The Washington Capitals are heading into the 2025 NHL Draft with a clear plan, holding five picks in the first five rounds. Assistant General Manager Ross Mahoney has expressed optimism about the available talent, noting the "high-end character" of this year's prospects. While the Capitals have a solid prospect pool, including names like Andrew Cristall, Ilya Protas, and Cole Hutson, they are keeping all options open, including potentially trading their first-round pick (27th overall) for an asset that can immediately improve the team.
Here's a look at how the Capitals might approach the draft, focusing on need, potential, and adding a roster player.
Addressing Organizational Needs Through the Draft
The Capitals have recently focused on bolstering their forward prospects with selections like Terik Parascak (2024), Ryan Leonard (2023), and Ivan Miroshnichenko (2022). While forward depth remains important, several mock drafts suggest the team could target other areas, particularly defense and goaltending.
Defense: With the John Carlson era potentially winding down, the Capitals need to replenish their right-handed defensive depth. Blake Fiddler, a shutdown defenseman with good skating ability, has been mentioned as a potential fit at pick 27. Other options include Henry Brzustewicz and Sascha Boumedienne, both of whom offer size and skill on the blue line.
Goaltending: The Capitals' goaltending prospect pool is considered thin. Alexei Medvedev and Joshua Ravensbergen have been mentioned as potential targets to address this need, offering size and potential as future NHL starters.
Best Player Available: Despite specific needs, the Capitals are likely to stick to their philosophy of drafting the best player available, regardless of position. Bill Zonnon, a promising playmaker, and Daniil Prokhorov, a towering forward with scoring touch, represent high-upside options if available.
Mock Draft Projections
Based on various mock drafts, here's a potential scenario for the Capitals' first three picks:
Round 1, Pick 27: Henry Brzustewicz, RHD, London Knights (OHL). Brzustewicz provides size (6-foot-2) and a right-handed shot, addressing a need in the Capitals' prospect pool.
Round 2, Pick 37: Alexei Medvedev, G, London Knights (OHL). Medvedev offers size (6-foot-3) and solid statistics from his time with the Knights, potentially filling a gap in the goaltending pipeline.
Round 3, Pick 93: Ivan Ryabkin, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL). Ryabkin represents a high-upside swing in the third round, with impressive skill but some inconsistency.
Adding a Roster Player
The Capitals are also exploring the trade market to acquire players who can contribute immediately. With limited cap space, General Manager Chris Patrick may look for a reclamation project or a player needing a change of scenery. Nick Robertson of the Toronto Maple Leafs has been mentioned as a realistic trade target. Robertson, a restricted free agent, could provide middle-six scoring and potential power-play contributions.
Offseason Outlook
The Capitals are aiming to improve around Alex Ovechkin and build on their recent playoff appearance. Projecting the 2025-26 roster, several changes are expected. Some players, such as Andrew Mangiapane and Anthony Beauvillier, are set to become unrestricted free agents, potentially creating openings for new additions.
The Capitals have already been active, acquiring players like Pierre-Luc Dubois, Jakob Chychrun, and Matt Roy. These moves aim to improve the team's speed, offense, and defensive stability. With a combination of strategic drafting and targeted acquisitions, the Capitals hope to solidify their roster and contend for a Stanley Cup in the coming years.
