Overview
- The Washington Capitals used the No. 18 overall pick at the 2026 NHL Draft to select Oliver Suvanto, with the choice announced Friday in Buffalo.
- Suvanto is a 6-foot-3, 207-pound center who played a full 2025–26 season for Tappara in Finland’s Liiga and represented Finland at the 2026 World Junior Championship.
- Scouts describe him as a two-way, penalty-killing forward with strong puck management, board play and faceoff ability but limited proven offensive output at the pro level.
- Washington obtained the No. 18 pick in the John Carlson trade with Anaheim and had already traded the No. 16 pick earlier in the week in the deal that brought Jordan Kyrou to D.C.
- Suvanto is expected to stay in Finland next season to develop, and the Capitals view him as a likely middle-6 or bottom-6 NHL center who can boost their penalty kill and physical depth.