The 32-in-32 Series is an annual event here at DobberProspects and has been condensed from two articles to one. The article will bring you: The highlighted team’s draft; insights into its off-season moves; looking at prospect risers, fallers and likely prospects to play NHL games; and of course, the writers’ top-20 prospects. Articles may be brought back when an important team update occurs, so check back because we plan to fill your hockey withdrawal needs all off-season!

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Be sure to check out the Washington Capitals team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/washington-capitals/

To view past 32s go here: https://dobberprospects.com/category/feature/32-in-32-series/

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NHL history was made by the Capitals in 2024-25 as Alexander Ovechkin broke the NHL goal scoring record, finishing the season three goals shy of being the first ever 900 goal scorer. Additionally, he became the all-time leader in game winning goals. Washington surprisingly was also second overall in the NHL standings, lead by a balanced scoring attack, excellent coaching creating a top-level defense, and great goaltending. Unfortunately, the team exited the playoffs in round two, losing to a hot goaltender while also not having the best of finishers outside of Ovechkin.

The Capitals did not do too much in the off-season as the team mostly stayed pat as the plan appears to be let many promising rookies battle for an NHL spot. Ryan Leonard is essentially a shoe-in, but there is a battle for another forward spot (or two). In net the team will be with the tandem of Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren for the next three seasons.

The team has a battle on defense with eight one-way contracts signed (though Dylan McIlrath usually slides through waivers), and a couple players knocking at the door. All eyes will (again) be on Ovechkin for this season as it is the final year of his contract and it is unknown if he will stay for another year, head back to the KHL for a year, or just retire.

The team is a contender for the playoffs, no doubt, but to be a contender for the Stanley Cup the team will really need one (or more) of the promising rookie forwards to leave an impact on the score sheet.

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NHL Draft Recap

Round 1, 27^th Overall: Lynden Lakovic, LW

Lakovic is a strong player, and big at 6-4 (which was the theme of the 2025 draft for all teams), but he also skates well and has a good hockey IQ. There is still room to improve / show more in the offense-side of the game, and many seem to think that will come. Lakovic likely tops out as a second line winger, but he also has a high floor too.

Round 2, 37^th Overall: Milton Gästrin, C

Gästrin does quite well against his own age group. He produces and plays great in his own end. Gästrin really seems to be a solid middle-six centre, likely more in the shut-down bottom-six range, but if he can continue to progress (and think more) offense, then he could be quite effective as a second line centre.

Round 3, 96^th Overall: Maxim Schäfer, RW

Schäfer is another big winger at 6-4, and while he dominated the U20 German league, he struggled in the DEL. There is offense here but can the rest of his game translate towards becoming an NHLer is the main question. Schäfer will play in North America for 2025-26 in the QMJHL with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens.

Round 5, 155^th Overall: Jackson Crowder, LW

At 6-3 the Capitals again went with a big winger, but this one was from the USHL, playing for both Sioux City and Chicago. He is clearly not known for scoring, so the Capitals must hope that some will come, or that he can become a solid bottom-six grinder.

Round 6, 180^th Overall: Aron Dahlqvist, LHD

Dahlqvist played in all three Sweden leagues (J18, J20 and SHL), which is quite impressive. He really is known for his defensive play and toughness on the boards. At 6-3, he is also large, but this time he plays defense and not wing. If Dahlqvist can make the NHL, it will be on the back of his strong defensive play.

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Off-Season Moves

Incoming

Justin Sourdif, RW – Signed 2 year at $835k AAV

In one of the more baffling trades of the off-season the Capitals traded a 2^nd and 6^th round picks for Sourdif. Apparently, there were a few teams in on him, but that is a high price to pay for a player with four NHL games, and just now starting to break through in the AHL

Declan Chisholm, D – Signed 2 year at $1.6M AAV

Chisholm came with a 6^th round pick for Chase Priskie and a 4^th round pick, and was then signed. With TVR a UFA the Capitals could see Chisholm as a replacement

Sheldon Rempal, RW

Louie Belpedio, D

Graeme Clarke, RW

Calle Rosen, D

Outgoing

Taylor Raddysh, RW

Andrew Mangiapane, LW/RW

Lars Eller, C

Alexander Alexeyev, D

Michael Sgarbossa, C

Hunter Shepard, G

Good luck in Ottawa to the back-to-back Calder Cup goaltender for the Bears

Re-Signed

Hendrix Lapierre – 1 year at $850k

A prove it deal if there ever was one

Martin Fehervary – 7 years at $6M AAV

Garin Bjorklund – 1 year, two-way, at $775k

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In the System

Risers

Andrew Cristall, LW

Absolutely crushed the WHL with 132 points in 57 games, finishing with the best points per game (ppg) with 2.32, ahead of Gavin McKenna’s 2.30. He will be in training camp competing for an NHL spot, and while he could score his way on to the roster it is much more likely he plays most (if not all) 2025-26 in the AHL

Ryan Leonard, RW

Dominated the NCAA scoring goals at will, and though he did not capture the championship (or the Hobey Baker), he did win back-to-back World Junior goals, captaining the year two squad. HE played in the NHL regular season and playing, scoring one goal in nine games. He factors in to be the 3^rd line RW and a Calder candidate, if he can get more ice time

Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW

Just keeps improving, as he led the Hershey Bears in goals. Miroshnichenko played in 18 NHL games after playing in 21 the year prior. He will have to battle for an NHL spot but he will be full-time on this roster scoring goals sooner than later

Garin Bjorklund, G

After a tough 2023-24, thanks to missing all but one game in 2022-23, Bjorklund bounced back in a big way with a 0.927 save percentage (sv%) in 29 games in the ECHL. He two games in the AHL was also superb with a 0.942 sv%. Bjorklund made both Mitchell Gibson (signed an AHL deal) and Hunter Shepard expendable.

Cole Hutson, LHD

Everyone is not on the new Hutson train as Cole led the NCAA in defensemen scoring, with 48 points in 39 games, in his first NCAA season. He also led the WJC in scoring, and was the first defensemen ever to do so. Can he replicate or exceed his amazing 2024-25?

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Fallers

Cameron Allen, RHD

Allen looked to have bounced back in a big way once he joined the London Knights, but a impaired driving and failing to remain at the scene charge ended his 2024-25 season early. A very poor choice by the young player. He will compete for a spot with the Bears this upcoming season, and really needs to show improvement and maturity. His decisions with the puck can still be flabbergasting.

Alexander Suzdalev, LW

Suzdalev being on here seems more to do with his odd development path thanks to the Capitals more than poor play on his end. He failed to make any impression in the AHL in three games and was sent to the ECHL. It is tough to make an impression on the Bears as a young player when the team routinely loads up for Calder Cup runs. Suzdalev took his ECHL demotion with confidence as he really stated to improve his play as the season wore on. He should be a player on the Bears this season

Brent Johnson, RHD

The Capitals never signed him and let his rights expire as e never really improved in the NCAA. Injuries played a big part in that

Clay Stevenson, G

Stevenson had a real chance to make some noise in the organization, but had a tough AHL season and his numbers do not look like his normal stellar play. He finished with a 0.888 sv%, the lowest he has had since 2017-18, and only split with Shepard. To be fair, the Bears were not as stellar as they had been in the defensive zone in the past. Add in the contracts to Thompson and Lindgren, and it seems as though Stevenson’s Capitals tenure may end on waivers (if his play improves).

Hendrix Lapierre, C

Lapierre had the chance to be the Capitals 3^rd line centre and failed. The team tried everything but appeared to always have a hole there all season long. Thankfully, for Lapierre, he rebounded nicely in the AHL. If he cannot grab the 3C role for the Capitals they will look elsewhere, whether that be through trade, waivers, or by putting McMichael at C

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Likely to see NHL action

Ryan Leonard

Hendrix Lapierre

Ivan Miroshnichenko

Justin Sourdif

Vincent Iorio (likely first D call up)

Clay Stevenson (If either LT or CL go down to injury)

Ryan Chesley (outside shot)

Cole Hutson (If he wants to leave college early)

Andrew Cristall (very unlikely, but the kid produces no matter where he goes)

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Top 20 Prospects

This section is intended to paint a picture of the Washington Capitals prospects whose current trajectory projects them making the most positive fantasy impact at the time that they reach the NHL. Arrival date and NHL certainty have been taken into consideration; however, potential upside is the most important factor in determining this list.

1. Ryan Leonard, RW
2. Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW
3. Andrew Cristall, LW
4. Cole Hutson, D
5. Terik Parascak, RW
6. Lynden Lakovic, LW
7. Hendrix Lapierre, C
8. Ilya Protas, LW
9. Justin Sourdif, RW
10. Milton Gästrin, C
11. Garin Bjorklund, G
12. Leon Muggli, LHD
13. Ryan Chesley, RHD
14. Alexander Suzdalev, LW
15. Vincent Iorio, RHD
16. Eriks Mateiko, LW
17. Patrick Thomas, C
18. Ludwig Persson, LW
19. Petr Sikora, C
20. Cameron Allen, D

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Final thoughts

The Capitals will be in the playoff hunt, and hopefully for Ovechkin the team can take a run at the Stanley Cup. Quite a few things would have to go right, but many people would appreciate Ovi getting another chance at the cup.

The Capitals have a slew of solid prospects in the system that really look like they can take over soon. They do not really have that game breaker though, but I would argue if Cristall can hit, then they would have that game-breaker right there. This team should still be in playoff contention when Ovi retires, thanks to the great work from Capitals management. Head Coach Spencer Carbery seems like the real deal and one who can get the most out of his players.

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Be sure to check out the Washington Capitals team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/washington-capitals/

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Thanks for reading. Follow me on twitter: @FHPQuinn

Pat Quinn