Capitals reacquire Tabaracci

By Rachel Alexander
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, August 8, 1998; Page E8

After almost two months of casting around the NHL for a backup goaltender, the Washington Capitals plucked familiar face Rick Tabaracci from the Calgary Flames yesterday for an unspecified draft pick and future considerations.
Tabaracci, who played in the Washington organization from 1993 to 1995, should have no problem fitting in with the Capitals, who are eager to maintain team chemistry after reaching the Stanley Cup finals in June. But the 29-year-old's $1.2 million salary for the upcoming season may become a point of contention because starter Olaf Kolzig is set to make $600,000 in the final year of his contract.
General Manager George McPhee yesterday declined to say whether he will extend or renegotiate Kolzig's contract, instead preferring to focus on Tabaracci, whom McPhee targeted after the Capitals considered a wide range of free agents.
"We tried to acquire a goaltender without having to give anything up, and we went around and around with some of the agents, but we finally said that enough was enough," said McPhee, who had shown some interest in free agents Arturs Irbe and Bob Essensa. Tabaracci "will provide depth and create a strong tandem with [Kolzig]. He's also a guy who has been a number one [goalie] for a few years, so if Olie got hurt, we'd feel confident that Rick could take us through a part of the regular season or even win us a couple playoff rounds, if it came to that."
Tabaracci, who has played for five NHL clubs (two of them twice), compiled a 2.88 goals-against average and a 13-22-6 record in 42 games with the Flames last season.

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