Leonard signed an 8-year, $84,000,000 extension with Washington just two weeks before the start of the season. Washington’s hefty upfront investment in a player with just 84 career games is just another example of teams looking to gain an early edge in the league’s new cap growth environment by locking up their top young talent before they’ve reached peak production. Leonard has spent the first few weeks of the 2026-27 season showing the league why he was more than deserving of his new extension. Through nine games, Leonard leads the Caps in points (eight) despite being only 6th in TOI amongst forwards. In just this small sample size, we’ve seen top-line level play and production from the 21-year-old. Leonard’s player profile is a unique one. He’s not a burner by NHL standards, but he has the speed and puck skills to be dynamic in open-ice while also having the physicality and size to maintain possession when he doesn’t create separation. When you factor in Leonard’s elite shot, you’re looking at a 35-goal, 70-point winger as soon as his on-ice deployment allows for it. Washington’s offseason additions of Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, and Boone Jenner created even more traffic amongst an already busy Capitals forward group.

Thus far, Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery has pretty consistently rolled four lines and equally split power-play time amongst two groups to deal with the talent concentration. As a result, Leonard is averaging just over 14 minutes of time on ice per game this season. He has yet to officially get a consistent introduction to the Capitals top-six, and unless he continues to play great hockey its hard to imagine him truly breaking into the top-6 this season. Despite his talent level, his current production is typically unsustainable at 14 minutes of total ice time and a split power play. Owners in redraft leagues might want to explore Leonard as a sell-high option while his current level of play continues. However, owners in dynasty leagues need only to bide their time a little bit longer as Leonard is likely to be the main beneficiary of Alex Ovechkin’s retirement at the end of the season. That should allow his production to begin being more reflective of his talent level as he begins his first year on his new extension.

Dominated the NCAA scoring goals at will, and though he did not capture the championship (or the Hobey Baker), he did win back-to-back World Junior goals, captaining the year two squad. He played in the NHL regular season and playing, scoring one goal in nine games. He factors in to be the 3rd line RW and a Calder candidate, if he can get more ice time.

Leonard was named the “Player of the Year” for Hockey East in 2024-25. The award was not unexpected the way he has played this season.

Leonard was named the 2024-25 Hockey East Scoring champion with 46 points in 34 games, 29 of those being goals. He was also awarded the Three Stars award from Hockey East. The next step is playoff battles and then likely signing a contract with the Capitals and getting in some NHL games. Pat Quinn