Connor McMichael, who was named to the OHL’s Second All-Star Team on Wednesday, may not be done playing this season.
During a video conference with reporters on Friday, Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said that the team is considering bringing McMichael on as a black ace for the 24-team playoff, citing it would be a good learning experience for the 19-year-old.
The Capitals signed McMichael to an entry-level contract on July 12, 2019.
Caps GM Brian MacLellan said team is considering bringing 2019 1st rd pick Connor McMichael in as one of the extras if season resumes.
MacLellan said teams can have 28 skaters plus unlimited goalies.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) May 29, 2020
“I think it’d be a great learning experience for Connor,” MacLellan said. “He seems to be a guy that can pick up things from good players, from watching them and being around them. The feedback from him from last training camp was that he was engaged. He learned a lot from Nick [Backstrom]. He learned a lot from our veteran players. I think he would take a big leap in his development just from being in that environment – to see how guys work, see how guys practice, off-ice workouts, nutrition stuff. To see our main guys doing it on a daily basis in a competitive environment I think would be invaluable for him.”
Two players that have already been notified they will be black aces are Beck Malenstyn and Pheonix Copley – both members of the 2019-20 Hershey Bears. Goaltender Vitek Vanecek also continues to train in the Czech Republic.
During MacLellan’s chat with reporters, he also shared his opinion that the 24-team playoff could be “wildly entertaining.”
Caps GM Brian MacLellan: "I think the championship is up for grabs" with Return to Play format.
"It could be wildly entertaining."
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) May 29, 2020
Six Capitals players remain in the DC area who could begin small group workouts in early June.
MacLellan said Capitals have about 6 players in the DC area right now who would potentially begin skating at MedStar in when Phase 2 begins in early June and then more players would filter in as start of camp approaches.
He mentioned July 10 as possible start date for camp.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) May 29, 2020
Mac is “cautiously optimistic” the season will conclude.
MacLellan said he would describe most people as “cautiously optimistic” about the possibility of resuming the NHL season.
Also said: “It’s a tremendous challenge to pull this off.”
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) May 29, 2020
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