Capitals Draft Finnish Center Oliver Suvanto with 18th Overall Pick

On June 27, 2026, at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, the Washington Capitals selected 17-year-old Finnish center Oliver Suvanto with the 18th overall pick in the first round. He is the franchise’s first Finnish draftee in two decades and the second Finn ever taken in a Capitals first round (Miika Elomo, 1995).

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The Capitals have traditionally favored WHL prospects; the last Finnish player they drafted was Oskar Osala in 2006. Assistant GM Ross Mahoney said the pick reflects scouting, not nationality, and Finnish scout Matti Lamberg advocated for Suvanto.

Capitals’ first-round pick Oliver Suvanto modeled his game after Aleksander Barkov, ‘wiling to do the work’ to make the NHL

Suvanto, a 6-foot-3½, 207-213-lb center from Turku, played 2025-26 with Tappara in Liiga, posting 11 points in 48 games—the most by any under-18 player. He earned the Esa Peltonen Award, recorded 42 points in the Finnish U-18 league, and helped Tappara win the championship. He contributed at the 2026 World Junior (bronze) and U-18 Worlds. NHL Central Scouting ranked him first among international centers and third among all international skaters.

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Assistant GM Ross Mahoney highlighted Suvanto’s size (6-foot-3½, 207 lb) and positional flexibility, calling him a strong size center. General manager Chris Patrick noted the pick’s rarity, joking that fans would “go nuts” over a Finnish selection.

Capitals’ first-round pick Oliver Suvanto modeled his game after Aleksander Barkov, ‘wiling to do the work’ to make the NHL

Stars and Sticks flagged Suvanto’s skating, describing a “heavy stride” that limits his speed. NHL Director of European Scouting Jukka-Pekka Vuorinen said he must improve strength and skating to compete at the NHL level.

Capitals draft big center Oliver Suvanto with first-round pick

Suvanto said he is excited to join Washington, admires Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, and aims to become a “complete player, a two-way player.” He recalled training with Barkov before the 2026 World Championship, noting advice on faceoffs. Off the ice he plays drums.

Capitals Select Oliver Suvanto 18th Overall in the 2026 NHL Draft

One source reports the Capitals traded the 16th overall pick, a prospect, and forward Connor McMichael to St. Louis for Jordan Kyrou. Another source claims the 16th pick was exchanged for defenseman John Carlson, who was sent to Anaheim. The discrepancy remains unresolved.

Capitals Select Oliver Suvanto 18th Overall in the 2026 NHL Draft

• “Two-way player, reliable, responsible. And first of all, or most of all, he’s a great person. What a leader. Led his team twice to the Stanley Cup as a captain. Big role model for me, and can be a good model for young kids.” — Oliver Suvanto, prospect

Capitals’ first-round pick Oliver Suvanto modeled his game after Aleksander Barkov, ‘wiling to do the work’ to make the NHL

• “I didn’t have to wait that long. I just had to go to pee many, many, many minutes,” — Oliver Suvanto, prospect

Capitals’ first-round pick Oliver Suvanto modeled his game after Aleksander Barkov, ‘wiling to do the work’ to make the NHL

• “A natural two-way player, he combines reliability and intelligence, rarely making mistakes while consistently supporting both ends of the ice,” — Jukka-Pekka Vuorinen, NHL Director of European Scouting

Capitals draft big center Oliver Suvanto with first-round pick

The Capitals missed the playoffs, leaving Alex Ovechkin’s future uncertain. Suvanto is projected as a future second-line center, likely developing in the AHL or NHL. Washington retains picks in rounds 2-7 of the 2026 draft and nine selections in the 2027 draft, which GM Patrick may use to acquire additional assets. Round 2 begins at 11 a.m. Eastern time.

Capitals address their biggest need and draft Suvanto