"Capitals Eye Blake Fiddler as a Prime Target for the 27th Overall Pick in the 2025 NHL Draft"
The Washington Capitals hold the 27th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, and with numerous options on the table, the team has the opportunity to bolster its roster for the future. Among the most intriguing possibilities is right-handed defenseman Blake Fiddler, a top-tier prospect ranked No. 26 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
A Nashville native, Fiddler has spent the past two seasons in the WHL with the Edmonton Oil Kings, where he tallied 10 goals and 23 assists for 33 points across 64 games. While his offensive production is solid, it’s his defensive poise and overall game sense that make him a standout. At 6-foot-4, Fiddler combines size, speed, and intelligence to dominate in the defensive zone.
Fiddler excels as a shutdown defenseman with elite skating ability, allowing him to win puck races and effectively neutralize opposing threats. His hockey IQ and vision enable him to anticipate plays, strip opponents of the puck, and position himself perfectly on the ice. Once in possession, he showcases precision in transitioning the play, delivering accurate breakout passes and keeping the puck out of danger. On top of that, he’s proven to be reliable in all situations, logging heavy minutes and showing steady improvement in his offensive contributions.
For the Capitals, Fiddler could fill a critical need. With the John Carlson era nearing its twilight and Vincent Iorio still developing in the AHL, Washington lacks depth on the right side of its defensive corps. Other prospects like Cam Allen, Brent Johnson, and Joaquim Lemay show promise but remain in early stages of development or without entry-level contracts. Fiddler, however, possesses both the skill set and maturity to rapidly climb the depth chart and offer the Capitals a young, smooth-skating, two-way defenseman.
Adding Fiddler would not only solidify the team’s future on the blue line but also bring a player capable of playing a shutdown role while contributing offensively. His game is the perfect blend of reliability and upside.
The first round of the 2025 NHL Draft kicks off Friday at 7 p.m. ET, and the Capitals could land themselves a cornerstone defenseman in Blake Fiddler.
