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Welcome to Caps 'Round the Clock, a blog covering the Washington Capitals and the NHL. In season, I update the Blog after every practice and on game day with Caps news and information, and then provide a recap and analysis after each contest. I also write a periodical Prospect Watch and weekly feature pieces on the state of the Men in Red and other things Capitals. And of course, I will post videos and tidbits from around the League and offer my two cents as the season wears on. In the offseason, I write a Report Card for each player, and will keep you updated on all the news about the Caps through the summer. I'm glad you're here, and hope you come back!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Capitals to Pick 11th Overall in June's NHL Entry Draft

As a result of Tuesday evening's draft lottery, the Washington Capitals will select 11th overall in June's NHL Entry Draft, to be held at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  The Capitals hold this selection as a result of the trade that they made on July 1st of last year, dealing goaltender Semyon Varlamov to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for this pick and a second-round selection in either this draft or the 2013 draft.  Washington will be preceded in the draft order by Edmonton, Columbus, Montreal, the Islanders, Toronto, Anaheim, Minnesota, Carolina, Winnipeg, and Tampa Bay.
From research that I have done, there are a few players that the Capitals could pick with this selection that could be available when their number is called that I feel would be great for them.  One is Jacob Trouba, a big, physical defenseman who models his game after Shea Weber and is playing for the United States Under-18 team.  Another is Zemgus Girgensons, a center from Dubuque of the United States Hockey League.  Girgensons is described as a "super talented player who competes on every shift.  He's a top power play guy and a complete player with few holes," according to a USHL coach. Brendan Gaunce, a center from Belleville of the Ontario Hockey League, is the player I want to see picked by the Capitals the most; he is a highly intelligent, responsible, center who possesses great leadership qualities and is said by scouts to have all of the intangibles you want in a player.
More on this as we move closer to draft day, but the Avalanche really did the Caps a favor.

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