“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is
not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”
-- Leonardo da Vinci
Daniel Sprong has been around. Drafted in the second round (46th overall) in the 2015 Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, at 24 years old he is entering his sixth NHL season with his third NHL team, stints with Pittsburgh and the Anaheim Ducks preceding his arrival in Washington in February 2020 n a trade for defenseman Christian Djoos. What he has not been, though, is a consistent fixture in any lineup. He played 18 games as a rookie for the Pens in 2015-2016. A shoulder injury kept him out of NHL action the following season, and he managed only eight games with the Pens in 2017-2018. He appeared in 63 games in 2018-2019, split between the Penguins and the Ducks, but he dressed for only eight games with the Ducks in 2019-2020. Last season, Sprong dressed for 42 games with the Caps and posted 13 goals, his 0.31 goals per game and 1.6 goals per 60 minutes being career bests in those rate categories.
Odd Sprong Fact… In 42 games last season, Sprong was credited with one blocked shot, in a 5-4 overtime loss to Pittsburgh on January 19th.
Odd Sprong Fact II… For a player with a reputation as an offense-oriented player, his shot frequency was not matched by team success. In 19 games in which Sprong was credited with two or more shots on goal, the Caps were 8-8-3.
Fearless’ Take… Sprong has, from time to time, been viewed as perhaps a bit too offense oriented, who might have his ice time managed with that in mind, but the Caps were successful in games in which he had higher ice times, going 9-3-0 in the 12 games in which he skated at least 13 minutes, while the team went 5-5-2 in those games in which he skated under ten minutes.
Cheerless’ Take… Cuz, I usually take the negative view, but I gotta ask, where does this idea of Sprong being a defensive liability come from? In five NHL seasons, his on-ice goal differential is minus-8, but he had a minus-9 with Anaheim in 2018-2019, a team with a mediocre team defense over all (tied for 18th in scoring defense). His career shot attempts-for on ice at 5-on-5 over his four seasons is minus-8 on almost 2,800 shot attempts, for and against. He might not be a stalwart Selke defensive type, but if his offense helps keep the puck out of opponents’ hands, what is the problem?
Potential Milestones to Reach in 2020-2021…
- 200 career NHL games (currently 139)
- 100 games as a Capital (currently 42)
- 50 NHL goals (32)
The Big Question… Can Daniel Sprong be a regular fixture in the Capitals’ lineup?
It has been a difficult road for Daniel Sprong to get regular playing time in his five seasons. He has averaged 28 games per season with a high of 63, split between Pittsburgh (16) and Anaheim (47) in 2018-2019. He logged 42 games with the Caps last season, and he finished strong with six goals in his last eight games, three of them game-winners. He could slide into the right side of the third line with Lars Eller in the middle (once Nicklas Backstrom returns to the lineup after his hip rehabilitation) and Conor Sheary on the left side. With depth at forward being a bit of an issue, especially on the wings, Sprong has an opportunity to assert himself as a regular in the lineup. It is worth noting that his goals-per-60 minutes were best in seasons in which he was frequently in the lineup (1.6/60 in 42 games with the Caps last year, 1.4/60 in 47 games with Anaheim in 2018-2019). He, with Conor Sheary, could make for an interesting third line this season.
In the end…
Daniel Sprong has had an up-and-down career to date, but he is still only 24 years old with an opportunity to become a fixture in the Capitals’ lineup. His late-season surge last year perhaps provided a glimpse of what he can contribute, even from a third-line position. Picking up where he left off could provide more balance among the forward lines, not to mention relieving a bit of the pressure with Nicklas Backstrom out for the time being.
Projection: 68 games, 17-13-30, minus-2
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