Capitals might deal Knuble

Is it possible Mike Knuble has played his final game for the Washington Capitals?

Capitals coach Dale Hunter made the 39-year-old right wing a healthy scratch for the first time this season in Thursday night's 3-2 shootout loss to the Winnipeg Jets, leading many to speculate if he may be traded before the Feb. 27 trade deadline.

In 53 games this season, Knuble has three goals and eight assists and is a team-worst minus-14. He's gone 27 games without a goal.

"It's always hard to do," Hunter said. "Mike hasn't scored in a while. We figured we'd have him up top (in the press box) to watch the game."

The last time Knuble was a healthy scratch for the Capitals was on April 9, 2010, when several Capitals were given nights off prior to the playoffs.

"I've been through it," Hunter said. "If you've played hockey, you've been through it and you don't like it. That's the way you want the guy to react. He can't say, 'Oh, it's fine.' He doesn't like it, but it's part of hockey."

The Capitals are off until Sunday afternoon in New York, when the players' fathers make their annual trip with the team. It remains to be seen whether Knuble dresses for that game or perhaps for another NHL team. He is in the final year of his contract.

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