Knuble, 37, tried to work out a deal by giving the Flyers a hometown discount to remain with the team. But Washington's 2-year, $5.2 million offer was too big to pass up.
The last time Knuble changed teams - moving from Boston to Philadelphia in 2005 - he had a year to digest it with the NHL lockout.
Last night, Knuble was back for the first game in the Wachovia Center - only this time as a member of the visiting team. He received a warm introduction from the Flyers' faithful when he was introduced as one of th Capitals' starters.
But when he skated onto the ice just minutes before the drop of the puck, Knuble took a long look down the other end of the ice.
"I don't know if it's good to be back quick or wait [until] later," Knuble said, shrugging his shoulders. "It's a pretty unique situation. It's happened really fast. After being 4 years in one spot, it's hard to change gears.
"You know, all of the logistical stuff like moving everyone, getting everyone in school. It was a busy summer. It's just different. I'm still in the NHL. Washington is still a great city."
He is with a team that, like the Flyers, looks like a serious challenger for the Stanley Cup. And he has a chance to skate with some of the NHL's best talent on a daily basis.
"Crazy things happen on the ice," Knuble explained. "It's just a fun team to play with, lots of run-and-gun hockey. It's fun to see them operate.
"[Alex Ovechkin] just really loves to play. He has the stats and numbers, so just to see him get those stats is special. He really works hard. It doesn't matter if he is a superstar, he just likes to be at the rink every day."
Knuble harbors no ill-will toward the Flyers. He knows it is a business. He flourished under the systems that John Stevens employed, posting 221 points in 310 games in the four most consistent seasons of his career.
