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Washington Capitals: All-time defensemen lineup

By Michael Marzzacco

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 08: Former Washington Capitals captain Rod Langway is shown with his former general manager, David Poile, prior to the NHL game between the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks, held on March 8, 2018, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Langway was Poile's first major trade and his first captain. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 08: Former Washington Capitals captain Rod Langway is shown with his former general manager, David Poile, prior to the NHL game between the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks, held on March 8, 2018, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Langway was Poile's first major trade and his first captain. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The first pair

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – 1988: The New Jersey Devils’ left wing Perry Anderson #25 and the Washington Capitals’ defenceman Kevin Hatcher #4 skate near the boards during the Patrick Division Finals at the Meadowlands Arena circa 1987-88 season in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – 1988: The New Jersey Devils’ left wing Perry Anderson #25 and the Washington Capitals’ defenceman Kevin Hatcher #4 skate near the boards during the Patrick Division Finals at the Meadowlands Arena circa 1987-88 season in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images) /

Rod Langway-Kevin Hatcher

2000 Season: Rod Langway, Washington Capitals. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
2000 Season: Rod Langway, Washington Capitals. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images) /

No Washington Capitals top defensive pair would be polarizing without the secretary of defense. Rod Langway helped save a franchise when owner Abe Pollin and company made a blockbuster trade with the Montreal Canadiens. It was a part of a package deal with Doug Jarvis, Craig Laughlin and Brian Engbolm as well.

A playoff drought of eight since entering the league, Langway helped lead the Capitals to the playoffs for the first time in their franchise history. The Capitals made the playoffs all 11 seasons Langway was a member of the squad. While Langway wasn’t much of an offensive threat, his defensive tenacity made those Washington teams unstoppable and fans gave him the nickname the “Secretary of Defense”.

Langway won back-to-back Norris Trophies in 1983 and 1984 as the league’s top defenseman. He also has his number hanging on the rafters atop Capital One Arena.

Kevin Hatcher was drafted in the first round by the Capitals in 1984 at 17th overall. Hatcher and Langway were teammates for nine of Langways 11 seasons in the Nation’s Capital before the latter retired after the 1992-93 season. That 1992-93 season was Hatcher’s best season where he scored a career-high 34 goals and 79 points. He led all NHL defensemen that season.

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That is our list of our all-time defensemen lineup. Do you agree with our selections? Did we miss someone? Let us know in the comments!

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