Ryan Leonard

When Can Newly-Drafted Prospects Break Through Into The NHL?

When do or can prospects make the jump to the NHL/AHL level? Most NHL prospects take 3-5 years post-draft to reach the NHL, with less than a third of first-rounders making an NHL team. Factors like skill development and individual progression dictate the timeline. Additionally, a strict NHL-CHL agreement impacts where prospects can play, depending on age. Any player under the age of 20 is ineligible to play in the AHL. NHL Entry Draft intricacies, entry-level contracts, Russian political issues and AHL stints shape a prospect’s journey.

Capitals’ Prospects Making Waves

The future of the Washington Capitals is looking very bright. Young prospects are making fantastic moves in the AHL, World Juniors, and WHL. Let’s check in on these guys and see a small glimpse into Washington’s (probably) successful future. Andrew Cristall Andrew Cristall, 18, was selected in the second round of the 2023 draft. Unfortunately, […]

Capitals Set to Rebound From Disappointing 2022-2023 Season

In the 2022-2023 NHL season, the Washington Capitals found themselves missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in nine seasons. Poor coaching choices, injuries, and a lack of discipline on the ice left the team with a 35-37-10 record, finishing the season 6th in the NHL Metropolitan Division. As the 2023-2024 season quickly […]

Members of the Washington Capitals are coached by Peter Laviolette during a practice during the 2022-23 season.

Washington’s Summer So Far

The Washington Capitals are in the middle of the franchise’s longest summer in nine years. The team’s season came to an official end on April 13th but had been emotionally over since the fourth. General Manager Brian MacLellan has had a lot to consider before Free Agency opens at noon today. The first task on […]

Who Was Selected on Day One of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft

The 2023 NHL Entry Draft has all of the hype surrounding it, here at Inside The Rink, a group of multiple writers wrote prospect profiles throughout a set period of time. Day one of the draft is upon us and the first 32 selections have arrived. 1st overall – Chicago Blackhawks With the first overall […]

Sharks select Will Smith with the 4th overall pick.

Nashville – The San Jose Sharks have selected Will Smith with the 4th overall pick. Smith spent last season with the USNTDP, where he scored 51 goals, and 76 assists in 60 games. Smith was also named the MVP of the U18s, where America won gold over Sweden. “Mostly, these dangles serve Smith’s ends as […]

Kelowna Rockets Center Andrew Cristall Skating Towards Bench to Celebrate Goal

Anselmo’s Final Top 100 for the 2023 NHL Entry-Draft

The 2023 NHL Entry-Draft is one of the deepest classes we’ve seen in a while. This is a draft you won’t want to miss, highlighted by potential superstars like Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, and Matvei Michkov. For contending team’s the draft can be seen as a whatever, but with how much talent is available this […]

2023 Draft Prospect Profile: Ryan Leonard

National Hockey League 2023 draft prospect Ryan Leonard was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, on January 21, 2005. The 18-year-old center is projected by some to be chosen in the top ten of this year’s draft. Leonard is a 6-foot, 195-pound right-shot center who plays a hard game, wins puck battles, and has tremendous versatility that […]

Ryan Leonard Added To Team USA Hockey World Junior Evaluation Camp Roster

Team USA has added Ryan Leonard and five other players to the 2022 National Junior Evaluation Camp at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan. The camp will serve as a final evaluation in advance of selecting the final roster that will travel to Edmonton, Alberta, for the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship re-start. The original […]

Preseason Scouting Report: USNTDP Forward Ryan Leonard

Ryan Leonard is a 2023 NHL draft-eligible prospect from Amherst, Massachusetts, a town located approximately 90 miles west of Boston. Amherst is also home to the UMass Minutemen, but Leonard is committed to Boston College in Fall 2023. Leonard played prep school hockey at the prestigious Pope Francis in Springfield, MA. In the 2019-20 season, […]