The Washington Capitals turn 50 this year babes so let's look back at the legends who donned the uniform and got their numbers raised to the rafters. Here's hoping Peter Bondra and Olaf Kolzig someday get their night. We all know Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom someday will.
#5 Rod Langway 1982-93
Rod Langway is nicknamed Secretary of Defense and for good reason. Starting his career drafted witht the Montral Canadiens, he helped them win the Stanley Cup at just 22 years old. Then he was traded to the Caps for the start of the 1982-83 season in the Save the Caps campaign.
It was a blockbuster trade as Abe Pollin and company acquired Doug Jarvis, Craig Laughlin, and Brian Engblom in return for Ryan Walter and Rick Green. That turned the tide for the franchise. It saved them from moving out of the area and stockpiled them for all of the 11 years Langway was on the team. The Caps never made the playoffs prior to the trade.
Langway was more than just a cool dude with a sweet nickname that was clutch. He was a leader in the locker room. He had an offensive shot like a cool breeze this time of year as we wait in anticipation for fall.