Lynden Lakovic is already turning heads at his first-ever professional training camp with the Washington Capitals.
The 27th overall draft selection from just three months ago had an impressive rookie camp in Annapolis, MD, and now a competitive two days mixed in with the Capitals’ veterans at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. Lakovic has been so impressive that he’s already caught the eye of head coach Spencer Carbery and forced his way into early camp conversations.
“He’s looked fantastic,” Carbery said. “From all the reports in Annapolis, he was great there. And then the first two days of camp, he’s looked excellent. The two things that I notice: One, he’s got deceptive speed for a bigger guy. You saw it in the skate test – he blew away his group. For a guy his size at his age to be able to be that efficient as a skater is really impressive. For someone that big, that you think is only going to grow into being a big power forward that can skate like that, is very unique.
“And he’s got a great presence about him. Usually, [at] your first pro camp, you’re a little tentative, nervous, just kind of getting where you fit in. He’s asking questions, looking you in the eye. ‘What do I do here, coach?’ You can feel he’s got confidence and also a little bit of swagger, but not in an arrogant way, in a way that he feels like he fits in and can play with everybody out here.”
Carbery elaborated, emphasizing further that Lakovic’s early performances are not a regular thing for players his age. The West Kelowna native is one of just two members of the Capitals’ 2025 draft class at this year’s camp, the other being German third-round pick Maxim Schafer.
“I don’t care where you’re drafted, first round [or not], you look around, and you’re like, ‘These are some NHL superstars,’” Carbery said. “So, it’s a little bit overwhelming, and you got coaches and you’re trying to figure out systems. You’re just trying to figure everything out, and for him to come in and perform the way he has the first two days and be as engaged and confident is unique.”
During the 2024-25 campaign, Lakovic recorded a team-leading 58 points (27g, 31a) in 47 games for the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors and was named the team’s captain in February. Lakovic was left with almost no help during the season, as every single player that finished ahead of him in scoring the prior season (2023-24) either did not play with the Warriors at all this past year or was traded midseason.
After breaking his collarbone in December, Lakovic missed two months of the campaign. Moose Jaw won just three of the 19 games (3-14-2) that they played without him in the lineup. Luckily, Lakovic had a better supporting cast over the offseason, training with several NHL veterans like Brayden Schenn, Luke Schenn, and Shea Theodore.
“I think a lot of it started with my summer training,” Lakovic said Friday. “Skating with these types of players just gives you more confidence coming into camp and knowing I can play and stick around with these guys. I think I’ve done that so far, but it’s only going to get harder, right? The game going to get faster and is going to get harder, and I have to play up to it.
“At this stage, you’re not expected to win all these battles and really stand out, but that’s not me. I think I want to stand out and really compete and challenge these guys, and I think I’m doing a decent job of that so far.”
Lakovic says he is leaning on one particular veteran Capitals player, alternate captain Tom Wilson, who has taken up a mentoring role for many of the team’s top prospects in recent years. Both Ryan Leonard and Andrew Cristall, members of the club’s 2023 draft class, said they heard from Wilson “a lot” during their first post-draft seasons.
“He’s been really nice to me,” Lakovic said. “It’s been good to share the ice with him and really get to know him. He called me a big boy, and I said, ‘Have you looked in the mirror?’ But no, he’s been awesome.”
The Capitals inked Lakovic to his three-year, entry-level contract at development camp in July. Before the start of this year’s rookie camp, Lakovic had already begun his WHL preseason with the Warriors. He played in one exhibition matchup for Moose Jaw, a 2-1 overtime victory over the Swift Current Broncos, where Lakovic scored the game’s opening goal and recorded the primary assist on the game-winning goal.
Lakovic’s early start may have helped him come into training camp at the top of his game and could even put him in contention to last far longer in camp than once expected. He has skated on two different lines the first two days, lining up with Eriks Mateiko and Spencer Smallman on day one and Graeme Clarke and Ilya Protas on day two.
“No doubt if we’re evaluating camp, he is one of the people that have stood out thus far,” Carbery said. “There’s a long way to go. Some exhibition games that he’ll get into, and we’ll see what’s there. But if we’re having the same conversation in a week after two exhibition games, maybe [his standing] changes a little bit. Maybe we’re considering that option.”
The Capitals open their preseason on Sunday against the Bruins when they travel to Boston. The team’s young prospects usually line up more often in the first few preseason games, so Lakovic should soon get his first taste of NHL action.
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