The 20-year-old will become a free agent after the team renounced its rights to him, and he wants to show the Capitals that he can still be an NHL player.
The Washington Capitals made a tough decision to open the month of June as they decided to renounce the rights to two prospects, one being defenseman Dru Krebs. And though missing out on an NHL deal with the team that drafted him in 2021 is disappointing, he's using it as fuel as he enters free agency.
Krebs, the younger brother of Buffalo Sabres forward Peyton, was taken in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, said in an interview with his WHL team, the Medicine Hat Tigers, that there is a chip on his shoulder after being passed over for an entry-level contract.
"Not offering me the NHL deal is an opportunity to show them that I can eventually become an NHL player, which I believe," Krebs said in a Behind The Scenes interview with the Tigers, adding, "It adds motivation to become the person, the player you want to be and it’s just a learning curve, to say the least."
Krebs is known for his above-average skating and has also shown that he can contribute offensively, and he has a high ceiling and plenty of room to grow.
The Alberta native had a rough post-draft campaign with last-place Medicine Hat, who had just eight wins all season. He put up 19 points but had a plus-minus of minus-58.
This past season, Krebs took his game to the next level and busted out as the Tigers bounced back to make the playoffs. He racked up eight goals and 33 assists for 41 points in 67 appearances, along with a plus-minus of plus-27. He also earned an amateur tryout and was with the Hershey Bears on their playoff run as a black ace.
"Being around them and soaking in that pro atmosphere was really special and a really good opportunity to learn," Krebs told Medicine Hat in the interview.
Considering his NHL rights were renounced in June, the 20-year-old was eligible to be redrafted this year, but that was not the case. He will be a free agent for the first time and has one more season left in juniors to show what he can do. Now, Krebs is training with his brother, and he still has his sights set on the pros.
"For me, the next level is pro hockey," Krebs added.