Washington Capitals Draft: Ryan Chesley has the potential to be a future hall of famer

The Washington Capitals selected Ryan Chesley with their number 37th pick in the NHL Draft and he is currently with the organization participating in Development Camp.

He’s a defenseman from the USA with a right handed shot. He could very well be the next John Carlson. Maybe he’ll be better than that. But several years from now as we go through the growing pains of a new era he’ll be a bright spot and dare I say it, a potential hall of fame.

This move was possible thanks to trading Vitek Vanecek and their 46th pick to the New Jersey Devils for that 37th draft pick which included the 70th pick.

The Caps are stocked with defensemen with left handed shots. Chesley along with last year’s draft pick Vincent Iorio.

Chesley registered 29 points in 59 games last season with 12 goals and 17 assists with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under 18 team.

A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Chesley led the team’s defensemen in goals and ranked third in points. The 18 year old also played in 26 games with the USNTDP Juniors recording 15 points with five goals and 10 assists.

Chesley also was an alternate captain for Team USA at the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships, helping the Americans earn the silver medal. In six games, Chesley recorded five points with two goals and three assists and a tournament high +13 plus minus rating.

Listed as six foot and 201 pounds, he is committed tot he University of Minnesota for the 2022-23 season. So by the time he finishes college the Caps defense will look a lot different.

Next summer there will be a LOT of unrestricted free agents. That list includes Dmitry Orlov, Nick Jensen, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Erik Gustafsson, and Matt Irwin while Martin Fehervary is a restricted free agent.

I imagine the Caps would bring back Orlov and Fehervary. Fehervary is the future along with Chesley while Orlov is the glue that holds the current core together. After that they’ll have to make decisions on the others.

The Caps are going all in right now. But for the future look for Chesley to make an impact and perhaps be an even better John Carlson.