This Day in Hockey History – August 30, 1982 – Mr. Poile Goes to Washington

At only 32, David Poile felt he had paid his dues and was ready to take his career to the next level. On his fourth try in two years, he finally made the jump to NHL general manager. When he was hired on August 30, 1982, the Washington Capitals were also looking to break the mold by making the playoffs for the first time, in their ninth season.

Fresh out of Northeastern University in 1972, 22-year-old Poile landed the position of administrative assistant for the brand new expansion franchise, the Atlanta Flames. Five years later, he was promoted to assistant GM and moved with the franchise to Calgary in 1980. In his tenth year with the organization, one of Poile’s final tasks for the Flames was working to secure Denver as the location for their Central Hockey League affiliate (once the Colorado Rockies moved to New Jersey).

Although he was still under contract with the Flames, GM Cliff Fletcher gave him permission and recommendations to speak to other teams with GM openings. In late June 1982, the new owner of the Detroit Red Wings, Mike Ilitch, looked for a replacement for GM Jim Skinner. He brought Poile in for two days of interviews, but with five others being considered, Ilitch set a mid-July deadline for hiring someone. He explained, “I’m looking for a general manager but, in case I don’t get the one I want, I’m talking to a lot of coaches, too. If I don’t get exactly who I want, I might have to put a combination together.”

Poile’s chances looked good. He commented, “This is what I’ve been working for the last 10 years. Hockey is my life. I feel I’ve put in my time as an apprentice and, now, I’m ready to move up. I like the idea of going to Detroit. It’s an expansion team in a lot of ways. He (Ilitch) agrees with me that a lot of changes have to be made. And, the changes have to be the right changes, not just the ones that were made.”

However, on July 12, Ilitch hired Jim Devellano, assistant GM of the New York Islanders. As the press pointed out, Devellano would be dropping from the Stanley Cup winner to the second-worst team in the league. Devellano reassured them, “There will be some pain along the way, but I’m a very positive guy and think of myself as a winner.”

What disappointment Poile might have felt about missing out on the Red Wings did not last more than a month. By mid-August, the Washington Capitals acquired permission to speak with Poile about joining them as GM. They had joined the NHL in 1974 and wanted desperately to finally make the Stanley Cup playoffs. On top of that, the previous season had cost them $3 million. After some preliminary discussions with Poile, a final formality interview was scheduled for August 28. 

By that point, owner Abe Pollin had fired interim GM Roger Crozier (who had replaced Max McNab), and the press had already been informed that the Caps considered Poile all but hired. The cautious Poile said that morning, “It isn’t done yet. But I’m hopeful it will be settled in an interview later today.” He continued, “Naturally, I’m looking for a multi-year deal, but I recognize this could be just one shot. I’ve been an assistant GM for 10 years and I feel I’ve been passed over by some clubs for people with less experience. I’m at the point where I have to take the chance when it comes along. If I find out I can’t handle it in two or three years, I won’t be too old to get into something else.”

On August 30, the Capitals held a press conference to officially make the announcement that Poile would be their GM. He told the audience, “I’m psyched up. The point about this job is that I’d never have taken it unless I thought the team could realistically make the playoffs this year. I want to make it work and I feel I can do the job.” Poile felt that job would be challenging, a “risky proposition.” According to the Calgary Herald, “Poile inherits a team that is solid up front, competent in goal and relatively weak on defence.” Poile explained, “It’s the Atlanta situation 10 years ago all over again. There are a lot of negatives. The owners want a competitive team right now that will make the playoffs and generate revenue.” To get the job done, he did not plan to ditch coach Bryan Murray. “Making a change right now could be the worst thing that ever happened to this franchise. This is an organization that has to be built up, not torn down.”

Meanwhile, back in Calgary, Fletcher gave Poile his full blessing. “David would do a hell of a job. I wouldn’t think of standing in his way. The Caps have their best chance of making the playoffs this year.” When asked about replacing him, Fletcher responded, “I know exactly what I’ll do. If it’s true David has been hired, we’ll have to make some moves later in the week. It is only two weeks until training camp, but I have no other comment right now.” As was predicted, on September 1, the Flames confirmed that former coach Al MacNeil would step into the role, which would be similar to a director of player development and scouting. Their director of public relations, Al Coates, would take over Poile’s administrative work.

As Washington’s GM, Poile wasted no time. As of September 9, he made a major trade with the Montreal Canadiens to acquire Hall-of-Fame and Norris-winning defenseman Rod Langway, who became known as the “Secretary of Defense.” Poile admitted, “It was the kind of deal I dreamed about making when I took the job here.” Under Poile’s management, the Caps made the playoffs every single postseason between 1983 and 1996. The following season, having missed a playoff berth for the first time since he was hired, Poile’s career in Washington was over. The team he had helped assemble went on to make the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 1998. During Poile’s time in Washington, the Caps had a record of 561-414-123. 

The timing of Poile’s firing could not have been better. He was immediately snapped up by the newest franchise, the Nashville Predators, and he has served them ever since.

Additional Sources:

• Mike Commito, Hockey 365: Daily Stories from the Ice(Toronto: Dundurn, 2018), kindle edition.
• “Poile named Caps’ GM,” Baltimore Sun, 31 Aug. 1982, p. B5.
• “Flames eye Denver for farm team,” Calgary Herald,17 May 1982, p. C2.
• Eric Duhatschek, “Wings keep Poile on hold,” Calgary Herald,2 July 1982, p. B11.
• “Isles’ Devellano gets Wings’ job,” Calgary Herald,13 July 1982, p. C7.
• Larry Wood, “Poile listening to Caps,” Calgary Herald,28 Aug. 1982, p. F1.
• Eric Duhatschek, “A Capital game for persistent Poile,” Calgary Herald,30 Aug. 1982, p. F1.
• Eric Duhatschek, “Reinhart will make a million,” Calgary Herald,2 Sept 1982, p. C1.
• https://thepinkpuck.com/2019/07/09/this-day-in-hockey-history-july-9-1997-naming-a-gm-for-an-unnamed-team/
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