Washington Capitals: Re-Drafting The 2002 NHL Draft

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 a perennial 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 a draft the had a very memorable first round for the Caps: the 2002 NHL Draft. 

The Washington Capitals had a grand total of 13 draft picks in the 2002 NHL Draft. They had three first round picks, a second round pick, two third round picks, two fourth round picks, a fifth round pick, a sixth round pick, a seventh round pick, an eighth round pick and a ninth round pick. Of those 13 draft picks, three of them became NHL players. All three of them contributed positively to the Caps, including one in a pretty unique way.

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? 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 Unforgettable First Round