JUST IN: I have Just one word for Capitals, am betrayed joining them

The Washington Capitals announced in mid-April that Ryan Leonard would return to Boston College for a sophomore season. But not everyone in the hockey media believes that will happen due to a possible domino effect started at the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery.

The San Jose Sharks won the opportunity to draft Boston University star Macklin Celebrini with the first overall selection. Per a report from Daily Faceoff’s Colby Cohen, Celebrini ending up in San Jose could also mean that fellow Sharks prospect Will Smith will also be signing with San Jose and foregoing his sophomore season at Boston College.

Cohen and Frank Seravalli surmise that Smith leaving means the Capitals will go back to the table with Leonard, his linemate, despite the top prospect’s decision earlier to remain in school.

There is a domino effect to the San Jose Sharks winning the draft lottery. Will Smith, who is their other top prospect, is going to sign with the San Jose Sharks. I can tell you that not with 100-percent certainty but I can tell you that with 98.5-percent certainty now that Celebrini is going to be a San Jose Shark next season. I can tell you the same will happen for Will Smith.

It’ll be interesting to see how Smith does at the World Championships. He’s there right now playing with Ryan Leonard and Joel Farabee. And, I mention Ryan Leonard, that’s the next guy to keep your eye on because when Smith signs to go to the NHL you better believe the Washington Capitals are turning up the heat on Ryan Leonard and they’re going to try to get him to sign as well. All this domino effect comes from Celebrini going to the Sharks.

Leonard and Smith are currently two of just three college players playing for Team USA at the 2024 IIHF World Championship. The two Boston College stars wrapped up their outstanding freshman campaigns with the Eagles in early April with a 2-0 loss to the Denver Pioneers in the national title game.

Leonard ended his first season in the NCAA with 60 points (31g, 29a) from 40 games, scoring the third most goals in the country. His 31 tallies set a new all-time school record for most goals scored by a freshman. The previous record (30) had been held by Brian Gionta since 1998.

The 19-year-old winger was approached by the Capitals to sign an entry-level NHL contract before Washington’s first-round playoff matchup with the New York Rangers but rebuffed their attempt. College players initially committing to additional years at their schools and then changing their minds later in the summer is not a rare occurrence though.

The latest example occurred last summer. Logan Cooley, the Arizona Coyotes’ first-round selection from the 2022 draft, committed to his sophomore season at the University of Minnesota in late May. Cooley changed his mind just two months later, signing an entry-level contract with the Coyotes on July 27.

Leonard could choose to do the same thing when he joins back up with the Capitals for development camp after this year’s draft. The likelihood of that increases dramatically with Smith moving to the pro ranks as Leonard has combined on a line with Smith and New York Rangers prospect Gabe Perreault for multiple years now, predating their time at Boston College.

The trio grew close after first being put together with the US National Development Team Program where they all played for two years. The connection continued during the USA’s successful run to gold medals at the 2023 U18 World Juniors and 2024 U20 World Juniors.

Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said in early March that he thought the young forward looked NHL-ready in Rookie Camp before he even played in his first NCAA game. Washington will have room for Leonard on their roster as the club will likely see wingers Max Pacioretty and Nicolas Aube-Kubel depart as unrestricted free agents this summer. TJ Oshie is also deciding on his future due to his lingering back issues.