Ranking the Washington Capitals’ Last 20 First-Round Draft Picks: From Nicklas Backstrom to Lynden Lakovic (Part 2)
Ranking the Washington Capitals’ Last 20 First-Round Draft Picks: From Nicklas Backstrom to Lynden Lakovic (Part 2)
Nos. 13-7
Part 1 covered the bottom third of the ranking, including Anton Gustafsson, Lucas Johansen, Alexander Alexeyev and several of Washington’s newest prospects.
Now the ranking enters much more difficult territory.
Every player featured in Part 2 reached the NHL. Several became Stanley Cup champions. One developed into a quality starting goaltender. Another may become one of the future faces of the franchise. Several remain fan favorites years after leaving Washington.
The margin separating many of these players is extremely small.
No. 13: Ilya Samsonov
Goaltender | 2015 NHL Draft | 22nd Overall
Player Snapshot
- Drafted: 22nd Overall (2015)
- NHL Games: 200-plus
- NHL Wins: 100-plus
- Capitals Seasons: 2019-2022
- Position: Goaltender
Washington believed Samsonov could become the organization’s next franchise goaltender.
The Russian netminder arrived with tremendous athletic ability, impressive size and a reputation as one of the best goaltending prospects outside the NHL. For years, Capitals fans viewed Samsonov as the eventual successor to Braden Holtby.
The talent was undeniable.
Samsonov possessed explosive lateral movement, quick reflexes and the ability to steal games when locked in. Several stretches during his Capitals tenure hinted at significant upside.
Consistency proved to be the issue.
Injuries, COVID-related absences and uneven play prevented Samsonov from fully securing the starting role. Washington continued searching for stability in goal before eventually moving on.
Despite failing to become a franchise goalie, Samsonov still produced a respectable NHL career. More than 100 NHL victories represent significant value from the 22nd overall selection.
The expectations were higher.
The results were solid.
That combination places Samsonov near the middle of the ranking.
Biggest Capitals Moment
Winning 16 games during the shortened 2020-21 season while posting one of the best records among Eastern Conference goaltenders.
Why He Ranks Here
Washington drafted an NHL goalie.
Washington did not draft a franchise goalie.
That distinction matters.
Final Grade
C+
No. 12: Ryan Leonard
Right Wing | 2023 NHL Draft | 8th Overall
Player Snapshot
- Drafted: 8th Overall (2023)
- NCAA Star
- World Junior Gold Medalist
- Top Capitals Prospect
- NHL Games: Beginning Career
This ranking may look completely ridiculous five years from now.
Ryan Leonard has superstar potential.
The former Boston College standout rapidly established himself as one of hockey’s elite prospects. Leonard combines high-end offensive ability with a relentless work ethic, physical play and natural leadership qualities.
Many scouts viewed him as one of the safest players in the 2023 draft class.
Washington desperately needed elite young talent capable of helping bridge the gap between the Alex Ovechkin era and the next generation.
Leonard immediately became the centerpiece of that transition plan.
His college career featured dominant offensive production, outstanding international play and countless examples of competitive drive.
The reason Leonard does not rank higher is simple.
Potential has not yet become production.
Players ranked above Leonard already helped Washington win games, playoff series and championships. Leonard still has everything to prove.
The ceiling, however, is as high as almost anyone on this list outside of Backstrom and Carlson.
Biggest Capitals Moment
Making his NHL debut during the closing stretch of the Ovechkin era and immediately becoming one of the organization’s most anticipated young players.
Why He Ranks Here
Leonard may eventually become a top-five player on this list.
Today, projection alone cannot move him higher.
Final Grade
Incomplete (A+ Potential)
No. 11: Jakub Vrana
Left Wing | 2014 NHL Draft | 13th Overall
Player Snapshot
- Drafted: 13th Overall (2014)
- NHL Games: 400-plus
- NHL Goals: 100-plus
- Stanley Cups: 1
- Capitals Goals: 75-plus
Few players on this list possessed more pure speed than Jakub Vrana.
The Czech winger entered Washington’s system with elite skating ability and quickly developed into one of the organization’s most dangerous offensive prospects.
When Vrana had open ice, defenders struggled to keep up.
His speed created scoring opportunities that few teammates could generate. Washington eventually integrated Vrana into its NHL lineup, where he became an important secondary scoring threat.
The defining moment of his Capitals career came during the 2018 Stanley Cup Final.
Vrana scored a crucial goal in Game 5 against Vegas and helped provide the depth scoring required to win a championship.
Multiple 20-goal seasons demonstrated his offensive ability.
Unfortunately, consistency prevented him from reaching true star status.
Biggest Capitals Moment
Scoring during the Stanley Cup Final and helping Washington capture the first championship in franchise history.
Why He Ranks Here
The combination of speed, scoring and championship contributions gives Vrana a strong résumé.
Several players ahead of him simply provided more long-term value.
Final Grade
B-
No. 10: Karl Alzner
Defenseman | 2007 NHL Draft | 5th Overall
Player Snapshot
- Drafted: 5th Overall (2007)
- NHL Games: 800-plus
- Capitals Games: 680-plus
- Stanley Cup: None
- Position: Defenseman
Alzner represents one of the most difficult evaluations on this list.
The fifth overall pick carries enormous expectations. Teams selecting in the top five hope to find franchise cornerstones.
Alzner never became that.
What Alzner did become was a dependable NHL defenseman for nearly a decade.
Washington trusted him in difficult defensive situations. Coaches relied on his positioning, shot blocking and steady presence.
Alzner rarely generated headlines.
That often happens with defensive defensemen.
While other players scored goals and produced highlight-reel plays, Alzner quietly handled difficult assignments and provided stability.
More than 800 NHL games speak for themselves.
The draft position prevents him from ranking higher.
The longevity prevents him from falling lower.
Biggest Capitals Moment
Serving as a key shutdown defender during Washington’s rise to Eastern Conference contention.
Why He Ranks Here
Excellent NHL career.
Not enough offensive production or star power for a top-five draft selection.
Final Grade
B-
No. 9: Connor McMichael
Center/Wing | 2019 NHL Draft | 25th Overall
Player Snapshot
- Drafted: 25th Overall (2019)
- NHL Games: 250-plus
- NHL Goals: 50-plus
- NHL Points: 100-plus
- Active Capital
Connor McMichael continues climbing this ranking.
Washington selected the former London Knights star hoping to add another offensively gifted forward to the pipeline. Development required patience.
Early NHL opportunities came in limited roles.
Several veteran forwards blocked his path, forcing McMichael to earn every opportunity.
The breakthrough eventually arrived.
McMichael developed into a versatile NHL forward capable of playing center or wing. His speed, offensive instincts and improved two-way play made him an increasingly important part of Washington’s lineup.
The timing matters.
As the Capitals transition toward a younger core, McMichael emerged as one of the first recent first-round picks to establish himself as a legitimate NHL contributor.
There is still significant room for growth.
Biggest Capitals Moment
Becoming an everyday NHL contributor during Washington’s transition toward its next generation of players.
Why He Ranks Here
McMichael already surpassed several first-round picks.
Another productive season could push him into the top seven.
Final Grade
B
No. 8: Semyon Varlamov
Goaltender | 2006 NHL Draft | 23rd Overall
Player Snapshot
- Drafted: 23rd Overall (2006)
- NHL Games: 600-plus
- NHL Wins: 300-plus
- NHL Save Percentage: Around .915
- Vezina Trophy Finalist
Finding a quality NHL starting goaltender outside the lottery is extremely difficult.
Washington accomplished exactly that with Varlamov.
The Russian netminder quickly established himself as one of the organization’s top prospects and delivered several memorable playoff performances early in his career.
Athleticism defined his game.
Varlamov possessed quick reflexes, excellent recovery ability and the confidence necessary to handle playoff pressure.
His best years eventually came outside Washington.
That fact hurts his ranking slightly.
Even so, the Capitals drafted a goaltender who went on to enjoy a lengthy NHL career and earn Vezina Trophy consideration.
That represents tremendous value from the 23rd overall pick.
Biggest Capitals Moment
Helping Washington defeat the Rangers during the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs while establishing himself as one of hockey’s top young goaltenders.
Why He Ranks Here
A long NHL career and elite peak place Varlamov ahead of several skaters.
The players remaining provided greater Capitals impact.
Final Grade
B+
No. 7: Andre Burakovsky
Left Wing | 2013 NHL Draft | 23rd Overall
Player Snapshot
- Drafted: 23rd Overall (2013)
- NHL Games: 700-plus
- NHL Goals: 170-plus
- Stanley Cups: 2
- Capitals Stanley Cup Champion
Andre Burakovsky may be one of the most underrated draft picks of the Ovechkin era.
The Austrian-born winger arrived with outstanding offensive talent and a dangerous shot. Injuries occasionally slowed his progress, but the skill remained obvious.
Washington never asked Burakovsky to be a superstar.
Washington needed him to provide depth scoring.
He delivered.
The defining moment came during Game 7 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Final.
Burakovsky scored twice against Tampa Bay and helped send the Capitals to the Stanley Cup Final. Without that performance, Washington may never have won the Stanley Cup.
Moments matter.
Burakovsky produced one of the biggest moments in franchise history.
His later success in Colorado further validated Washington’s original scouting evaluation.
Biggest Capitals Moment
Two goals in Game 7 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Final against Tampa Bay.
Why He Ranks Here
Championship moments matter.
Burakovsky delivered one of the biggest.
Final Grade
B+
Coming in Part 3
The final installment features the elite tier:
- Marcus Johansson
- Filip Forsberg
- Evgeny Kuznetsov
- Tom Wilson
- John Carlson
- Nicklas Backstrom
These six players helped define the greatest era in Capitals history, and several have legitimate cases for Hall of Fame consideration, franchise records and Stanley Cup immortality.
