Capitals make 5 selections in first 2 rounds

DC Gazette

The first 2 rounds of the 2021 RHL Entry Draft have come to a close. Within those first 2 rounds GM Karp was able to wheel and deal around, ultimately making 5 selections that, from what we hear at the Gazette, he is happy with. Let's take a look at those selections.

1-22 Simon Robertsson

With their first pick in the draft, GM Karp elected to go with a winger in Simon Robertsson who has been described as the following: “Equipped with one of the best shot releases in the 2021 draft, Robertsson could be considered a top-15 talent” and “Robertsson has one of the hardest wrist shots in the draft, and uses deceptive release points to make it even more difficult to stop.” Seems like a solid pick considering the outlook this team has, with potential franchise centerman Trevor Zegras in the fold and no for-sure winger penciled in next him, many are thinking he could be that guy. Asking scouts around the NHL what they thought of Robertsson and what he could be: “His shot, power and speed is the perfect recipe for a 30-goal scorer in today’s league. He’s already 190 pounds as an 18-year-old, so it’s scary to think what he could become with the proper training.”
 

2-34 Ayrton Martino

Apparently doubling down and what was probably a need for the team in wingers, the second selection of the night was Ayrton Martino of the USHL Omaha Lancers. Reports describe him as being “...relentless without the puck as he’s in constant pursuit, tracking it down in order to gain possession. He’s always in great position for a battle and even to make a quick stick lift for the puck and can quickly transition to offense as a result. Offense is always on his mind, even when he’s in a defensive situation. On the penalty kill, Martino has the smarts to intercept plays and make the opposition pay.” The thought of this pick playing alongside Zegras and the previously mentioned Robertsson could form a formidable line in DC for years to come. And with the all-around talent that Martino seems to ooze, we could see him being a valuable NHLer for the team in a few years. Some outside perspective on Martino had this to say: “He is an exciting and talented dual-threat offensive winger that punishes opponent’s mistakes. ...He evades pressure with his silky hands and creates space. He is extremely dangerous with and without the puck, creating and finishing dangerous scoring chances.”

2-43 Brent Johnson (D)
In the first of back to back second round picks, the Capitals first went with another USHL prospect in Brent Johnson from the Sioux Falls Stampede. Quotables around him include: “Brent Johnson’s ability to manipulate the layers of a defense in a breakout or the offensive zone is so natural that it’s hard not to fall in love with the way he plays. He makes difficult plays look easy, and his aggression moving the puck comes across as the easy play rather than the high-risk play.” With former top 10 pick Jake “Sandman” Sanderson, and 2nd round selection Justin “Mooseman” Barron, going for a guy like Johnson seems like a safe pick. It shouldn’t be hard for Caps fans to imagine Johnson playing in the top 4 alongside either of those 2, and with a deceptively nice shot, even quarterbacking the second powerplay unit. Some closing thoughts on the future University of No. Dakota RHD: “Johnson is a modern puck moving defenceman that drives offence through responsible and conservative play. He suppresses offence through stick checking, physical positioning, and quickness on puck retrievals” “Arguably the best defender in the USHL of any age, Johnson shows the ability to control the play at both ends of the ice.”

2-44 Ville Koivunen

The second of the back to back selections, comes from Finland in Ville Koivunen. Another winger for the Caps showing they believe in their center depth in Zegras, Madden, and Lizotte potentially being the teams 3 centers going forward, and leaving prospects such as Zach Dean on the board. One draft analyst had this to say on Koivunen: “His impact on the game is evident every time he steps on the ice. He has a relentless motor, is a driver in the transition game, has outstanding vision, and plays a 200ft game.” A relentless motor sounds a lot like earlier selection Ayrton Martino, so it would seem that there is an appreciation for players who don’t take plays off in the eyes of GM Karp. It's worth noting that Koivunen shared top line with Rangers first round selection Samu Tuomaala, but there are some that feel Koivunen could end up as the better of the two, as we have it from one scout that “he was the one making the motor run on most nights for that line. He elevates whoever he is playing with and has helped Tuomaala stay in the first-round on most boards”. 

2-53 Aidan Hreschuk

And with their final selection of the night, 9 picks after going back to back, the Capitals selected Aidan Hreschuk, a prospect from the USHL NTDP. Quotables on him include: “He’s an offensive-minded defenceman with a beautiful skating stride and a deadly wrist shot.” Sharing a team with top 10 selection Luke Hughes, and Sharks second round pick in Sean Behrens there was a point in the season where he was going almost point for point with the two, despite significantly less PP time. Here are some final thoughts on Hreschuk who will look to develop his game further at Boston College: “A do-it-all. two-way defender who can affect the game in all three zones. He plays a smart and efficient defensive game with the ability to move the puck up ice and make plays from the blueline.”

Thanks for reading, have a wonderful day, and we’ll be back with a draft recap after rounds 3-7.