Capitals Prospect Report: Suzdalev, Funk, Cristall

The Capitals have a surprisingly strong prospect pool. So, how are some of the top prospects in the system doing?

The Washington Capitals are fighting for their playoff lives in the Metropolitan Division right now and have been playing really solid hockey recently. With the current roster fighting to make it back after missing out on the playoffs last season, some prospects in their system have been making waves as well.

In this premium-only substack article, we take a look at the 2023-24 campaigns of Alexander Suzdalev, Zac Funk, and Andrew Cristall, and how their future within the Capitals’ system looks moving forward.

Zac Funk - Prince George Cougars (WHL)

On March 1st, 2024, the Capitals signed undrafted forward Zac Funk to a three-year, entry-level contract that carries an average annual value of $810,000 in the NHL and $82,500 in the America Hockey League (AHL). At the time of the signing, Funk was the WHL’s leading scorer. He was passed by Seattle Kraken prospect Jagger Firkus who finished the season with the most points in the league, but Funk’s offensive production could not be ignored and was the main reason he was snatched up and brought into an NHL team’s system.

At 6-feet, 210 pounds, Funk finished the 2023-24 season with 67 goals and 56 assists for 123 points through 68 games, leading the Prince George Cougars in goals and points, and finishing second in the league in points, but first in the league in goals. He had a monstrous season offensively and