A Net Loss For Washington

"I told [No. 3 goalie Brent Johnson], 'That was probably my last game as a Capital,' " Kolzig said. "Obviously it was at a crucial point in the season where we needed to win every game. They were a team we felt we could beat. Whether we were ready to play or not, we didn't beat them. Huet went in, won seven in a row and the rest is history."

Kolzig recorded his ninth season with at least 20 victories, winning 25 games. But his .892 save percentage and 2.91 goals against average ranked near the bottom of the league, and were well below his career numbers of .908 and 2.69 entering the season.

"It's hard to argue this because the season is done and my numbers are set, and when you compare them to other goalies on the team, I had the worst numbers," Kolzig said. "I did not play as well as the previous few years. But I didn't play as poorly as my numbers indicated, as some people want to believe. I never was a save percentage guy. For me, it was all about wins."

Though Kolzig's time in Washington has passed -- he's in the process of selling his family's $3.5 million house in Potomac -- Kolzig does not feel as if he's done playing hockey. In fact, he has resumed training for next season and plans to approach the offseason as if he is going to play. And if the right situation were to present itself -- joining a contender is high among his priorities -- he would return for a 17th NHL season.

If that doesn't happen, Kolzig said, he would seriously consider retiring.

"I haven't completely made up my mind," Kolzig said. "For me, it's all about my family. The situation has to be good for my family. I still feel that I can be a dominant goalie in this league. If the offer is not out there . . . I'll just sit by the pool with a six-pack."

McPhee declined to comment because he had not spoken directly to Kolzig.