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Washington Capitals: 5 Things they Must Do this Offseason

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 24: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates with Tom Wilson (43) after his first period goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during game seven of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 24: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates with Tom Wilson (43) after his first period goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during game seven of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: A general view of the Washington Capitals draft table is seen during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: A general view of the Washington Capitals draft table is seen during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Washington Capitals need to draft a forward in the 2019 NHL Draft.

Vancouver will be the place to be from June 21-22. The Washington Capitals will hold the 25th pick. Picking in the 20’s may be high but it’s nothing new to the Capitals and history has been on their side when it comes to these late picks.

DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Alexander Alexeyev greets NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being selected thirty-first overall by the Washington Capitals during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Alexander Alexeyev greets NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being selected thirty-first overall by the Washington Capitals during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Back in 2008, the first year the team made the playoffs in the Alex Ovechkin era, the Capitals had two first round picks at the 21st and 27th. John Carlson was the 27th pick.

In the 2010 draft with the 26th pick, the Capitals selected Evgeny Kuznetsov. So there’s still diamonds in the rough with late picks.

The last time the Capitals drafted a forward with their first pick was in 2014 with Jakub Vrana. Since then the team has selected a goaltender and three defenseman. The Capitals have plenty of goaltending and defensive depth so it’s time for them to select a forward.

Now there might not be a lot of forwards available on the board with a 25th pick and if there’s any worries, they could trade up.

DALLAS, TX – JUNE 23: Mitchell Gibson greets his team after being selected 124th overall by the Washington Capitals during the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 23, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – JUNE 23: Mitchell Gibson greets his team after being selected 124th overall by the Washington Capitals during the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 23, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Some names include Egor Afanasayev, Nils Hoglander, and Phillip Tomasino. We’ll see what they do soon.

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