The Washington Capitals have acquired goaltender Logan Thompson from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Pick 83 this year and Washington’s 2025 third-round pick, per Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review Journal (Twitter link).
This trade gives Washington a quick answer to the question of who was going to fill Darcy Kuemper’s role after he was swapped for Pierre-Luc Dubois. Kuemper served as Washington’s preferred starter last year, though he was limited to just 33 appearances as a result of injury and personal absences. He also wasn’t near his normal self in the games he did play, recording just 13 wins and an .890 save percentage, the first sub-.900 season of his career.
In Kuemper’s absence, Charlie Lindgren staked a strong claim on Washington’s starting role. He recorded 25 wins and a .911 save percentage through 50 appearances, showing the potential to win games for the Capitals when their offense wasn’t moving. He faltered a bit in the postseason – allowing 14 goals on 93 shots as the Capitals got swept – but Lindgren’s left his mark all the same, commanding the NHL starting role after just one year in a full-time backup position.
Lindgren should be the favorite to hang onto Washington’s starting role again next year. After all, he’s now the highest-paid goalie on the roster. But he’ll face like competition in Thompson, who assumed Vegas’ starting role to good effect in the wake of injuries to Adin Hill. Thompson, 27, recorded 25 wins and a .908 save percentage in 46 games this season, continuing the strong start to his NHL career that began in 2021. He’s since totaled 58 wins and a .912 save percentage through 107 career games. That’s a fantastic track record to acquire via trade, especially for a contract that’s technically cheaper than the veteran’s minimum of $775K.
Thompson will join what should be a fun competition for goalie minutes, fighting with Lindgren and Hunter Shepard. Thompson’s consistency could speak to the highest upside of the three.
For their part in supporting Washington’s goaltending room, Vegas receives a pair of picks and a bit more freedom with their own goalies. Adin Hill has proved dazzling when he stays healthy, bosting a career .910 save percentage through 139 games. He’ll now be the team’s unquestioned starter heading into next season, while Jiri Patera and Isaiah Saville will compete for the backup role, pending another move.
very, very good deal for Washington
Hmmm. Win for caps?
Wonder if this is money saved for #81.
Less than 800K terrible move.
@theodore glass — For what they might be planning to pay JM, it might take a few small moves to get there. It doesn’t mean they will, but if both sides want to work something out, this is a start.
If I had to see one go, I would have preferred it be Adin Hill. He *might* be a little better but it would have a much greater impact with the cap. Next year would be a different issue when they have to pay him, but the VGK seem to play injury-to-injury rather than year to year anyway.
I thought there was some demand for him and Hill. 2 3rds seems light.
Logan would’ve been perfect for Detroit. Find it hard to believe they’ll count on Husso.
Oh, is it ever nice to see Vegas implode in real time.
Holy steal
Hill, Lehner, Patera, Saville… Those are the 4 options in net for 24-25′?
~O_o~
VGK, what are you doing?
Now to make cap space…
I’ll miss Thompson, but the VGK know they need to retain Marchessault.