Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan met with the media at the end of the first day of free agency, last Wednesday. The annual presser often signals the end of MacLellan’s wheeling and dealing for the free agency period.
But not this year, as Macllelan went well into the second day, acquiring center Dylan Strome. As a result, MacLellan held a second media availability on Wednesday morning.
MacLellan’s free agency acquisitions will most likely mean fewer opportunities for certain prospects already in the system. MacLellan reiterated that there were no guarantees for the younger prospects, and that they will have to earn a spot on the roster.
“It’s a competitive situation. I don’t think we’re coming in guaranteeing young guys spots in the lienup. Part of it is you have to earn it, to a certain degree,” said MacLellan.
Maclellan re: re-signing Marcus Johansson. Said he felt they needed a versatile veteran with Hagelin possibly out. #ALLCAPS
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) July 20, 2022
One position where the Capitals are now deep at is the center position. The Capitals currently have five centers on their roster, which brings some uncertainty to sophomore center Connor McMichael and his role on the team.
McMichael had a positive rookie campaign, although the scoring never fully materialized, at least based on his standards. McMichael was also limited in playing time through much of the season.
“I think Connor’s gonna come in, he’s gonna be better than he was last year. It’s gonna be, “how do we best develop him, how do we do what’s best for our lineup. Coaches will balance that out. Whether we play him at center, whether we play him at wing. Do we play him hgher in the lineup? do we play him lower in the lineup? I think he will have a shot at all of it. If he plays well, it will be a tough decision for the coaches.”
McMichael’s versatility and ability to play both center and wing will no doubt help his cause, but MacLellan prefers Michael at center.
“I think he’s an option on both. Based on last year’s performance, I like him in the middle, more. He seems to be more involved, he seems to skate more. I like his game more when he plays center. Doesn’t mean we have to play him there all the time. We can play him there sometimes, we can move him around.”
Maclellan: re: Connor McMichael and current center depth. Like’s McMichael in the middle, more than wing, but can play wing. “Possibly a year ahead of schedule, we like where he’s at.” #ALLCAPS
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) July 20, 2022
MacLellan stopped short of projecting where he thought McMichael would land at the start of the season. A big part of it is still undecided and won’t be determined until training camp. But all in all, he likes where McMichael is at with regards to his development.
“He’s probably a year ahead of schedule. He came in the American League a year early, because Covid. We like where’s he’s at. We think he’s gonna be a good player. He’s gonna make some strides this year, and we can play him at both positions.”
MacLellan’s full presser:
By Jon Sorensen