Three Likely Available Defensemen For The Washington Capitals To Draft
By CJ Witt
Ryan O’Rourke
Of the three prospects we’ll talk about today O’Rourke is the highest selected guy in Pronman’s mock draft, he has him going at pick number 26. He’s the 27th ranked North American skater and TSN has him at the 37th ranked guy overall.
O’Rourke is 6’2″ tall, however is nearly twenty pounds lighter than the previously mentioned Hunt at 181lbs.
He is a strong skater which allows him to play his two way game. He’s strong and is hard to knock off the puck and can also win his battles on the boards and in front of the net. You’d think that will only get better as he gets older, bigger and stronger.
He has a big and powerful slapshot. He can use his skating ability to walk the line to open shooting and passing lanes. Though it sounds he is much more likely to let it rip then keep plays going with passes. Apparently, he could use to work on his stick handling, he won’t be the guy leading rushes, but he will join them.
A very good defensive defenseman. Good positionally, good active stick and hard to beat in 1 on 1 situations, and is physical on the boards and in front of the net. He’s good at creating turnovers and once the turnover has been committed, he can get the puck and make a play to get the play going to other way.
A natural born leader, says one report. O’Rourke has the potential as a top four defensemen and even a number two if he reaches his ceiling. That would be a pretty good draft pick if you can get him late in the first round or early second.