On Friday, Washington Capitals GM George McPhee solidified his defensive core by signing veteran defenseman Roman Hamrlik 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 brief team conference call. 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:
At this point in his career, why Washington and the Capitals?
"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 Capitals and I think I can bring some experience and I can still move the puck."
On looking forward to playing with, instead of against, Alexander Ovechkin:
"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."
Roman, as we mentioned earlier today, we are quite certain you will enjoy not having Ovi do this to you again any time soon.