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Washington Capitals: 5 steals they can draft

By Alex Benda

QUEBEC CITY, QC - NOVEMBER 20: Jakob Pelletier #11 of the Moncton Wildcats celebrates his goal against the Quebec Remparts during their QMJHL hockey game at the Videotron Center on November 20, 2018 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Mathieu Belanger/Getty Images)
QUEBEC CITY, QC - NOVEMBER 20: Jakob Pelletier #11 of the Moncton Wildcats celebrates his goal against the Quebec Remparts during their QMJHL hockey game at the Videotron Center on November 20, 2018 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Mathieu Belanger/Getty Images) /
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The NHL draft starts tonight, and the Washington Capitals have the 25th overall pick.

The Washington Capitals last year used their first and second round picks on defensemen taking Alexander Alexeyev and Martin Fehervary, so look for the Capitals this year taking forwards.

It is more likely for the Capitals to draft a left-winger with Alex Ovechkin getting up in years, and a potential trade in the future involving Andre Burakovsky the Capitals could be looking for a left-winger in this years draft to play on the third line this year, or next year.

A great draft pick who could fall to the Capitals is Jakob Pelletier from the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL. Pelletier a 5’9 forward who might not go as high in the draft due to his size, but Pelletier has great speed and vision with amazing creativity with his puck handling skills.

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Pelletier played in 65 games and produced 89 points (39 goals, 50 assist) this year in the QMJHL and also played for team Canada in U18 national team.  Jakob is ranked the 27 best prospect by NHL scouts, and is comparable to Johnny Gaudreau.

Another steal would be Nils Hoglander from Rogal of the SHL in Sweden. The Capitals have had great success drafting players out of Sweden in the past and this kid is going to be a great player.

Hoglander is ranked the 11th best European forward in this years draft, and played 50 games producing 14 points as a 17/18 year old in Sweden’s top professional league. Hoglander is known for his passing capabilities and play among the boards. He is compared to Paul Byron of the Montreal Canadians.

Next steal I have Yegor Afanaseyv a Russian forward who played this year in the USHL for the Muskegon Lumberjacks. The Capitals of course love drafting Russians, but Afanaseyv is a great prospect, and was the best player this year in the USHL until he was injured.

Yegor is a big forward standing at 6’3 205 pounds, but would need time to develop in college, or play a year of juniors inn the CHL before playing in DC. Yegor would have great mentors in Alex Ovechkin, and Evgeny Kuznetsov, but Afanaseyv is an easy steal with the 25 pick.

My next steal is Ryan Suzuki from the London Knights of the OHL. If Suzuki is still available when the Capitals are on the clock this player is a no brainer for them. Suzuki is a goal scorer who needs some time to develop which is perfect because by the time he’s NHL ready Lars Eller‘s time in DC could be over by then.

This center is known for his accuracy, skating abilities and his creativity with the puck. Elite Prospects has him rated as the 26 best player in the draft.  His only downside is he lacks a physical game, but is very good at avoiding contact. Good news is that NHL scouts have compared him to Nicklas Backstrom.

My last steal is Russian forward Pavel Dorofeyev. Pavel played this year in the MHL the second best professional league in Russia for Stalyne Lisy Magnitogorsk, and also played 20 games in the KHL.  Dorofeyev is the 12 best European player in this years draft, and is known for his speed, stick handling and defensive ability in the neutral zone.

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Scouts have said he plays similar to Pavel Datsyuk a future Hall of Fame, and with fellow Russians on the Capitals would help make this kid a star.

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