Justin Williams: I Want To Help The Capitals Get Over The Hump
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
New free agent signee Justin Williams believes the Washington Capitals can win a Stanley Cup and he wants to be a part of it.
Justin Williams decided to sign with the Washington Capitals for a variety of reasons. It could be because his home is in Atlantic City and he’d like to spend more time with his family. It could be because Justin Williams was ready to move on from the Kings after a very stressful season. However, a huge factor in Williams’s decision is that he really likes the Washington Capitals.
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"I think Washington, even before we had a deal done, was a team that my agent, my family and I looked at as a potential team because I liked what they did in the playoffs last year, even though it was a Game 7 loss. I liked the way the team played and they were exciting to watch and they played hard and I want to be a part of a team that has that type of attitude."
In short, Justin Williams sees a lot of similarities between the Kings dynasty that won two Stanley Cups over four seasons. Like the Kings, the Caps play hard, they have a lot of talent and they work hard. That’s a pretty good recipe for success in the NHL. He also loves Barry Trotz, which is worth mentioning because a huge reason for his success in Los Angeles was because of head coach Darryl Sutter.
"[Barry Trotz] is one guy I haven’t heard a bad word from. Sometimes you can get coaches where you can say ‘Yeah, he’s a real hard-ass, or he’s like this or like that.’ Barry kind of has both demeanors – hard when you need to be but kind of knows his players and has been around the game a lot and knows how they’re feeling and how to coach them. Obviously he’s been in this league a long time for a reason and he assured me that I’d be a big part of this team and that they really wanted me and I expressed the same back to him."
Sutter and Trotz have similar personalities. Both are very strict on guys when they need to be (just ask Jason Chimera) but in the end, if you do what they ask, they’ll respect you. Justin Williams is familiar with his reputation as a hero in games seven, but he realizes that it will take more than one player for the Capitals to get over the hump.
"My game seven record is a product of the teams I’ve played on. I’ve played on some great teams, guys are able to get that little goal, or get that little extra that it takes in a game seven because everyone knows how important every single play is. It’s just a product of the great teams I’ve played on, the great guys I’ve played with and that’s why I kind of have that, I guess, mantra hanging over me. But this is a great team as well that I’m coming to. I hope I can help us get to the next level… [the Capitals] battle hard and I like what I’ve seen and I’m just going to try and be me. Come in here and try and be me and hope that’s enough to earn the respect of my teammates and help us get over a little hump."
Justin Williams also admitted that his son might have had something to do with his decision. While Justin Williams is excited to be able to play with Alex Ovechkin, Justin Williams’s son might be even more excited.
"[Ovechkin] gave me a call this morning. I wasn’t around to answer it, but he just wanted to welcome me to the team but he’ll see me soon and it was a nice gesture from him to say hi and I anticipate working well with him among other guys… It’s actually funny, he’ll be seven tomorrow. He gets that his father plays in the NHL and what not. He even said a month ago ‘Daddy, if we don’t go back to LA, I think you should go and play with Ovechkin, because he’s the best.”"
Justin Williams clearly raised his kid the right way! Justin Williams seems motivated to help the Capitals get over the hump. It’s going to take more than just Williams though. It’s going to take a whole team effort and that seems to be what Williams will try to preach to the Capitals.
Next: Justin Williams A Huge Bargain For The Caps