INSIDE HOCKEY

While the Chicago Blackhawks were busy stealing all the headlines by signing Marian Hossa (and probably hindering their Stanley Cup hopes in the process), the Washington Capitals accomplished one of their goals of the free agency period. The Capitals brought in Mike Knuble, a winger from Philadelphia, to replace Viktor Kozlov, who left for his homeland Russia. In the process, Washington didn't commit to a long deal or a large salary. Knuble will make $5.6 million over two years with the Capitals, the same average salary that the 36-year old made in Philadelphia last season.

"What we did is replace a 13-goal scorer (in Kozlov) with a 27-goal scorer — and the team is better as a result," Capitals general manager George McPhee told the Associated Press. I have to agree with him. Knuble knows his role, wants to be in Washington and should make linemates Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom better.

That's the good news. It's also the bad news.

Washington is now up against the cap and is unlikely to make any more moves. But I think the Capitals still need to improve their defense's toughness if they are going to overcome Pittsburgh and its other rivals. Steve Montador is off the board, gone to Buffalo, and there are few options remaining. I'm not sure what move the Capitals will make on defense now, but it looks like their offense is at least going to be strong again.