Top 5 biggest trading mistakes in Capitals history

The Washington Capitals have been known to have made mistakes throughout their history when it comes to making trades. This post will look at the top 5 biggest trading mistakes the Capitals ever made.

These trades were knee jerk reactions that whoever the general manager was, thought would make the team useful but ended up hurting them in the long run. Sometimes it’s giving up a star or a valuable prospect. Other times it’s those knee jerk reactions for a temporary solution in landing a big star.

Let’s look at 5 of the Caps biggest mistakes when it comes to trades.

#5 Robert Lang for Tomas Fleischmann and two draft picks

The 2003-04 season was the lowest point for the franchise. Not only were they failing to win on the ice but were also facing financial difficulties. This move would give the Detroit Red Wings a boost but would continue to make things complicated for the Caps.

Up until the 2004 trade deadline, Robert Lang had the best season of his career leading the league in scoring with 29 goals and 45 assists. The Caps got Tomas Fleischmann in the deal along with a first round draft pick in 2004 and a fourth round draft pick in 2006.

Lang would see the playoffs instantly with the Red Wings. Fleischmann struggled and didn’t have good production until 2007.