-Vintage Canuck- Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 First Semin now Knuble: After three seasons in Washington, Mike Knuble’s time as a Capital has come to an end. Knuble said in a phone interview Wednesday that he has been informed by General Manager George McPhee that the Capitals will not re-sign him for the 2012-13 season. The veteran winger is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. “I don’t think it was unexpected, the way things went this season,” Knuble said. “There are younger guys stepping up and those guys will need a spot to play and a chance to play…. It’s really the first time in my career that I’ve been told by a team they don’t want me back, but it’s not like I was blindsided.” Knuble, who turns 40 on July 4, has said numerous times that he would like to continue playing but knows that his future rests in whatever the free agent market holds this summer. Later this month Knuble and his family will return to Michigan, as they do every summer, to wait and see what opportunities might present themselves. “I was thinking the other day that my body feels as good as it did when I came into the league,” Knuble said. “At this stage of my career, you understand that nobody’s going to make long-term plans with you or give you a long-term commitment, but I feel I can contribute. People look at me being 39 years old, but I just view my age as a number. Physically, I feel good and I think I relate to my teammates very well. “I feel prepared for anything,” Knuble added. “I could be in hockey, outside of hockey — but my first priority would be to keep playing. You can run all sorts of scenarios in your head but you never know what might come down the line.” The 2011-12 campaign marked Knuble’s 15th NHL season, and it was arguably his most trying year in the past decade. After serving as a top-six forward for his first two years in Washington, Knuble’s role changed to that of a fourth-line grinder, his ice time diminished significantly and he was a healthy scratch for three different stretches between February and March. Knuble finished the regular season with six goals and 18 points, failing to record 20 goals in the regular season for the first time since 2001-02. When the postseason began, he was sitting once again. After being inserted into the playoff lineup when Nicklas Backstrom served a one-game suspension, though, Knuble earned a spot the rest of the way. He recorded two goals and an assist in 11 playoff games, bringing the dependable, net-crashing presence he built a career on. In three years in Washington, Knuble played 220 regular season games, recording 59 goals and 52 assists while providing a stabilizing voice in the dressing room for his younger teammates. He recorded 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists) in 24 playoff games with the Capitals. “I look back on it as it being a great place to play, a great stop for me,” Knuble said. “I think I had two very successful years here and I think I made a very positive impression on my teammates and the city. You hope that you left a little bit of a mark; you hope they have good thoughts pop in their head about how you treated people, how you behaved and how you played. “My only regret is that we didn’t win,” Knuble continued. “We had a lot of great pieces — they still have a lot of great pieces here, and they’ll be back in the thick of it next year. You just wish you could have been a part of winning it here, but maybe it wasn’t meant to be.” http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capitals-insider/post/mike-knuble-wont-return-to-capitals/2012/06/06/gJQALp8iIV_blog.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xbox Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 I don't think Knuble will be done playing for a long time. He is basically saying what our Nolan Baumgartner said last year "I will keep playing hockey until no team wants to give me a contract" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageForever420 Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 Sign him please perfect vet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dion Phaneuf Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 I don't think that he will be getting a contract...PTO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Doughty Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 I think Anaheim will sign him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peace Bond Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 I don't think that he will be getting a contract...PTO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xbox Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 He would be near perfect for a 3rd line playing RW. To bad Jannik Hansen is perfect for that role. Other teams will offer Knuble something Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucksbiggestfan Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 He would be really good on our fourth and could go up to the second if need be. Sign him 1.25 million @ 1 year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Honestly, it'd be interesting to see someone like him mentor Kassian. Kassian needs to find that part of his game, while learning the skilled side from our superstars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageForever420 Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 He would be really good on our fourth and could go up to the second if need be. Sign him 1.525 million @ 1 year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lonny_Bohonos_14 Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 I'd inquire, but not for much. Maybe 1 year @1 or less. Too slow to be effective in a top 9 role. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucksbiggestfan Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Too much id go with around the 900k mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DownUndaCanuck Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Great 3rd line checker or the best 4th liner in the league. Canucks are already stacked at that position with Lapierre, Hansen, Malhotra, Bitz, Weise and possibly Jensen but he'd be a big upgrade on Bitz and Weise for that final spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azzy Mahmood Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 He'll get plenty of offers. Going into this season he had 8 consecutive 20 goal seasons - one poor season on an underwhelming Caps side won't diminish his value that much. Would be a great pickup for the Flames. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd84 Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 no surprise here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.G Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Great 3rd line checker or the best 4th liner in the league. Canucks are already stacked at that position with Lapierre, Hansen, Malhotra, Bitz, Weise and possibly Jensen but he'd be a big upgrade on Bitz and Weise for that final spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil_314 Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Honestly, it'd be interesting to see someone like him mentor Kassian. Kassian needs to find that part of his game, while learning the skilled side from our superstars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuck-Shot Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 It's been proven the sedins don't need a fast skater to play with. Knuble must surely be nearly as good of a pickup as anson carter or kyle wellwood at around the same price. What do you think?he's been overpaid for years and he says he want to win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
komodo1970 Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 I don`t see a fit for him here. We are right side heavy. We have three solid right wingers and, I feel, Jensen is ready. If he gets a shot next season, there is no room. Maybe sign him as a fill in player; one who sits in the Canucks booth and waits for an injury, maybe getting a start here and there to keep in shape. I can`t see him being a full time player here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HX833 Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 He doesn't really fit in with Gillis' goal of getting younger, but should be a good fit somewhere else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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