Capitals coach heaps praise on Aussie NHL hopeful
Australian NHL hopeful Nathan Walker has received a glowing endorsement from Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz following a stand-out pre-season performance.
Despite the Caps falling 4-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes, Trotz singled out the impact of Walker, who is aiming to become the first Australian ever to play in the world's top hockey league.
“I thought Walker was giving us some energy, he was giving us some speed and I just made that flip (to the top line).” Trotz said at the post-match press conference.
In the strongest hint yet that he could make the squad on opening night, Trotz paired him with long-time Capitals veteran and team leader Jay Beagle.
“Walker was starting to make things happen with his speed," the coach added.
"His will on the puck was really good. So I thought that would be a good fit. So I moved him there and he had an effect on the game.”
Watch Walker's impressive first goal of the pre-season:
The 23-year-old left winger has already survived the latest round of cuts, which trimmed the squad down to 32 skaters.
The roster will be trimmed again down to 20 skaters and two goaltenders before the NHL season begins on October 4.
“If you think about Nathan Walker and about all the good qualities of Jay Beagle, there’s a lot of the same DNA and I think they might enjoy playing together,” Trotz said.
“Walks will get his opportunities (to score) because of his speed. He’s one of those hard guys to play against. When you can affect the opposition and take them off their game because of the way you play, then you’re pretty effective.”
The Capitals lost key players to free agency this offseason, so there's every chance the Sydneysider could secure his spot.
In the two games he’s played this pre-season, Walker has scored one goal. The Capitals have two pre-season games remaining.
Last season he posted 11 goals and 12 assists in 58 games for Washington’s minor league affiliate, the Hershey Bears.
He has previously played for HC Vitkovice in the Czech Extraliga and the Sydney Ice Dogs in the Australian Ice Hockey League.