Washington Capitals Draft: A way too early 2023 NHL Mock Draft
Now that the NHL Draft and free agency are in the books we are in the dog days of summer. We don’t know how the Washington Capitals will finish next season but they do look good on paper. But when the dust settles on whether or not there will be another Cup or second round exit, who could the Caps possibly draft.
Let’s say they get the 20th pick again. So with the 20th pick the Capitals select Riley Heidt.
Here’s what Odds Checker says about Hedit:
"Riley Heidt’s small stature results in him sliding down draft boards to Washington at 20th overall. Heidt honed his skillset in 2022, going from two goals in 22 games to 21 goals in 65 games during his second season with Prince George in the WHL."
Going from.a two goal season to a 21 goal season is a bounce back. It’s almost like when Evgeny Kuznetsov bounced back. He could be a center of the future.
By the time this draft rolls around we’ll know more about the progress of Nicklas Backstrom’s rehabilitation. His goal is to get back on the ice before the playoffs if the Caps make it that far but that could be easier said than done.
"“It’s a hard surgery. Until we see halfway into his recovery what mobility, strength he’s gotten back from it. It’s tough to project for anybody how he reacts and how he comes out of the surgery. We’re going to wait and see where he’s at, how he’s feeling, how he’s progressing.”"
That’s pretty much all you can do at this point and in the meantime stock up on centers as best as you can in case the worst case scenario happens.