The Washington Capitals selected Defenseman Leon Muggli with the 52nd overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft Saturday afternoon at The Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. Earlier in the round the Capitals traded Beck Malenstyn to Buffalo for their 43rd overall pick. The Capitals then selected deeenseman Cole Hutson with the pick.
Muggli, 17, spent the 2023-24 season with EV Zug of the Swiss National League, where he led all under-18 skaters with 12 points (3g, 9a) in 42 games. Muggli’s 12 points were the most ever by a defenseman age 17 or younger in league history.
Muggli’s smooth and agile footwork set the foundation of his game. When he’s set and ready for the rush, beating him wide is close to an impossible task. He absorbs the attack and follows opponents with a combination of smooth pivots and backward strides, and then launches himself at them, stick outstretched, to knock the puck away. (Elite Prospects)
“You dream about it when you’re young and now, here in Vegas, you hear your name called to such a great organization—it’s great.”
Leon Muggli on what it means to be selected by the Capitals in the 2024 #NHLDraft#CapsDraft | @Verizon pic.twitter.com/2AUTILuUJX
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 29, 2024
OTHER TAKES
A mobile and very smart defenseman with few weaknesses. Plays a routined game at a young age. Agile with a great range. Plays calm and if nessesary physical in puckbattels. (by Reto Grimm, October 2023)
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
RANKINGS
Ranked #55 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #88 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #56 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
Ranked #62 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #69 by THN/FERRARI
Ranked #80 by THN/KENNEDY
Ranked #49 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #48 by FLOHOCKEY/CHRIS PETERS
Ranked #56 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #58 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #11 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)
Ranked #60 by HPR/MALLOY
Ranked #70 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #54 by SPORTSNET/BUKALA
Ranked #56 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #37 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #53 by SMAHT SCOUTING
More to come…
By Jon Sorensen
