After a crazy couple days we are back to grading the 2021 NHL Draft class for the Washington Capitals. Next up on our grades is third round pick Joaquim Lemay. In case you missed them, we also did grades for Vincent Iorio, Brent Johnson and Dru Krebs.
At first, I’ll admit, I didn’t like the pick. After doing further research on Lemay, however, I could see him as a part of the future of the Capitals defense which would be a childhood dream for the kid who grew up a Caps fan. In his Zoom with the media, he even had a Capitals lamp in the background.
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Lemay is from Salmon Arm of the BCHL and grew up in Quebec. He totaled 10 assists in a dozen games with them last season. He is listed as six foot one and 178 pounds. He sees himself as an offensive blue liner who has an ability to break the puck out under pressure, skates smart, and joins the rush to create offensive chances from the blueline.
The Caps were able to send three scouts to watch Lemay play in action despite the shortened schedule, per assistant general manager Ross Mahoney. He will attend college at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Lemay has a left handed shot.
In 2019-20, Lemay spent time with both the Rhode Island Saints and the Mount St. Charles Acad, both 18U AAA teams. With the Saints, he had a goal in seven games while in 63 games with the Acad he had 26 points with three goals and 23 assists.
In 2018-19, Lemay played for Seminaire St-Joseph of the M18. He had 22 points in 28 games with five goals and 17 assists.
Grade A: Overall this was a good draft addition for the Caps which now has a beefed up prospect pool on defense. Be sure to watch Lemay next season with the University of Nebraska-Omaha this upcoming season. Plus he’s a Caps fan too!