Washington Capitals: Re-Drafting The 2003 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 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 worst drafts as the Washington Capitals general manager: the 2003 NHL Draft.
The Washington Capitals had six draft picks in the 2003 NHL Draft. Of those six players, only one of them was able to become an NHL player.
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 Rounder
Washington Capitals 2003 Draft: First Round
In the first round of the 2003 NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals had the 18th overall pick. With that selection, they drafted forward Eric Fehr from the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL.
Eric Fehr’s stats so far in the NHL compared to the other players drafted in the first round:
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While we love the F-16 here at Stars and Sticks, the Washington Capitals could have done better. For example, one pick after Fehr, the Anaheim Ducks drafted Ryan Getzlaf.
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Imagine if Bruce Boudreau got to work with not just Nicklas Backstrom, but Getzlaf as well. Holy cow. Granted, it would be really tough to keep Backstrom, Alex Ovechkin, and Getzlaf in the salary cap era. However, the Washington Capitals could have at least made a really good run for a few years before most likely having to trade one of Backstrom or Getzlaf. They could have gotten an excellent return for whoever they decided to trade though.
Suppose you don’t like Getzlaf because, I don’t know, he’s bald or something. That’s fine. The Washington Capitals could have also gone with forward (and current teammate of Getzlaf) Ryan Kesler, who was drafted with the 23rd overall pick.
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Not a Kesler fan either? Well, the Caps could have chosen any one of the following players over Fehr.
- Brent Burns (20th overall pick)
- Mike Richards (24th overall pick)
- Corey Perry (28th overall pick)
Take your pick. I’ll go with Getzlaf.
Next: Third Round
Washington Capitals 2003 Draft Third Round
In the third round of the 2003 NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals owned the 83rd overall pick. With that pick, they selected forward Stephen Werner from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. He was born in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Werner attempted to become one of the very few NHLers from the Maryland/DC area (Jeff Halpern is the only meaningful one in recent years).
Sadly, Werner would fail in that endeavor despite a fairly successful college career, as he only played 38 games with the Hershey Bears. The Washington Capitals could have gotten much better value from drafting defenseman Jan Hejda. Hejda has played in 627 games. In those 627 games, he has 135 points.
Hejda could have been a valuable piece to the Caps. At least a more valuable piece than Werner was.
Next: Fourth Round
Washington Capitals 2003 Draft Fourth Round
In the fourth round of the 2003 NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals owned the 109th overall pick, the eighth pick of the round. With the 109th overall pick, the Caps selected left wing Andreas Valdix from Malmo IF of the SEL. He never came over to North America and never played in a single game in the Capitals organization.
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Who should the Capitals have drafted instead? Good question. There weren’t many legitimate NHL players drafted in the fourth round. I narrowed it down to two players, and none of them are really that good.
They could have drafted forward Paul Bissonnette from the Saginaw Spirit (121st overall pick). He was nothing more than an extremely entertaining enforcer, but imagine 24/7 with the Washington Capitals and Penguins with Bissonnette AND Alex Ovechkin! Would have been really fun! Just saying. Of course, with Bissonnette, the Caps probably don’t sign Donald Brashear.
They also could have drafted defenseman Kyle Quincey from the London Knights (132nd overall pick). In 448 NHL games, he has 129 points. He could have added some physical presence to the Caps blue line.
Next: Fifth Round
Washington Capitals 2003 Draft Fifth Round
Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
In the fifth round of the 2003 NHL Draft, the Caps owned the 155th overall pick, the 19th pick of the round. With the 155th overall pick, the Caps selected forward Josh Robertson from the Proctor Academy of New Hampshire. He only played two years of college hockey with Northeastern University probably because of personal issues.
Who should the Caps have drafted instead? I narrowed it down to two players because they were the only two players drafted in the fifth round after Robertson to have an NHL career.
Center John Mitchell (picked by the Maple Leafs with the 158th overall pick) would have been a nice pick by the Caps. He’s at least a decent bottom six forward. He currently plays for the Colorado Avalanche. He has 149 points in 412 career NHL games.
Center Brad Richardson (picked by the Colorado Avalanche with the 163rd overall pick) would have been a decent selection. Like Mitchell, he’s an alright bottom six forward. He currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks. He has 149 points in 509 NHL games.
Next: The 8th and 9th Rounds
Washington Capitals 2003 Draft Eighth And Ninth Rounds
In the eighth round of the 2003 NHL draft, the Caps owned the 249th overall pick, the 20th pick of the round. With the 249th overall pick, the Caps selected center Andrew Joudrey from the Notre Dame Hounds. He has mostly been a career AHLer, though he did play one game with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He is currently playing hockey over in Germany.
The only player drafted in the eighth round who has had a successful NHL career was the one picked immediately after Joudrey. Shane O’Brien, a defenseman, has 92 points in 537 NHL games. He also has 916 penalty minutes.
In the ninth round of the 2003 NHL draft, the Caps had the 279th overall pick, the 18th pick of the round. With the 279th overall pick, the Capitals selected forward Mark Olafson from the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL. He never played a single game in the organization. They could have selected forward David Jones, who was picked with the 288th overall pick. In 387 NHL games, he has 173 points. He currently plays for the Calgary Flames.
Overall, the 2003 NHL draft was pretty disappointing for the Washington Capitals. At least they got Eric Fehr. To be fair (pun intended), had Fehr not suffered so many injuries, maybe he’d be looking like a much better draft pick. I think the 2003 NHL draft reminds us all how difficult it is to draft hockey players. Some pan out.
Some
Most don’t.
Tomorrow, we’ll take a look at the 2002 NHL Draft.
Next: Re-Drafting The 2004 NHL Draft