Washington Capitals: Top 5 best draft picks from the 1980s

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Darren Veitch, Washington Capitals (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images) /

#3 Darren Veitch

In 1980 the Caps drafted defenseman Darren Veitch with the fifth overall pick. He played with the Caps and their AHL affiliate the Hershey Bears. During his years with the Caps he set a record for most assists by a defenseman with 44 in his second season.

Veitch’s first season saw him score four goals and add 21 assists for 25 points. His second season he led defensemen with 44 assists to go along with nine goals and 53 points. His next season saw him record eight assists in 10 games. In 1983-84, he had six goals and 18 assists for 24 points in 46 games. His final full season in Washington saw him score three goals and add 14 assists for 17 points.

Veitch recorded three goals and nine assists for 12 points before he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in the 1985-86 season. He had his best years in Detroit but the unfortunate part is that his career was plagued with injuries. Another thing that got under Caps fan’s skin is that the next player drafted after him was Hall of Famer Paul Coffey.

So we are three players down and just two more to go and you shouldn’t be disappointed with who these last two 1980s players are.

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