Captials draft late bloomer Brett Leason 56th overall
The Washington Capitals selected forward Brett Leason with the 56th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Brett Leason
Position: Right wing
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 201 lbs
Age: 20
Club: Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Nationality: Canadian
GP | G | A | P |
---|---|---|---|
55 | 36 | 53 | 89 |
(Stats courtesy: EliteProspects.com)
Leason is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft. Born in 1999 - most players in this draft were born in 2001 - he went undrafted each of the past two years. He lit up the WHL this season, leading the Raiders in points during both the regular season and playoffs en route to his team's berth in the Memorial Cup. He also excelled for Canada at the world juniors, tallying five points in as many games.
The 20-year-old has a good shot and superb offensive instincts. He's great at using his big body to shield off defenders and create shooting areas. Defensively, he has a good, strong stick and wins most puck battles.
Leason's skating held him back during his first two seasons in the WHL, but he made significant strides in 2018-19. He'll need to further improve his skating, however, to be an effective top-nine forward at the next level.
What they're saying
"The biggest reason for Leason's jump as a prospect was his skating. It improved from poor to potentially above average. He can turn the corner occasionally on defensemen. Leason's skating tests well, but in-game, his pace is very average. He's big and strong, showing good puck-protection skills. He's not overly physical but competes well." - The Athletic's Corey Pronman