With the final pick in the first round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, the Washington Capitals select Filip Hallander, forward from Timra IK in Sweden.
The talented forward, who is able to play both center and wing, is only 17 years old, but has the size at 6’1” and 185 lbs., and talent to make the big club’s roster within a few years. Hallander’s offensive game is strong, simple and clean. Not overly flashy or fast, he makes quick decisions, accurate passes and keeps his feet moving. 
He is tough on the forecheck and gets to the front of the net. While his shot can be accurate, he looks more comfortable finding the open teammate and should put up more assists than goals.
An adjustment period is to be expected, as the Swede will need time to adjust to the smaller ice and more physical North American game. While not a perfect prospect, Hallander is the best bet for the Capitals in the first round.
The Stanley Cup champions find themselves in a new spot this off-season.
While for years the challenge has been to find that last piece or pieces to become a championship club, this year General Manager Brian MacLellan must decide how to reward the pieces that finally won the Cup. The hard part will be balancing the fan favorites with the salary cap.
A key contributor like Devante Smith-Pelly, signed last off-season to a two way deal, may have priced himself off of this team with his playoff performance. Up and down the lineup, from the forward corps to the blueline, questions abound.
Perhaps the position of greatest strength for the Capitals, goaltender, will also look different next year. Braden Holtby, after a down season by his standards, further entrenched himself as the starter with his dazzling playoff run. His co-starter during the season, Philip Grubauer, is due for a pay raise as a restricted free agent. His value as a trade commodity will most likely be tested, as the goalies behind him show great promise as prospects.
Pheonix Copley was reacquired by the organization after moving to St. Louis as part of the T.J. Oshie trade. 2015 Capitals draftee Ilya Samsonov is ready to come over after four years in the KHL. The position should not be a consideration for the team’s first draft pick of this year.
With questions about the rest of the roster, and with their pick falling at the end of the first round, the Capitals are in the enviable position to sit and wait for the best available talent to fall to them.
In a deep draft, they would be best served to take Hallander. His offensive game, especially his ablity to play center, will play well in the organization. Center depth has become a strength with this team, highlighted by Lars Eller taking on a bigger role with playoff injuries to top centers Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom. A player like Hallander would merely strengthen that depth.
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