3 prospects for the Capitals to consider with the 27th overall pick

After a frustrating five-game series loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Washington Capitals shift their focus to the offseason. While the Caps had a successful regular season, there are still moves to be made to get back to the Stanley Cup finals. The first major decision of the offseason is who to take with the 27th overall pick. While there are many directions the team can go with this pick, here are three prospects that make sense for the team to select.

Charting Blake Fiddler's path from skates with his dad to the 2025 NHL Draft - The Athletic

1. Blake Fiddler

Blake Fiddler has been around the NHL game since he was a kid, being the son of former NHLer Vernon Fiddler. While having the opportunity to play in both the American and Canadian junior leagues, he decided to join the WHL and was drafted first overall by the Edmonton Oil Kings. In his two seasons with the club, he registered 15 goals and 33 assists for 48 points. He also played 16 games for Team USA, tallying four goals and three assists for seven points.

He's been described as a two-way defenseman, which is why his stats do not jump off the page. The biggest strength of Fiddler's game is its build. He stands at 6'4" and weighs 209 pounds, which allows him to play a very physical style. He also shines in defensive zone coverage as well as penalty killing. The one area he needs to improve on is being more consistent on offense.

Fiddler currently projects as a top-four defenseman, most likely ending up on the second pair. However, if his development goes right, he will be a top-pairing defenseman. While he'll have to spend some time in college or the AHL, he should make the NHL in the next two or three seasons. He's a perfect player to give the Capitals more depth at defenseman.

2. Jack Nesbitt

The Sarnia, Ontario native is one of the most intriguing center prospects in this year's draft. Jack Nesbitt has spent the last two seasons in the OHL, after the Windsor Spitfires selected him 20th overall in 2023. Through 123 games, he's recorded 34 goals and 38 assists for 82 points, with this past season being his true breakout. He also appeared in 24 playoff games, logging 31 points. He also has experience in international play, racking up three goals and four assists for Team Canada.

Nesbitt is a power forward who's able to make it in every aspect of the game. He's able to force turnovers and break up passes, as well as knowing where his teammates are to set up the perfect shot. Many have said that Nesbitt's hockey IQ is one of the best in the entire class. He's also quick to use his 6'4", 183-pound frame to bully players and get the puck. He just needs to work on his speed and skating.

While Nesbitt seems to have all the entanigables to be an immediate NHL impact, it will be a few seasons before we see him. No matter how good the player is, it always takes power forwards a few years of development to be NHL-ready. However, he's projected to be a top-six forward who should slot in as a second-line center.

3. Benjamin Kindel

Many have called Benjamin Kindel the most interesting player in this year's draft. Over the past two seasons, Kindel has been one of the highest point getters in the WHL. In 133 games with the Calgary Hitmen, he has 50 goals and 109 assists for 159 points. He also got his first taste of playoff hockey this past year. He appeared in 11 games and scored eight goals and seven assists for 15 points.

Kindel has been described as a two-way forward; however, it's unknown whether he'll play center or winger at the next level. Many are quick to complement Kindel's hockey IQ and vision, being able to make smart, fast decisions on the ice. This has also led him to be a great playmaker, putting his teammates in a position to score. He's also an extremely competitive player who will do whatever it takes to win.

With his future position being unknown, he's likely at least two to three seasons away from the NHL. He's someone who needs to improve his physicality and develop more strength in his game. If all goes right, he can be a solid top-six forward. However, he'll probably end up being a middle-six forward who could get extra minutes on special teams.

The 2025 NHL Draft takes place Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.