Next two picks: To finish off round 3 the Caps went with pedigree to select Riley Sutter, RW, and yes, yet another Sutter from the famous family (Ron Sutter's son). 6'3", 205, so already NHL size. Some rough edges in his game, and will probably end up somewhere in the bottom 6, but apparently plays with the typical Sutter competitiveness and discipline.
DC should like this pick!!!
Ending round 4 the Caps stick to their historical MO and select goalie Mitchell Gibson from the NAHL. I know nothing about him. Great stats (1.59 GAA, .935 save pct.) but who knows what it means.
I think it is interesting that all of the Caps' picks thus far are players born in 1999. They seem to be leaning toward more mature players in this year's draft. Maybe they hope, whichever of these players develop OK, they should be NHL-ready a little sooner???
Also, the two forwards, Sutter and Kody Clark, look more like safer picks for the bottom 6 rather than take-a-flyer-and-hope-for-a-home-run type picks of guys with raw tools but other flaws, who might make a top 6 someday but have a high probability of flaming out. These two guys look to be disciplined players that will make the most of their skills, even though they may not be the highest-end players. Lower ceiling, but high floor type players. This smacks of a draft where the Caps see salary cap issues down the line and are trying to take players that, while not flashy, will have the best chance of actually making it to the NHL and providing low-cost help for awhile.