Capitals Make Right & Great Call With Ryan Leonard; Everything To Know About Winger

The Washington Capitals made the right call and a great call with Ryan Leonard. Here's everything to know about the gritty winger.

The Washington Capitals felt the pressure going into the 2023 NHL Draft. Coming off their worst season in nearly a decade, they held the No. 8 pick and their highest selection since 2007. And, despite all eyes being on Matvei Michkov and the potential of them moving up, they stay put and went all in on Ryan Leonard.

And for the Capitals, it was the right call -- and one that'll pay off.

Leonard is an absolute gamer. The 6-foot, 190-pound right wing is a force to be reckoned with and plays the game with power, drive and 100 percent effort night in and night out.

He is one of the most versatile players in his draft class and takes on a lot of responsibility. Leonard is an excellent skater who brings a lot of speed, can get to the dirty areas and possesses an impressive shot. He also has quick hands and a great hockey IQ, and he's a highly coachable player with a lot of talent and character.

The 18-year-old had 51 goals and 43 assists for 94 points in 57 games with the U.S. National Team Development Program, where he primarily played on a line with Will Smith and Gabriel Perreault. He also showcased his skill on the penalty kill and was an alternate captain for the club, and most famously, scored the overtime winner to secure gold for Team USA over Team Sweden in the 2023 U18 World Championships.

Though he's not the most creative or flashy player, Leonard still possesses a lot of skill and makes up for it with an unparalleled work ethic and quickness. He can think on the fly and has an incredible scoring sense, which makes him an asset to any team.

When it comes to players he emulates, think Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, J.T. Miller, Olivier Bjorkstrand and even Tom Wilson. He's physical, he's got a chip on his shoulder and he has the will to win and considers his biggest asset to be his competitiveness.

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Leonard is committed to play at Boston College and intends to skate with the Eagles in 2023-24. The NCAA will give him even more ability to prove his worth and build on his development.

Despite the hype around Matvei Michkov, who went No. 7 to the Philadelphia Flyers, Washington got a safe pick. The uncertainty, lengthy KHL contract and alleged character concerns --  even cited by a Washington scout -- surrounding Michkov remain question marks.

There are no questions surrounding Leonard. And when the time comes, he's going to be a high-impact player in D.C.