Kronwall: I just hope I get a chance here, I really do. I'm excited.

 By MIKE ZEISBERGER, TORONTO SUN, Feb. 8, 2009:

MONTREAL -- Attention, Toronto Marlies.

Staffan Kronwall does not want you to be offended.

He enjoyed his time having you guys as teammates. He really did.

Having said that, the lanky Swede would rather be in a dressing room with Alex Ovechkin, thank you very much.

That's exactly where he was yesterday, less than 24 hours after being claimed on waivers by the Washington Capitals.

"He's a really funny guy," Kronwall said of Ovechkin yesterday during a phone interview from the Washington area. "He spent the entire morning cracking jokes.

"I'll tell you one thing: He's a lot bigger guy than I thought he was."

YOUNG SUPERSTARS

Kronwall spent the day being shown the city by countryman Nicklas Backstrom, part of the new beginning he hopes to embark on with the Capitals.

"It's a really relaxed room here full of young guys," Kronwall said. "The thing is, as young as they are, they are superstars.

"I just hope I get a chance here, I really do. I'm excited."

Kronwall, the 285th pick in the 2002 entry draft, had an injury-plagued stint in the Toronto organization. In 52 games as a Leaf, he had just one point -- an assist -- while spending the majority of time with the Marlies.

He did show signs of breaking out this season, registering 25 points in 42 games on the farm before being snapped up by the Caps.

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