The Washington Capitals were struggling to fill seats in the earliest years of existence as a franchise. Abe Pollin who was team owner at the time needed a jolt or he would have faced the possability of relocation. Just prior to the start of the 1982-83 season, the Save the Caps campaign worked and the team stayed.
That campaign worked in large part to this trade I'm about to tell you about, when the team acquired Rod Langway in a blockbuster deal along with Doug Jarvis, Craig Laughlin, and Brian Engblom in exchange for Ryan Walter and Rick Green.
Rod Langway: The Secretary of Defense
On August 30, 1982, Mr. Pollin hired David Poile to be the general manager and this trade he did didn't disappoint Poile's new boss. Though Rick Green and Ryan Walter were two of Pollin's favorite players at the time. Walter was even a team captain. In return was four players led by Langway.
"Four guys with completely different skillsets but definitely things this organization desperately needed. "Al Koken/Monumental Sports Network
It was a complete unknown at the time but the trade turned out to pay dividends. The Capitals would be saved not only from relocation but would make the playoffs in every one of the 11 years Langway was with the team after missing the playoffs for their first eight seasons.
As a captain of the team, Langway became a leader and earned the nickname "Secretary of Defense" and many considered him the franchise's savior that helped keep the team from moving out of the DMV area.
Langway wasn't a high scoring defender but rather a traditional defender that was likened to a "cool summer breeze" as he scored three goals during one of his best seasons. However, there was a goal against the New York Rangers where Langway beat Mike Richter in the 1990 playoffs that many fans remember.
Langway would take home the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman in 1983 and 1984 and in that 1984 campaign finished as runner up to Wayne Gretzky for the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's MVP.
"Rod Langway, there was no better defenseman in the National Hockey League for a few years and he brought that stability."Alan May/Monumental Sports Network
"Overnight we turned into a defensive team, one of the best defensive teams, maybe one of the best defensive teams for years and Langway was the start of that," said Don Fishman, assistant general manager in the YouTube video above.
Langway is still around the organization to this day and you may even spot him at a practice or a game.