With the 136th pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals selected Cameron Allen. After taking three forwards the Caps used their fifth round selection on a defenseman.
Many fans on Twitter are calling this a “STEAL”. I agree. Here’s what Elite Prospects said about him in their Draft guide:
"Cam Allen is a mobile, two-way defenceman. He’s constantly activating from the point at smart times, stickhandling around defenders. Allen manages to time his close-out just right, lead with his stick, knock the puck away, and finish with a hit. Good anticipation of his teammates, executing one-timed passes across seams. Confident carrier on breakouts, delaying and evading forecheckers before taking the puck to the net himself."
He spent the last two seasons with the Guelph Storm of the OHL. He had 13 goals and 24 assists for 37 points in 2021 22. Last season he had five goals and 20 assists for 25 points and added four assists as team captain for Canada U18 in the WJC 18.
Sammi Silber of The Hockey News added:
"After taking three forwards, Washington focused its attention to the blue line and took right-handed blueliner Allen, who had five goals and 20 assists in 62 games with Guelph this season.The 5-11, 190-pound defenseman is a strong skater who sees the ice well and plays a solid two-way game. He makes a good first pass, battles hard and can jump up in the rush and generate offense from the point."
"The Capitals got a real steal here." #CapsDraft | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/5hRqV02sil
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 29, 2023
This is a steal as he was expected by many on their draft boards to be taken in the second or third round. I could see this guy as a late second rounder or early third rounder. The fact he fell into the Caps lap for their best player available strategy worked out perfectly.
The Caps have one more pick left in the seventh round at 200th overall. Then we shift the focus to free agency and trades.