Washington Capitals 2020-2021 Previews -- Defensemen: Jonas Siegenthaler

Jonas Siegenthaler

“Whoever wants to reach a distant goal must take small steps.”
-- Saul Bellow

It all seemed to be falling into place for Washington Capitals defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler.  Drafted in the second round of the 2015 Entry Draft, played another two seasons in Europe, came across to jon the Hershey Bears for a couple of brief stints before getting regular time in 2017-2018, splitting time between Hershey and Washington in 2018-2019, and getting a regular spot in the Caps lineup (64 games) in 2019-2020.  In the normal order of things, Siegenthaler might have built on a solid season last year and added minutes this year to the 15:44 per game he averaged last season.

That might have been a more likely outcome given that among the other five defensemen to dress for 50 or more games for the Caps last season, Radko Gudas left in free agency, and Michal Kempny’s debut in the new season would be delayed significantly as he recuperated from Achilles tendon surgery.  Even the addition of Brenden Dillion and his subsequent re-signing with the Caps did little to change a reasonable assumption that Siegenthaler would take the next step up the ladder of responsibility on the Caps’ blue line.

And then the Caps dropped the bombshell that they signed Zdeno Chara to a one-year contract.  Suddenly, Siegenthaler seemed to have become the seventh defensemen when six dress for most games.  On most nights (mostly when Zdeno Chara needs a break, or another defenseman is dinged up or forgets how to play the position), Siegenthaler would appear to have a reservation for the press-box.

Odd Siegenthaler Fact… Jonas Siegenthaler has played more NHL games (90) than any other defenseman born in Zurich, Switzerland.  Okay, the only other one is Tim Ramholt, and he played in only one NHL game.

Odd Siegenthaler Fact II… The last time a Caps defenseman averaged more shorthanded ice time than Siegenthaler (3:11) was when Karl Alzner averaged 3:32 in 2013-2014.

Fearless’ Take…

Jonas Siegenthaler has come a long way in his brief career to date.  Of 55 defensemen to dress for the Caps in their 22-year old season and younger, he ranks 17^th in games played (90); he is tied for fourth in plus-minus (plus-17 with, among others, John Carlson); he is one of only 21 members in that group with at least one game-winning goal (he has one).  He is not an offensive defenseman, at least at this point in his career, but he has shown some glimpses of become at least a credible two-way defenseman.  What he appears to resemble, at least for the moment, is a young, similarly aged Karl Alzner.  There are worse places to be.

Cheerless’ Take…

We keep taking whacks at this dead horse, but… seven games, no goals, no assists, no points, minus-7.  That was Siegenthaler’s scoring line in the postseason last year (he did not have a point in his last 20 regular season games, either).  He does not yet have a point in 11 career playoff games while averaging 14:40 per game.

Potential Milestones to Reach in 2020-2021:

• 100 career NHL games (he currently has 90)
• 100 career penalty minutes (53)
• 2,000 career minutes played (1,375)

The Big Question… Has Siegenthaler’s progress stalled?

There are really two parts to this question.  The first is not so much a question as it is an obvious fact.  If the choice is a young, still growing defenseman or a hall-of-famer to be, even if he is at the end of his long career, for a team with a limited window to compete for a Stanley Cup, the obvious choice is the latter, unless there is nothing left in Zdeno Chara’s tank.  That is not a commentary on Siegenthaler’s skill or potential; he is a victim of circumstance (the Caps’ remaining window of competitiveness) and availability (Chara being available, a contender has to consider adding him).

The second part of the question speaks to Siegenthaler specifically.  His development and advancement has followed a steady upward arc since he was drafted.  Now, he is looking at taking a step backward in terms of the responsibility he assumes in games played, ice time granted, and roles assigned.  Will this have a deleterious effect on his development?  Probably not.  The best spin one might put on this is that Siegenthaler is now in a position to spell any of the bottom four defensemen for whatever reason or circumstance might dictate.

In the end…

It would be a bit much to say Jonas Siegenthaler has been a “surprise” development in his brief career to date.  He was, after all a second round draft pick in a 2015 draft top heavy with defenseman draft picks (he was the 19^th defenseman taken in the first 57 picks).  He had experience in international competition and had a 122-game apprenticeship with Hershey in the AHL before getting full time work with the Caps.  And last season, he led all Caps defensemen in shorthanded ice time per game while also posting a plus-8 differential in goals scored for and against at even strength.  His advancement has been steady, his assigned roles expanding.  That he takes a back seat, or a seat in the press box, at least to start this season is another small step in his development, even if it looks to be sideways instead of forward.

Projection: 24 games, 2-6-8, plus-1

Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images