Maksim Sokolovskii is big. At 6’ 8”, 240lbs, the defenseman from the London Knights also has a mean streak. Sokolovskii spent the 2025-26 season playing for the London Knights and Capitals legend Dale Hunter. Hunter and his brother Mark are known for pumping out quality NHL caliber defensemen like John Carlson, Evan Bouchard, Dan Girardi, and Olli Maata. Sokolovskii could be the next one if he works hard enough.
Sokolovskii showed last season that he not only was big and nasty, but that he was also willing to focus on improving the finer points of his position. He is reliable and imposing on the blue line and possesses untapped scoring potential that could turn him into a more well-rounded and more dangerous player. He played more of a depth role defenseman for most of the season and Sokolovskii responded by simplifying his game and developing into a better all-around defender. A couple more years developing under the Hunter brothers should help Sokolovskii hone his craft and prepare him for the jump to the NHL.
The young Russian finishes his checks, and hits like a Mack truck. He would immediately give the Capitals a physical presence a nastiness to the Caps’ blueline they haven’t had since before the Ovechkin Era. Sokolovski would fill a need as the Caps’ prospect pool is thin at defensemen, especially the shutdown variety. He would probably be a bottom six pair defender unless he taps into his offensive potential, would make him a top pair blueliner in the vein of Chris Pronger.
I haven’t seen a mock draft that has Sokolovskii going in the first round, although Elite Prospects estimates he will be picked somewhere between 19th and 40th overall. While the Capitals don’t have a 2nd round pick this year, they could acquire one if they covet him and think someone else may take him. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a team grab him in the first round. Big blueliners with Sokovolskii's size and offensive upside are hard to find . The Caps don't have anyone like that in their system.
The Capitals will need to address their blueline this summer with the injury to Rasmus Sandin. They will need to find depth as well as a right-handed blueliner to help on the powerplay. Sokolovskii probably isn’t ready to make the jump at only eighteen, but he would be a huge (and mean) addition to their system. If he can continue to develop his offensive game for the Knights, he could turn out to be even better than anyone expected.
Add us as a preferred source on Google