After five consecutive years of drafting wingers, the Washington Capitals finally drafted a center to get them the puck. The Caps drafted Finnish center Oliver Suvanto with the no. 18 pick yesterday, finally addressing the center position they have neglected for so long. Suvanto played in the top league in Finland as a 17 year-old last season, impressing with his poise, attention to detail, and his maturity. He is projected to be a bottom six center in the NHL, with the potential to develop into much more.
Suvanto played a full season in Finland’s top hockey league, Liiga, which is impressive for a player his age. He is a two-way forward who plays a very detailed game, is strong defensively and has the size and physicality to be a power forward in the NHL. Suvanto—6’3” and weighs 209lbs.—has a “ferocious motor…refined physical skills” and plays a very mature game. He uses his size and reach to protect the puck, has a strong net front presence, and plays with discipline and maturity that is very rare for a teenager. He finishes his checks, executes his assignments smoothly, and plays a detailed game.
He played 48 games for Tappara in the Liiga, where he scored 2 goals and 9 assists for 11 points. Despite the lack of scoring, Suvanto could still grow and improve his offensive game. His attention to detail and his dedication to the defensive side of the game make him a probable bottom six forward. One of the knocks on Suvanto is his skating. He’s a bit slow in transition with a “heavy stride” that slows him down and could limit his potential. However, the Capitals have had success with developing players with skating issues. Aliaksei Protas and Andrew Cristall are the best examples. While he isn’t much of a finisher at this point, his youth and advanced approach to the game, there is still the possibility that he can add more offense to his game, if they are able to do the same with Suvanto, he could develop into a 2nd line center.
With the trade of Swedish center Milton Gastrin to St. Louis in the Jordan Kyrou deal and the likelihood that Ilya Protas starts the season in Washington, the Capitals had very little in the way of NHL-caliber center prospects in their pipeline. Drafting Suvanto addresses that need, who automatically becomes the Caps number 1 center prospect.
The Capitals only have a 4th rounder, a 5th and a 7th in today’s portion of the draft. They have accumulated a number of picks via trade and have nine picks in next year’s draft, as well as all of their picks in the 2028 and 2029 drafts. Caps general manager Chris Patrick may trade some of that future draft capital in order to acquire a pick or two.
Round 2 begins today at 11am Eastern time.
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