Future Watch: It's Pretty Bright

Potential is a word thrown around a lot, especially in the world of sports. For the Caps, that concept has been talked about for a while -- even before the current record-breaking season. But if you listen to Coach Bruce Boudreau, who's usually right about these things, there are more troops coming soon.

"We've got talent at a lot of levels," the coach said in the recently-released Future Watch 2010 edition of The Hockey News. "Wait a couple of years, you'll see."

The Caps' rankings begin with three players -- John Carlson, Karl Alzner and Michal Neuvirth -- who have spent time with the big club. Carlson, ranked fifth overall by The Hockey News, is currently with the Caps -- apparently for good. Alzner and Neuvirth are in Hershey.

The praise for the the two defensemen couldn't be higher.

"Carlson was so impressive in training camp he forced his way into consideration for a spot with the big club, pushing past Karl Alzner on the depth chart. The subtleties of Carlson's game -- the way he precisely positions himself, correctly anticipates what's happening before it does and his ability to hold his own in physical situations -- speak to his maturity."

"Alzner is expected to become a cornerstone on the blueline, a fluid puck-mover who is steady in his own end.

The fourth player on the Caps, center Marcus Johansson, still is playing in Sweden and might end up in Hershey next season. Winger Mathieu Perreault, currently with the Bears, had a successful and short stretch with the Caps earlier this season.

The next five are goalie Braden Holtby, starring in Hershey; winger Stefan Della Rovere, still in the OHL; defenseman Dmitri Orlov in the KHL; center Anton Gustafsson, who is heading to Hershey from Sweden; and Oskar Osala, who was traded to Carolina in the Joe Corvo deal.