The Capitals have built a Stanley Cup contender with elite young talent. If the recent world juniors tournament is any indication, plenty more is on the way. Forward Evgeny Kuznetsov and defenseman Dmitri Orlov were key components of Russia's first under-20 world championship since 2003. And forward Cody Eakin was one of Canada's best players in the title game.
Kuznetsov fell to No. 26 in the first round of the 2010 NHL draft. The Caps -- as they have done with late first-round picks like John Carlson, Mike Green and Jeff Schultz in recent years -- snapped him up. The 18-year-old had the primary assist on three third-period goals Wednesday as Russia stunned Canada. Kuznetsov was the tournament's second-leading scorer.
"[Kuznetsov] was the most dynamic player in that whole tournament," Toronto Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson told the Globe and Mail. "When he decided he was going to make a difference in the game, he turned the switch on. In the last five minutes of all the other games, he was a dominant player. ... He looked like an Ovechkin or a Semin, then you find out he's [drafted by] Washington -- you're kidding."