agility, Speed |
| Tom Wilson | 82 | Right Wing Grinder | 193cm | 24 | Right | 92 Aggressiveness. 90 Body Checking, Strength, Balance |
| Lars Eller | 81 | Two-Way Center | 188cm | 29 | Left | 87 Strength, Balance, Slap Shot Power |
| Jakub Vrana | 80 | Right Wing Sniper | 183cm | 22 | Left | 90 Deking. 88 Speed, Acceleration, Agility |
| Michal Kempny | 80 | Defensive Defenseman | 183cm | 28 | Left | 87 Shot Blocking, Stick Checking, Slap Shot Power, Wrist Shot Power |
| Brett Connolly | 79 | Right Wing Sniper | 191cm | 26 | Right | 87 Slap Shot Power, Wrist Shot Power. 86 Strength, Acceleration, Agility, Speed |
| Devante Smith-Pelly | 79 | Right Wing Power Forward | 183cm | 26 | Right | 91 Body Checking. 90 Balance, Strength, Aggressiveness |
| Christian Djoos | 79 | Offensive Defenseman | 183cm | 24 | Left | 87 Discipline, Acceleration, Speed |
| Chandler Stephenson | 78 | Two-Way Center | 183cm | 24 | Left | 87 Discipline. 86 Slap Shot Power. 85 Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Speed, Strength, Durability, Wrist Shot Power |
| Madison Bowey | 77 | Two-Way Defenseman | 188cm | 23 | Right | 87 Acceleration, Speed, Slap Shot Power |
| Brooks Orpik | 77 | Defensive Defenseman | 191cm | 37 | Left | 89 Aggressiveness, Body Checking. 87 Balance, Shot Blocking |
| Nic Dowd | 76 | Two-Way Center | 188cm | 28 | Right | 85 Balance, Speed, Slap Shot Power, Wrist Shot Power, Durability, Strength |
| Travis Boyd | 74 | Two-Way Center | 180cm | 25 | Left | 85 Agility, Speed, Acceleration, Durability |
| Phoenix Copley | 72 | Hybrid Goaltender | 191cm | 26 | Left | 83 Agility, Speed. 82 Endurance, Puck Playing frequency |
Jonas Siegenthaler, Defenseman, 74 OVR
click to enlargeAge: 21Role: Defensive DefensemanHeight: 188cmWeight: 97kgShoots: LeftPotential: Top 4 low
With ratings of 85 or greater for shot blocking, stick checking, balance, aggressiveness, body checking, and strength, Jonas Siegenthaler is already a serviceable blueliner right now. Having a physical defensive defenseman sitting as a healthy scratch game-to-game can be very helpful when injuries come around, and Siegenthaler has the age and potential to see his overall rating increase if he gets an extended stay in the NHL lines.
As you would expect from a team which has just won the Stanley Cup and has taken the Presidents’ Trophy in two of the last three seasons, the Capitals’ prospect pool is looking a little sparse. But, there are some bright spots with two-way defenseman Alexander Alexeyev and the nearly NHL-ready Lucas Johansen.
NHL 19 Washington Capitals Top Prospects
| Name | Overall Rating | Position/Role | Height | Age | Shoots | Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Fehervary | 52 | Two-Way Defenseman | 183cm | 18 | Left | Top 6 med |
| Eric Florchuk | 56 | Two-Way Center | 185cm | 18 | Left | Bottom 6 med |
| Alex Kannok-Leipert | 57 | Offensive Defenseman | 180cm | 18 | Right | 7th D med |
| Kody Clark | 59 | Two-Way Right Wing | 185cm | 18 | Right | Top 9 med |
| Riley Sutter | 61 | Two-Way Right Wing | 188cm | 18 | Right | Bottom 6 med |
| Alexander Alexeyev | 62 | Two-Way Defenseman | 191cm | 18 | Right | Top 4 med |
| Sebastian Walfridsson | 55 | Two-Way Defenseman | 183cm | 19 | Left | 7th D med |
| Kristian Roykas Marthinsen | 56 | Two-Way Left Wing | 183cm | 19 | Left | AHL Top 6 med |
| Tobias Geisser | 68 | Defensive Defenseman | 193cm | 19 | Left | Top 6 med |
| Axel Jonsson Fjallby | 57 | Two-Way Left Wing | 185cm | 20 | Left | Top 9 med |
| Beck Malenstyn | 60 | Two-Way Center | 188cm | 20 | Left | Top 9 med |
| Garrett Pilon | 62 | Two-Way Center | 178cm | 20 | Right | Top 9 med |
| Lucas Johansen | 73 | Two-Way Defenseman | 188cm | 20 | Left | Top 4 med |
| Connor Hobbs | 73 | Offensive Defenseman | 188cm | 21 | Right | Top 6 med |
| Maximilian Kammerer | 64 | Left Wing Playmaker | 183cm | 21 | Left | AHL Bottom 6 low |
| Damien Riat | 61 | Two-Way Center | 183cm | 21 | Right | Top 9 med |
| Vitek Vanecek | 72 | Hybrid Goaltender | 183cm | 22 | Left | Fringe Starter med |