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Washington Capitals: Top 5 greatest coaches of all-time

By Michael Marzzacco

Barry Trotz, Washington Capitals (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Barry Trotz, Washington Capitals (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Ron Wilson, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport
Ron Wilson, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport /

#3 Ron Wilson

Ron Wilson was the first head coach to guide the Capitals to the Stanley Cup Final in 1998 before falling to the Detroit Red Wings in four games as part of their dynasty. What’s impressive is he guided the Caps to the Stanley Cup in his first season as head coach. He went 40-30-12 that year for 92 points.

1998-99 was a down year as Wilson went 31-45-6 for 68 points. He bounced back in the 1999-00 season with a 44-24-12-2 record for 102 points to finish first place in the Southeast Division. The next year he went 41-27-10-4 for 96 points. His final season saw him go 36-33-11-2 for 85 points.

Overall, Ron Wilson spent five seasons with the Capitals and coached in 410 games. His record was 192-159-51-8 for 443 points. Wilson replaced #5 on this list Jim Schoenfeld after the club failed to make the playoffs in 1996-97.

Wilson’s first season was a successful one and a 17 point improvement from the previous season. In the playoffs, the Capitals defeated the Boston Bruins in the first round, Ottawa Senators in the second round, and Buffalo Sabres in the Eastern Conference Finals.

After a down season the next year, Wilson coached the Caps to back to back Southeast Division title. He makes this list as being the first coach to guide the team to the finals.

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