Capitals April Fools: Top 5 worst free agent signings ever

NEWARK, NJ - SEPTEMBER 29: Michael Nylander of the Washington Capitals passes the puck during the game against the New Jersey Devils on September 29, 2008 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - SEPTEMBER 29: Michael Nylander of the Washington Capitals passes the puck during the game against the New Jersey Devils on September 29, 2008 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 22: Roman Hamrlik #44 of the Washington Capitals handles the puck against the Winnipeg Jets at the Verizon Center on January 22, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 22: Roman Hamrlik #44 of the Washington Capitals handles the puck against the Winnipeg Jets at the Verizon Center on January 22, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

#4 Roman Hamrlik

Roman Hamrlik was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1992 NHL Draft. He played a season and a half with the Capitals from 2011-12 to 2013’s lockout-shortened season. His best season came in the 2000-01 campaign with the New York Islanders when he scored 16 goals and had 30 assists for 46 points.

During his first season with the Caps, Hamrlik scored two goals and had 11 assists for 13 points. In the lockout-shortened year, he only suited up for four games with the Caps before being placed on waivers.

Once there he was claimed by the New York Rangers, where he finished out the season and eliminated the Caps in the playoffs in seven games in the first round.

Roman Hamrlik was signed to a two-year, $7 million dollar contract which was a waste considering it was on a veteran who later went to waivers only to be claimed by a rival team. What on earth were they thinking? Both signing the guy and putting him on waivers? Again, what a waste.

That’s just the point though of this post, to show the worst of the worst when it comes to free-agent signings. It was another defenseman to an already weak blue line. Thankfully our defense is much better now.