2026-27 Washington Capitals Top Prospects

** Different sites can use different criteria for determining who is still a prospect. Also, for Dobber Prospect lists they take a fantasy hockey approach – prospects whose current trajectory projects them making the most positive fantasy impact at the time that they reach the NHL.

Cole Hutson – The younger brother of NHL star Lane Hutson, Cole shares many of the same traits that have made his brother so successful. He is an elite skater with exceptional edge work, creativity, and offensive instincts. At Boston University and in international competition, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to control play with the puck on his stick and create offense from the back end.

Ilya Protas – The younger brother of Washington forward Aliaksei Protas, Ilya combines an impressive physical frame with increasingly polished offensive skills. Standing well over six feet tall, he uses his size effectively to protect pucks, win battles, and create space for himself and teammates. What has impressed scouts most is how much his offensive game has expanded.

Andrew Cristall – Cristall’s offensive toolkit is exceptional. His vision, creativity, puck skills, and ability to process the game are all high-end attributes. He consistently creates scoring chances for himself and his teammates and has been one of the most productive players in junior hockey over the last several seasons. While his skating has improved, it remains the biggest area of scrutiny among scouts.

Lynden Lakovic – Lakovic is at his best when attacking off the rush, where he can use his size to shield defenders while still making skilled plays at speed. His offensive production and confidence have continued to improve, and scouts have become increasingly optimistic about his long-term upside. While he still needs to add strength and become more consistent physically, the raw tools are extremely appealing.

Terik Parascak – Parascak is an intelligent, highly skilled winger who excels at finding soft spots in coverage and generating offense through anticipation and quick decision-making. His vision and playmaking ability are among his best assets, but he also possesses a quality shot and strong finishing instincts.

2026 Washington Capitals Draft Picks

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