The Capitals took the left winger with the No. 40 pick after a stellar year with the WHL's Kelowna Rockets.
The Washington Capitals picked up another in the 2023 NHL Draft, taking left winger Andrew Cristall with the No. 40 pick.
Cristall is coming off a stellar year with the Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets, where he put up 39 goals and 56 assists for 95 points in 54 games. He was tied for sixth in WHL scoring.
The pick is a great one for the Capitals. Cristall is one of the most interesting players and arguably the best guy left on the board when Washington was on the clock at 40th.
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The 5-10, 167-pound forward was the No. 15 ranked North American skater and is known for his creativity, quick hands and high hockey IQ. His playmaking skill is unparalleled, and he has made numerous highlight reels with his crafty stickhandling, impressive passes and dazzling goals.
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There's work he has to do with his skating and attention to detail, but his stellar skillset and offensive acumen make him a major X-factor. And, like the Capitals' No. 8 pick Ryan Leonard, Cristall packs a little bit of a punch.
Cristall has a high ceiling and tremendous upside and is projected to eventually develop into a top-6 contributor.
Washington can also arguably say that it got a steal in Cristall. The Hockey News had Cristall ranked No. 12, and he could have gone as early as the middle of the first round.