A long week comes to an end tomorrow at 2 pm. After a week off, the Capitals will resume their defense of the President's Trophy (needs a new name) and take on the Red Wings in Detroit.
Since not much is really going on in the world of the Capitals, I will discuss the two players looking to take Burakovsky's spot in the line-up.
First up is Zach Sanford.
Sanford is a 22 year-old left winger from New Hampshire. I don't know anything about New Hampshire, other than the state capital, which is Dover, I think.
Looks it up.
Coming from the Granite State, Sanford obviously wanted to grow up to be a geologist, but unfortunately for him, he became an NHL player instead.
Sanford is a second-rounder from 2013. He's got some size and has 1 goal and 1 assist in 22 career NHL games. In the AHL this year he has 11 goals and 5 A in 25 games.
Sanford's main competition for playing time is Jakub Vrana.
Vrana is 20, a bit smaller, and he has one more goal than Sanford in six more AHL games.
He has the same last name as this crazy (alleged) alcoholic boss I used to have when I was 20. This guy spoke no English and was obsessed with Jagr. In two years, the only thing he ever said to me was "Sundin Suck. Jagr Hall of Fame."
Anyways, that's probably not relevant.
Vrana also added 12 assists so far, so it appears he has a bit more of a complete game than Sanford, who appears to be more of the power-forward type.
Vrana was a first round pick, 13th overall, in 2014. Which begs the question: how did the Capitals draft so high in 2014?
Looks it up.
Anyways, that makes Vrana one of their highest picks this decade. He was the fourth ranked Euro in his draft class and has played 12 NHL games so far (1 goal 3 points).
I hope the Capitals give Vrana the first crack, as he appears to be more skilled, however, word is the first game will go to Sanford and sons.