Were the 1974-75 Washington Capitals the worst team in NHL history? In their inaugural season, the Capitals finished with a record of 8 wins, 67 losses, and 5 ties, totaling only 21 points. This remains one of the lowest point totals in NHL history for an 80-game season.
Along with the Kansas City Scouts, the Capitals joined the National Hockey League as an expansion team for the 1974-75 season. The team faced numerous challenges, including a lack of experienced players and talent. At this time in professional hockey the talent pool was diluted due to the number of teams. It was a time where the NHL teams totaled 18 and the World Hockey Association (WHA) also had 14 teams. The expansion draft was not heavy on talented players that could make a new team like the Capitals a contender. And they were not!
Players and Coaches:
The Capitals’ leading scorer that season was Tommy Williams, who recorded 22 points in 59 games. The lowly Capitals (as they were often called), only managed to score 181 goals all year with 446 goals against. I’m no mathematician but it makes sense that they only won 8 games with those stats. Ron Low (claimed from the Leafs}, and Michel Belhumeur were the goaltenders for the team, facing a barrage of shots throughout the season. It must have been a nightmare for these goalies facing the likes of 70’s NHL sharpshooters like Phil Esposito, Bobby Orr and Guy Lafluer.
The head coach for the 1974-75 Washington Capitals was Jim Anderson, who faced a daunting task in trying to build a competitive team from scratch. It didn’t work out so well and he was replaced mid-season by George Sullivan. Anderson ended up being a scout for the Los Angeles Kings for 19 years.
After taking over from Anderson, Sullivan posted a 2-16 record as head coach and was replaced before the end of the season by GM Milt Schmidt. To be honest, they could have hired Scotty Bowman, Toe Blake, Punch Imlach and Al Arbour to coach and it wouldn’t have made a difference. They Stunk!!
Conclusion:
Since their challenging inception in the 1974-75 season, the Washington Capitals have undergone a remarkable transformation in the NHL. Over the decades, the team has emerged from the struggles of their early years to become a powerhouse in the league. With dedicated management, talented players, and passionate fan support, the Capitals have reached new heights of success. The culmination of their journey came in the 2017-2018 season when they clinched their first-ever Stanley Cup, solidifying their place among the elite teams in the league.
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