Credit: Andy Devilin/Edmonton Oil Kings [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/7e429bbf-07ad-471e-804f-5c2aea6295a4.jpeg] Credit: Andy Devilin/Edmonton Oil Kings The Washington Capitals own the 27th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, and as they evaluate all their options, there are a number of directions they can go in regarding that pick. Leading up to Friday, The Hockey News will take a look at multiple draft options that D.C. could look at if the team does choose to hold onto its pick. First up is right-handed defenseman Blake Fiddler, who is ranked No. 26 among all North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. Fiddler, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, is coming off his second season in the WHL with the Edmonton Oil Kings, where he had 10 goals and 23 assists for 33 points in 64 games to help Edmonton back to the postseason. However, it's not his production that makes him a standout prospect.; it's his poise as a defenseman. The 6-foot-4 blueliner is a shutdown player who is a standout skater. He can win races to the puck thanks to his speed and ability, and he's able to battle hard for the puck and keep it out of harm's way, too. Fiddler's vision and hockey IQ make him dangerous, as he's able to stay in prime position, strip his opponents of the puck and know where the play is going. Once the coast is clear, he has the awareness and care to put the puck in the exact right spot for the breakout, and he's continuing to improve his mobility and offensive prowess while playing in all situations and logging heavy minutes. With the John Carlson era winding down, Washington needs more depth on the right side, with defenseman Vincent Iorio still developing in the AHL and Cam Allen being the only other remaining up-and-coming RHD under contract in the organization. Brent Johnson and Joaquim Lemay are also in the system, but don't have entry-level contracts yet. Fiddler would quickly rocket up the depth chart and offer the Capitals with another young, smooth-skating right-handed defenseman who can play a shutdown role and chip in offensively, too. The first round of the 2025 NHL Draft is on Friday, starting at 7 p.m. ET.
