WASHINGTON — The 2024-25 season has seen a brand-new Connor McMichael take the ice for the Washington Capitals.
The 23-year-old is a new-and-improved player, finally living up to the hype that made him a first-round pick in 2019.
McMichael is producing at over a point-per-game rate with 12 points through 10 games, and his seven goals lead the Capitals.
“It’s confidence… it’s just confidence for me right now, so I’m trying to ride that,” McMichael said.
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But what exactly is fueling McMichael’s red-hot start and that confidence he’s playing with shift after shift?
Quite a bit.
First off, McMichael’s overall game has taken a significant step forward. His top speed this season is 22.79 miles per hour, which puts him in the 93rd percentile league-wide, per NHL EDGE.
He’s moving his feet and getting to those high-danger areas, and linemates Pierre-Luc Dubois and Tom Wilson are opening up more space for him on the ice.
“I keep saying this, but playing with Dubey and Willy, they make it really easy for me,” McMichael said. “Those guys are two of the best players at puck posession and getting the puck back. So when we have the puck, it’s not hard to make plays.”