Washington Capitals: Top 30 Players In Franchise History

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Bengt-Ake Gustafsson

Coming in at number 13 on our countdown of the greatest Washington Capitals players in franchise history is forward Bengt-Ake Gustafsson. Gustafsson was an important part of the Capitals back in the 1980’s. He spent his entire nine season career with the Caps.

"His best season came in 1983-84 when he scored a career high 32 goals and 75 points while playing with linemates Dave Christian and Mike Gartner. Gustafsson had a particularly memorable game on January 8, 1984 in Philadelphia. He tied a club record for most goals in a game with 5! Gus scored on every shot he took that game.= Feeling he lost a significant step of speed, Gustafsson returned home for the 1986-87 season, playing for Bofors, essentially a development team in his hometown. Gustafsson used the season to reinvent his game after breaking the leg. By the end of the year he was back to top condition, leading Sweden in the world championships to a gold medal, the first for the country in 25 years. He also led the Swedes in the Canada Cup that September. Gustafsson returned to Washington in 1987 and picked up where he left off. His scoring totals were off slightly, but his playmaking abilities were a definite shot in the arm of the Washington power play. – Washington Capitals Legends"

Gustafsson played in 629 games for the Capitals. He scored 196 goals and had 359 assists for a total of 555 points in his career. He finished his career with a plus-minus rating of +49 and was a four-time finalist for the Selke Trophy. His hamstring injury in 1986 shortened his career by at least five years. It’s sad to think what he could have been because even when he retired, he was still an excellent player.

Next: #12