Puckdoku: Here Are A Few Former Capitals You Could Use One Day

Fewer things have impacted the hockey world in 2023 more than Puckdoku, an online game that tests fans not on what they can remember about NHL history, but who.

Game players are faced with a three-by-three grid each day, one that requires them to identify players who suited up for two specific teams during their careers, players who secured a specific award while with a certain team and much more. Hockey players can only be used once in the entire grid, and game players only have nine guesses to complete the entire grid — easier said than done.

Since entering the league in 1974, hundreds — if not thousands — have suited up for the Washington Capitals organization. Just a cup of coffee for some, but the nation’s capitol was one stop in a long career for many. Here’s a look at some of those guys, the ones who could help you out of a bind in a game of Puckdoku one day.

Jim McKenzie, 9 teams

McKenzie’s stint in Washington is often forgettable. After being claimed off waivers during the 1999-2000 season, the veteran left winger tallied only 3 points in 30 games before leaving the nation’s capital in free agency.

During his career, he made his way around the NHL. In addition to a stop in Washington, McKenzie saw time with the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, Phoenix Coyotes, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Nashville Predators, as well as with the Hartford Whalers and original Winnipeg Jets — for Puckdoku reasons, now applicable to the Carolina Hurricanes and now Arizona Coyotes, respectively — making him one of the best in league history at moving around.

Jaroslav Halak, 8 teams

Splitting time with top netminder Braden Holtby, Halak played in only 12 games with the Capitals before the team shipped the impending free agent’s rights off to the New York Islanders in 2014.

Washington was Halak’s third stop on a seven-team NHL career, including time with the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers. The 38-year-old is currently a free agent, but could find himself on another team after playing in 25 games for the Rangers last season.

Daniel Winnik, 8 teams

Winnik had already suited up for six teams before coming to the Capitals in 2015, where he spent two seasons before moving on to his eighth team.

A 2004 draft pick of the then-Phoenix Coyotes, the winger has also spent time with the Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild.

Robert Lang, 8 teams

Lang signed with the Capitals during the 2003 offseason and instantly thrived, tallying a second-best 69 points bested only by Jaromir Jagr. Despite leading the NHL in scoring the following year, Lang was dealt to Detroit in February 2005 — ending his stint in the nation’s capital after only 145 games.

Lang, who debuted with the Los Angeles Kings during the 1992-93 season, also suited up for the Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens and Phoenix Coyotes before his pro career ended in 2010.

Kip Miller, 8 teams

Twelve years after winning the Hobey Baker Award, Miller spent two seasons in Washington — tallying 81 points in 138 games — before his NHL career ended in 2004.

Miller was the 72nd overall pick of the Quebec Nordiques in the 1987 draft, making his debut with the team during the 1990-91 season. He suited up for the Minnesota North Stars during the following season, which makes him both eligible for both the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars in Puckdoku. The other teams he suited up for — “too many teams to list,” according to his LinkedIn profile — include the San Jose Sharks, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks.