Originally published in The Hockey News on Aug. 1, 1983 by Bryan Murray
For a team that came close to becoming the Tacoma Capitals. Washington didn't fare too badly last season — if the first-ever playoff berth in the history of the franchise is any indication.
Abe Pollin, the Caps' owner, indicated in the summer of 1982 that he could not continue to lose money—he'd lost $25 million in eight seasons of paying the team's bills—and that he'd be forced to move the team to Tacoma unless certain economic conditions were met.
Two of Pollin's demands—a reduction in admission tax and rent at the Capital Center—were satisfied. Two others—7,500 season's tickets sold and a sellout for the first 10 home games—fell ridiculously short, but Pollin was satisfied enough to stay in Washington.
But he wasn't satisfied with general manager Roger Crozier and axed him. His replacement was David Poile, the son of Central League president Bud Poile and the assistant GM of the Calgary Flames.
After only a week on the job, Poile consummated a trade, which became known as THE TRADE of the 1982-83 season. In exchange for forward Ryan Walter and defenseman Rick Green, the Caps received defensemen Brian Engblom, a second-team all-star the previous season, and Rod Langway, and forwards Doug Jarvis and Craig Laughlin.
Everyone viewed the Caps as the undeniable winners in the trade and Washington proved why with their third-place finish in the tough Patrick Division. In fact, the Caps had second place nailed down heading into the last week of the season, but the Islanders, who eventually won the Stanley Cup, beat them in a few crucial games to finish ahead of them.
The Caps lost in four games in their playoff with the Islanders, but served notice they are no longer sadsacks.
This season, the Caps will emphasize defense. They're so serious about it that they dispatched the club’s all-time leading scorer. Dennis Maruk, to Washington for a second-round draft choice and cash. In addition, they swapped their first-round pick in the ‘83 entry draft for Winnipeg center Dave Christian, the former U.S. Olympian who was involved in a contract dispute with the Jets.
These moves will determine the fate of the Caps this season. While Maruk might not have been able to make the switch to wing from center, he was a superb goal-scorer and they'll have a more difficult time putting the puck in the net without him. With 209 points in 230 NHL games. Christian is an above-average player, but he was injured last season and bugged by his contract hassles. His forte is strong two-way play.
When the Montreal Canadiens dominated the ‘70s it was with their Big Three on defense—Larry Robinson, Serge Savard and Guy Lapointe. The Caps have the ‘80s version in Langway, the winner of the Norris Trophy. Engblom and Scott Stevens, who made the team in his rookie season. Barring injury, this trio will give the Caps a blueline foundation for years to come. Not to be overlooked are Darren Veitch, who was injured for most of the season, Greg Theberge and Timo Blomqvist. This is about as good a defense corps as any in the league.
On left wing, the Caps own one of the finest in 20-year-old Bobby Carpenter. He produced 32 goals and 37 assists last season, but this is his third season and he has the capability to do much better.
Another fine left winger is Bengt Gustaffson, who was injured but tallied 64 points in 67 games. If he’s healthy, the Swede will have no problem improving on that stat. Craig Laughlin was supposed to be a throw-in in THE TRADE, but the 25-year-old notched 44 points. Gaetan Duschene teamed with center Glen Currie and right winger Bobby Gould on the Caps’ Gee Whiz Line and was a pleasant surprise with 37 points and a plus-15.
Christian becomes the team's top pivot and he’ll have a lot of pressure. Alan Haworth, who struggled in the Buffalo organization, produce 23 goals and 27 assists in his first season with the Caps. Currie, a relative nobody on the club, was another surprise with 39 points. Jarvis, a defensive specialist, and Chris Valentine, who split his time between Hershey and Washington, are the remaining centers.
Mike Gartner, who sustained an eye injury last season, is one of the best right wingers in the league. He’s averaged better than a point a game since being drafted fourth overall in 1979 and provided he’s healthy and is not burdened by the Caps' defensive alignment, he'll be one of the team’s top point-getters.
Gould produced 40 points and was considered one of the best defensive forwards last season. Ken Houston, who came over from Calgary and overcame a blood disorder, had 39 points. Mike Siltala scored 53 goals and 61 assists with the Ontario Hockey League Kingston Canadiens and he’ll be looking for a position on the right side.
Al Jensen was promoted from the minors and unseated Pat Riggin as the team’s No. 1 goalie. While Riggin finished with a slightly higher goals-against average (3.36 to 3.44), Jensen recorded the team’s only shutout and had management shaking their heads in disbelief. He didn’t even figure in the team’s plans, but his play last season should spark some interesting competition in training camp this season. Dave Parro would appear to be odd-man out.
Poile believes he now has the talent to get the job done—it’s just a matter of letting coach Bryan Murray meld it together into a cohesive unit that accentuates defense. If all goes well, there shouldn’t be any more talk of the Tacoma Capitals.