SB Nation DC - NHL Free Agency: Washington Capitals Sign D Roman Hamrlik To Two-Year Contracthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2011-07-02T15:34:13-04:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/20189682011-07-02T15:34:13-04:002011-07-02T15:34:13-04:002011 NHL Free Agency: Roman Hamrlik Happy To Be A Capital, Very Happy To Not Have To Face Alexander Ovechkin Anymore
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<p>On Friday, Washington Capitals GM George McPhee solidified his defensive core by signing veteran defenseman <span>Roman Hamrlik</span> to a two-year, $7 million contract. Washington will be Hamrlik's sixth NHL team, and the 2011-2012 season will be his 19th in the league. On Saturday, Hamrlik talked with the media on <a href="http://capitals.nhl.com/club/podcastplayer.htm?pid=41&iid=32347">a brief team conference call</a>. The gist? He's happy to be in Washington, he is happy the Capitals gave him a two-year deal (Montreal only offered one year) and he's happy to be playing with Alexander Ovechkin rather than against him for the first time in his career. Two quotes I culled:</p>
<p>At this point in his career, why Washington and the Capitals?</p>
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<p>"It's a really good team who has a chance to win the Cup and the decision was cearly made and money was not the issue and you know I'm not getting any younger and I really liked that team. We played against you guys in playoffs and I always watch you guys play and it's an honor to play with the Washington <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Capitals</a> and I think I can bring some experience and I can still move the puck."</p>
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<p>On looking forward to playing with, instead of against, Alexander Ovechkin:</p>
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<p>"Absolutely. I was talking to my brother and I just said it's nice to have him out in front of me and not to play against him. It's gonna be an honor to play with him. He's one of the best players in the league and I'm looking forward to it. It's nice to have him on my team because he can hurt some guys and I know we had some good battles."</p>
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<p>Roman, <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2011/7/2/2256097/video-washington-capitals-roman-hamrlik-alexander-ovechkin">as we mentioned earlier today</a>, we are quite certain you will enjoy not having Ovi do this to you again any time soon.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2011/7/2/2256194/2011-nhl-free-agency-roman-hamrlik-happy-to-be-a-capital-very-happyT.J. Doyle2011-07-01T15:38:31-04:002011-07-01T15:38:31-04:00NHL Free Agency: Washington Capitals Sign D Roman Hamrlik To Two-Year Contract
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<p>In a move few predicted, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> have signed veteran defensemen <span>Roman Hamrlik</span> to a two-year, $7 million contract, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/JFChaumont/status/86877219758161920">according to Montreal radio personality J-F Chaumount</a>. The 36-year old Hamrlik has been with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/">Montreal Canadiens</a> since 2007, and has been a mainstay in the NHL since 1992.</p>
<p>Hamrlik had five goals and 29 assists for Montreal last season, with a +/- of +6 in over 22 minutes per game of ice time. He has also played particularly well shutting down <span>Alex Ovechkin</span> in recent years, which may have played a role in the Capitals signing him. Hamrlik's signing is the latest in a busy day for Washington that has included the signings of <span>Jeff Halpern</span> and <span>Joel Ward</span>, as well as the trade of <span>Semyon Varlamov</span>.</p>
<p>The move to sign Hamrlik has interesting ramifications for the Capitals' defensive core. It probably signals the end of the road for free-agent <span>Scott Hannan</span>, but it also makes one wonder about the status of <span>Karl Alzner</span>, a restricted free agent.</p>
<p><i>For more on the signing, visit <a href="http://www.japersrink.com/">Japers' Rink</a></i><i>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2011/7/1/2337349/nhl-free-agency-washington-capitals-sign-d-roman-hamrlik-to-two-yearMike Prada