'We Got the Right Guy'

Washington General Manager George McPhee said yesterday he didn't think the Capitals would do much in free agency, but he said he was very pleased that the team was able to grab the one forward that the team had highest on their wish list just hours into the signing period, as the Caps signed Mike Knuble to a two-year deal worth a reported $5.6 million and apparently leaving both sides very happy.

"I guess you don't know who's serious [about signing you] until noon on the 1st, and it's a close East Coast club and one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference," the newest Cap told reporters via conference call Wednesday afternoon. "I think the team's on the verge of something good and probably something great, and if I left Philly, I wanted to go somewhere I had a chance to do something great with a team on the rise."

McPhee noted that Knuble was their No. 1 free-agency target once the clock struck noon.

"We had four or five wingers we identified in free agency, and you don't know which one you're going to get," the Caps' GM said in the call. "We went through everything and we got the right guy for us. So we got the right deal done for him, and we're pleased with the results for today. We got our No. 1 guy, and we replaced a 13-goal scorer with a 27-goal scorer, and are even better as a result."

McPhee said he expects Knuble to play on the top line with Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, and also get some time on the power play.

"Although I'm happy the way we played [the last few years], I felt we needed someone else on that [top] line with Ovechkin and Backstrom that will go to the net. Ovechkin and Backstrom will have the puck a lot, and [Knuble] goes to the front of the net and makes his living there."

Knuble was asked about the chance to play with the two-time Hart Trophy winner and Backstrom this season.

"It's a chance to play with [Ovechkin and Backstrom], there's no guarantee you'll mesh with them... I feel confident in what I can do for these guys and win battles in corners to get those guys the puck. I don't think anyone needs to tell me how to play with these guys."

McPhee also praised Knuble for having a strong reputation around the league for being a good locker room presence, noting he was the kind of personality that could fill the leadership void left by Sergei Fedorov's departure to the KHL.

"We felt it was important to our organization to have good players on the ice, and all the people we've talked to says this is an ideal free agent signing for us."

Knuble, for his part, was humble in his response to the importance of his signing with Washington.

"I'm not a solution, I'm a piece to the puzzle." Knuble said. "Whether the parts are there or not, it's going to be a great run and I look forward how we shape up this season. They're a young team, and I want to see if we can get the next step."

Although Knuble said he would have liked to stay in Philadelphia where he had spent four seasons and scored 114 goals, he realized the cap room wasn't there for him to stay after the team made some expensive moves on draft day. However, he was excited to come to an Eastern Conference contender and one on that he got the better end of during the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs.

"It's a great place to play, the place is electric. It's good to see hockey on the rebound there."

When asked about his age - Knuble turns 37 on July 4th - Knuble mentioned that playing on the fourth-line with Detroit and the Rangers so often early in his career was a blessing, noting that he didn't have the wear and tear that other players his age have suffered.

His career only really started to take off at age 30, once Sergei Samsonov was injured in Boston, giving the then-Bruins winger a chance to play with Joe Thornton and record the first 30-goal season of his career in 2002-03. He hasn't scored less than 21 goals in six-straight seasons since.

"I got a good chance with Joe Thronton... I auditioned at the beginning of the season I was still have a healthy scratch and Sergei went down, and things went off from that. I hadn't played enough to establish any confidence, I hung around and kept believeing in myself. There are chances to grab and do something later in my career."

When asked if the Caps might do any more signings in free agency, McPhee said the team would be patient and see what trades come down the pike, presumably waiting to see what trades develop as camp approaches in September.

"I said yesterday that we're probably not going to do a lot in free agency unless there was something there that made sense. We did it.

"We'll spend the next couple of months talking to clubs and seeing what other things can be done out there."

He also noted that Brooks Laich would likely get a shot to be the team's second-line center barring more moves down the road.

McPhee also said some of Wednesday's long-term deals made him "shake his head" - presumably referring to Marian Hossa's 12-year deal with the Blackhawks - but noted most of the contracts being handed out were short-term contracts.

When asked about Donald Brashear signing with the Rangers, McPhee was complimentary towards his now ex-enforcer.

"We're happy for Brash. We couldn't pay that number. He did a great job for us the last three years, we have nothing but good memories of him playing well for the Washington Capitals."

But looking forward, McPhee was very happy to add a piece to the Caps that they sorely needed, a gritty veteran forward who can crash the net.

"He's someone who will go to the front of the net and will make that power play even better."