Capitals rookie Ryan Leonard ‘just has it,’ and he gave it to the Sharks

SAN JOSE — Ryan Leonard knows what’s expected of him. The Washington Capitals rookie can roll off the clichés of a typical hockey interview with ease. It’s always about the team. Leonard is just happy to be here. All he wants is to keep helping the team win.

But for all the projected humility that’s de rigueur for a young hockey player, the 20-year-old winger remains the same kid who blew a kiss to the Swedish crowd when he scored for the United States in the gold medal game of the 2024 World Junior Championships. Leonard is still the same player who was yelling “Bang!” when he scored at his first development camp after the Capitals drafted him in 2023.