<P> Along with the Kansas City Scouts , the Capitals joined the NHL as an expansion team for the 1974 -- 75 season ( although the city of Washington was awarded a franchise on July 8 , 1972 ) . The team was owned by Abe Pollin ( also owner of the National Basketball Association 's Washington Bullets / Wizards until his death on November 24 , 2009 ) . Pollin had built the Capital Centre in suburban Landover , Maryland , to house both the Bullets ( who formerly played in Baltimore ) and the Capitals . His first act as owner was to hire Hall of Famer Milt Schmidt as general manager . </P>
<P> Along with the Kansas City Scouts , the Capitals joined the NHL as an expansion team for the 1974 -- 75 season ( although the city of Washington was awarded a franchise on July 8 , 1972 ) . The team was owned by Abe Pollin ( also owner of the National Basketball Association 's Washington Bullets / Wizards until his death on November 24 , 2009 ) . Pollin had built the Capital Centre in suburban Landover , Maryland , to house both the Bullets ( who formerly played in Baltimore ) and the Capitals . His first act as owner was to hire Hall of Famer Milt Schmidt as general manager . </P>
when did the washington capitals start in the nhl
when did the washington capitals start in the nhl
the 1974 -- 75 season
the 1974 -- 75 season