The Capitals have found success with a goaltender combo of Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren this season, and look to have no plans to let either goalie go anytime soon.
On the latest 32 Thoughts podcast, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Freidman discussed the Capitals’ net strategy as the trade deadline approaches and Thompson and Lindgren become free agents this summer.
“Both their goalies, Thompson and Lindgren, are UFAs, and Washington’s told teams they want to keep both those guys,” Friedman informed me.
The Capitals presently spend less than $2 million against the cap on goaltenders, paying Lindgren $1.1 million and Thompson $766,667 this season, yet their results outperform goaltending tandems paid significantly more. Thompson, a 14-2-2 goaltender in Washington, ranks fifth in the NHL in goals saved over predicted (12.4) and sixth in save percentage (.916) and goals against average (2.38).
Lindgren’s performance this year has been slightly muted after leading the Capitals to a playoff place the previous year, but he has still played well enough to earn regular starts. Lindgren has a.900 save % in 18 games this season, 2.69 goals against average, and -1.9 goals saved beyond expectations. Last May, he expressed interest in signing a contract this summer, but the Capitals delayed negotiations until after the offseason.
Thompson and Lindgren are both playing beyond their current wages, so the Capitals will have to pay up if they want to keep them in DC. Last Monday, Mackenzie Blackwood signed a five-year agreement with the Colorado Avalanche at $5.25 per season, perhaps setting a bar for the goaltender market. Thompson has surpassed Blackwood this season, despite the fact that Blackwood has spent the majority of the season behind the San Jose Sharks, who are struggling.
| Goaltender | W/L/OT | GAA | SV% | GSAE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logan Thompson | 14-2-2 | 2.38 | .916 | 12.4 |
| MacKenzie Blackwood | 10-10-3 | 2.75 | .916 | 8.2 |
| Charlie Lindgren | 10-8-0 | 2.69 | .900 | -1.9 |
Earlier this month, the New York Rangers signed Igor Shesterkin to an eight-year, $92 million contract extension, raising the goalkeeper market cap. Shesterkin will become the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history when his contract begins next fall, earning $11.5 million per season.
In addition to Lindgren and Thompson, seven Capitals players will become unrestricted free agents next summer, including Jakob Chychrun, Nic Dowd, Lars Eller, Andrew Mangiapane, Taylor Raddysh, Jakub Vrana, and Dylan McIlrath.
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