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New Additions Finding Their Way |
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Written by Justin Creech
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Thursday, 04 October 2007 |
Washington Capitals defensemen Tom Poti sat patiently at a table in the Acela Club at Verizon Center Tuesday afternoon during Capitals media day. He picked at a plate of roast turkey while taking questions from local media members. It was just another step in the former New York Islanders transition to his new surroundings.
“The transition has been easy because everyone has been so friendly,” said Poti who is now with his fourth NHL team and third in the last four seasons. “I’ve been on teams before where guys wouldn’t talk to you or they’ve been quiet or shy so everyone’s been real nice.”
Poti is just one of three free agents the Capitals signed in the offseason to help bolster a defense that finished 29th out of 30 teams in the league last season. Poti, however, is not concerned about the expectations that have been put on his shoulders.
“The main thing you have to do is just go out and win,” said Poti. “If you go out and win all those questions are answered and I think we have the unit that can do that.”
Along with Poti the Capitals signed a pair of veteran forwards in former Islander Viktor Kozlov and former New York Rangers center Michael Nylander.
Kozlov, who is entering his 13th year of NHL play, signed with the Capitals on July 1. Like Potti he has also adjusted quickly to his new surroundings.
“So far so good,” said Kozlov. “This is a very good team [with] lots of young talent and [they] have a bright future.”
One of the reasons Kozlov was brought into the organization was to give star forward Alex Ovechkin some help on the offensive end. So far, Kozlov feels he and Ovechkin have meshed well considering the limited amount of time they have spent together.
“So far so good but there is always room for improve[ment],” said Kozlov. “I hope as the season goes on we will start to feel each other better on the ice and things will go well.”
Kozlov comes to the Capitals with a bit of baggage as he has been known to clash with his previous coaches from time to time. Coach Glen Hanlon says whatever may have happened in the past between Kozlov and his former coaches is exactly that; in the past.
“I purposely don’t call ex coaches,” said Hanlon. “I come in and everyone comes in and we all have things in relationships that work and don’t work for whatever reason. All I know is we have a real class person that’s worked extremely hard so I don’t see why that would change.”
Hanlon added that Kozlov’s experience can only help what is overall a young team.
“He is this typical Russian player that is a total class act that people look up to and respect just being in the same room as him,” said Hanlon. “So that’s a huge plus.”
Nylander returns to Washington after a two season absence. He previously played with the Capitals during the 2002-2003 season, tallying 56 points in 71 games. He was traded to Boston at the trade deadline the following season after playing just three games due to a leg injury suffered in training camp.
Having played here before was the major factor in Nylander’s decision to sign in the off-season.
“[My family] had discussed if we are going to move we want to go somewhere we have been before,” said Nylander. “Washington was on top of the list and they were interested so it was an easy choice.”
Nylander’s signing did not come without a bit of controversy. The Edmonton Oilers claimed Nylander and his agent, Mike Gillis, had agreed to a contract with the Oilers. However, neither Nylander nor Gillis returned a signed standard player’s contact to the Oilers, so the league ruled in favor of the Capitals.
Nylander is also coming off the two most productive season’s of his 16 year career. In the last two seasons’ with the Rangers, Nylander has amassed 162 points in 160 games. Nylander knows how the Capitals start the season will go a long way in their bid to return to post-season play.
“It’s a big part of having a good season for any team,” said Nylander. “I’ve always believed that having a good start gives you confidence and I don’t think it’s going to be any different this year. We have to start winning right off the bat and continue doing that.”
Like Kozlov, Hanlon says Nylander’s experience and work ethic have already proved valuable to the team’s development.
“We’ve had Michael here before,” said Hanlon who was an assistant with the team during Nylander’s previous stop. “So we knew his work ethic but I think for the players who haven’t played with him they’re really surprised at how much effort that goes into his day to day preparation.”
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