The Washington Capitals enter the 2025 NHL Draft in the coming days with quite a few options when it comes to their first-round pick.
Washington owns the 27th overall selection following their second-round elimination at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes, and when it comes to what to do with that pick, D.C. can go multiple routes.
There are a number of top prospects available, and when it comes to areas of need, the Capitals could stand to draft a puck-moving, right-handed defenseman to add depth with John Carlson's career winding down and the team needing more insurance on the right side.
Washington could also consider some more forward options, though the team has done a good job of building depth up front for years to come.
Another option is for the Capitals to leverage the first-round pick as a trade chip and use it in a package to bring in a top piece for now. At the present moment, they're in need of another skilled forward who can play either center or wing, and all the while, want to keep getting younger.
With a first-round pick and other asset sbundled up, Washington could entice quite a few teams and go for a bigger name out there on the trade block ahead of free agency.
General manager Chris Patrick said at the end of the season that the team will evaluate all of its options when it comes to the No. 27 selection.
"Given the prospects we have, does it make it a little more palatable? Potentially. I think you also get a sense for what might be there when you're picking, and that can also factor into it as well," Patrick said. "What might be there maybe is something that's kind of duplicative with what you already have. So, yeah, we'll try to be creative with what we can do."
The first round of the 2025 NHL Draft is on Friday at 7 p.m. ET.
