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Chandler Stephenson, LW |
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Shoots: L |
Height: 5-11 |
Weight: 200 |
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Born: 1994-04-22 |
Hometown: Saskatoon, SK |
Drafted: 2012 by Washington Capitals, 77th Overall |
Observations:
January 2018 – Stephenson has looked adequate in limited role for the Capitals. With the additional signings of Chiasson and Smith-Pelly it has made Stephenson the occasional healthy scratch, as well as a bottom six player when he plays. The Capitals view him more as a third line player who can score on occasion and forcheck well, and he has not been given the opportunity to show more. In the future expect him to be in a third line role with the occasional promotion to the top two lines when injuries occur. Pat Quinn
April 2017 – Stephenson progressed this year in the AHL for the Bears and finally stayed healthy for a majority for the season, but his points per game dropped. He had 38 points in 72 games playing more of a depth role for the Bears, after a previous season of 28 points in 46 games, a drop off from 0.61 points per game to 0.53 points per game. His shots per game also dropped off from 1.22 to 0.90 as he really has never shot much on his own. At 23, Stephenson's time is starting to run out to become an productive NHLer, but his defensive capabilties are good enough for a depth role. Next season will be a big one for his development. Pat Quinn
July 2016 – Stephenson finished the year with 26 points in 46 games for the Hershey Bears, and put up zero points in his nine games for the Capitals but was rarely used on the NHL club. His improvement in skating have impressed the Capitals coaching staff, and his role as a centre for the Bears have given the Washington management a view that Stephenson can be a third to second line centre in the NHL. He still needs to work on the consistency portion of his game, as well as shooting the puck more as he looks to pass far too often. Stephenson will likely get into a few NHL games in the upcoming 2016-17 season, and has a chance to make the NHL squad, but it is more likely he will play full time in the 2017-18 season or beyond. Pat Quinn
Nov 2015 – Stephenson started the year playing one game in the AHL before he was called back up as Capitals coach Barry Trotz likes his game, playing him in eight games. However he has only been playing on the fourth line averaging only eight minutes of ice time, has no points, and only two shots. It is safe to say he is getting the Trotz rookie treatment, so do not expect the points to come any time soon. There is fantasy potential here but it will take a couple seasons. Pat Quinn
Oct 2015 – Stephenson was one of the final cuts from Capitals camp as Beagle won the third line starting position and the Caps coaching staff did not feel the best use of his skills were in a third line centre role. He will have a top six position for the Bears in the AHL where he will look to develop his offensive game in the pro leagues. Pat Quinn
Sept 2015 – Head Coach Barry Trotz spoke to the media telling them he told Stephenson “I think you should believe you can make this team, because you’re close” according to Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post. Stephenson has been impressive so far at Capitals training camp and during exhibition play. At the Capitals prospect tournament Stephenson centred a line featuring Riley Barber and Jakub Vrana that was one of the best lines for them. He has a good shot at a bottom six centre spot with these new revelations, as long as he can beat out Derek Roy who is on a PTO, but would likely only see small to modest production. Pat Quinn
May 2015 – Stephenson had a poor year for the Bears as he only scored 14 points in 54 games. He predominately played on the fourth line, and just when he started to post consecutive points, and possibly move up the lineup, he got hurt and had to start from square one again when he came back. He at least had five points in the Bears’ 10 playoff games, but four of them did come in the four games versus the Worchester Sharks. He should still be spending another year at least in the AHL, so he is one to monitor, it could just take time for him to develop. Pat Quinn
January 2015 – To say Stephenson is struggling in the AHL this year would be an understatement. Stephenson has only six points in 35 games while beinga healthy scratche here and there as well. His game has mostly centered around passing but having 17 shots in 35 games is fairly disheartening. The reasons for the low output can be correlated to bottom-six usage as the top-six is set in Hershey. There is also the fact that this is his first taste of larger and faster competition explaining his lower production. Stephenson did not put up great numbers in the WHL until his third season showing that he requires more time to get adjust to his surroundings. Pat Quinn
September 2014 – Stephenson was recently signed to an entry-level contract worth $925,000 which is the maximum a rookie can receive on April 13th, 2014. He nearly doubled his point totals in the WHL during the 2013-15 for the Regina Pats scoring 89 points in 69 games, up from 45 points in 46 games, while scoring a career high in goals. Stephenson also led the WHL in shorthanded goals in 2013-14 showing that he is a threat in all situations. Expect him to play in the AHL during the 2014-15 season while being depended upon to be one of the main scorers for the Hershey Bears. He could see a couple of NHL games this season, but look for him to get a few call-ups in the 2015-16 season as the Caps will know more about what that have with Stephenson by then. Pat Quinn
February 2014 – After finishing last season with 45 points in 46 games on a team that went 25-38-9, Stephenson has propelled his team to the top of the East division this year thanks to his 28 goals and 50 assists in 61 games. He leads the team in scoring and is 12th in the WHL. Nathan Kanter
February 2013 – Chandler Stephenson built on his impressive start after he returned from injury. He is putting up solid numbers on a weaker Regina Pats team. In 32 games he has 29 points. Stephenson will be a force in the league alongside 2013 draft prospect Morgan Klimchuk next year. Zenon Herasymiuk
November 2012 – Stephenson was expected to have a huge season, but unfortunately he has been hit with the injury big. A broken foot will keep him out of the lineup for an extended period of time. In 12 games before the injury he had four goals and six assists. Zenon Herasymiuk
April 2012 – Chandler Stephenson is a small, speedy forward that likes to push the pace of the game and make an impact in all three zones. He also has great vision and is always a threat to score in the offensive zone. His biggest concern is his size, as he looks a lot smaller than the 5-11 he is listed at. He will need to continue to build strength so he can become a more intimidating presence up front. On the year he scored 22 goals and added 20 assists for 42 points. With the departure of Jordan Weal in Regina, the Pats will surely be looking to Stephenson to pick up a lot of the slack. Zenon Herasymiuk
Fantasy Outlook: C+
Small player who has improved statistically in every season and he still has room to grow and improve his offensive game.
Footage:
Regina Pats highlights:
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