Washington Capitals could select real monster from China in next NHL draft
Photo credit: Neutral Zone
The NHL draft lottery is tonight, and fans around the league are tuning in to see which team will strike gold. While the Washington Capitals have their eyes set on the second round of the NHL postseason, the offseason is looming. That said, the Capitals hold a first round pick in this year's NHL Entry Draft, and general manager Chris Patrick has the opportunity to scoop up a talented prospect from China - 17 year old defenceman Haoxi Wang.
I think I speak for all Capitals fans when I say no one is really thinking about the NHL Entry Level Draft right now.
While that sentiment holds true, you would be remiss not to acknowledge the amount of talent poised to hit the NHL - one of them being a 6'6 giant from China: Haoxi Wang.
Washington Capitals could select monster prospect from China
The Washington Capitals boast one of the most dynamic prospect pools in the NHL, with an opportunity to make it even stronger come June.
Luckily, the Washington Capitals hold a first round pick in this year's draft, and all eyes are on top prospect Haoxi Wang.
Haoxi Wang is an athletic, rangy, left-shot defenseman with a rare physical profile and promising two-way upside. At 6'6» and 215 lbs, Wang moves exceptionally well for his size, showing strong skating mechanics, smooth pivots, and transitional agility that allows him to match with both speed-based and power-based forwards.
-Neutral Zone
-Neutral Zone
He plays a composed, efficient defensive game and has shown flashes of puck-moving ability and offensive vision that suggest untapped potential. Wang isn't a finished product and still needs to increase his physical engagement and edge in his own zone, as well as clean up shot selection and offensive execution.
-Neutral Zone
-Neutral Zone
Although the order for the 2025 hasn't been set, it's likely the Washington Capitals will hold a bottom pick in the first round.
Analysts around the league have Wang ranked towards the end of the first round, so he's certainly an interesting choice for the Capitals.
Wang's combined size and mobility would make him a nice complementary addition to the Capitals back-end.
Will Chris Patrick take a gamble on this top prospect from China? Time will tell.
| POLL | ||
MAI 5 | 25 ANSWERS Washington Capitals could select real monster from China in next NHL draft Do you think Washington Capitals general manager Chris Patrick should select Chinese prospect Haoxi Wang in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft? | ||
| Yes | 12 | 48 % |
| No | 13 | 52 % |
| List of polls | ||
