Washington Capitals: 3 Breakout Candidates for Next Season

With each season that passes, it seems that every NHL team has at least one player break out and become a crucial part of their roster. The 2024-25 season should offer more of the same, so we here at NHL Trade Rumors will be looking at three breakout candidates from each NHL club heading into the new campaign.

In this latest edition of the series, let's focus on the Washington Capitals.

Connor McMichael: Connor McMichael is a clear breakout candidate for the Capitals heading into 2024-25. He took a step forward in his development this past season, posting new career highs with 18 goals, 15 assists, and 33 points. It was a solid year for the 2019 first-round pick, but it would not be surprising if his offense hit a new level next season, as the potential is there.

Hendrix Lapierre: Hendrix Lapierre is another notable breakout candidate on the Capitals. He showed promise this past season, recording eight goals and 22 points in a career-high 51 games for the Capitals. The 2020 first-round pick will now look to build on this momentum and have a big year for the Caps in 2024-25.

Aliaksei Protas: Aliaksei Protas had a strong season for the Capitals, recording new career highs with six goals, 23 assists, and 29 points in 78 games. While it was a solid campaign for the 6-foot-6 forward, the potential for him to hit a new level offensively is there. At just 23 years old, he may not have hit his ceiling yet.