A Wicked Shot & The Will To Win: Get To Know Capitals First-Round Pick Lynden Lakovic
The newest Capitals prospect reflects on being taken 27th overall and shares more on what he brings to the table.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — When Lynden Lakovic heard his name called on Day 1 of the 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles, he felt a wave of relief. Then, excitement, as he realized he was headed to the Washington Capitals.
Lakovic had spoken with the Capitals twice, once during his WHL campaign with the Moose Jaw Warriors and again at the Combine, and though he didn’t know if they’d end up drafting him, they’d had good talks. Ultimately, though, it was where he wanted to go.
“I'm so excited to be a part of such a great organization. I had a great meeting with Washington during the combine,” Lakovic said. “Words can't really express how happy I am right now."
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound winger brings quite a bit to the table, but what stands out most about him is his wicked shot. It’s been years in the making, a product of shooting hundreds of pucks day in and day out.
In 47 games with the Warriors this past season, Lakovic racked up 27 goals and 31 assists for 58 points, while only managing four penalty minutes.
“It's just consistency with your practice habits,” Lakovic said. “I think you know, my release is a little snappy and since I have a long reach, I can hide it pretty well and I think that's how I beat a lot of goalies. If you're consistently working on it… it's going to improve.”
While his size and shot are his biggest assets, there’s a lot more to his game. He’s a talented playmaker who passes with purpose and moves the puck well, and he doesn’t shy away from creativity.
"When you first look at my game, what jumps out is my size and my skating and my shot. But I think some things that go a little underappreciated would be my stick details,” Lakovic said. “I think I'm really good at anticipating plays, and I try and play with a lot of hockey IQ and time my routes well all over the ice.”
When it comes to player comparables, he tries to model his game after Tage Thompson and Matthew Knies.
“Tage, because we have similar frames and both our attributes are our shots and I think we have really similar skill sets,” he added. “I look at Matthew Knies, I look at his frame as well, and his skating ability and how he takes pucks to the net. I just see myself being something like that at the next level."
Then, there’s the way he carries himself off the ice and his character that impressed the Capitals’ front office. He took over as captain of the Warriors halfway through the year, and in addition to impressive interviews, he received promising testimonials from others.
“He had to show some leadership… Pretty even-keeled, happy-go-lucky. I could see how they could make him the captain of the team,” assistant general manager Ross Mahoney noted.
As Lakovic begins the next chapter of his career in the District, his goal is simple: to help the team remain a contender while soaking in every moment.
“They have a history of winning. I'm kinda excited to get down there and learn from the best, you know, the best goal scorer ever and just take in everything I can,” Lakovic said. “I've never been down to DC before, so I'm looking forward to that. At the end of the day, I want to improve and help the team win a Stanley Cup in the future. That's my goal."