In early April a lot of buzz was surrounding the Washington Capitals. Their top prospect Ryan Leonard, the eighth pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, signed an entry level contract and was set to finally make his big league debut.
He first played at Boston College for two seasons. His freshman year saw him score 31 goals and add 29 assists for 60 points.
The sophomore season he was named an alternate captain and recorded 30 goals and 19 assists for 49 points. They fell short of the Frozen Four championship his first season and then had an earlier than anticipated exit the next season.
That earlier than anticipated exit turned out to be a blessing in disguise. For it was then the Capitals would call up Leonard to ink that NHL deal.
He finished with one goal in nine games while recording an assist in the playoffs. His first NHL goal was an empty net goal but it wasn't your ordinary empty net goal.
What came to happen was Alex Ovechkin scored two goals on the night and was just one away from becoming the league leader in goals all time. While the crowd was clamoring for that hat trick, Ovechkin made the correct decision to make goal 895 against a goaltender.
Thus when the Chicago Blackhawks pulled their goalie, Leonard got the opportunity to put an exclamation point on what was a historical night for the franchise. He did just that.
It got better. Wayne Gretzky himself was in the building. And he even congratulated Leonard on that first NHL goal. Not every day you get that as a rookie.
Leonard had a plus/minus of -4 while recording 17 shots on goal. He had some near chances to score and some good looks. Someday that goal will fall with a goaltender in net. It'll come this upcoming season.
Leonard additonally averaged 14:11 minutes of ice time per game, won a face off, had four blocks and laid out 18 hits. Not bad for a 20 year old kid.
Grade B: Leonard finally got the chance to play in the NHL and us fans finally got to see him in a Washington Capitals uniform. Here's hoping the future is bright for the kid.
