Lang turns out to be tough loss

The Lightning was interested in acquiring the player who broke the team's heart in Game 1.

By TOM JONES, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 12, 2003

TAMPA -- As if Washington's Robert Lang didn't break enough Lightning hearts with his two-goal performance in Washington's 3-0 victory Thursday night, here's another bitter pill to chew on: He could have been playing for the Lightning.

It's true. Back in 1997, then-Lightning general manager Phil Esposito tried to get Lang, not once or twice, but three times.

A potential trade fell through in the summer of 1997, and when Lang twice went on waivers early that season, Lang was snatched up by teams who were able to put in claims before Tampa Bay.

"Both times he was on waivers, I wanted him and was going to take him," Esposito said.

At the time, it didn't seem like any great loss. In his first four seasons, Lang appeared in only 147 games and had just 19 goals.

"But I liked him," Esposito said. "I thought he would turn into a good player."

Esposito was right. Lang averaged 23 goals and 60 points a season for Pittsburgh from 1998-2002. When the Teplice, Czech Republic, native hit the free-agent market last summer, teams lined up at his door.

Surprisingly, he ended up in Washington. The Caps needed a grittier scoring center after cutting ties with the talented but less physical Adam Oates. But Lang didn't seem like a possible fit.

For years, the Caps never spent money on top-notch free agents. Owner Ted Leonsis took over and opened his checkbook, but few players were interested in playing for the Caps.

Lang, though, became perhaps the biggest free agent to sign with the Caps.

"A lot of factors go into it, and I don't mean just money," Lang said. "You just get a good feeling about a place, and I like the style of hockey they played, and it just seemed like it would be a good fit.

"And it has been."

Leaving Pittsburgh was hard, he said, but made easier because he would be reunited with former Penguins teammate and fellow Czech Jaromir Jagr. The move turned out great for everyone. The Caps returned to the playoffs after a one-year absence, and Lang contributed with 22 goals and 47 assists.

Everyone is happy, particularly after his two-goal performance in Game 1.

"He brings a lot of experience, and a lot of scoring," Washington coach Bruce Cassidy said. "The goals he scored (in Game 1) were just pure talent. He's a goal scorer."

And to think, he could have been scoring those goals for Tampa Bay.