Capitals trade Lang to Detroit
By JOSEPH WHITE, AP Sports Writer
February 27, 2004
WASHINGTON (AP) -- NHL scoring leader Robert Lang was traded from Washington to the Detroit Red Wings on Friday, another roster shake-up in a losing season for the Capitals.
Lang was dealt to Central Division-leading Red Wings for left wing Tomas Fleischmann and Detroit's first-round choice in the 2004 entry draft and fourth-round choice in the 2006 entry draft.
Lang, a center, is tied with Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis with 74 points for the league scoring lead. He was signed by the Capitals from the Pittsburgh Penguins in July 2002, brought in to join former Pittsburgh teammate Jaromir Jagr. At the time, he won the richest free-agent contract ever given in the NHL -- five years for $25 million.
But the addition of the new talent -- Jagr had been one of the league's foremost scorers -- took Washington only so far as the first round of last year's playoffs, where the team was beaten 4-2 by the Tampa Bay Lighting.
``We could not have asked for more from Robert Lang over the past two seasons,'' Capitals general manager George McPhee said. ``He has been a terrific player for our club and we consider him as the best free-agent signing in the team's history.
``We have given Robert a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup while adding a good young player and two valuable draft choices to our organization.''
By JOSEPH WHITE, AP Sports Writer
February 27, 2004
WASHINGTON (AP) -- NHL scoring leader Robert Lang was traded from Washington to the Detroit Red Wings on Friday, another roster shake-up in a losing season for the Capitals.
Lang was dealt to Central Division-leading Red Wings for left wing Tomas Fleischmann and Detroit's first-round choice in the 2004 entry draft and fourth-round choice in the 2006 entry draft.
Lang, a center, is tied with Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis with 74 points for the league scoring lead. He was signed by the Capitals from the Pittsburgh Penguins in July 2002, brought in to join former Pittsburgh teammate Jaromir Jagr. At the time, he won the richest free-agent contract ever given in the NHL -- five years for $25 million.
But the addition of the new talent -- Jagr had been one of the league's foremost scorers -- took Washington only so far as the first round of last year's playoffs, where the team was beaten 4-2 by the Tampa Bay Lighting.
``We could not have asked for more from Robert Lang over the past two seasons,'' Capitals general manager George McPhee said. ``He has been a terrific player for our club and we consider him as the best free-agent signing in the team's history.
``We have given Robert a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup while adding a good young player and two valuable draft choices to our organization.''
