Capitals Development Camp Notebook Day 4: Leonard & Protas' Chemistry, Intensity & Physicality Picks Up In Small-Area Games

ARLINGTON, V.A. — Friday was the day that the Washington Capitals prospects were eagerly waiting for at development camp: no more Power Edge Pro circuits or skating drills. It was finally time for games, and they went all out.

After a morning of on-ice testing and positional play practice, Washington's camp attendees returned to the rink in the afternoon for a variety of small-area games that included 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 battles, passing plays and more.

There were five teams of prospects that rotated through and faced each other, with players donning red, light blue, dark blue, grey and white jerseys.

Though they were small area games, they weren't taken lightly; they were hard-hitting, intense matchups, where the physicality and aggressiveness only ramped up as time went on.

To open the games, teams worked on stationary playmaking, where Ilya Protas and Ryan Leonard showed great chemistry with one another. They were making tape-to-tape passes and finding one another easily during the drills. It was as if they'd been playing together for longer than just a handful of days, and was definitely an encouraging sign.

Protas has great skating ability, a good shot and the ability to think the game quickly and get to the right places. He'll fit in great in a couple years' time.

Leonard was a machine during these mini-scrimmages, moving the puck with aplomb and showcasing his booming shot. He is miles ahead of the game when it comes to his development, and to add to his all-around play, he got aggressive on the forecheck and threw his weight around, not shying away from battles for the puck.

Zac Funk also stood out in the small-area games with his speed and quick playmaking ability. Terik Parascak, who signed his entry-level contract earlier in the day, was making good decisions with the puck and putting his patience, poise and passing on display.

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Haakon Hanelt deserves a lot of credit. He said he feels a sense of urgency and wants to do everything he can to earn his entry-level contract this year, which is the final year he can sign with D.C. before the team loses his rights. The 2021 fifth-rounder was showing off his skating, speed, hand-eye coordination and quick hands, which allow him to protect the puck and create chances.

On the defensive side of the puck, Joaquim Lemay's skating continues to stand out above others, and Cole Hutson's shot and stickhandling is unparalleled. Cam Allen also had some strong plays out there.

Oasiz Wiesblatt continues to be an interesting name to watch at this camp. He has grit and wheels that make him a threat on the ice, and he gives everything he has in every drill. Despite being just 5-foot-9, he was throwing his weight around, doing whatever he could to keep pucks alive and getting around players with ease.

Andrew Cristall also got in on some of the hitting, laying the boom into a couple of players during his 2-on-2 battles. It was encouraging to see, as strength is something he needs to continue to incorporate into his game. It also definitely looks like he added some more size.

Washington's camp culminates on Saturday with a 3-on-3 tournament.