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Washington Capitals: Top 10 best NHL Draft picks in team history

By Michael Marzzacco

Nicklas Backstrom, Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Nicklas Backstrom, Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Steve Konowalchuk, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport
Steve Konowalchuk, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport /

#9 Steve Konowalchuk

Steve Konowalchuk was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the third round at 58th overall in 1991. He was called up in the 1991-92 season appearing in one game and serving as an extra during the playoffs. He would score his first NHL goal on Halloween night in 1992 in Edmonton. His 1992-93 season was split between NHL and AHL action before taking on a full time role with the Caps.

He started off with 12 and 11 goals, respectively in his first two full seasons with the Caps before posting a then career best 23 goals in 1995-96 in 70 games. He helped Team USA win the first ever World Cup of Hockey in 1996.

Konowalchuk would continue to score double digits in goals and assists the next four seasons. He had a career high 24 goals and 23 assists in the 2000-01 season. The next season he was named co team captain with Brendan Witt. In 2002-03, Konowalchuk was promoted to sole team captain.  The Caps would finish second in the Southeast Division and make the playoffs that season.

The 2003-04 season was dreadful right from the beginning and like Gonchar, Konowalchuk was also a part of the Caps fire sale. He was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in a tanking season so that the Caps could land that number one draft pick.

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