We’ve counted down the greatest right wingers and left wingers in Washington Capitals history. Now it’s time to look at one of the most important positions of the forwards, the centers. Basically the quarterback of the ice. We all probably know who number one is but who are the other four?
#5 Michal Pivonka
Michal Pivonka was selected by the Capitals in the third round at 59th overall in the 1984 NHL Draft. He spent all 13 years of his NHL career with the Caps. Appearing in 825 total games, Pivonka scored 181 goals and added 418 assists for 599 points. HIs rookie season was in 1986-87 in a year that saw him score 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points.
The following year he scored 11 goals and added 23 assists for 35 points. His next year saw him score eight goals and 19 assists for 27 points. He bounced back in 1989-90 with a career high 25 goals and 39 assists for 64 points. The next year he had 20 goals and 50 assists for 70 points.
1991-92 Pivonka had 23 goals and 57 assists for 80 points. The next year he had 21 goals and 53 assists for 74 points. Pivonka added 14 and 10 goals, respectively, the next two seasons. In 1995-96, he recorded 16 goals and 65 assists for 81 points.
Pivonka was the original playmaking center, like an 80s and 90s version of Nicklas Backstrom.