Spencer Carbery’s one-on-one tutelage of the Washington Capitals’ top prospect, Ryan Leonard, has become one of the biggest stories at this year’s training camp.
Carbery urged this past weekend that he did not want Leonard to measure his game by goals and assists, as he believes the 20-year-old forward could be putting too much pressure on himself to produce too early in his career. Leonard then scored a highlight-reel goal against the New Jersey Devils the next day and told reporters he felt much better after his second career NHL preseason game.
“Yeah, it’s huge,” Leonard said on Monday. “Like I said yesterday, any time you see the puck going in the back of the net, it’s a huge confidence boost, especially when you’re beating an NHL goalie. I knew it was going to go in at some point, but it was good to get it in preseason and just trust myself a little bit more. And then the shootout was a plus too.”
Leonard’s response to his breakout performance was then relayed to Carbery during the head coach’s own media session. While Carbery concurred that Leonard had a better overall game in his second exhibition matchup, he approached the offensive success with more tempered expectations for the former eighth-overall draft selection.
“Yeah, I would agree with [him having a better game],” Carbery said, noticeably cracking a wry smile. “I mean, I know what he’s measuring when he says that. He shot one into the white netting twice, once in the shootout and once off the rush, and it was an incredible play, a highlight-reel goal. Shootout was a great move. So those are positives.
“Any time you want to produce offensively and you accomplish that, you’re going to feel good,” he later added. “He’s starting his career, and that’s his first goal, essentially, other than an empty netter. In the back of your mind, [you’re] like, ‘Geez, what happened to my goal scoring? I usually can beat goaltenders.’ So, it’s good for him. But I’ll keep going back all year long – that’s not how I will measure Ryan Leonard’s game; his success or failures will not be whether he finishes on scoring chances.”
Overall, Carbery felt like his team was not at its best against the Devils, spending far too much time in their own zone as the “wheels fell off” during the back half of the game. While he noted that New Jersey iced a very strong lineup, including Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier, he wasn’t a fan of how his players took care of the puck.
Carbery did not single Leonard out above any of the other Capitals who played in the 3-2 shootout win, but did emphasize that making better decisions with the puck is one of the primary objectives that Leonard needs to have in his mind — game in and game out. And he needs to focus more on that than on lighting the lamp.
“What does Ryan Leonard need to do well to be successful in a 60-minute game?” Carbery said. “He’s got to be really good with the puck at determining when he can make a play and when it’s time to make a smart, intelligent, hard play. What’s the difference there? When he’s in a scoring situation like he was last night, even if he turned that over when he went through that defenseman, that’s a great opportunity, open space, to attack that defender.
“Then there’s some other spots where you’ve got to be really careful with the puck at your defensive blue line. If I get a puck there, totally different scenario. That puck has to get to a good spot. If it doesn’t, it’s probably going to end up in a scoring chance against.”
To Leonard’s credit, he and his line were regularly matched up with Hischier or Hughes at five-on-five in the win and produced relatively even results. During Leonard’s ice time, the Capitals saw just slight negative differentials in shot attempts (-4), scoring chances (-1), and high-danger chances (-1). Leonard also scored the only goal during those minutes.
Carbery has a willing student as Leonard is well aware that he’ll be successful if he takes advice from his bench boss.
“Trust him with whatever he’s saying out there,” Leonard said. “Obviously, Coach of the Year last year, so that’s not for no mistake. He knows what he’s talking about, so all I really got to do is listen to him and just go out there and play.”
As for what else specifically Carbery would like to see from Leonard this year, he excitedly spoke about little parts inside the game that fans might not notice.
“I look at his ability to get to the inside, play at the net front, win forecheck battles,” Carbery said. “That’s the offensive part. How is he doing there? Is he winning pucks? Also, his wall play, really important and critical for wingers. Last night, he has three different touches on the wall where he has to find his way out. Sometimes it’s just a chip off the glass. Sometimes it’s a play.
“There’s habits that go into being a successful winger. How’s his shoulder checks? Is he doing a good job with reading where pressure’s coming from? All that little stuff that looks easy when you watch it on TV or watch a game live, but that stuff takes hours and hours of work and ingraining good habits into your game.”
Carbery also elaborated on his previous comments about Leonard’s development curve likely being more unique than that of other players drafted around him in the first round, due to his preferred playing style.
“Playing on the inside, it’s challenging for young players because you’re usually physically overmatched, and along with that comes failure,” Carbery said. “What I mean by that is you’re probably going to lose some of those one-on-one situations, but you have to be willing to go there. Even though he’s probably going to get overpowered from time to time, that’s okay. He’ll develop, grow, mature, and get stronger.
“I think that’s one of the biggest things for a young player that’s not starting in the American League (AHL). He’s going to want it to happen right now. That’s natural for any player, but especially a young player that’s been very, very successful and has a ton of potential. Yet, you have to be patient and understand you’re going to make mistakes. And it’s all about digesting that.”
Leonard, who scored 30 goals in back-to-back seasons for Boston College, is known to play a hard-nosed game, throwing his weight around in all three zones. Just as Carbery alluded to, Leonard admits that he has struggled to impact games in the same way he did against peers of his age.
“Defensemen are a lot bigger and stronger, so it’s tougher to get the puck from them,” Leonard said. “I’m big, but I’m not as big as a normal power forward, probably like Tom (Wilson), but trying to get different ways to get the puck around the defenseman and strip them when you get a chance in our offensive zone. So again, it’s a learning curve, but it’s definitely something that I want to just keep improving on.”
The Capitals have three more preseason games remaining, starting with a visit to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. Leonard, who is waivers-exempt, will likely factor into at least two of those games, and skated with the main group at practice on Monday.
NHL teams must set their 23-man opening-day rosters by 5 pm ET on October 6. The Capitals open their regular season at home against the Boston Bruins on October 8.
