Washington Capitals prospect Francois Bouchard doesn't know where he'll spend next season. But the 19-year-old showed club officials last week where he wants to play.

Drafted in the second round (35th overall) last year, Bouchard consistently was the most impressive player during summer development camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, where the left-shooting right wing moved up the organizational chart -- and perhaps shortened his path to the NHL -- with an array of slick stick-handling moves, smooth skating stride and penchant for scoring.

"We saw some flashes of what he could do last year, but he's even better now," Capitals General Manager George McPhee said. "He looks like a hockey player. I'm impressed with what he's done here and I'm looking forward to see what he can do in September.Like anybody who comes to our [training] camp, if he's good enough to make our team and make us better, he'll be on the team."

That said, it won't be easy. Last season's Quebec Major Junior Hockey League scoring champion with 125 points, Bouchard -- the younger brother of Minnesota Wild center Pierre-Marc Bouchard -- must displace a veteran forward to secure a spot on the Capitals' roster. He also must prove that he's mentally and physically mature enough to compete against grown men, and sign a contract with the Capitals.

During the four-day camp, which wrapped up yesterday, many of the highlights belonged to Bouchard. The 6-foot-1, 187-pound Quebec native brought fans to their feet when he scored a scintillating breakaway goal during Wednesday's scrimmage, then did it again