Washington Capitals defenseman Tom Poti (3) skates away as New York Rangers left wing Carl Hagelin (62) is surrounded by teammates after he scored in the second period of their NHL hockey game at Madison Square Garden in New York, February 17, 2013. Visible are Rangers center Derek Stepan (21), left wing Rick Nash (61) and defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27). REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Washington Capitals goalie Michal Neuvirth reacts after David Desharnais (51) of the Montreal Canadiens crashed the crease during their NHL hockey game in Washington January 24, 2013. At left is Capitals defenseman Tom Poti. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES) 

Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (C) and Winnipeg Jets Alexander Burmistrov (R) watch the puck in the second period of their NHL hockey game in Washington January 22, 2013. Washington Capitals Tom Poti is seen on the left. REUTERS/Gary Cameron (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens Scott Gomez (R) and Washington Capitals Tom Poti fight in the third period of Game 2 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey series in Washington April 17, 2010. REUTERS/Gary Cameron (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens Benoit Pouliot (C) gets a shot on Washington Capitals goalie Semyon Varlamov (R) despite defensive pressure from the Capitals' Tom Poti (L) and Mike Green (bottom) in the third period of Game 2 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey series in Washington April 17, 2010. REUTERS/Gary Cameron (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens' Benoit Pouliot (C) gets a shot on Washington Capitals goalie Semyon Varlamov (R) despite defensive pressure from the Capitals' Tom Poti (L) and Mike Green (bottom) in the third period of Game 2 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey series in Washington, April 17, 2010. The Capitals won the game in overtime. REUTERS/Gary Cameron (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Ottawa Senators' Alex Kovalev (R) celebrates his game-winning goal against Washington Capitals' goalie Jose Theodore (C) and Tom Poti in overtime NHL hockey action in Washington, March 30, 2010. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Washington Capitals' Tom Poti (L) and Calgary Flames' Ales Kotalik battle in the crease during the second period of their NHL hockey game in Washington March 28, 2010. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Washington Capitals' Tom Poti (L) tries to bat the puck that went over the shoulder of Calgary Flames goalie Semyon Varlamov (R), as Calgary's Ales Kotalik (26) follows the play during the second period their NHL hockey game in Washington, March 28, 2010. Calgary's Rene Borque(not pictured) scored a goal on the play. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Tom Poti (L) of the Washington Capitals is greeted by teammate David Steckel (39) after scoring a goal against the Dallas Stars as Krystofer Barch (13) of the Stars skates back to the bench in the first period of their NHL hockey game in Washington March 8, 2010. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Washington Capitals defenseman Tom Poti congratulates goalie Jose Theodore (60) after they beat the New York Rangers in their NHL hockey game at Madison Square Garden in New York February 4, 2010. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

New York Rangers center Chris Drury slumps as Washington Capitals defenseman Tom Poti (3) and Nicklas Backstrom (19) congratulate left wing Alex Ovechkin after he scored a goal in the second period of their NHL hockey game at Madison Square Garden in New York, February 4, 2010. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Washington Capitals Tom Poti (L) celebrates his third period goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs with teammates during their NHL hockey game in Washington January 15, 2010. REUTERS/Molly Riley (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Washington Capitals' Tom Poti (3) gets between Paul Gaustad (28) and Mike Grier of the Buffalo Sabres to keep them from getting to the puck during their NHL hockey game in Washington December 23, 2009. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Tom Poti (3) of the Washington Capitals takes Steve Montador of the Buffalo Sabres down to the ice during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Washington December 23, 2009. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

The Washington Capitals' Tom Poti, Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin (L-R) celebrate after Ovechkin scored against the Boston Bruins in the second period of their NHL hockey game in Boston, Massachusetts October 1, 2009. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby (R) battles with Washington Capitals defenceman Tom Poti (L) as Capitals Simeon Varlamov watches the puck during the first period in Game 6 of their NHL Eastern Conference semi-final hockey series in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania May 11, 2009. REUTERS/Jason Cohn (UNITED STATES SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Washington Capitals Nicklas Backstrom (19), Alexander Semin (28) and Tom Poti (3) celebrate a goal by Tomas Fleischmann (14) beside Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury during the third period in Game 1 of their NHL Eastern Conference semifinal hockey series in Washington May 2, 2009. REUTERS/Molly Riley (UNITED STATES SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Washington Capitals Nicklas Backstrom (19), Alexander Semin (C) and Tom Poti (3) celebrate a goal by Tomas Fleischmann (obscured bottom) behind Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (L) and Brooks Orpik during the third period in Game 1 of their NHL Eastern Conference semifinal hockey series in Washington May 2, 2009. REUTERS/Molly Riley (UNITED STATES SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

New York Rangers goaltender Hendrik Lundqvist reacts after Washington Capitals defenseman Tom Poti scored a goal in the first period of Game 6 of their NHL Eastern Conference hockey playoffs at Madison Square Garden in New York, April 26, 2009. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Washington Capitals defenseman Tom Poti celebrates after he scored against the New York Rangers in the first period of Game 6 of their NHL Eastern Conference hockey playoffs at Madison Square Garden in New York April 26, 2009. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Washington Capitals defenseman Tom Poti (top) celebrates scoring past New York Rangers goaltender Hendrik Lundqvist (bottom) in the first period of Game 6 of their NHL Eastern Conference hockey playoffs at Madison Square Garden in New York, April 26, 2009. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

New York Rangers' Marc Staal (front) skates away from Washington Capitals' Tom Poti and goalie Simeon Varlamov (L) during the first period of Game 3 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey game in New York April 20, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Washington Capitals goalie Jose Theodore (60) eyes the puck chased down by Capitals Tom Poti (3) and New York Rangers Sean Avery during the first period in game one of their NHL Eastern Conference quarterfinal hockey game in Washington April 15, 2009. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Philadelphia Flyers center Daniel Briere (48) leaps as a shot from teammate Scott Hartnell (not shown) scores past Washington Capitals goalie Cristobal Huet (R) while Capitals defenseman Tom Poti (3) shadows the play during the first period in Game 3 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 15, 2008. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer (UNITED STATES) 

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (L) lumps into the arms of teammates Mike Green (52), Tom Poti (3) and goaltender Cristobal Huet (hidden behind Green) after the Capitals clinched the Southeast Division title with a win over the Florida Panthers in Washington April 5, 2008. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES) 

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (L) attempts to go under Washington Capitals' Tom Poti (R) in the first period of their NHL hockey game in Washington March 9, 2008. REUTERS/Gary Cameron (UNITED STATES) 

Washington Capitals' Tom Poti (3) and goalie Brent Johnson (1) take down Matt Stajan (R) of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period of their NHL hockey game in Washington January 24, 2008. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES) 

Jason Blake (55) of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes Tim Poti of the Washington Capitals down to the ice during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Washington January 24, 2008. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES) 

New York Rangers winger Jaromir Jagr (R) breaks past Washington Capitals defensemen Mike Green (rear) and Tom Poti (3) in the third period of their NHL hockey game in New York, October 12, 2007. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES) 

Washington Capitals' Tom Poti (3) and Mike Green (52) try to stop New York Rangers' Jaromir Jagr in the first period of their NHL hockey game in New York, October 12, 2007. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES) 

New York Rangers center Scott Gomez reacts after he scored his first goal as a Ranger against Washington Capitals goalie Olie Kolzig (R) and defenseman Tom Poti (L) in the first period of their NHL hockey game in New York October 12, 2007. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES) 

Buffalo Sabres winger Jochen Hecht (55) watches New York Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro (39) deflect his shot while guarded by Islanders defenseman Tom Poti (3) in the first period of Game 4 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarterfinal hockey game in Uniondale, New York April 18, 2007. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES) 

Toronto Maple Leafs Mats Sundin (13) puts a shot on goal against New York Islanders goaltender Wade Dubielewicz and Tom Poti (3) during the second period of their NHL hockey game in Uniondale, New York April 5, 2007. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton (UNITED STATES) 

New York Islanders (L-R) Tom Poti, Marc-Andre Bergeron, assistant coach Danny Flynn, Sean Hill and Brendan Witt leave the bench as the game ends in their 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators in of their NHL hockey game in Uniondale, New York, March 31, 2007. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES) 

New York Islanders defenseman Tom Poti (3) and Ottawa Senators center Mike Fisher (12) run into each other along the boards in the first period of their NHL hockey game in Uniondale, New York, March 31, 2007. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES) 

With New York Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro sprawled out of position, Islanders defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron (L) stops a shot by Montreal Canadiens center Maxim Lapierre (R) as he is guarded by Islanders defenseman Tom Poti (2nd R) with seconds left in their NHL hockey game in Uniondale, New York, February 24, 2007. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES) 

New York Islanders Tom Poti (L) scores against Boston Bruins goaltender Hannu Toivonen in the third period of their NHL hockey game in Boston, Massachusetts January 11, 2007. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES) 

New York Islanders' Tom Poti (L) battles New York Rangers' Jaromir Jagr for control of the puck during the third period of their in their NHL hockey game in New York, January 9, 2007. REUTERS/Keith Bedford (UNITED STATES) 

New York Islanders Miroslav Satan (C top) celebrates a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins with teammates Chris Simon (L), Mike York (R) and Tom Poti during their NHL hockey game at Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena December 2, 2006. It was Satan's 300th goal and 600th NHL point. REUTERS/ David A. DeNoma (UNITED STATES) 

Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Colby Armstrong (20) skates away from New York Islanders Tom Poti (3) during the second period of their NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 28, 2006. REUTERS/ Jason Cohn (UNITED STATES) 

New Jersey Devils winger Jay Pandolfo (R) checks New York Islanders defenseman Tom Poti against the boards in the third period of their NHL game in East Rutherford, New Jersey November 2, 2006. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES) 

New York Islanders center Alexei Yashin and defenseman Tom Poti (3) celebrate with winger Jason Blake (R) after Blake scored against New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur in the third period of their NHL game in East Rutherford, New Jersey November 2, 2006. Islanders won 5-2. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES) 

New Jersey Devils winger Brian Gionta (2nd L) reacts in front of New York Rangers defensman Tom Poti (L) and New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist after center Patrik Elias scored on a shot from the face-off circle in the second period of Game 4 of their NHL Stanley Cup playoff series in New York's Madison Square Garden April 29, 2006. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine 

New York Rangers center Steve Rucchin (L) and defense man Tom Poti (R) congratulate Sandis Ozolinsh after he scored against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period of their NHL game at Madison Square Garden in New York March 27, 2006. REUTERS/Ed Betz 

New York Rangers winger Jaromir Jagr (R) celebrates his second goal of the game against the Philadelphia Flyers with defenseman Tom Poti (16) in the first period of their NHL game in New York's Madison Square Garden March 22, 2006. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine 

Atlanta Thrashers winger Ilya Kovalchuk (L) looks at the puck as he beat New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (C) and defenseman Tom Poti (16) for a goal in the third period of their NHL game March 12, 2006 in New York's Madison Square Garden. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine 

Atlanta Thrashers goalie Kari Lehtonen (R) makes a save on a shot in front of New York Rangers defenseman Tom Poti (16) in the first period of their NHL game in New York's Madison Square Garden March 12, 2006. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine 

New York Rangers center Blair Betts (R) celebrates a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers with teammate Rangers defenseman Tom Poti during second period NHL action in Philadelphia March 2, 2006. The Rangers won 6-1. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer 

New York Rangers defenseman Tom Poti reacts after he came out of the penalty box and caught a loose puck to score a breakaway goal past Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ed Belfour in the second period of their NHL game in New York's Madison Square Garden February 10, 2006. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine 

New York Rangers defenseman Tom Poti (16) grabs the puck in front of Toronto maple Leafs defenceman Bryan McCabe (R) after he came out of the penalty box and caught a loose puck in the second period of their NHL game in New York's Madison Square Garden, February 10, 2006. Poti took the puck on a breakaway to score a goal past Maple Leafs goalie Ed Belfour. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine 

New York Rangers defenseman Tom Poti reacts after he came out of the penalty box and caught a loose puck to score a breakaway goal past Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Ed Belfour (20) in the second period of their NHL game in New York's Madison Square Garden, February 10, 2006. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine 

New York Rangers defenseman Tom Poti (16) grabs the puck in front of Toronto maple Leafs defenceman Bryan McCabe (R) after he came out of the penalty box and caught a loose puck in the second period of their NHL game in New York's Madison Square Garden, February 10, 2006. Poti took the puck on a breakaway to score a goal past Maple Leafs goalie Ed Belfour. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine 

New York Rangers defenseman Tom Poti reacts after he came out of the penalty box and caught a loose puck to score a breakaway goal past Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Ed Belfour (20) in the second period of their NHL game in New York's Madison Square Garden, February 10, 2006. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine 

New York Rangers defenseman Tom Poti reacts after he came out of the penalty box and caught a loose puck to score a breakaway goal past Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ed Belfour in the second period of their NHL game in New York's Madison Square Garden February 10, 2006. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine 

New York Rangers defenseman Tom Poti (R) trips Calgary Flames center Steven Reinprecht in the third period of their NHL game in New York's Madison Square Garden, January 10, 2006. Rangers won 4-2. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine 

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nolan Pratt (44) exits the penalty box as he watches the New York Rangers surround Rangers defenseman Tom Poti (2nd L, partially hidden) after he scored a power play goal in the third period of their NHL game in New York's Madison Square Garden December 22, 2005. The goal proved to be the game winner as the Rangers won 4-2. Pratt had been given a two-minute delay of game penalty. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine 

Carolina Hurricanes Kevyn Adams (R) and Craig Adams (C) celebrate Adams' third goal as New York Rangers' Tom Poti skates to the bench during third period play in their NHL game in Raleigh November 17, 2005. Carolina won 5-1. REUTERS/Grant Halverson 

Pittsburgh Penquins center Mario Lemieux looks at the puck at the feet of New York Rangers goalie Kevin Weekes (80) and defenseman Tom Poti (16) after he scored in the first period in their NHL game in New York's Madison Square Garden, November 7, 2005. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine 

Montreal Canadiens center Chris Higgins (L) reacts after scoring against New York Rangers goalie Kevin Weekes during the first period in their NHL game in New York's Madison Square Garden, October 6, 2005. Rangers defenseman Tom Poti (16) watches the play. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine