"Tomas Vokoun may be earning a significantly smaller paycheck in Washington than he has in recent seasons, but the veteran goaltender made it clear Monday that money isn't his priority these days.

"I'm in the stage of my career [where] I don't have to worry about my finances, my livelihood, my family, and I can just go out and enjoy hockey and play with great players," Vokoun told the Miami Herald's George Richards after a workout in Coral Springs.

The 35-year-old Czech native signed a one-year deal with the Capitals worth a meager $1.5 million in July, just a season after he earned $6.3 million in Florida. Vokoun, who had widely been considered the top free agent goalie available, later described the offers he got — including a three-year deal from the Panthers — as "disappointing." His agent at the time, Michael Deutsch (Vokoun switched to Octagon's Allan Walsh late last month), called Capitals General Manager George McPhee the day after free agency opened and said the netminder would take a lesser deal to play in Washington."