The Capitals weren't expecting Ryan Leonard to still be available when they were on the clock at No. 8. But when he was, the organization was thrilled.
Assistant general manager Ross Mahoney wasn't expecting Ryan Leonard to still be available when the Washington Capitals were on the clock at No. 8. But when he was, the organization was thrilled.
"I thought he was going to go two or three picks ahead of us so we're really excited that he was there," Mahoney told reporters in Nashville.
There were reports that Washington had been exploring ways to move up in the draft and that it was "seriously aimed" at taking Matvei Michkov, the Russian sensation and draft's most enigmatic player.
Heading into the festivities, several predicted that Michkov, despite being arguably the best forward available behind Connor Bedard, would be passed on and fall to No. 8 due to his three-year KHL contract with SKA St. Petersburg, alleged character issues and several question marks as he proved difficult to meet with before coming to the United States.
However, the Philadelphia Flyers weren't turned off and, after interviewing with him twice over the course of the past week, took him seventh just before D.C. made its pick.
The Capitals weren't surprised, though, nor were they really fazed.
"No, I thought that was a possibility. You're trying to pick teams you think might take him and that was one of the teams that I thought might step up and take him and they did, so it really wasn't a surprise," Mahoney said.
So, when Leonard was -- to Washington's surprise -- still available, the team locked in its pick and felt confident that it got a vital piece of the club's future.
"You're waiting to see what falls to you a little bit... I wasn't sure what would happen. Really happy Ryan was there," Mahoney said, adding, "There were some players in play for us, but Leonard would have been one of them."
The Capitals had a good interview with Leonard, a product of the U.S. National Team Development Program, and was impressed with his work ethic and character.
His production and on-ice play also speaks volumes. The gritty power forward plays the game with speed and physicality, and he can take on several roles and make an impact at both ends of the ice.
"He has a real interesting skillset. He can really score... He plays a real honest game. He's a very competitive guy. I think to be able to get that scoring ability, playmaking ability and that edge that he plays with is a real interesting combination," Mahoney said, adding, "He's hard to stop... he can hold his ground in front of the net and get to loose pucks. That was very appealing to us, his strength -- and he uses it. He finishes his checks, he's a strong player."
Leonard is coming off an impressive year that featured 51 goals and 43 assists in 57 games, along with an overtime winner that secured gold for Team USA at the U18 Worlds Championships.
The 6-foot, 190-pound right wing, who compared himself to Matthew Tkachuk and even Tom Wilson, is committed to Boston College and will play there next season.
Looking at what's next for Leonard and his path to the NHL, Mahoney said it's all up to the prospect, but the Capitals are confident they got a strong piece for their future.
"It all depends on him and how hard he's gonna work on and off the ice. We'll see. I don't really like to put a timeframe on it," Mahoney said. "He'll work with our development team, and obviously he's going to a really great school with a really good hockey program. That's also a really good situation for us; you draft a player, you want them to be in a really good program. how long it takes him to get to the NHL, that depends on him."