Caps ink winger Mike Knuble

WASHINGTON, July 1 (UPI) -- The Washington Capitals have signed high-scoring, free-agent right wing Mike Knuble to a two-year contract.

No monetary figure was disclosed after Wednesday's surprise deal at the onset of the league's off-season, free-agent signing period, but the Delaware Daily Times reported he will receive $5.6 million.

"We just felt we needed someone else, a player on (the top) line in particular with (left wing Alex) Ovechkin, the reigning two-time NHL MVP and (center Nicklas) Backstrom, that will go to the net," General Manager George McPhee told the Washington Post. "Mike's made his living there."

Knuble, 37, scored 47 points for the Flyers last season, his fourth in Philadelphia and in his 13-year career with four NHL teams, he has compiled 429 points (215 goals and 214 assists.)

The Capitals lost free agent left wing Donald Brashear, mainly an enforcer, to the New York Rangers after Sergei Federov signed with a team in his native Russia last month.