Back in 2012, the Washington Capitals were sitting pretty. With two early first-round picks in a deep draft, the Caps could select two players that could potentially put them over the top during the final years of Alex Ovechkin’s prime (aka right now).
With the 11th overall pick, the Capitals selected Filip Forsberg, the best European player in the draft, after he fell out of the top ten due to a run on defensemen. Five spots later, the Capitals went off the board to select Tom Wilson with the 16th overall pick.
The Capitals were fortunate to land Forsberg, but a year later, Capitals general manager George McPhee, assistant GM Brian MacLellan, and the rest of the team’s pro scouts agreed unanimously to trade him for Martin Erat and Michael Latta. Since then, Forsberg has turned into a superstar while Erat (KHL) and Latta (Rockford IceHogs) are no longer in the Caps organization. Meanwhile Tom Wilson remains a bottom six forward. The Forsberg trade is widely considered the worst trade in Capitals history.
Monday night after beating the Anaheim Ducks 6-3, the Predators earned their first Stanley Cup Final berth for the first time in franchise history. They are led by Forsberg and head coach Peter Laviolette (who the Capitals passed over to hire Barry Trotz).
Check out the Predators celebrating.
I am very happy for the Predators, especially former Capitals GM David Poile, but very angry at my favorite hockey team right now.
Russian Machine Never Breaks is not associated with the Washington Capitals; Monumental Sports, the NHL, or its properties. Not even a little bit.
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