Capitals front office predicted selecting Oliver Suvanto during team’s mock draft ahead of 2026 NHL Draft

The Washington Capitals front office completed their internal preparation for the 2026 NHL Draft by conducting a mock exercise one day before the real event. Assistant general manager Ross Mahoney led the process in Buffalo, where staff members were assigned to represent other NHL teams to simulate potential draft board outcomes. This preparation allowed the organization to test their situational awareness and prospect rankings under pressure.

During the session, team scouts acted out the first 20 picks, attempting to anticipate the moves of league rivals rather than simply following their own internal list. The team correctly predicted four of the actual 20 selections made on draft day. Their accuracy included the correct identification of their own pick at number 18, Finnish center Oliver Suvanto.

Finnish scout Matti Lamberg highlighted Suvanto for his high level of competitive maturity and dedication to the game. After the simulation, general manager Chris Patrick confirmed the team’s strategy to focus on the highest upside player available since they possessed limited picks in the early rounds. The organization ultimately moved forward with Suvanto, marking the first time in 20 years the team selected a player directly from Finland.

This behind-the-scenes look offers insight into the specific decision-making process within a front office. The exercise required staff to weigh positions and player potential while accounting for the unpredictable nature of other teams. By successfully landing their mock draft target in the actual draft, the Capitals demonstrated clear alignment between their pre-draft projections and their final selection.