The Washington Capitals selected forward Ryan Leonard With the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft Wednesday night at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. The selection marked the first time in franchise history that the Capitals had selected a player from the USA Hockey League National Team Development Program (NTDP) in the first round.
While Leonard is listed as a center, he has played all three forward positions with the US National U18 Team. He was also part of the dynamic line of Gabe Perreault and Will Smith. The entire trio is headed to Boston College for the 2023-24 season.
The 18-year-old had a solid year as the U18 team tallied 94 points (51 goals and 43 assists) in 57 games. In the USHL, he had 20 points (11 goals, 9 assists) in 17 games. He also led Team USA to win the gold medal at the U-18 World Championships.
“I’d better stay in red, white and blue, so I’m really excited.”
Ryan Leonard meets the media for the first time after being named the #8 pick by the Washington Capitals in 2023 # I grow.# capsdraft | @tweet pic.twitter.com/x47LKAKlWC
– Washington Capitals June 29, 2023
One word appears when referring to Amherst, Mass. , citizen: strength. Leonard is an iconic power forward who never stops moving his feet, much like Zack Benson. He described himself as having a “Tkachuk-esque bite” to his game. He tracks each puck in all three areas and knows where it needs to be when a defenseman pinches.
Despite standing at 5-foot-11, Leonard is very strong and rarely gets knocked out of the puck. He is not afraid to attack the net and use his body to protect the opponent from the puck. He is a very powerful and explosive skater with incredible balance. Leonard’s shot was also fatal. He is deceitful, strong, and meticulous.
The scout did not find many holes in his game. He occasionally watches the puck despite being a 200-foot player, but the big question is his cap as an NHL player. How good can he be without playing alongside the stars?
Leonard is a top 10 pick. The Caps could use versatile, high-octane power forward in their system and Leonard fits that mold perfectly.
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Leonard has often been the top right winger in the US NTDP playing plenty of minutes in all positions. He was invited to the World Youth Camp in the USA but was circumcised. He scored the golden goal in extra time at the 2023 U-18 Championship. More players than all players born in 2005 with the 2004 age group played in the 2022 season. Leonard scored five goals and six points in five games at the 2022 World U18 Championship. He is committed to Boston College.
Leonard is a versatile winger with a lot of elements in his game that an NHL coach would desire. He is a strong skater who competes very well, has a straightforward playing style and despite a medium frame size, has a lot of physicality in his game. He combines this with excellent hands and the ability to make highly skilled plays with the puck at full speed. His gameplay isn’t great but there is vision and intensity in his game to score at higher levels. Leonard may never really stand out at either end of the ice, but he will never give any coach a reason to sit him out and field him as a top-six winger.
Thunder of Lightning by Will Smith, Ryan Leonard is the wing that will run right through you if it doesn’t see a way around you. He attacks the middle in the offensive zone, glides downhill at defenders with speed and power while having the skill level required to dangle opponents when necessary. Leonard displays the most defensive ability of any of the NTDP’s top line players, using his strength and physicality to his advantage, but his positional play should continue to improve. Leonard has a wicked long-distance launch and can make neat work of loose pucks tightly. He is a finisher with playmaking development abilities, which shows he can be an excellent complement to a highly skilled center in the top six teams.
Leonard has a long reach that allows him to lose pucks in the offensive zone in a hotly contested situation. He will catch the puck and then use his hand again to push the puck away from the attacker. Once the puck is secured, the pressure should transfer to Leonard quickly, he’ll then look to complete touchdown passes to teammates skating toward him. After completing the landing pass, Leonard usually looks forward to skidding to the hole and positioning himself at the doorstep. He pulls the pressure away, looking to catch attackers on the mark and positioning himself at the front of the net to provide an exciting passing option for the teammate he has passed to. Not only does Leonard create a passing option in extreme danger, but he’s also in a position to deflect/discharge pucks or take advantage of rebound goals.
Ryan Leonard is a high-energy winger who never takes his foot off the gas in terms of pace and effort. He uses his speed and skill to blast past defenders in the neutral zone and put pressure on defenders in the zone who are struggling to anticipate his next move. His making and shooting aren’t exceptional, but both are good enough to be reasonably sure that his offense will translate to the NHL someday. – Logan Horn – THW.com
EliteProspects 2023 NHL Draft Guide
Leonard is dangerous with the puck in the attacking zone, possesses a caliber shot with two hands. He is incredibly deceitful, using his upper body and eyes to turn defenders’ feet and sticks before he goes around them or gets a shot at the net. Leonard is a great facilitator too. After making a move, he could find men in large steps in dangerous places. An above-average skater, Leonard can use all of these tools off the lunge as well, which makes him even more versatile.
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING:
A very skilled and offensive player. The hockey sense is excellent. Threatening every shift due to his excellent shooting, goalscoring touch and ability to find open space. It’s hard to play against him because of his hard work and style of play. He intervenes in the forward check quickly and checks again with a purpose. He can lead the play and put opposing defenders on their heels with his 200-foot game. A very interesting player to watch.
Categories
Other ratings
Ranked No. 7 in the unified ranking
Ranked #6 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #22 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked No. 6 by Fluhockey / Chris Peters
Ranked #7 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked No. 7 by The Hockey News
Ranked 6 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
Ranked #8 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #12 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #5 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skators)
Ranked #6 by SPORTSNET
Ranked #6 by HPR/SHANE MALLOY
Ranked #7 by Recruit Scouting
Ranked #10 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #7 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #11 by SMAHT SCOUTING
Capitals are in the top 10
Washington named it to the top 10 for the first time since 2007, when they picked defenseman Carl Alzener fifth overall. Prior to 2007, Niklas Backström (4th overall in 2006) and Alex Ovechkin (1st overall in 2004) were both selected.
We, too, don’t want to get bumped into a single Ovi timer pic.twitter.com/7hDQD93FjF
– Washington Capitals June 29, 2023
The Capitals’ 40th pick (second round), 104th pick (fourth round), 136th pick (fifth round), and 200th overall pick (seventh round) will also be taken on Day 2 of the draft on Thursday.
Written by Jacob Shires and John Sorensen