With the 27th pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals selected Lynden Lakovic, a left winger from Moose Jaw in the WHL.
Lakovic, a 6'4" 200 pound winger brings a ton of offensive firepower with quality shooting, creating space in the offensive zone, and quick production on the rush.
In 47 games with Moose Jaw, the 18-year-old finished with 58 total points, incluidng 27 goals and 31 assists. He stays out of the penalty box as well, with only 4 PIM this past season.
He's a very streaky player as well, which is something you can expect from a younger player. However, he will fit in very well with the Caps' good core up front of Tom Wilson, Alex Ovechkin, and Dylan Strome. Also, young stars like Aliaksei Protas, Ryan Leonard, and others to help the young player get acclimated to life in the NHL.
According to a scouting report on Lakovic:
"If you watch one of Lakovic's games where he's really playing at his best, it's simply impossible to not be blown away. There are times where he can individually take complete control of the ice by blending his size, reach, skating ability, puck handling, vision and creativity. His package of high-end traits is very enticing because it looks like it could fit incredibly well in the modern NHL, especially considering how the sport is played these days and where it looks like the league is going in the future."Derek Neumeier, McKeen's Hockey
The Capitals will make four more selections on the second day of the 2025 NHL Draft from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. Coverage begins at 11am ET.
When can we expect Lynden Lakovic to suit up for the Capitals?
The Washington Capitals secured another big body forward, drafting Lynden Lakovic with the 27th overall pick in the 2025 NHL draft. Lakovic is a left winger who projects to be a top-six winger. If everything goes right for him, he could be someone who averages 90 points per season. However, despite the hype surrounding him, he is not yet ready to make the jump to the NHL. So, where will Lakovic be skating during the 2025-26 season, and when can we expect to see him in the NHL?
Where is Lynden Lakovic at in his development, and what's next?
So far, Lakovic has spent most of his time at the junior level playing for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL. In 153 career games with the Warriors, he's registered 47 goals and 57 assists for 104 points. He has also appeared in 30 playoff games for Moose Jaw, racking up 11 points. His ability to produce at the junior level is the first sign of a bright future. The WHL is regarded as one of the best leagues in the world and has produced a lot of good NHL talent.
At this point, it's unknown where Lakovic will play for the 2025-26 season. With the new rules allowing players who have played junior hockey to compete in the NCAA, we could see Lakovic attend college to hone his skills. However, the best fit for him would be with the Hershey Bears. There is not a more consistent team in the AHL than the Bears. They're constantly competing for the Calder Cup and are always seen as one of the best places to play. Lakovic can go there and learn what it takes to play winning hockey.
This would do wonders for Lakovic and give him an idea of what to expect with the Capitals. With contention window feeling like it is just opening for the Capitals, Lakovic should come up while the team is competing for a playoff spot in about three years. While playoff hockey can be intimidating for players at first, if Lakovic spends his development competing for Calder Cups, he'll know what to expect. This will make his transition to the NHL much smoother.
Regardless of where he plays in 2025-26, the most improtant thing to focus on is development. If all goes right, the Capitals could have a special player on their hands.
