Washington Capitals: Top 10 Draft Busts Of All-Time
Washington Capitals Draft Busts: Joe Finley
With the 27th overall pick of the 2005 NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals drafted defenseman Joe Finley. Finley, like most of the Caps draft picks in 2005, was a complete bust. He would play in just 21 NHL games, scoring just one point (an assist). What makes it even more painful is that the Capitals could have drafted one of several very productive players.
They could have drafted, ironically, Matt Niskanen. He was drafted with the 28th overall pick by the Dallas Stars. In 573 NHL games, he has 198 points with a plus/minus of +46. He would have been nice for the Capitals to have back around 2009-2010 or 2010-2011.
They could have also drafted forward Steve Downie, who was drafted with the 29th overall pick by the Philadelphia Flyers. He might be an enemy of the Capitals, but in 408 games he has 190 points.
They could have also drafted defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic of the San Jose Sharks instead. Vlasic was drafted by the Sharks with the 35th overall pick. Vlasic is often regarded as one of the better defensemen in the NHL. In 670 NHL games, he has 187 points.
Next: Number Eight: Trevor Halverson and Pat Peake