Hasek will pursue Cup with Senators

OTTAWA -- Dominik Hasek is thinking Stanley Cup again, and that's exactly why the Ottawa Senators signed one of the game's top goaltenders.

"I wanted to play for a team that I believe can win the Cup," Hasek said at a news conference Tuesday. "And I believe that with my help, all together, we can do it."

Hasek, who won his first Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2002, signed a one-year, $2 million deal with an option year at $3 million. Should Ottawa win the Stanley Cup, Hasek would earn $4 million in bonuses, The Canadian Press reported.

"We've gotten a goaltender who's one of the best," Senators general manager John Muckler said. "This is an exciting time for the hockey team."

The move was not a surprise. Ottawa received permission from Detroit to speak with Hasek even before the Czech star became an unrestricted free agent last Thursday.

"Ottawa was my first choice and I was very excited when my agent called back and said they were very interested in me," Hasek said.

The 39-year-old Hasek, who played just 14 games last season for Detroit because of a groin injury, could be a good fit for Ottawa. The Senators have a talented roster and Muckler was the GM at Buffalo for five seasons when the goalie was earning his nickname "The Dominator."

The Senators welcomed Hasek by having Jason Spezza give up his No. 39 jersey for the goalie. Spezza will now wear No. 19.

It became clear the Senators were interested in Hasek when they traded goalie Patrick Lalime to the St. Louis Blues during the NHL entry draft on June 27.

Hasek is a two-time league MVP and won six Vezina Trophies as the league's best goaltender in nine years with the Sabres. He also led the Czech Republic to the gold medal in the 1998 Nagano Olympics.

He joined the Red Wings in July 2001, winning his first Stanley Cup 11 months later and then retiring.

He ended his one year-retirement last season, going 8-3-2 with a 2.21 goals against average and a .907 save percentage before the injury ended his year. He had groin surgery this spring.