# The 15 Best Washington Capitals Players of All Time

> Franchise-saving defensemen, record-shattering snipers, clutch goaltenders and modern Cup heroes all make the cut. Who's the greatest to wear the red, white and blue?

*By YPB Team · Published July 2, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-15-best-washington-capitals-players-of-all-time*

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## Current results (3 votes)

1. **Alex Ovechkin** — 66.67% (2 votes · score 1000/1000)
   The franchise's greatest ever, NHL all-time goals leader and 2018 Stanley Cup champion.
2. **Nicklas Backstrom** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 710/1000)
   The elite playmaking center and Ovechkin's longtime setup man, a 2018 Cup winner.
3. **Peter Bondra** — 0% (0 votes · score 624/1000)
   The sniper who ranks second in franchise goals and led the 1998 run to the Cup Final.
4. **Mike Green** — 0% (0 votes · score 560/1000)
   The offensive defenseman who twice topped 30 goals from the blue line.
5. **Mike Gartner** — 0% (0 votes · score 560/1000)
   The Hall of Fame winger who gave the young franchise its first true star in the 1980s.
6. **Olaf Kolzig** — 0% (0 votes · score 485/1000)
   The Vezina-winning goaltender who backstopped the 1998 Stanley Cup Final run.
7. **Braden Holtby** — 0% (0 votes · score 397/1000)
   The star goaltender whose Game 2 save sealed the 2018 Stanley Cup.
8. **Alexander Semin** — 0% (0 votes · score 397/1000)
   The supremely skilled Russian winger of the late-2000s Capitals.
9. **Evgeny Kuznetsov** — 0% (0 votes · score 397/1000)
   The dynamic playmaker whose overtime goals fueled the 2018 championship.
10. **Tom Wilson** — 0% (0 votes · score 397/1000)
   The bruising power forward and heart of the modern Capitals.
11. **John Carlson** — 0% (0 votes · score 291/1000)
   The record-setting defenseman, a 2018 Cup champion and 1,000-game Capital.
12. **T.J. Oshie** — 0% (0 votes · score 291/1000)
   The gritty, clutch winger and fan favorite of the Cup-winning core.
13. **Dennis Maruk** — 0% (0 votes · score 291/1000)
   The early-era center whose 60-goal, 136-point 1981-82 season remains a franchise record.
14. **Rod Langway** — 0% (0 votes · score 162/1000)
   The Hall of Fame defenseman whose 1982 arrival helped save the franchise.
15. **Dale Hunter** — 0% (0 votes · score 162/1000)
   The fiery two-way center and beloved captain of the 1990s Capitals.

Tags: usa, hockey, players, nhl, washington capitals