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It’s time for Daily Faceoff’s third annual NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown, looking at the best all 32 teams have to offer. We’re highlighting the top 10 prospects for every franchise, their biggest strengths and weaknesses and so much more.

Here is the criteria for being labeled a prospect: players generally have to have played in 50 or fewer NHL games or spent more time outside of the NHL than in it last year. Players over 23 years old are not included, and some prospects with fewer than 50 games, but played a full-time role for a long enough stretch, are left off. That’s more of a judgment call, though. Goaltenders are a bit more subjective, but they must be 25 or under, have played fewer than 15 games in the past season, or have not spent significant time in the NHL overall over a three-year period.

Today, we’re breaking down the Washington Capitals.

This almost seems unfair.

The Capitals were one of the most surprising teams in 2024-25, sitting near the top of the standings throughout most of the season. It was fun watching Alex Ovechkin’s record-setting goal chase, and several under-the-radar players ended up taking on significant roles.

Usually, teams near the top of the NHL standings have dismal prospect pools to show for, but the Capitals truly have one of the best in the entire NHL. And that’s important because Ovechkin’s NHL days are numbered. At some point, the rebuild will have to start, and they have all the pieces to make the transition truly seamless.

The Capitals could trade some of their excess prospects to bring in more immediate help this coming season, but they don’t need to. They have enough talent in the pipeline to keep everything going once the Great 8 officially calls it a career – something Pittsburgh likely won’t be able to say when Sidney Crosby moves on.

Caps fans – enjoy the embarrassment of riches.

Biggest Strength

It’s hard to beat Washington’s depth on the wings. Ryan Leonard and Andrew Cristall give the Capitals one high-end talent on both sides – with Leonard ready to make an impact as early as October. Ilya Protas can play center and the wing, but it would be amazing to watch him play with his brother in the near future. Ivan Miroshnichenko and Lynden Lakovic bring skill and toughness up front with some middle-six potential. Put that altogether and there’s so much to like.

Biggest Weakness

I like Antoine Keller, who should be on France’s Olympic team. Beyond that, I’m not sure there’s too much to get excited about in the Capitals’ crease. Nick Kempf is fine, but I’m not convinced he’s an NHL goaltender. They have a few others who could be decent AHLers, but that’s about it. In the short term, that’s fine – Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren can get the job done. But that’s the one position the Capitals seem to lack in this otherwise deep pipeline.

1. Ryan Leonard, RW, 20 (Washington Capitals)

Acquired: Drafted eighth overall, first round in 2023

Leonard is ready for the big show. He scored his first goal in the same game that Alex Ovechkin tied Wayne Gretzky’s goal-scoring record, and Leonard brought his trademark toughness to every shift. Leonard has shown the ability to dominate in big games. He was instrumental in USA’s consecutive gold medals at the World Juniors in 2024 and 2025 and even took home tournament MVP honors in January. The Hobey Baker finalist can score, hit, intimidate and do just about everything in his power to make himself a danger to society. He had some mixed results to start his NHL career, but it’s never easy to go straight from college to the NHL just before the playoffs. Look for Leonard to start the year on the Capitals’ third line before becoming an instrumental cog in the team’s long-term plans.

2. Cole Hutson, LHD, 19 (Boston University, NCAA)

Acquired: Drafted 43rd overall, second round in 2024

Hutson is coming off one of the most impressive seasons by any defensive prospect. He became the first defenseman to lead the World Juniors in scoring after tallying 11 points a year ago. He showed so much swagger and confidence with the puck, and his play reminded some of his brother, Lane Hutson. Cole is the USNTDP’s all-time defensive scoring leader and has led every single IIHF tournament he has participated in in points. He’s a medal magnet, too, with his worst international tournament showing being his silver at the U-18s. Hutson is easily one of the most skilled defenders set to take part in both the WJSS and the main WJC, and it won’t be long until he’s pushing for an NHL roster spot. Give him another year in college and he’ll be ready.

3. Andrew Cristall, LW, 20 (Hershey Bears, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 40th overall, second round in 2023

*Andrew Cristall (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)*

Is there anything Cristall can’t do with the puck? After scoring 26 goals and 60 points in 28 games with Kelowna, he was traded to Spokane, where he had 22 goals and an incredible 72 points in 29 regular-season outings. He capped off the year with 21 goals and 41 points in 19 games playing alongside Berkly Catton, with the duo putting on one of the most incredible scoring runs in recent memory. What’s crazier: the fact that Spokane didn’t win the WHL title, or that Cristall wasn’t able to crack Canada’s World Junior team? Either way, I’m excited to see how the small forward translates his game to the AHL and whether his skating can hit another gear to unlock even more opportunities.

4. Ilya Protas, C/LW, 19 (Hershey Bears, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 75th overall, third round in 2024

Few prospects had as much of a glow-up last year as Protas. He had a solid 51 points in 61 USHL games in 2023-24, which led to him getting selected 75th overall that June. But the 6-foot-5 forward exploded for 50 goals and 124 points as a key member of the Windsor Spitfires, and he had more than two points per game in the playoffs, as well. Nobody could have expected that offensive explosion, and now he’s set to change teams again and take on the pro ranks with Hershey. He’s a huge forward who has improved his skating and clearly knows how to shoot – and he’s a stout playmaker, as well. I like his potential to be a middle-six forward.

5. Lynden Lakovic, LW, 18 (Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL)

Acquired: Drafted 27th overall, first round in 2025

Lynden Lakovic (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

Lakovic is so much fun to watch, and while he’s not putting up explosive offensive numbers, he reads plays so well and has an excellent shot. Things just seem to happen whenever he has the puck on the rush, and at 6-foot-4, he’s got tremendous size. Some scouts think he’s going to be more of a second-liner at best. He drives the play a bit like Dmitri Voronkov, but I’d like to see it more consistently. I think there’s a good base for him to become a middle-six threat, just like Protas.

6. Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW, 21 (Hershey Bears, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 20th overall, first round in 2022

Miroshnichenko is about to embark on his third season of North American pro hockey – and it’s easy to forget he’s only 21. He has had some muted efforts in the NHL, but the Russian winger set a new personal best of 23 goals and 42 points in 53 games in Hershey. Those are excellent numbers for any U-21 player, so it’s great to see him getting so comfortable. Consistency can still be an issue at times, but the highs outweigh the lows and I think he’ll be a decent NHLer. I wonder if he’ll end up being trade bait at some point as the Capitals look to remain in Stanley Cup contention. Regardless, I wouldn’t be surprised if the next time he’s called up to the NHL, he sticks around.

7. Milton Gästrin, C, 18 (Modo, Allsvenskan)

Acquired: Drafted 37th overall, second round in 2025

This might be earlier than some people would put him, but I had Gästrin and Lakovic neck and neck throughout most of the season and I stand by it. Gastrin was excellent in Swedish national team action last year, developing into quite a responsible two-way player. Gästrin will not be a point producer in the NHL, but he will do so many other things that excite you. He’s defensively responsible, wins a ton of faceoffs and can play the wing when you need him to. We’ve seen him play with some of Sweden’s better players in international junior tournaments, and he has never looked out of place. Gästrin is set to play in the Allsvenskan, where I think he’ll be counted on to be good in defensive zone situations.

8. Terik Parascak, RW, 19 (Prince George Cougars, WHL)

Acquired: Drafted 17th overall, first round in 2024

The gap between Parascak, Lakovic and Gästrin is very, very minor. I have always wondered what Parascak’s impact would be like if he weren’t in a scoring role in the NHL. He was incredibly productive yet again in Prince George, though, registering 54 assists and 82 points. It was a significant step back from his 43 goals and 105 points the year prior, but the Cougars were simply much more dangerous as a unit back then. Parascak is excellent with the puck and is as smart a distributor as you’ll find in Washington’s system. His skating is what holds him back, though.

9. Vincent Iorio, RHD, 22 (Hershey Bears, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 55th overall, second round in 2021

Vincent Iorio (Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports)

Iorio didn’t return for NHL action this past season after playing nine games over the previous two years. But he did have his best AHL season to date, registering 20 points while playing more than 20 minutes a night. He is the strongest defenseman in Washington’s system from a physicality perspective, which isn’t shocking given he’s 6-foot-3. He likes to slow the pace down – don’t look for him to make high-end scoring plays any time soon. I think he’ll be more of a bottom-pair shutdown defender in the NHL.

10. Ryan Chesley, RHD, 21 (Hershey Bears, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 37th overall, second round in 2022

Chesley finished off his third season at the University of Minnesota by doubling his previous best point total. Offense isn’t really his forte, but it was great to see. He also upped his physical game and his confidence both with and without the puck seemed improved. Chesley turned heads during his season-ending run with Hershey, registering three points in four games. I like how tough he is to play against in his own zone, and his puck game continues to see improvement. I think a year or two in the AHL will do him wonders.

The rest: Zac Funk, RW (22), Patrick Thomas, C (20), Eriks Mateiko, LW (19), Ryan Hofer, C (23), Ludwig Persson, LW (21), Alexander Suzdalev, LW (21), Maxim Schaefer, RW (18), Jackson Crowder, LW (18), Miroslav Satan, C (19), Petr Sikora, C (19), Joaquim Lemay, LHD (23), Brent Johnson, RHD (22), Aron Dahlqvist, LHD (18), Leon Muggli, LHD (19), Cameron Allen, RHD (20), David Gucciardi, LHD (22), Nick Kempf, G (19), Antoine Keller, G (20), Chase Clark, G (23), Garin Bjorlund, G (23)

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