2005–06 Washington Capitals season

NHL hockey team season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2005–06 Washington Capitals season was the Washington Capitals' 32nd season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Capitals missed the playoffs for the second season in a row.

Division5th Southeast
Conference14th Eastern
2005–06 record29–41–12
Home record16–18–7
Quick facts Washington Capitals, Division ...
2005–06 Washington Capitals
Division5th Southeast
Conference14th Eastern
2005–06 record29–41–12
Home record16–18–7
Road record13–23–5
Goals for237
Goals against306
Team information
General managerGeorge McPhee
CoachGlen Hanlon
CaptainJeff Halpern
Alternate captainsBrian Sutherby (Mar.–Apr.)
Brendan Witt (Oct.–Mar.)
Dainius Zubrus
ArenaMCI Center
Average attendance13,905
Minor league affiliatesHershey Bears
South Carolina Stingrays
Team leaders
GoalsAlexander Ovechkin (52)
AssistsAlexander Ovechkin (54)
PointsAlexander Ovechkin (106)
Penalty minutesBrendan Witt (141)
Plus/minusChris Clark (+9)
WinsOlaf Kolzig (20)
Goals against averageBrent Johnson (3.44)
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Following the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Alexander Ovechkin played his first game with the Washington Capitals on October 5, 2005, scoring two goals in a 3–2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. In a shootout against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Ovechkin scored the game-winning goal in a 5–4 win. The Capitals finished the 2005–06 season in fifth and last place of the Southeast Division with a 29–41–12 campaign, having 12 more points than the 2003–04 season, good for 27th out of the 30 NHL teams. Yet the team played close in every game, playing in 42 one-goal games, although losing two-thirds of those games. A notable first was that Washington area native Jeff Halpern was named captain of the hometown Capitals.[1][2] At the 2006 trade deadline, March 9, Witt was traded to the Nashville Predators. Several Capitals achieved career highs in several offensive categories, including Matt Pettinger and Dainius Zubrus, who both achieved career highs in all offensive categories. Jeff Halpern set a new career high in assists for the second consecutive season.

Off-season

Regular season

Rookie Alexander Ovechkin with team captain Jeff Halpern during training camp in September.

Many longtime Capitals had career years, with Dainius Zubrus netting 57 points, Halpern having a career-best 33 assists, Matt Pettinger putting in a career-best 20-goal, 38-point effort and seven others on the relatively young team topping 20 points for the first time. Two notable landmarks were also hit by Capitals, as the team's longest tenured Capital, Olaf Kolzig, won his 250th game in goal and Andrew Cassels became the 204th player to play 1,000 games, although he did not finish out his season with the team.

  • November 22, 2005 – Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin face each other for the first time
  • On January 13, 2006 in Anaheim, Ovechkin scored his first career hat trick against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to help Washington win the game. His hat trick goals went past Jean-Sebastien Giguere for his first ever hat trick game.
  • January 29, 2006 – Dainius Zubrus scored the Game Winning Goal in a 2–1 victory for the Capitals.
  • April 1, 2006 – Brent Johnson earned a shutout in a 1–0 victory over the Ottawa Senators.
  • April 7, 2006 – In a game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Olaf Kolzig played his 600th game as a Washington Capitals.
  • April 13, 2006 – Alexander Ovechkin becomes the second rookie in history to record 50 goals and 100 points in a season. Teemu Selanne was the first rookie to reach the accomplishment.

The Capitals were the most penalized team during the regular season, with 550 power-play opportunities against. They also allowed the most power-play goals, with 116, and the most short-handed goals, with 18.[3]

Alexander Ovechkin

Ovechkin's rookie season exceeded the hype, as he led all 2005-06 NHL rookies in goals, points, power-play goals and shots. He finished third overall in the NHL in scoring and tied for third in goals; and his 425 shots not only led the league, but also set an NHL rookie record and was the fourth-highest total in NHL history. Ovechkin's rookie point total was the second-best in Washington Capitals history, and his goal total was tied for third in franchise history. He had 21 power play goals and a plus-minus rating of plus 2. Ovechkin won the Calder Memorial Trophy, beating out Pittsburgh center Sidney Crosby and Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf.

Final standings

More information No., CR ...
Southeast Division
No. CR GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
12Carolina Hurricanes8252228294260112
28Tampa Bay Lightning824333625226092
310Atlanta Thrashers824133828127590
411Florida Panthers8237341124025785
514Washington Capitals8229411223730670
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[4] 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[5]
R Div GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 Z- Ottawa SenatorsNE8252219314211113
2 Y- Carolina HurricanesSE8252228294260112
3 Y- New Jersey DevilsAT8246279242229101
4 X- Buffalo SabresNE8252246242239110
5 X- Philadelphia FlyersAT82452611267259101
6 X- New York RangersAT82442612257215100
7 X- Montreal CanadiensNE824231924324793
8 X- Tampa Bay LightningSE824333625226092
8.5
9 Toronto Maple LeafsNE824133825727090
10 Atlanta ThrashersSE824133828127590
11 Florida PanthersSE8237341124025785
12 New York IslandersAT823640623027878
13 Boston BruinsNE8229371623026674
14 Washington CapitalsSE8229411223730670
15 Pittsburgh PenguinsAT8222461424431658
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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 ...
2005–06 regular season[6]
October: 4–7–0 (home: 3–3–0; road: 1–4–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
1October 5, 20053–2Columbus Blue Jackets (2005–06)1–0–0W
2October 7, 20053–7Atlanta Thrashers (2005–06)1–1–0L
3October 8, 20051–8@ Atlanta Thrashers (2005–06)1–2–0L
4October 10, 20052–3New York Rangers (2005–06)2–2–0W
5October 12, 20052–7@ Carolina Hurricanes (2005–06)2–3–0L
6October 13, 20053–5New York Islanders (2005–06)2–4–0L
7October 16, 20053–2 SOTampa Bay Lightning (2005–06)3–4–0W
8October 20, 20052–3@ Florida Panthers (2005–06)3–5–0L
9October 22, 20050–4Carolina Hurricanes (2005–06)3–6–0L
10October 26, 20053–2@ Buffalo Sabres (2005–06)4–6–0W
11October 28, 20052–4@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2005–06)4–7–0L
November: 4–7–2 (home: 3–2–1; road: 1–5–1)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
12November 3, 20051–8@ Philadelphia Flyers (2005–06)4–8–0L
13November 4, 20053–2 SOAtlanta Thrashers (2005–06)5–8–0W
14November 6, 20055–4Toronto Maple Leafs (2005–06)6–8–0W
15November 8, 20054–6@ Toronto Maple Leafs (2005–06)6–9–0L
16November 11, 20053–4New Jersey Devils (2005–06)6–10–0L
17November 12, 20052–3@ New Jersey Devils (2005–06)6–11–0L
18November 15, 20054–3 SOTampa Bay Lightning (2005–06)7–11–0W
19November 17, 20055–8@ Buffalo Sabres (2005–06)7–12–0L
20November 19, 20055–1@ Montreal Canadiens (2005–06)8–12–0W
21November 22, 20054–5@ Pittsburgh Penguins (2005–06)8–13–0L
22November 23, 20053–4 SOTampa Bay Lightning (2005–06)8–13–1OTL
23November 26, 20052–3 SO@ New York Rangers (2005–06)8–13–2OTL
24November 27, 20052–3Buffalo Sabres (2005–06)8–14–2L
December: 5–6–1 (home: 3–3–1; road: 2–3–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
25December 1, 20052–3@ Florida Panthers (2005–06)8–15–2L
26December 3, 20055–1New York Rangers (2005–06)9–15–2W
27December 7, 20052–5Nashville Predators (2005–06)9–16–2L
28December 9, 20053–4Detroit Red Wings (2005–06)9–17–2L
29December 14, 20053–2@ Los Angeles Kings (2005–06)10–17–2W
30December 16, 20051–4@ San Jose Sharks (2005–06)10–18–2L
31December 18, 20052–3Florida Panthers (2005–06)10–19–2L
32December 22, 20056–5 SO@ Atlanta Thrashers (2005–06)11–19–2W
33December 23, 20054–2Montreal Canadiens (2005–06)12–19–2W
34December 27, 20053–4 OTBoston Bruins (2005–06)12–19–3OTL
35December 28, 20052–7@ New Jersey Devils (2005–06)12–20–3L
36December 31, 20054–3 SOPhiladelphia Flyers (2005–06)13–20–3W
January: 5–8–2 (home: 3–4–2; road: 2–4–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
37January 1, 20062–5Atlanta Thrashers (2005–06)13–21–3L
38January 4, 20061–3Ottawa Senators (2005–06)13–22–3L
39January 6, 20061–3Philadelphia Flyers (2005–06)13–23–3L
40January 8, 20063–4 SOFlorida Panthers (2005–06)13–23–4OTL
41January 10, 20063–4 OTChicago Blackhawks (2005–06)13–23–5OTL
42January 12, 20061–4@ Dallas Stars (2005–06)13–24–5L
43January 13, 20063–2 OT@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2005–06)14–24–5W
44January 16, 20066–1@ Phoenix Coyotes (2005–06)15–24–5W
45January 19, 20065–4 SOSt. Louis Blues (2005–06)16–24–5W
46January 21, 20065–2Carolina Hurricanes (2005–06)17–24–5W
47January 23, 20062–3Boston Bruins (2005–06)17–25–5L
48January 25, 20061–8@ Pittsburgh Penguins (2005–06)17–26–5L
49January 26, 20062–3@ Boston Bruins (2005–06)17–27–5L
50January 29, 20062–1Tampa Bay Lightning (2005–06)18–27–5W
51January 31, 20063–5@ New York Islanders (2005–06)18–28–5L
February: 2–4–0 (home: 1–2–0; road: 1–2–0)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
52February 3, 20064–1Toronto Maple Leafs (2005–06)19–28–5W
53February 4, 20060–5@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2005–06)19–29–5L
54February 7, 20060–5Florida Panthers (2005–06)19–30–5L
55February 10, 20064–5@ Philadelphia Flyers (2005–06)19–31–5L
56February 11, 20063–6Pittsburgh Penguins (2005–06)19–32–5L
57February 28, 20065–3@ Toronto Maple Leafs (2005–06)20–32–5W
March: 4–6–5 (home: 2–3–2; road: 2–3–3)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
58March 2, 20061–7@ Ottawa Senators (2005–06)20–33–5L
59March 4, 20062–3 OT@ Atlanta Thrashers (2005–06)20–33–6OTL
60March 6, 20065–2New York Islanders (2005–06)21–33–6W
61March 8, 20066–3Pittsburgh Penguins (2005–06)22–33–6W
62March 10, 20063–4 SONew Jersey Devils (2005–06)22–33–7OTL
63March 12, 20062–5Ottawa Senators (2005–06)22–34–7L
64March 14, 20064–6Buffalo Sabres (2005–06)22–35–7L
65March 16, 20064–5@ New York Rangers (2005–06)22–36–7L
66March 18, 20063–4 SOFlorida Panthers (2005–06)22–36–8OTL
67March 20, 20062–4Montreal Canadiens (2005–06)22–37–8L
68March 22, 20062–3@ Florida Panthers (2005–06)22–38–8L
69March 23, 20063–4 OT@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2005–06)22–38–9OTL
70March 25, 20063–1@ Carolina Hurricanes (2005–06)23–38–9W
71March 29, 20065–1@ Carolina Hurricanes (2005–06)24–38–9W
72March 30, 20062–3 OT@ Montreal Canadiens (2005–06)24–38–10OTL
April: 5–3–2 (home: 1–1–1; road: 4–2–1)
GameDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
73April 1, 20061–0@ Ottawa Senators (2005–06)25–38–10W
74April 3, 20065–6 OT@ Carolina Hurricanes (2005–06)25–38–11OTL
75April 5, 20063–4 SOCarolina Hurricanes (2005–06)25–38–12OTL
76April 7, 20063–4Carolina Hurricanes (2005–06)25–39–12L
77April 8, 20060–5@ New York Islanders (2005–06)25–40–12L
78April 10, 20062–1 OT@ Boston Bruins (2005–06)26–40–12W
79April 13, 20063–5@ Atlanta Thrashers (2005–06)26–41–12L
80April 15, 20062–1 SO@ Florida Panthers (2005–06)27–41–12W
81April 17, 20066–4Atlanta Thrashers (2005–06)28–41–12W
82April 18, 20064–1@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2005–06)29–41–12W

Legend: W Win (2 points) L Loss (0 points) OTL Overtime/shootout 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
8Alexander OvechkinLW815254106252
9Dainius ZubrusC71233457384
11Jeff HalpernC70113344−879
24Brian WillsieRW82192241−1977
17Chris ClarkRW782019399110
18Matt PettingerLW71201838−239
27Ben ClymerRW77161733−772
16Brian SutherbyC76141630−1773
6Jamie HewardD7172128−554
47Bryan MuirD7281826−972
21Brooks LaichC7371421−926
10Matt BradleyRW7471219−872
44Steve EmingerD6651318−1281
26Shaone MorrisonnD8011314791
34Mathieu BironD524913−1150
25Andrew Cassels‡C314812−314
19Brendan Witt‡D5811011−5141
23Ivan MajeskyD57189−266
41[a]Jeff Friesen‡LW33347−1124
40Nolan YonkmanD38077186
20Rico Fata†RW2133638
20Petr Sykora‡C1022406
38Jakub KlepisC25134−118
52Mike GreenD22123−818
37Olaf KolzigG5903314
43Tomas FleischmannLW14022−70
15Boyd GordonC25011−44
22Boyd KaneLW501112
28Kris Beech†C500004
30Frederic CassiviG10000
51Doug Doull†LW2000−119
50Eric FehrRW1100002
36Colin Forbes†C9000−22
45Jonas JohanssonRW100002
1Brent JohnsonG2600014
39Graham MinkC300000
51Stephen Peat‡RW1000−22
41[b]Louis RobitailleLW2000−15
70Dave SteckelC700010
13Joey Tenute†C100000
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Goaltending

More information No., Player ...
No. Player Regular season
GP W L OT SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
37Olaf Kolzig5920281119872063.53.89603506
1Brent Johnson269121854813.44.90511413
30Frederic Cassivi10103044.07.867059
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Awards and records

Awards

More information Type, Award/honor ...
Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(annual)		 Calder Memorial Trophy Alexander Ovechkin [7]
King Clancy Memorial Trophy Olaf Kolzig [8]
NHL All-Rookie Team Alexander Ovechkin (Forward) [9]
NHL First All-Star Team Alexander Ovechkin (Left wing) [9]
League
(in-season)		 NHL Offensive Player of the Month Alexander Ovechkin (January) [10]
NHL Offensive Player of the Week Alexander Ovechkin (January 2) [11]
Alexander Ovechkin (January 23) [12]
NHL Rookie of the Month Alexander Ovechkin (December) [13]
Alexander Ovechkin (January) [10]
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Milestones

More information Milestone, Player ...
Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Alexander Ovechkin October 5, 2005 [14]
Mike Green October 12, 2005
Tomas Fleischmann November 3, 2005
Jakub Klepis November 4, 2005
Eric Fehr December 18, 2005
Dave Steckel December 31, 2005
Louis Robitaille February 7, 2006
Joey Tenute
Jonas Johansson April 18, 2006
1,000th game played Andrew Cassels November 22, 2005 [15]
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Transactions

The Capitals were involved in the following transactions from February 17, 2005, the day after the 2004–05 NHL season was officially cancelled, through June 19, 2006, the day of the deciding game of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals.[16]

Trades

More information Date, Details ...
Date Details Ref
July 30, 2005 (2005-07-30) To Colorado Avalanche
  • 2nd-round pick in 2005
  • Ottawa's 2nd-round pick in 2005
 To Washington Capitals
  • 1st-round pick in 2005
 [17]
To Buffalo Sabres
To Washington Capitals
  • 6th-round pick in 2006
 [16][18]
August 4, 2005 (2005-08-04) To Calgary Flames
  • Conditional draft pick in 2006
 To Washington Capitals
[19]
August 12, 2005 (2005-08-12) To Los Angeles Kings
  • Future considerations
 To Washington Capitals
[20]
September 26, 2005 (2005-09-26) To New Jersey Devils
  • Conditional draft pick in 2006[c]
 To Washington Capitals
[22]
December 2, 2005 (2005-12-02) To Vancouver Canucks
To Washington Capitals
  • 5th-round pick in 2006
 [23]
December 28, 2005 (2005-12-28) To Carolina Hurricanes
To Washington Capitals
[24]
February 3, 2006 (2006-02-03) To Phoenix Coyotes
To Washington Capitals
[25]
March 9, 2006 (2006-03-09) To Anaheim Mighty Ducks
  • Jeff Friesen
 To Washington Capitals
  • 2nd-round pick in 2006
 [26]
To Nashville Predators
To Washington Capitals
[27]
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Players acquired

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerFormer teamTermViaRef
August 8, 2005 (2005-08-08) Ben ClymerEHC Biel (NLB)Free agency[28]
Miroslav ZalesakSan Jose SharksFree agency[29]
August 9, 2005 (2005-08-09) Andrew CasselsColumbus Blue JacketsFree agency[30]
Lawrence NycholatNew York RangersFree agency[31]
August 10, 2005 (2005-08-10) Mathieu BironFlorida PanthersFree agency[32]
Ivan MajeskyAtlanta ThrashersFree agency[33]
August 11, 2005 (2005-08-11) Frederic CassiviCincinnati Mighty Ducks (AHL)Free agency[34]
August 12, 2005 (2005-08-12) Jamie HewardSCL Tigers (NLA)Free agency[35]
Boyd KanePhiladelphia FlyersFree agency[36]
August 17, 2005 (2005-08-17) Mark WottonSKA Saint Petersburg (RSL)Free agency[37]
August 18, 2005 (2005-08-18) Matt BradleyPittsburgh PenguinsFree agency[38]
Jean-Francois FortinPortland Pirates (AHL)Free agency[39]
August 25, 2005 (2005-08-25) Dave SteckelManchester Monarchs (AHL)2-yearFree agency[40]
October 4, 2005 (2005-10-04) Brent JohnsonVancouver CanucksWaivers[41]
November 20, 2005 (2005-11-20) Joey TenuteHershey Bears (AHL)multi-yearFree agency[42]
March 9, 2006 (2006-03-09) Rico FataAtlanta ThrashersWaivers[43]
April 1, 2006 (2006-04-01) Jamie HuntMercyhurst College (AHA)2-yearFree agency[44]
Matt StefanishionFerris State University (CCHA)2-yearFree agency[44]
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Players lost

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerNew teamVia[d]Ref
August 2, 2005 (2005-08-02) Trent WhitfieldSt. Louis BluesFree agency (UFA)[46]
August 23, 2005 (2005-08-23) Garret StrosheinBoston BruinsFree agency (UFA)[47]
September 7, 2005 (2005-09-07) Josef BoumedienneZSC Lions (NLA)Free agency (II)[e][49]
Jeff PaulMontreal CanadiensFree agency (VI)[50]
October 7, 2005 (2005-10-07) Justin EddyUtah Grizzlies (AHL)Free agency (UFA)[51]
Miroslav ZalesakSodertalje SK (SHL)Release[f][52]
October 26, 2005 (2005-10-26) Jason DoigVancouver CanucksFree agency (UFA)[53]
November 16, 2005 (2005-11-16) Darcy VerotSyracuse Crunch (AHL)Free agency (VI)[54]
January 28, 2006 (2006-01-28) Andrew Cassels[g]Release[56]
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Signings

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerTermContract typeRef
July 28, 2005 (2005-07-28) Eric Fehr3-yearEntry-level[57]
August 5, 2005 (2005-08-05) Alexander Ovechkin3-yearEntry-level[58][59]
August 11, 2005 (2005-08-11) Jared Aulin1-yearRe-signing[60]
Jakub Cutta1-yearRe-signing[61]
August 12, 2005 (2005-08-12) Louis RobitailleRe-signing[62]
Matt PettingerRe-signing[63]
August 15, 2005 (2005-08-15) Steve EmingerRe-signing[64]
Jeff HalpernRe-signing[65]
Graham MinkRe-signing[66]
Shaone MorrisonnRe-signing[67]
Maxime OuelletRe-signing[68]
Stephen Peat1-yearRe-signing[69]
Brian SutherbyRe-signing[70]
Brian WillsieRe-signing[71]
Brendan WittRe-signing[72]
Nolan YonkmanRe-signing[73]
August 17, 2005 (2005-08-17) Chris Bourque3-yearEntry-level[74]
Dwayne ZingerRe-signing[75]
August 18, 2005 (2005-08-18) Dainius Zubrus2-yearRe-signing[76]
August 23, 2005 (2005-08-23) Petr Sykora1-yearRe-signing[77]
August 24, 2005 (2005-08-24) Chris ClarkRe-signing[78]
August 29, 2005 (2005-08-29) Mike Green3-yearEntry-level[79]
August 30, 2005 (2005-08-30) Bryan MuirRe-signing[80]
August 31, 2005 (2005-08-31) Jeff Schultz3-yearEntry-level[81]
February 3, 2006 (2006-02-03) Chris Clark2-yearExtension[82]
February 11, 2006 (2006-02-11) Olaf Kolzig2-yearExtension[83]
February 22, 2006 (2006-02-22) Jamie Heward1-yearExtension[84]
Bryan Muir1-yearExtension[84]
March 14, 2006 (2006-03-14) Stephen Werner2-yearEntry-level[85]
March 23, 2006 (2006-03-23) Daren Machesney3-yearEntry-level[86]
April 11, 2006 (2006-04-11) Alexander Semin2-yearRe-signing[87]
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Draft picks

Washington's draft picks at the 2005 NHL entry draft held at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa, Ontario.[88]

More information Round, # ...
Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team
114Sasha Pokulok (D) CanadaCornell University (ECAC)
127Joe Finley (D) United StatesUniversity of North Dakota (NCAA)
4109Andy Thomas (D) United StatesUniversity of Denver (WCHA)
4118Patrick McNeill (D) CanadaSaginaw Spirit (OHL)
5143Daren Machesney (G) CanadaBrampton Battalion (OHL)
6181Tim Kennedy (LW) United StatesSioux City Musketeers (USHL)
7209Viktor Dovgan (D) RussiaCSKA Moscow Jr. (Russia)
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Farm teams

Notes

  1. [a]
    Friesen wore number 12 in his first 14 games.
  2. [b]
    Robitaille wore number 51 in his first game.
  3. [c]
    Eventually determined to be a 3rd-round pick.[21]
  4. [d]
    In parentheses is the player's free agency group on August 1 if applicable.[45]
  5. [e]
    Washington retained Boumedienne’s NHL rights and re-signed him on June 14, 2007.[48]
  6. [f]
    Zalesak exercised a clause to nullify his contract with Washington if he did not make the NHL team.
  7. [g]
    Cassels retired.[55]

References

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