Capitals 2026 Draft Target: Ryan Lin

Lin dazzled with eye-opening performances over the last two seasons with the Giants. His rookie campaign in 2024-25 featured five goals and 53 points in 60 games, the most assists in the league by a rookie. He helped Team Canada win gold medals at the 2024-25 U17 World Hockey Championship and U18 World Junior Championships.

Lin scored 14 goals and 43 assists in 57 games this season. However, it was a dismal campaign for the Giants, who missed the WHL playoffs for the first time since 2017 with a 25-49-2-2 record. Despite that, he continued to impress. He returned to the U18 World Juniors, where he was selected as a top 3 player on the team after totaling six points in five games – the most points by a blueliner for any squad, but Team Canada’s dreams of back-to-back titles ended in a quarterfinal loss to Team Sweden.  

What The Experts Are Saying

Lin’s game has been compared to Rasmus Sandin‘s. Sandin, a late first-round selection by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2018, has developed into a reliable top-four defenseman in Washington. The 26-year-old left-handed defenseman scored five goals and 29 points in 73 games, averaging 19 minutes per night this season. That is a strong comparable for any non-top-10 selection in this draft. 

Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis thinks he has more to offer than what he’s showcased to date. “Lin might not be big, but he’s smart and has the skills to take his game up a level. His decision-making is near the top of this draft class already, and he has the skating to burn guys.” 

THW’s Lukas B. sees Los Angeles Kings veteran defender Drew Doughty as another comparable. A player who “can be effective in both zones and trusted in all situations when he is on the ice. He will need to be a bit tougher, but I think he can be a top-four defenseman at the NHL level.” 

Fit in Capitals Prospect Pool

Lin would instantly become Washington’s top right-handed defensive prospect. Ryan Chesley totaled 16 points in 64 games during his first professional season with the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears last season, while Cam Allen lost a development year due to early-season shoulder surgery. Lin would add depth to a thin position in the Capitals’ prospect pool. 

While he projects to have a game similar to Capitals rookie Cole Hutson, Lin offers a mirror image as a right-shot defender. While the duo would not have the size to become an NHL pairing, Lin could form a dynamic 1-2 offensive punch inside Washington’s top-four unit for years to come.

Should the Capitals Draft Him? 

If a lottery-projected player doesn’t fall to Washington at 16th overall, the Capitals should strongly consider investing in the best available defensive prospect. Their pipeline is loaded with forward talent, particularly at the winger position with Andrew Cristall, Terik Parascak, and Lynden Lakovic. Washington has a huge opportunity to add a high-caliber defenseman (or two) after investing their last four opening round selections on improving the forward group. 

The organization’s system will feel more balanced if Washington can land a dynamic defender with either of its first-round picks. Lin represents one of the best options general manager Chris Patrick could bring back to MedStar Capitals IcePlex for rookie camp in early July.