Washington Capitals: Top 10 Defensemen In Team History
Washington Capitals Top Ten Defensemen: #9
player. 19. . Defenseman. Capitals. Larry Murphy. 9
Number nine on our list is a Hockey Hall Of Famer: Larry Murphy.
"Early in his fourth season with L.A., Larry was traded to the Washington Capitals. On October 18, 1983, the Kings sent Murphy to the Nation’s Capital in exchange for Ken Houston and Brian Engblom. It turned out to be one of the most lopsided trades of all-time. While Houston and Engblom scored a combined 93 points over the remainder of their careers, Larry Murphy added another 1,009 points before retiring in 2001. Larry Murphy continued his offensive exploits with Washington, earning his first selection to the NHL’s All-Star Team in 1987. Murphy was selected to the league’s Second Team after compiling 23 goals (a career best) and 81 points, the second highest total of his career. On March 7, 1989, just before the playoff run, Larry was part of a blockbuster trade that saw him and Mike Gartner go to the Minnesota North Stars, while Dino Ciccarelli and Bob Rouse packed for Washington. – Washington Capitals"
Murphy played 453 games with the Capitals. Here’s where he ranks among the qualified defenseman.
- 344 points (sixth out of 34)
- 85 goals (sixth out of 34)
- 259 assists (fifth out of 34)
- 57 in plus-minus (sixth out of 34)
Murphy was obtained by the Washington Capitals back in 1983. The Caps traded him to the Minnesota North Stars in 1989. He later went on to sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins and helped them win back to back championships. He also helped the Detroit Red Wings accomplish that same feat.
Murphy would be ranked higher on this list, but he only played in 453 games for the Caps, which is quite low when compared with the other members of this list.
Still, he’s a member of the Hockey Hall Of Fame, and only two other members of this list are members of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Next: Number Eight: A Hockey Ambassador