Washington Capitals: Re-Drafting The 2002 NHL Draft
Washington Capitals 2002 Draft: First Round
The Washington Capitals had three first round picks in the 2002 NHL Draft. They had the privilege of having the 12th overall pick, 13th overall pick and the 17th overall pick. They pretty much nailed all three picks because each of those three picks contributed to the Capitals. Let’s meet the 2002 first rounders!
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With the 12th overall pick, the Washington Capitals drafted defenseman Steve Eminger of the Kitchener Rangers (OHL). In five seasons with the Caps, Eminger played in 212 games and had 43 points. His greatest value to the Capitals did not come on the ice. It came in 2008, when the Washington Capitals traded him to the Flyers for a first round pick. Who was the first round pick? Oh, just some guy named John Carlson. Thanks Philly! The Caps could have selected a better player, but this one gets a pass because he got us Carlson.
With the 13th overall pick, the Caps selected arguably their most polarizing player ever in Alex Semin. Caps fans came to either love him or hate him (personally I loved him) in his 469 games in the nation’s capital. Few players possess the ability to make fans want them in the dog house (450 penalty minutes) and suddenly make fans want them out of it (408 points). Semin and the Caps didn’t have the prettiest break up and some fans still hate him. However, I’ll remember him as the guy who busted his butt for Dale Hunter. Few guys were productive with him as head coach. Semin was one of them. Go figure. I have no problems with this pick, I think it was definitely the right one.
With the 17th overall pick, the Caps selected a fan favorite in forward Boyd Gordon. Gordon started my tradition of finding a bottom six forward (preferably the least skilled one) and rooting for them to score because they’re awesome. In seven seasons with the Capitals, he played in 363 games and had 85 points. Overall, this was a pretty good pick for the Washington Capitals. However, Alex Steen would have certainly been a better pick and he was selected with the 24th overall pick.
Next: The Second Round