2003–04 Washington Capitals season

NHL hockey team season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2003–04 Washington Capitals season was the Capitals's 30th season of play. The team finished in fifth and last-place in the Southeast Division, and fourteenth overall in the Eastern Conference, to miss the playoffs.

Division5th Southeast
Conference14th Eastern
2003–04 record23–46–10–3
Home record13–20–6–2
Quick facts Washington Capitals, Division ...
2003–04 Washington Capitals
Division5th Southeast
Conference14th Eastern
2003–04 record23–46–10–3
Home record13–20–6–2
Road record10–26–4–1
Goals for186
Goals against253
Team information
General managerGeorge McPhee
CoachBruce Cassidy (Oct.–Dec.)
Glen Hanlon (Dec.–Apr.)
CaptainSteve Konowalchuk (Oct.)
Vacant (Oct.–Apr.)
Alternate captainsPeter Bondra (Oct.–Feb.)
Jeff Halpern (Feb.–Apr.)
Jaromir Jagr (Oct.–Jan.)
Brendan Witt
ArenaMCI Center
Average attendance14,720
Minor league affiliatePortland Pirates
Team leaders
GoalsRobert Lang (29)
AssistsRobert Lang (45)
PointsRobert Lang (74)
Penalty minutesDarcy Verot (135)
Plus/minusRobert Lang (+2)
WinsOlaf Kolzig (19)
Goals against averageOlaf Kolzig (2.89)
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Regular season

On December 10, 2003, head coach Bruce Cassidy was fired after a disappointing 8–18–1–1 start to the season. Assistant coach Glen Hanlon was named his replacement.[1]

The Capitals were the most penalized team in the League, with 401 power-play opportunities against. They also scored the fewest short-handed goals in the League, with just 4.[2]

Final standings

More information No., CR ...
Southeast Division[3]
No. CR GP W L T OTL GF GA PTS
11Tampa Bay Lightning82462286245192106
210Atlanta Thrashers8233378421424378
311Carolina Hurricanes82283414617220976
412Florida Panthers82283515418822175
514Washington Capitals82234610318625359
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Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.

More information R, Div ...
Eastern Conference[4]
R Div GP W L T OTL GF GA Pts
1 Z- Tampa Bay LightningSE82462286245192106
2 Y- Boston BruinsNE824119157209188104
3 Y- Philadelphia FlyersAT824021156209188101
4 X- Toronto Maple LeafsNE824524103242204103
5 X- Ottawa SenatorsNE824323106262189102
6 X- New Jersey DevilsAT824325122213164100
7 X- Montreal CanadiensNE8241307420819293
8 X- New York IslandersAT82382911423721091
8.5
9 Buffalo SabresNE8237347422022185
10 Atlanta ThrashersSE8233378421424378
11 Carolina HurricanesSE82283414617220976
12 Florida PanthersSE82283515418822175
13 New York RangersAT8227407820625069
14 Washington CapitalsSE82234610318625359
15 Pittsburgh PenguinsAT8223478419030358
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Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast

Z – Clinched conference; Y – Clinched division; X – Clinched playoff spot

Schedule and results

More information Game, Date ...
2003–04 regular season[5]
October: 2–7–1–0 (home: 2–2–0–0; road: 0–5–1–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
1October 9, 20036–1New York Islanders (2003–04)1–0–0–0W
2October 11, 20033–4Atlanta Thrashers (2003–04)1–1–0–0L
3October 13, 20032–2 OT@ Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04)1–1–1–0T
4October 14, 20031–5@ Montreal Canadiens (2003–04)1–2–1–0L
5October 17, 20032–4@ Dallas Stars (2003–04)1–3–1–0L
6October 18, 20031–4@ St. Louis Blues (2003–04)1–4–1–0L
7October 23, 20031–5@ Ottawa Senators (2003–04)1–5–1–0L
8October 25, 20031–4@ Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04)1–6–1–0L
9October 29, 20032–4Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003–04)1–7–1–0L
10October 31, 20032–1Atlanta Thrashers (2003–04)2–7–1–0W
November: 5–8–0–1 (home: 1–4–0–1; road: 4–4–0–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
11November 1, 20031–2@ Minnesota Wild (2003–04)2–8–1–0L
12November 4, 20035–1@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)3–8–1–0W
13November 6, 20032–4@ Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04)3–9–1–0L
14November 8, 20032–3San Jose Sharks (2003–04)3–10–1–0L
15November 10, 20032–3Los Angeles Kings (2003–04)3–11–1–0L
16November 12, 20037–1Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04)4–11–1–0W
17November 14, 20032–5Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)4–12–1–0L
18November 15, 20032–1@ Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04)5–12–1–0W
19November 20, 20032–3@ Boston Bruins (2003–04)5–13–1–0L
20November 22, 20032–3 OTFlorida Panthers (2003–04)5–13–1–1OTL
21November 24, 20034–1@ Detroit Red Wings (2003–04)6–13–1–1W
22November 26, 20032–5@ Buffalo Sabres (2003–04)6–14–1–1L
23November 28, 20033–5Montreal Canadiens (2003–04)6–15–1–1L
24November 29, 20035–3@ Columbus Blue Jackets (2003–04)7–15–1–1W
December: 4–8–2–0 (home: 2–4–1–0; road: 2–4–1–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
25December 2, 20034–1@ New York Islanders (2003–04)8–15–1–1W
26December 4, 20030–3@ New Jersey Devils (2003–04)8–16–1–1L
27December 6, 20033–7@ Los Angeles Kings (2003–04)8–17–1–1L
28December 8, 20031–4@ Colorado Avalanche (2003–04)8–18–1–1L
29December 11, 20036–5Boston Bruins (2003–04)9–18–1–1W
30December 13, 20031–5Detroit Red Wings (2003–04)9–19–1–1L
31December 16, 20035–0@ Atlanta Thrashers (2003–04)10–19–1–1W
32December 17, 20032–2 OT@ Florida Panthers (2003–04)10–19–2–1T
33December 19, 20032–2 OTToronto Maple Leafs (2003–04)10–19–3–1T
34December 21, 20034–5New York Islanders (2003–04)10–20–3–1L
35December 23, 20033–2Montreal Canadiens (2003–04)11–20–3–1W
36December 27, 20031–3Buffalo Sabres (2003–04)11–21–3–1L
37December 29, 20031–3Boston Bruins (2003–04)11–22–3–1L
38December 31, 20031–7@ Buffalo Sabres (2003–04)11–23–3–1L
January: 5–7–2–1 (home: 3–4–2–0; road: 2–3–0–1)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
39January 1, 20042–2 OTNew Jersey Devils (2003–04)11–23–4–1T
40January 3, 20042–5@ Ottawa Senators (2003–04)11–24–4–1L
41January 4, 20041–4@ Montreal Canadiens (2003–04)11–25–4–1L
42January 7, 20040–3Phoenix Coyotes (2003–04)11–26–4–1L
43January 9, 20044–1Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04)12–26–4–1W
44January 11, 20041–0Edmonton Oilers (2003–04)13–26–4–1W
45January 14, 20043–3 OTCalgary Flames (2003–04)13–26–5–1T
46January 17, 20041–2 OT@ New Jersey Devils (2003–04)13–26–5–2OTL
47January 18, 20044–3Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04)14–26–5–2W
48January 21, 20042–3Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04)14–27–5–2L
49January 23, 20041–4@ Florida Panthers (2003–04)14–28–5–2L
50January 25, 20041–4Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04)14–29–5–2L
51January 28, 20042–1@ New York Rangers (2003–04)15–29–5–2W
52January 29, 20045–3@ Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04)16–29–5–2W
53January 31, 20041–6Vancouver Canucks (2003–04)16–30–5–2L
February: 4–5–3–0 (home: 2–2–2–0; road: 2–3–1–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
54February 3, 20042–1Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)17–30–5–2W
55February 4, 20041–5@ Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04)17–31–5–2L
56February 12, 20043–3 OT@ Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04)17–31–6–2T
57February 13, 20042–5@ Nashville Predators (2003–04)17–32–6–2L
58February 15, 20044–0@ Chicago Blackhawks (2003–04)18–32–6–2W
59February 17, 20041–1 OTOttawa Senators (2003–04)18–32–7–2T
60February 19, 20043–1New Jersey Devils (2003–04)19–32–7–2W
61February 21, 20042–2 OTFlorida Panthers (2003–04)19–32–8–2T
62February 23, 20043–6Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)19–33–8–2L
63February 25, 20041–2Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04)19–34–8–2L
64February 27, 20044–1@ Florida Panthers (2003–04)20–34–8–2W
65February 28, 20042–4@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)20–35–8–2L
March: 3–10–1–0 (home: 3–4–1–0; road: 0–6–0–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
66March 2, 20040–1Florida Panthers (2003–04)20–36–8–2L
67March 5, 20042–3@ New York Rangers (2003–04)20–37–8–2L
68March 6, 20042–1Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04)21–37–8–2W
69March 8, 20041–4Ottawa Senators (2003–04)21–38–8–2L
70March 10, 20040–6Buffalo Sabres (2003–04)21–39–8–2L
71March 12, 20043–4Chicago Blackhawks (2003–04)21–40–8–2L
72March 13, 20042–5@ Atlanta Thrashers (2003–04)21–41–8–2L
73March 16, 20041–4@ Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04)21–42–8–2L
74March 18, 20044–3 OTNew York Rangers (2003–04)22–42–8–2W
75March 20, 20042–2 OTAtlanta Thrashers (2003–04)22–42–9–2T
76March 23, 20040–3@ New York Islanders (2003–04)22–43–9–2L
77March 24, 20042–3@ Atlanta Thrashers (2003–04)22–44–9–2L
78March 27, 20041–4@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)22–45–9–2L
79March 30, 20044–2Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04)23–45–9–2W
April: 0–1–1–1 (home: 0–0–0–1; road: 0–1–1–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
80April 1, 20043–3 OT@ Boston Bruins (2003–04)23–45–10–2T
81April 3, 20042–3 OTNew York Rangers (2003–04)23–45–10–3OTL
82April 4, 20043–4@ Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04)23–46–10–3L

Legend: W Win (2 points) L Loss (0 points) T Tie (1 point) OTL Overtime loss (1 point)

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Player statistics

Scoring

  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Capitals only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Capitals only.
More information No., Player ...
No. Player Pos Regular season
GP G A Pts +/- PIM
20Robert Lang‡C63294574224
55Sergei Gonchar‡D5674249−2044
11Jeff HalpernC79192746−2156
68Jaromir Jagr‡RW46162945−426
12Peter Bondra‡RW54211435−1722
14Kip MillerC6692231−108
9Dainius ZubrusC54121527−1638
28Alexander SeminLW52101222−236
25Mike Grier‡RW6881220−1932
24Brian WillsieRW4910515−718
2Josef BoumedienneD3721214−1030
18Matt PettingerLW717512−937
29Joel KwiatkowskiD806612−2889
19Brendan WittD7221012−22123
23Trent WhitfieldC446511−214
3Jason DoigD652911−12105
22Anson Carter†‡RW19551026
13Bates Battaglia†LW664610−2338
15Boyd GordonC41156−98
4Rick BerryD65066−5108
27Craig Johnson†LW15066−68
51Stephen PeatRW64505−1090
8Steve EmingerD41044−1145
38Todd Rohloff†D35033−518
16Brian SutherbyC30202−528
27Ivan CiernikRW711210
92Michael Nylander‡C302218
76Darcy VerotLW37022−6135
34Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre†D13101−214
17John GrudenD11101−16
63Owen FusseyRW4011−10
37Olaf KolzigG630116
22Steve Konowalchuk‡LW6011−50
21Brooks Laich†C4011−10
41Brad Norton†D16011−417
33Maxime OuelletG60110
64Roman TvrdonC9011−32
49Dwayne ZingerD701129
69Mel Angelstad†LW200002
35Sebastien CharpentierG70000
36Jakub CuttaD3000−10
36Colin Forbes†C200000
58Jean-Francois FortinD200000
75Chris HajtD500002
39Graham MinkC2000−12
26Shaone Morrisonn†D300000
65Andrej PodkonickyC2000−10
1Rastislav StanaG60000
56Garret StrosheinRW3000−114
31Matthew Yeats†G50002
40Nolan YonkmanD100000
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Goaltending

  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Capitals only.
More information No., Player ...
No. Player Regular season
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
37Olaf Kolzig631935919581802.89.90823738
33Maxime Ouellet6231210193.12.9101365
1Rastislav Stana6120100113.13.8900211
31Matthew Yeats†5130141133.02.9080258
35Sebastien Charpentier7060168213.41.8750369
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Awards and records

Awards

More information Type, Award/honor ...
Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(in-season)		 NHL All-Star Game selection Robert Lang [6]
NHL Defensive Player of the Week Olaf Kolzig (February 23) [7]
NHL Offensive Player of the Month Robert Lang (November) [8]
NHL Offensive Player of the Week Robert Lang (November 17) [9]
Robert Lang (December 22) [7]
Jeff Halpern (April 5) [7]
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Milestones

More information Milestone, Player ...
Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Boyd Gordon October 9, 2003 [10]
Alexander Semin October 14, 2003
Rastislav Stana November 14, 2003
Dwayne Zinger December 11, 2003
Darcy Verot January 1, 2004
Graham Mink February 3, 2004
Owen Fussey March 10, 2004
Roman Tvrdon March 18, 2004
Matthew Yeats March 23, 2004
Garret Stroshein April 1, 2004
Mel Angelstad April 3, 2004
500th game played Olaf Kolzig November 22, 2003 [11]
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Transactions

The Capitals were involved in the following transactions from June 10, 2003, the day after the deciding game of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals, through June 7, 2004, the day of the deciding game of the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals.[12]

Trades

More information Date, Details ...
Date Details Ref
June 22, 2003 (2003-06-22) To Montreal Canadiens
  • 4th-round pick in 2003
  • 7th-round pick in 2003
 To Washington Capitals
  • Nashville’s 4th-round pick in 2003
 [13]
To Ottawa Senators
  • Future considerations[a]
 To Washington Capitals
  • Washington’s 9th-round pick in 2003
 [14]
June 30, 2003 (2003-06-30) To Philadelphia Flyers
  • Conditional 7th-round pick in 2004[b]
 To Washington Capitals
[15]
July 14, 2003 (2003-07-14) To Nashville Predators
To Washington Capitals
[16]
October 5, 2003 (2003-10-05) To Ottawa Senators
To Washington Capitals
  • Future considerations[a]
 [17]
October 22, 2003 (2003-10-22) To Colorado Avalanche
To Washington Capitals
[18]
January 23, 2004 (2004-01-23) To New York Rangers
To Washington Capitals
[19]
February 18, 2004 (2004-02-18) To Ottawa Senators
To Washington Capitals
[20]
February 27, 2004 (2004-02-27) To Detroit Red Wings
To Washington Capitals
[21]
March 3, 2004 (2004-03-03) To Boston Bruins
To Washington Capitals
[22]
March 4, 2004 (2004-03-04) To Boston Bruins
To Washington Capitals
  • 2nd-round pick in 2006
  • Future considerations[c]
 [23]
March 8, 2004 (2004-03-08) To Los Angeles Kings
  • Anson Carter
 To Washington Capitals
[24]
March 9, 2004 (2004-03-09) To Buffalo Sabres
To Washington Capitals
[25]
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Players acquired

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerFormer teamTermViaRef
July 14, 2003 (2003-07-14) Andrej PodkonickyIserlohn Roosters (DEL)1-yearFree agency[26]
Garret StrosheinPortland Pirates (AHL)2-yearFree agency[26]
July 18, 2003 (2003-07-18) John GrudenEisbaren Berlin (DEL)1-yearFree agency[27]
August 18, 2003 (2003-08-18) Francois MethotBuffalo Sabres1-yearFree agency[28]
September 5, 2003 (2003-09-05) Darcy VerotCalgary Flames1-yearFree agency[29]
October 3, 2003 (2003-10-03) Denis HamelOttawa SenatorsWaiver draft[30]
Brian WillsieColorado AvalancheWaiver draft[30]
November 4, 2003 (2003-11-04) Colin ForbesPortland Pirates (AHL)Free agency[31]
January 9, 2004 (2004-01-09) Todd RohloffColumbus Blue JacketsWaivers[32]
March 4, 2004 (2004-03-04) Brad NortonLos Angeles KingsWaivers[33]
March 5, 2004 (2004-03-05) Craig JohnsonToronto Maple LeafsWaivers[34]
March 9, 2004 (2004-03-09) Jean-Luc Grand-PierreAtlanta ThrashersWaivers[35]
Bill LindsayAtlanta ThrashersWaivers[d][38]
March 19, 2004 (2004-03-19) Matthew YeatsPortland Pirates (AHL)Free agency[39]
April 3, 2004 (2004-04-03) Mel AngelstadPortland Pirates (AHL)Free agency[40]
April 26, 2004 (2004-04-26) Justin EddyQuinnipiac University (AHA)Free agency[41]
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Players lost

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerNew teamVia[e]Ref
July 1, 2003 (2003-07-01) Krys Barch[f]Contract expiration (UFA)[42]
Nathan Forster[g]Contract expiration (UFA)[42]
July 17, 2003 (2003-07-17) Chris FerraroPhoenix CoyotesFree agency (VI)[45]
Peter FerraroPhoenix CoyotesFree agency (UFA)[45]
Josh GreenCalgary FlamesFree agency (UFA)[45]
July 24, 2003 (2003-07-24) Mark MurphyPhiladelphia FlyersFree agency (VI)[46]
August 7, 2003 (2003-08-07) Calle JohanssonRetirement (III)[h][48]
Andreas SalomonssonModo Hockey (SHL)Free agency (II)[i][50]
September 5, 2003 (2003-09-05) Todd RohloffColumbus Blue JacketsFree agency (VI)[51]
September 27, 2003 (2003-09-27) Ken KleeToronto Maple LeafsFree agency (III)[52]
N/A Ryan VanBuskirkLowell Lock Monsters (AHL)Free agency (UFA)[53]
October 3, 2003 (2003-10-03) Glen MetropolitOttawa SenatorsWaiver draft[30]
October 9, 2003 (2003-10-09) Alex HenryMinnesota WildWaivers[54]
October 14, 2003 (2003-10-14) Colin ForbesPortland Pirates (AHL)Free agency (UFA)[55]
November 11, 2003 (2003-11-11) Dmitri YushkevichLokomotiv Yaroslavl (RSL)Free agency (III)[56]
December 11, 2003 (2003-12-11) Sergei BerezinHC CSKA Moscow (RSL)Free agency (III)[57]
May 2, 2004 (2004-05-02) Andrej PodkonickyHC Liberec (ELH)Free agency[58]
May 26, 2004 (2004-05-26) Rastislav StanaSodertalje SK (SHL)Free agency[j][60]
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Signings

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerTermContract typeRef
June 26, 2003 (2003-06-26) Peter Bondra1-yearOption exercised[61]
Jeff Halpern1-yearOption exercised[62]
July 3, 2003 (2003-07-03) Boyd Gordon3-yearEntry-level[63]
Petr Sykora1-year[k]Re-signing[64]
July 15, 2003 (2003-07-15) Jean-Francois Fortin1-yearRe-signing[65]
Chris Hajt1-yearRe-signing[65]
July 16, 2003 (2003-07-16) Alexander Semin3-yearEntry-level[66]
July 17, 2003 (2003-07-17) Jason Doig1-yearRe-signing[67]
July 21, 2003 (2003-07-21) Trent Whitfield1-yearRe-signing[68]
July 22, 2003 (2003-07-22) Stephen Peat1-yearRe-signing[69]
July 24, 2003 (2003-07-24) Mike Grier1-yearRe-signing[70]
July 25, 2003 (2003-07-25) Rick Berry1-yearRe-signing[71]
July 28, 2003 (2003-07-28) Matt Pettinger1-yearRe-signing[72]
July 31, 2003 (2003-07-31) Alex Henry1-yearRe-signing[73]
August 10, 2003 (2003-08-10) Michael Nylander1-yearRe-signing[74]
August 19, 2003 (2003-08-19) Rastislav Stana1-yearRe-signing[75]
September 5, 2003 (2003-09-05) Ivan Ciernik1-yearRe-signing[29]
September 11, 2003 (2003-09-11) Joel Kwiatkowski1-yearRe-signing[76]
May 27, 2004 (2004-05-27) Maxime Daigneault3-yearEntry-level[77]
June 1, 2004 (2004-06-01) Tomas Fleischmann3-yearEntry-level[78]
Jonas Johansson3-yearEntry-level[78]
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Draft picks

Washington's draft picks at the 2003 NHL entry draft held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee.[79]

More information Round, # ...
Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
118Eric Fehr CanadaBrandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
383Stephen Werner United StatesUniversity of Massachusetts (NCAA)
4109Andreas Valdix SwedenMalmo Redhawks (Sweden)
5155Josh Robertson United StatesProctor High School (USHS-MN)
8249Andrew Joudrey CanadaNotre Dame Hounds (SJHL)
9279Mark Olafson CanadaKelowna Rockets (WHL)
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Farm teams

The Capitals main American Hockey League affiliate was the Portland Pirates. Though they had no direct ECHL affiliate, players were sent from time to time between the Dayton Bombers and Reading Royals.

See also

Notes

  1. [a]
    Washington’s 9th-round pick in 2004[12]
  2. [b]
    Condition not met.
  3. [c]
    4th-round pick in 2005
  4. [d]
    Claim rescinded due to the severity of the throat injury Lindsay suffered during a January 3 game.[36][37]
  5. [e]
    In parentheses is the player's free agency group on July 1 if applicable.[42]
  6. [f]
    Barch was inactive during the 2003–04 season.[43]
  7. [g]
    Forster was inactive during the 2003–04 season.[44]
  8. [h]
    Johansson came out of retirement to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 9, 2004.[47]
  9. [i]
    Washington retained Salomonsson’s NHL rights through the 2005–06 season.[49]
  10. [j]
    Washington retained Stana’s NHL rights through the 2007–08 season.[59]
  11. [k]
    Club option for a second year.

References

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