Breaking down the legacy of David Poile with the Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals NHL Draft will be at The Sphere in Las Vegas but the festivities have been going on all week long ever since the finals ended. Recently the NHL announced their Hockey Hall of Fame inductees and one recipent built the Caps into the powerhouse they are today.

As an executive and a former player, Poile built the Capitals into a family culture as the son of former NHL executive Bud Poile. He was one of seven NHL legends that were announced into the HoF.

Capitals chairman and Monumental Sports and Entertinment's vice chairman and partner Dick Patrick said in a statement:

""In his 15 seasons as general manager, the Capitals experienced prolonged success on the ice, which included a run of 14 straight playoff appearances from 1983 to 1996. David was instrumental in establishing the Capitals as an eminent franchise in both the Washington, D.C. market and NHL, and his impact is still felt today through those he brought into the organization. We commend David and his family on this tremendous and well deserved honor.""

- Dick Patrick

Poile served as general manager of the Caps from 1983 to 1996 posting a record of 594-454-124. While they did win one divisiion title, the Capitals made the playoffs 14 consecutive years. It was his 15th season when the Caps missed the playoffs as the Caps went 33-40-9. That prompted Abe Pollin to hire George McPhee which led to Brian MacLellan.

Both GM's after Poile did an amazing job with the way the team and the culture has been built for the last 50 years. There's no Eastern Conference championship in 1998 without Poile. There's no Stanley Cup in 2018 without Poile. He was the arcitect for the past, the present and the future and there is no better GM to get this honor for a franchise's 50th anniversary.