Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Over the next several weeks, we will be taking a look back at past Washington Capitals drafts and grading them. We will use hindsight within reason. For example, just because player A was drafted in the seventh round and is an NHL All-Star, that doesn’t mean we’ll say that the Washington Capitals should have drafted player A over player B in the first round. Today, let’s take a look at what was one of George McPhee‘s best drafts as the Washington Capitals general manager: the 2004 NHL Draft.
The Washington Capitals had a whopping 13 draft picks in the 2004 NHL Draft. Of their 13 draft picks in 2004, seven of them have played in the NHL. They had three first round picks, two second rounders, two third rounders, two fifth rounders, a sixth rounder, a seventh rounder, an eighth rounder, and a ninth rounder.
Each of those picks will be graded on several factors. First of all, what have they done in their career? Secondly, could the Washington Capitals have reasonably chosen a better player? We’ll look at the next five picks for each first, next ten for each second round pick and the next 15 for each of the subsequent rounds. Thirdly, what value did they bring the Washington Capitals, if any? Fourthly, what were the realistic expectations of the pick? It’s not worth getting upset over a seventh round pick, but it would be worth getting upset over a first round pick.
Next: The First Rounders