Capitals 2026 Draft Target: Ethan Belchetz

With a pair of selections inside the top-20 in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals are in a prime position to restock a prospect pool that has now graduated Ryan Leonard, Ethen Frank, and Cole Hutson to the NHL. While general manager Chris Patrick could trade up to secure an elite talent earlier in the draft, Washington would be best served by adding a player like Ethan Belchetz with the 16th or 18th selection on June 26 in Buffalo, New York. 

Scouting Report

Ethan Belchetz is a 6-foot-2, 227-pound winger from Oakville, Ontario, who could still be on the board when Washington’s first-round selections roll around. The 18-year-old forward has tantalized scouts since scoring 46 goals and 84 points in 34 games for the Oakville Rangers U16 AAA squad during the 2023-24  season before joining the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

He scored 51 goals and amassed 97 points over two seasons in Windsor, including a 34-goal campaign this season. The hockey industry views Belchetz anywhere from a potential top-five selection to a mid-to-late first round option. 

Belchetz’s scouting report reads like a carbon copy of Tom Wilson‘s from 2012. A talented, physical forward with a solid net-front presence, Wilson has secured 457 points over 907 games in Washington’s red, white, and blue since his rookie season in 2013-14.

As management tries to project three to five years down the line, the best-case scenario would be for Belchetz’s development to follow a similar path to the 32-year-old Stanley Cup champion. If Washington can find a way to draft Belchetz next month, there will be no better mentor for him than Wilson.

What Are the Experts Saying?

According to Belchetz’s Draft Prospects Profile, experts don’t have a solid read on his draft position. He is the ninth-ranked North American skater according to NHL Center Scouting. THW’s Andrew Forbes had Belchetz listed at sixth in his Top 64 February Rankings on March 3. Unfortunately, his season ended that very night due to a broken left clavicle. 

James Connelly from Dobber Prospects compared Belchetz to a player “on Cup-contending teams (akin to Matthew Tkachuk) who not only impacts the game offensively but also physically in the trenches.” Meanwhile, Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala indicated he has “the hockey sense and ability to be deployed in a variety of roles.” 

Nearly all scouts expect Belchetz to be drafted inside the top-20. TSN’s Craig Button had him as the 13th-ranked skater in a mid-January ranking behind fellow prospects Oscar Hemming and Caleb Malhotra, the latter being another possible option for the Capitals with their 16th pick.

Fit in Capitals Prospect Pool

Skill and size can be a rare combination in the NHL, which means that Belchetz would be a welcome addition to any lineup. However, Washington’s prospect pool is already stocked with wingers, such as Terik Parascak, Andrew Cristall, and Ivan Miroshnichenko. While the physical tools are similar between the two players (6-foot-4, 200 pounds+), Belchetz represents a different kind of player than Lynden Lakovic, Washington’s 27th overall pick in 2025.

Washington should be looking to add a high-end center to its current mix of players. They could also use an elite right-handed defenseman and a goaltending prospect (or two) with the five picks in their possession this summer.  

Should the Capitals Draft Belchetz? 

If the draft board shakes out so that Belchetz slips to the 16th overall pick, the Capitals should absolutely seize the opportunity and select him. If he develops well, Washington could have a replacement for Wilson while the veteran forward is still under contract.

Wilson should be excited to share lessons from his 12-year NHL career on becoming successful in the exact style of hockey that fits Belchetz’s game. That seems like a win-win first-round pick before grabbing the best available center (or right-handed defenseman) a couple of selections later.