The Washington Capitals billed their participation in the 2015 Prospect Tournament in Estero, Fla., as an opportunity for their young talent to showcase itself across a three-game, four-day format, rather than the one-off matchup with Philadelphia of years past. Goaltenders could settle into starts, instead of splitting periods with their peers. Skaters had time to overcome mistakes and improve, and Hershey-bound players could develop chemistry with their future coaching staff.
For the front-office officials watching from their private suites at Germain Arena, the format was equally ideal.
“The three games allows you to do a better job as far as evaluation,” assistant general manager Ross Mahoney said Wednesday in a telephone interview.