Capitals Waive Roman Hamrlik, Rangers Awarded Claim

The Capitals announced yesterday that they waived veteran defenseman Roman Hamrlik. Hamrlik had played just four games this season for Washington, logging one point, two shots, two hits and four blocked shots.

February 7, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Roman Hamrlik (44) reacts on the ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Some 15 hours later, the Rangers claimed Hamrlik. New York defenseman Mark Staal suffered injury in last night’s 4-2 victory of Philadelphia, though it appears as though New York had already been discussing adding Hamrlik prior to the injury. But with Staal potentially out, he will likely play a larger role than the Rangers originally anticipated.

Hamrlik is in the final year of the two-year, $7-million contract he signed with Washington prior to the 2011-2012 season. The 38-year-old defenseman is the NHL’s active leader in games played with 1,383. In  20 seasons, Hamrlik has 155 goals and 483 assists. Hamrlik has also averaged 2.22 blocked shots and .97 hits per game since the league started keeping track of both stats in the 2009-2010 season. Hamrlik also holds a special place in NHL history as the first ever draft pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning, going No. 1 overall in 1992.