G Ilya Samsonov (2015, 22nd, WSH)

StreetHawk

Registered User
Sep 30, 2017
25,960
9,603
No, Tampa with Vasilevsky and Bishop.
Bishop was a UFA in the summer of 2017, but never got there cause his rights were dealt from LA to Dal and he signed with them. So, the Caps would be in a worst situation as Holtby is UFA in 2020 and the ED is in 2021. Have to make that call a year early.

There's what is good for the Caps and then there's what Holtby would want. Holtby will be 30 in September and UFA in the year he is 31 (when the season starts). So, I'd imagine he would view his next contract as possibly his last one, unless he's still playing well when it expires and he does a short extension like Rinne. If Holtby extends in Washington, he's well aware of Sammy, as he just went through that in a way with Grub and not starting the playoffs last season. So, is he looking for security to be exempt from the ED?

So, the Caps do have to make a decision as both Sammy and Holtby would be eligible for the ED if they are both on the roster. Need Sammy to play at the NHL level next season to help them make their decision. Goalie market is very narrow as only around 5 teams are in search of one. If you make mistake on a goalie contract, there is no way out of that.
 

trick9

Registered User
Jun 2, 2013
12,166
5,140
Is he being wasted as a Caps prospect? Holtby isn't even 30 yet and is a Veniza quality goalie.

Not really. He just turned 22 recently.

Sure, he would have propably got a shot at NHL-level already if he was drafted by a franchise that's rebuilding, but is that really better than being drafted by the franchise that's best in the league in developing young goalies and where he will propably as soon as next season have chance at NHL-level playing in front of great defense? Holtby's contract is up after next season and by then Samsonov will have had his chance in the NHL and his play likely determines (along with other things) what they will do with Holtby.
 
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