Washington Capitals' Mike Knuble not to return next season -NHL Update
Washington Capitals will be losing another veteran player for the upcoming National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, Mike Knuble, who has announced that he will not be returning to the club and is hoping to grab another opportunity around the league on
Wednesday, June 6, 2012.
On the other hand, Washington Capitals’ general manager, George McPhee, has also made it clear to Knuble that the franchise is not willing to re-sign the player either after he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
For Knuble, a veteran right winger, not returning to Washington is something that was bound to happen looking at his disappointing performance last season, which was his third year with the Capitals.
"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."
There were rumours that Knuble would not be playing for Washington next season but it became a reality for the player when Capitals GM called him to personally tell him the news.
It was definitely shocking but nevertheless, Knuble believes that it will allow him to explore other opportunities which just might be better for him in the long run.
Being 39-years-old, Knuble understands that it will be hard to secure a long-term contract with another franchise, but his hoping to continue playing as long as he can.
"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.”
Drafted as the 76th overall player during round-four of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by Detroit Red Wings, Mike Knuble has spent 15 seasons in the major league thus far.
In 1,040 games played up until now, he has amassed 540 points (274 goals, 266 assists).
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