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Ovechkin ‘upset’ at Grabovski departure, happy with defensive signings

Washington Capitals v New Jersey Devils

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 04: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals (3rd from left) celebrates his first period goal against the New Jersey Devils along with (l-r) Mikhail Grabovski #84, Karl Alzner #27 and Nicklas Backstrom #19 at the Prudential Center on April 4, 2014 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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When Mikhail Grabovski signed with the New York Islanders, you had to wonder how Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin took the news.

Turns out it wasn’t a happy moment for him. In an interview with ITAR-TASS in Russia (translated by Russian Machine Never Breaks), Ovechkin gives his thoughts on Grabovski’s departure as well as the Capitals signing Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen.

On Grabovski leaving, Ovechkin kept it short saying, “Of course I am upset about Mikhail Grabovski. We had a close relationship.”

As for bringing on a pair of former Pittsburgh Penguins in Orpik and Niskanen to help the Caps with their defensive issues, he’s a bit happier.

“That our team signed such guys [as Niskanen and Orpik] – that’s a very strong move,” Ovechkin said. “Orpik, for example, is a very physical defenseman. If he plays on your team – it’s a positive for you. But the results will be at the end of the season, it hasn’t even started yet. Who knows what other changes are coming to the team– maybe there will be a trade or something else.”

Maybe there will be or maybe they won’t, but keeping Ovechkin feeling good helps the Caps out. Losing Grabovski certainly hurts, especially when they don’t have someone to take his place at the moment.

It should make for a fascinating camp with Ovechkin losing a friend and gaining a new GM in Brian MacLellan and coach Barry Trotz, the latter of whom may present the biggest test for him.

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