Capitals sign Ryan Leonard to three-year, entry-level contract
Arguably, the biggest name in college hockey today is on his way up to the big time.
Washington Capitals general manager Chris Patrick announced the team has signed forward Ryan Leonard to a three-year, entry-level contract.
The deal, which begins immediately, carries an AAV of $950,000 through the 2026-27 season.
HELLO, LENO‼️
The Washington Capitals have signed forward Ryan Leonard to a three-year entry-level contract. Leonard's contract will carry an average annual value of $950,000.#ALLCAPS | @Shift4
The Capitals originally took Leonard in the first round, eighth overall, of the 2023 NHL Draft. He’s expected to make his NHL debut when the Capitals visit, of all teams, the Boston Bruins.
Leonard is expected to bring some youthful energy to a team that has aspirations of making it far in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The 20-year-old has spent the past two seasons at the prestigious Boston College. There, Leonard became one of the best prospects in the game. He’s one of the most skilled players outside the NHL, thanks to his incredible release and offensive awareness. He also has a little bit of bite to his game, making him a pain to play against night in and night out.
Leonard’s abilities have led to two incredible seasons with the Eagles. During his freshman campaign, he scored an incredible 60 points, which was still only good for fourth in the country behind teammates Cutter Gauthier and Will Smith. This season, the Amherst, Massachusetts native led the nation in goals with 30, sitting 10th in the NCAA with 49 points in 37 games.
He was named one of the 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, also being named the Hockey East Player of the Year.
Many argued that Leonard could’ve signed with the Capitals after last season, but after losing in the national championship game to Denver, he decided to go back to finish the job. Unfortunately, the top-ranked Eagles were ousted in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, losing to the Pioneers again, this time in the Manchester Regional Final.
Along with an outstanding two seasons in college, Leonard has a winning pedigree on the international stage. He won gold with Team USA in each of the last two IIHF World Junior Championships, earning tournament MVP honors in Ottawa in January after scoring 10 points in seven games.
Leonard also won silver and gold in the 2022 and 2023 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championships, respectively.
The Capitals (47-17-9) have the best record in the Eastern Conference and have already clinched a spot in the postseason.