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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Read past 32 series stories here: https://dobberprospects.com/category/feature/32-in-32-series/
Make sure to check out the Washington Capitals team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/washington-capitals/
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The Capitals missed the playoffs in 2025-26 as nothing really seemed to go right, especially on the powerplay as it was brutal. The team traded long-time defenseman John Carlson, and long-time fourth line centre Nick Dowd to recoup some assets to use to improve in the off-season. Boy did the team ever improve in the off-season, hopefully it isn’t Nashville-esque.
Washington acquired Alex Tuch in a sign and trade with Buffalo, getting him for eight years, in a deal that will be great to start then likely look horrible later on. The team also acquired long-rumoured to be acquired winger Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues, saying bye to home-developed Connor McMichael in the process. The team also welcomed back he NHLs greatest goal scorer ever, but both Ovechkin and the team know they have to change a few things around him, including his ice time and powerplay usage. They also signed long time Blue Jacket Boone Jenner and for some reason gave a large deal to often-scratched or injured defenseman Vincent Desharnais.
The team also left spots open to inject youth with Cole Hutson and Ilya Protas, while blocking other potential young players in Ivan Miroshnichenko, Bogdan Trineyev, and Andrew Cristall from getting a legit NHL shot. The Capitals will be a good team in the East and should be a team that battles for the Stanley Cup.
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NHL Draft Recap
Round 1, 18th overall – Oliver Suvanto, C
Suvanto was the first player Finnish player the Capitals have drafted since Oskar Osala in 2006. He is a large 6-3 centre who is one of the youngest players in the draft and is extremely strong on his skates. Suvanto played 48 games in the Liiga for Tappara, scoring 11 points, as he was too good for the U20 league already. The low point totals are not concerning considering his age and limited usage. Suvanto is a high floor with potential, as at worst he is likely to be an NHL 3rd line centre, while at best he could be a high-end 2C that gets put in a 1C role.
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Round 4, 101st overall – Tyus Sparks, RW
Sparks improved his play in his second season with the Vancouver Giants of the WHL, so much so that he was moved to the Spokane Chiefs and still maintained his (almost) point per game pace. Sparks is a good fast skater with the ability to shoot and set up plays. He should be able to build on his first two WHL campaigns and develop his skills further. Sparks could be a strong bottom-six player if he makes the NHL.
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Round 5, 144th overall – Brian McFadden, RHD
McFadden is a big defenseman, standing at 6-5, who is mobile and can make plays. He is the type of defenseman/player NHL GMs currently salivate over, the one that has the potential to be a big mean shutdown defenseman.
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Round 7, 208th overall – Logan Stuart, LW
Stuart is a slightly below-average sized player that is always moving and either reading or attacking the play. He moved from the USHL to the WHL and will play for the Lethbridge Hurricanes in 2026-27.
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Off-Season Moves
Incoming
Alex Tuch – Sign and trade deal with Buffalo, 8 years, $10.5M AAV
Jordan Kyrou – Trade from St. Louis
Vincent Desharnais – too much and too long 4 years, $4.2M AAV
Tyler Kopff – Trade from Buffalo
Jacob MacDonald – 1 year, $850k
Joshua Dunne – 1 year, $850k
Boone Jenner – 4 years, $5.75M AAV
Justin Holl – 1 year, $900k
Jonny Brodzinsky – 1 year, $850k
Theodor Niederbach – 1 year ELC, $1.025M
Outgoing
Hendrix Lapierre – Trade to Pittsburgh
Declan Chisholm – Trade to New Jersey
Zac Funk – Trade to Buffalo
David Kampf – Trade to Buffalo
Connor McMichael – Trade to St. Louis
Milton Gastrin – Trade to St. Louis
Brett Leason – UFA
Sonny Milano – UFA
Trevor Van Riemsdyk – UFA
Brandon Duhaime – UFA
Re-Signed
Alex Ovechkin – 1 year, $4.25M w/ $4.75M in bonuses
Justin Sourdif – 8 years, $6.35M AAV
Ryan Leonard – 8 years, $10.5M AAV
Oliver Suvanto – ELC
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In the System
Risers
Ilya Protas, C
Protas really shut down any thought that he may have just had an incredibly strong CHL campaign because he was big in 2024-25, as he came in and posted 66 points in 69 (nice) AHL games for the Hershey Bears and even put up four points in four NHL games last year. He rocketed himself up all prospect ladders and anyone lucky enough to have drafted him in 2024 is obviously a genius (or very lucky). Protas is already penned in to the Capitals opening night roster playing center between his brother Alexia and Jordan Kyrou.
Andrew Cristall, LW
For all the doubters that said he would struggle to play his game at the next level thanks to his skating, Cristall defied all that by registering 60 points in 72 games. Now that would usually guarantee you a legitimate shot at the NHL roster the next year, but the Capitals went out and loaded their top nine with wingers on high-priced NHL contracts. There is no use playing Cristall on the fourth line so expect him to play a majority of 2026-27 in the AHL, but he may get a call up (or a few) if injuries hit the NHL roster.
Petr Sikora, C
Sikora really put him on the map to many viewers due to his stellar play as captain for the Czechia team at the World Junior Championship. He was easily one of the top players in the tournament. Sikora predominately played in the top Czechia league for 2025-26, registering nine points. He came over to North America and will play for the Hershey Bears in 2026-27. Sikora went from a 2024 sixth-round pick to a legitimate NHL prospect over the span of two years. That is quite impressive.
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Fallers
Garin Bjorklund, G
Bjorklund went from a prospect, to being out a year from back surgery, to looking strong in his return and getting to the AHL, to not receiving an NHL contract from the Capitals. He did get a one-year deal from the Hershey Bears, but he will compete with Clay Stevenson and Mitchell Gibson for playing time – unless Stevenson stays in the NHL as the Capitals’ third goaltender. Hopefully, he can work himself back on to an NHL teams depth chart.
Lynden Lakovic, LW/RW
Lakovic is here after having another injury shortened WHL season. He never really played a full season his entire WHL career, and his last three campaigns he had 68, 47 and most recently 22 games as he was out long-term with a shoulder injury. Lakovic needs to stay healthy to develop, and will need to do that in the AHL for Hershey. By all accounts he is flying and is quite impressive in training camp, so hopefully that can translate.
Terik Parascak, RW
There is a lot of skill in Parascak’s game, but he also is leaving many wanting so much more. His point totals have decreased in the WHL every year since he was drafted in 2024, as he went from 105, to 82, and finally 79 last season. His points per game went from 1.54, to 1.39, and then to 1.30. Parascak will step in to the AHL with plenty to prove if he wants to eventually make the NHL.
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Likely to see NHL Action
Clay Stevenson, G and/or Mitchell Gibson, G
Ivan Miroshnichenko (if he clears waivers – just my gut feeling that he will not moving him to the “outgoing section)
Bogdan Trineyev
Andrew Cristall
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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.
- Ilya Protas
- Cole Hutson
- Andrew Cristall
- Ivan Miroshnichenko
- Lynden Lakovic
- Oliver Suvanto
- Terik Parascak
- Petr Sikora
- Clay Stevenson
- Leon Muggli
- Ryan Chesley
- Theodor Niederbach
- Cam Allen
- Alexander Suzdalev
- Ludwig Perrson
- Eriks Mateiko
- Patrick Thomas
- Miroslav Satan (jr.)
- Maxim Schäfer
- Bogdan Trineyev
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Make sure to check out the Washington Capitals team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/washington-capitals/
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Final Thoughts
The Capitals go in to 2026-27 as one of the most improved teams in the NHL. They are three lines deep, though they also do not possess that game breaking scoring forward anymore, mainly thanks to Ovechkin becoming human while getting old. The team also annoying blocked some young players ready to make the jump and hopefully that does not hurt those players long-term. Yes, that means I do hope a team takes a shot on Miroshnichenko giving him a legit chance too.
There is a strong chance here that Alex Ovechkin can retire with another Stanley Cup, especially fi everything goes right.
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Thanks for reading.
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Pat Quinn