Capitals 2026 NHL Draft Targets: Defenseman Ryan Lin
The Capitals could look to select a defenseman in the first round, and Ryan Lin brings quite a bit to the table.
Video Transcript
I remember Tom, just his, you could see he was still, you could see hi- his youth.
And I'm talking physically, but, but on the ice he was already making a big impact.
And you're like, "Once this young boy becomes a man, it's gonna be a wrecking ball."
Yeah.
And you could see both his, you could just see his potential in every aspect of his game.
You could see it with his physicality, you could see it with his hands, with his shot, with his skating.
He's a very fast skater.
Mm-hmm.
People probably reference other games of Tom's game, but man, if you wanna do line rushes up and down the ice against Tom Wilson, good luck.
He is, he is a exceptionally fast skater.
so you could see this raw potential that, oh boy, if, when this develops, not if this is gonna develop, it's just a matter of time and reps, and this is gonna develop.
And obviously the first couple of years he punched his way through the league.
Like, he was just a f- he made a statement.
He made a, this is who I am, I'm here, and he was a presence, and feared.
Then he developed his skill and ability, continued to develop that as well, because you can choose a trajectory there, but he knew, like, he had abilities to be more than just a physical player, and developed into a goal scorer.
His passing has improved immensely.
And now the development that he's undertaking, which has been so fun to watch, is now the leadership.
The leadership and being the presence.
And whether it's this summer or next year when Alex decides to step away, a lot of that now comes on Tom.
Yeah.
He is now the voice and the respected person in that locker room, and he has earned it.
And so to see him from, I remember when he came in at 18, I remember he came in for the playoff series at 18 years old and was thrust into the playoffs and made an immediate impact, that this guy is going to be here for a long time.
And now to see him almost grabbing the reins of that organization and leading it, very well deserved.
His dad is a great man.
Tom is a great man.
still get to keep in touch with him.
still root for him.
He's a father- Yeah now.
Like, yeah, it's just wo- it's wonderful to watch.
I'm very proud of Tom and what he has done, and what he has, with his own career personally, and in what he has done in DC.
