Corey Pronman details what to expect from the Washington Capitals’ new prospects and how they fit into the farm system.
2024 Draft Grade: B-
I’ve had a hard time wrapping my head around taking Terik Parascak at No. 17, but I liked Washington’s second day a lot more. Cole Hutson, Leon Muggli, Ilya Protas, Eriks Mateiko and Nicholas Kempf all have legit chances to play games in the NHL.
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Draft Class
17. Terik Parascak, RW, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
May 28, 2006 | 6′ 0″ | 179 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Player comparable: Fabian Zetterlund
Analysis: Parascak had a monster first WHL season as a top scorer in the league after playing U18 hockey the season prior. He has a ton of skill and offensive sense. He beats defenders often with his puckhandling and makes a lot of plays to teammates. He’s not very big, but Parascak works hard. He makes high-end skilled plays at the net, can kill penalties and gives a good effort every night. The big issue in his NHL projection is his skating. He has a heavy stride that lacks any kind of NHL footspeed. He’s overperformed a lot to date, and while he doesn’t fit the athletic profile, his hockey sense is so good he could potentially be a middle-six wing.
Thoughts on the pick: Parascak at 17 is a surprise to me. Their assistant general manager Ross Mahoney knows the WHL extremely well, and Parascak had a fantastic rookie season in the WHL. He has a ton of skill and offensive sense, but I have some questions on his pro projection due to his frame and skating. He’s a good player who could be a middle-six wing and help a power play, but there’s a lot of risk on him missing and this seemed heavy to me at this point of the draft.
43. Cole Hutson, LHD, U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
June 28, 2006 | 5′ 10″ | 159 pounds
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Analysis: Hutson, the younger brother of Montreal’s Lane Hutson, was the U.S. NTDP’s best defenseman this season. He’s very offensively skilled and an outstanding puck-mover with a high-end offensive brain who can run a power play like a pro. He makes so many tough plays from the offensive blue line due to his skill and the shiftiness in his feet. He’s about 5-foot-10 and while he has some physicality in him he’s not a strong defender even though he’s a great defender. Scouts aren’t as sold his offense will be as elite as his brother’s even if Cole is bigger and a better skater. He will get NHL games due to how talented he is but he will need to prove he can have a long career and earn a coach’s trust defensively.
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52. Leon Muggli, LHD, Zug (NL)
July 9, 2006 | 6′ 0″ | 176 pounds
Tier: Has a chance to play games
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Analysis: Muggli took a regular shift in the top Switzerland league. He was an important part of Switzerland’s U18 and U20 teams as well and was the captain for the U18 group. He is a strong two-way defender who skates well and competes hard. He has good physical play in him and despite average size he projects to be able to make stops versus men. Offensively, Muggli has decent skill and vision. He makes plays and shows good poise with the puck. I don’t think offense is what he will be known for, but he can get a few points in the NHL. I see a potential depth defenseman.
75. Ilya Protas, LW, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
July 18, 2006 | 6′ 3″ | 183 pounds
Analysis: Ilya is the younger brother of Washington forward Aliaksei Protas. He had a productive season in the USHL in his first year in North America. He’s a pretty skilled big man who can make some plays. His skating is quite heavy though for the NHL level. His brother overcame similar skating issues so there’s a chance Ilya could do the same.
90. Eriks Mateiko, LW, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
November 18, 2005 | 6′ 5″ | 216 pounds
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: Poor
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: High-end
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: Mateiko was a point-per-game player in his second QMJHL season and played a large role on Latvia’s U20 team. Mateiko is a big, strong winger with some scoring touch. He creates chances at the net and can score from range. He plays a very heavy game, competing at a high level and often laying his big frame into opponents. His pure skill and playmaking will never dazzle, but he can create in traffic. The issue with Mateiko will be his skating. He has a heavy stride that lacks footspeed for the higher levels. I think there’s enough to his game to be a potential bottom-six wing despite the skating concerns, though.
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114. Nicholas Kempf, G, U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
March 1, 2006 | 6′ 2″ | 190 pounds
Tier: Has a chance to play games
Skating: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Analysis: Kempf was the better of the U.S. NTDP’s regular two goalies this season. He’s an athletic netminder who can get side to side well and make tough saves. He reads the play well enough, but for a 6-foot-2 goalie, I’d like to see his game be a tad more efficient and consistent.
178. Petr Sikora, C, HC Ocelari Trinec U20 (Czechia U20)
January 2, 2006 | 6′ 0″ | 174 pounds
Tier: Has a chance to play games
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Analysis: Sikora played a limited-minute role at the top Czech league. He was a solid junior player, though, and was a leading part of Czechia’s U18 team. Sikora’s game isn’t overly flashy. He has skill and can create with the puck, but his game is more direct. He’s a good skater who competes well. He can kill penalties and attacks the high-percentage areas to create offense. His game lacks standout traits so it’s a tough path for him to the NHL, but it wouldn’t shock me if he won over a coach.
212. Miroslav Satan, C, HC Slovan Bratislava U20 (Slovakia U20)
March 2, 2006 | 6′ 7″ | 190 pounds
Analysis: Satan, the son of the former NHL player by the same name, is a massive center at 6-foot-7. He has a little skill and is good at creating around the net. I don’t see much offensive sense or creativity in his game, though, and he’s a heavy skater as well.
(Photo of Terik Parascak: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
