One of the off-season requirement for the Washington Capitals was a puckmoving blueliner and they addressed that need Sunday, signing former NY Islanders blueliner Tom Poti to a four-year contract worth $3.5 million per season.

Poti is a very good offensive blueliner but his size and skills have always left fans in his former NHL stops wanting more. He's not overly physical but there's no denying that his offensive skills could make him a welcome addition to the Capitals, particularly on the power play.

He's had two 40+ point seasons, the latest being last season with the Islanders, where he earned praise for his improvement defensively, so hopefully he'll carry that over to the Caps next season.

At the very least, he'll provide the Capitals with the PP quarterback they've lacked since Sergei Gonchar left town several years ago. Only 30, he should be in his prime now, which could make this a good, affordable signing for the Caps.

With the puckmoving defenseman now acquired, Caps GM George McPhee must now turn his attention toward a good playmaking center for Alexander Ovechkin's line.