Live Microphone: New Cap Scott Hannan

"My style of game hasn't changed too much from what it's been in San Jose or what it's been in Colorado.  I've been counted on to be a defensive player and to kill penalties and to play against other teams' top lines.... Washington, I'm excited about playing there, obviously, with a bunch of great talented players and I expect to fit in. I expect to be put in a defensive role there -- I don't think they'll change that up too much. You like being on a team where you know you can fit in right away with something the team wants.  I've played that [defensive] role on many other teams, I look forward and relish the fact that I get a chance to do that on a team like Washington."

"I’m really excited about going to a team that is in first place and has a great chance to make a run for the Stanley Cup. Obviously I’m excited to be able add whatever I can to a team with that much talent on it. … I think I’ve been counted on to be a defensive player and can kill penalties and play against other teams’ top lines. Early in my career in San Jose I got to learn from a lot of players there and Colorado was the next step but with them going in the direction they are I hope to come to Washington and be excited about playing there with a bunch of talented players.” SCOTT HANNAN on being acquired by the Washington Capitals

From the Washington Post, GM George McPhee on Hannan

"He's at the point in his career where he's been in the league a long time and wants to win a [Stanley] Cup, and I think it completes our defense.  We're really happy with the way our defense has been playing, but to add one more guy like this helps. Our defense moves the puck pretty well -- we can generate offense from back there -- but to have one more shut-down guy that can block shots, that can do all the little things that would make a difference, we thought was important to add.   We're in good shape.  As I've said many times, we've managed our cap really well and it allows us to do a deal like this. He has an expensive contract but we have the room to do it."  GM George McPhee

More McPhee from CSN Washington

"I think it completes our defense.  We’ve been really happy with the way our defense has been playing, but to add one more guy like this helps. Our defense moves the puck pretty well. We can generate offense from back there, but to have one more shutdown guy who can block shots and do all the little things and make a difference we thought was important.”  Sometimes you get to the trade deadline and things you want aren’t there. There’s not a lot to choose from, it seems anymore. More teams are in the hunt and we might get to the trade deadline and there are only four or five teams that are really out of it. This is not unlike the Chimera trade last year. It was there to be done and we thought it was the right thing to do."