Observations:

January 2016 – Burakovsky has not broken out of his sophmore slump yet this year. His minutes, and line usuage, fluctuate every few games as he will see a second line spot averaging 15 minutes, then he will be on the third anf fourth line averaging about nine minutes. He is getting the opportunity to produce from Trotz but he needs to start producing to justify his usage. Ten points in 38 games is not doing it so far but he is playing a lot better lately keeping the puck in the oppositions end more than his own. He is one to be owned in keeper pools, but one year pools he should be on waivers until he start consistenly producing. Pat Quinn

Nov 2015 – Burakovsky has played a majority of his time on the third line this season, and sees second power play time. Recently his minutes have slipped as his first six games he averaged around 14 minutes of ice time, and his last five games he has averaged around 10 minutes of ice time. He has struggled in the last few games but there is evidence he plays better when he has more ice time. In watching a couple recent games, Burakovsky has turned over the puck a fair bit in the offensive zone, but does work hard on the defensive end. If there is an injury to the top six he will be put in there, but in the meantime expect low point totals and perhaps the occasional healthy scratch as Barry Trotz has to trust him to play him. Pat Quinn

Sept 2015 – Burakovsky is heading in to training camp looking to stick in the NHL for the full season. Head coach Barry Trotz said he would be trying at Burakovsky at the third line centre position, but there is a chance he could play left wing on line two putting him in a battle with Marcus Johansson for the spot. In the centre position he is battling Brooks Laich, Jay Beagle, Michael Latta, and Derek Roy for the role and if he does not get either position he is likely headed for the third line left wing spot limiting his output for the season, more so than what would be available in the top six. His training camp is one to watch, but a third line of Roy, Wilson and Burakovsky could provide decent results. Pat Quinn

May 2015 – Burakovsky had a great ear from a development stand points. He started the year hot, then struggled, and battled back in the end. He finished with 22 points in 53 games for the Capitals, with a majority of those occurring in the first quarter of the season. He started the playoffs as a healthy scratch but once he played a game he was never taken out. Everyone should remember Burakovsky’s big game where he scored the only two goals against the Rangers, in limited minutes, giving them a 2-1 win and a 3-1 series lead they would ultimately lose in seven games. He was reassigned to the Bears to help them in the Calder cup playoffs but ultimately the Bears were eliminated with Burakovsky scoring one goal in his only game. Next season should be better from the 20 year old. Pat Quinn

February 2015 – Burakovsky went from playing with Backstrom and Ovechkin to a healthy scratch to fourth line to the AHL and then back to the fourth line. His use this year has been very all over the place under Trotz. He was taken off of the top line after the all-star break because Trotz wanted more “responsibility” on his top line, so he instead inserted Jay Beagle. Expect more of this usage throughout the season as Trotz likes Burakovsky’s game, but he just does not trust him defensively. Burokovsky is a great prospect but you cannot expect much from him this year except inconsistent usage.Pat Quinn

July 2014 – Burakovsky finished an impressive season after coming over to the OHL putting up 87 points in 57 games and then scored 10 goals in 14 playoffs games, one of which he left in the first period after suffering an injury. He was a standout at development camp with Barry Trotz raving about his game hoping that he can capture a top nine spot, but only if Trotz can give him quality ice time. If he does not make the NHL he will be able to play in the AHL due to a clause that makes him eligible, so he does not need to return to the OHL. Trotz talked about a potential second line of Burakovsky, Kuznetsov and Johansson, and one of them could get a chance on the top line with Backstrom and Ovechkin. There will be a much better opportunity to see where he will be come training camp, but there is a strong level of excitement around him from the Capitals and fantasy owners alike. Pat Quinn

January 2014 – Burakovsky is in the midst of a 15-game points streak and has an incredible 33 points during that span. He should be owned in nearly all keeper league formats. Owners will still have to wait at least another year, likely two before he turns pro and even then the points won't be falling from the sky as they are now. Outlook is very good for now, but don't get carried away as it is still the OHL. Nathan Kanter

January 2014 – Burakovsky didn't win Gold but nonetheless had a solid tournament. He finished with seven points in seven games and although the bulk of those points came against weaker nations (three against Norway, two against Slovakia), his skill was very apparent all tournament long. Look for him to continue piling up the points for Erie, as owners can hope for a long playoff run. Nathan Kanter

December 2013 – Andre Burakovsky has been officially selected to the Swedish Under-20 World Junior roster for the upcoming Championships in Malmo, Sweden. He will no doubt help anchor the offense on a very strong host squad along with current NHLers Filip Forsberg (Nashivlle) and Elias Lindholm (Carolina). Bob McKenzie of TSN even listed him in his "Top 5 Non-Canadians to Watch" at the World Juniors (5th). He recently made headlines when he stated that Sweden on paper is a "much better team" than Canada. Perhaps they are, but Burakovsky will now have to let his play do the talking. Nathan Kanter

December 2013 – Burakovsky was (not surprisingly) named to Team Sweden's Preliminary World Junior roster. The acquisition of Brendan Gaunce by the Otters has clearly helped Burakovsky as he has an incredible 14 points in 6 games since the trade. The trade allowed McDavid to slide back to the second line to center Burakovsky. Burakovsky is currently riding a seven-game point streak and has 43 points in 29 games; 15th in the OHL, but 4th on a stacked Erie squad. Nathan Kanter

November 2013 – Burakovsky has 15 points in his last 11 games, bringing his season total to 27 in just 20 games. Yet he sits fourth on Erie in scoring because the top 3 spots are filled by linemates Brown, Fox and McDavid. Burakovsky sees plenty of PP time though and has 11 powerplay points (PPP) to show for it. Nathan Kanter

October 2013 – Burakovsky now has 12 points in 8 OHL games inlcuding 9 in 5 October games. However most recently he has only been with McDavid on the powerplay as the top line at the moment is Dane Fox, McDavid and Connor Brown. If he solidifies a spot on the top line (and he should as he continues to adjust to the OHL), look out. Nathan Kanter

October 2013 – Burakovsky has indeed joined McDavid and the Erie Otters of the OHL. After 3 games, he has 3 points but hasn't consistently been playing with McDavid. It should happen at some point however and Burakovsky is likely to have a very good OHL campaign. Nathan Kanter

June 2013 – After the Washington Capitals selected Andre Burakovsky with the 23rd overall selection at the 2013 NHL Draft, the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League used their 5th overall selection in the 2013 CHL Import Draft to pick this offensive winger. It will be interesting to see whether Burakovsky signs with Erie and comes to North America to play alongside phenom Connor McDavid. Brendan Ross

June 2013 – Austrian born Burakovsky is a smooth skating winger with star potential. He struggled with his offensive consistency in Sweden’s Allsvenskan division but finished his draft season off strong with a standout performance at the U18 World Championships scoring six goals and 12 points in 10 contests. Burakovsky possesses crafty puck skills, above average separation speed and confidence to become an offensive threat. Brendan Ross

Fantasy Outlook: A-

His offensive game is coming around and next to Kuznetsov he is the best offensive prospect for the Capitals. He will need to work on his defensive game to be trusted in the NHL level, but he should be someone who is owned in keeper leagues.

Footage:

2013-14 season highlights

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Burakovsky highlight package:

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