Goaltending picture starts to clear up as camp nears
When Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan looks at his team’s roster, he is content with the lineup in front of him. The team has nearly the same forward group as last season and a blue line that added pieces.
In goal— perhaps the biggest question in Washington — MacLellan sees a path forward. Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek appear to be the 1-2 combination headed into training camp, which starts Jan. 3.
Samsonov posted a 16-6-2 record and a 2.55 goals against average during his rookie season in 2019-20. He was injured in an off-ice accident in Russia before the postseason and was unable to travel with the team. Samsonov, 23, has been skating with other Caps players at Capitals Iceplex for the past six weeks and is expected to be ready for the start of camp.
Vanecek, 24, who has yet to make his NHL debut, served as the team’s backup to Braden Holt by in the playoffs. The past two seasons, Vanecek was an all-star with the Hershey Bears in the American Hockey League and posted a .917 save percentage and 2.26 goals against average last season. His cheap cap hit ($716,667) is a positive for a team still close to the salary cap.
While the organization feels comfortable with its young goaltenders, if Washington sees a netminder become available who fits well and is “willing to accept a certain role,” the Capitals are willing tomake an addition, MacLellan said.
Behind Samsonov and Vanecek on the depth chart are Pheonix Copley and Zach Fucale. Samsonov is the only netminder under contract who played in the NHL this past season.
Under the new rules this season, all teams must carry three goaltenders. Most are expected to have two on the active roster and at least one on the taxi squad.
“We’ve always been kind of going down this route,” MacLellan said on having Vanecek jump up to the big leagues. “We want to see Vanecek play. We’re happywith his progress. We’re happy with his experience. The only thing for us is that he hasn’t played much in the NHL.”
When the Capitals entered the offseason back in October, they knew theywere set to lose Holtby, their longtime goaltender, and Samsonov seemed poised to take the reins. When New York Rangers legend Henrik Lundqvist fell into the Caps’ laps after his contract was bought out, though, Samsonov’s automatic ascension to the team’s No. 1 goaltender slot was placed on pause.
But Lundqvist announced this month he had a heart condition and would not join the team for the upcoming season. That took the veteran out of Washington’s plans and again left Samsonov at the top of the depth chart, with Vanecek waiting in the wings.
“Obviously he has something to prove to everybody,” MacLellan said of Samsonov. “So far, he’s given every indication that he can handle it and this will be a step forward for him. I think it’s going be a lot different when you’re the guy— you’re not coming in behind a guy. So I think he’s a competitive guy, he’s got the skill, he’s got a good mental makeup, so all indications are that he can handle it. It’s going to be a leap in his development here this year.”
MacLellan told reporters Wednesday that Lundqvist’s heart condition is one he has managed his entire career. The New York Rangers would not comment on Lundqvist’s medical condition Wednesday.
“We anticipated it would be the same as what it’s been for most of his career, all of his career,” MacLellan said. “A routine physical that was an early physical turned into, well, we need to explore further what’s going on with you… and [we found that] his risk level is not acceptable for him to continue to play, for him and his family. It’s unfortunate. I think it was emotional for him and his family.”
MacLellan said there are a few options for what to do with Lundqvist’s $1.5 million contract. At some point before training camp, the Capitals will make a firm decision, but placing Lundqvist and the entirety of his salary on long-term injured reserve seems likely.
Notes: After the Capitals signed forward Conor Sheary to a one-year, $735,000 contract Tuesday, MacLellan said he was open to making more moves before camp. Sheary is seen as a middle forward who will compete for a spot on the roster, probably on the third or fourth line.
MacLellan hopes to find time during training camp to talk to captain Alex Ovechkin about a contract extension. If no deal is reached before the season, Ovechkin will be playing the final season of the 13-year, $124 million contract extension he signed in 2008.