Should The Capitals Trade Down For A Defenseman In The 2024 NHL Draft?

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Leo Sahlin Wallenius

The last guy we'll talk about today is also the highest ranked of the three guys well mention. Wallenius is ranked 42 in McKenzie's final draft ranking.

If we are talking offensive defensemen LSW is probably the "worst" of the three option here today. From everything I've read he sounds more like a puck mover than a guy who will jump up and get his own goals. Playing for Sweden's U-18 team in the Hlinka Greztky Cup and the U-18 championships he played 11 games but scored just 1 goal. He had 8 total points in those 11 games.

Inside The Rink calls Wallenius a potential franchise defenseman. Someone who could compete for Norris Trophies in the future. A great skater with great passing ability.

The Hockey Writers says he could develop into a poor mans Miro Heiskanen. Someone he apparently models his game after.

Compared to the other guys we talked about today Wallenius sounds like he is much more of a two way defensemen rather than a pure offensive guy. The THW scouting report mentions his solid defensive game where he has good positioning and "smart" stick work.

If he reaches his potential it sounds like he could easily be a top four defensemen. A player who will probably run a top power play unit in the NHL. If you want higher offensive upside, look towards the other two guys we talked about earlier. If you want some good offensive upside with more defensive reliability this could be your guy. It sounds like most assume he will be a very late first rounder or a very early second round pick.

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