Connor McMichael emerges as the Washington Capitals secret weapon

The Capitals' 24 year-old forward recorded 26 goals and 31 assists in 82 games played, while playing an average of 17 minutes per game. McMichael posted a 50% shot attempts, 53% expected goals, and 58% actual goals.

In addition, Connor recorded an xGF/60 of +8%, and an xGA/60 of +5%.

McMichael showed strong numbers right across the board, and in most micro-areas of the ice. According to Player Card by All Three Zones he recorded the following statistics:

In the offensive zone, McMichael was strongest in total shot contributions/60, cycle and forecheck/60, rush offense/60, and deflections/60, and showed his puck-carrying skills by excelling in rushes through the neutral zone, with entries with chances/60 and controlled entry with chances %.

In the d-zone, Connor was less effective, though he did record positive numbers in exits with possession/60 and exits/60, showing-off his strong skating ability.

In an RMNB Fan Happiness Survey McMichael scored a 4.5, when readers were asked, On a scale of 1-5, how happy are you to have this player on the team.

Though Connor McMichael had some set-backs in past years, this season he became a star. For most of the 2024-25 season, he showed his growth in every aspect of the game, including 5v5, penalty kill and the powerplay, and managed to finish 28th in scoring among 350 full-time NHL forwards, an improvement of 50 percentile ranks from last season.

Connor is fast, can score off the rush and the forecheck cycle, and can create his own 2nd chances. There is plenty to like about this young, rising star.