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Could McPhee Shop a Goalie?

February 17, 2012, 1:16 PM ET [16 Comments]
Steven Hindle
Washington Capitals Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Could Caps Fill Holes by Shopping More Goalies?


The question continues to come up, what is George McPhee doing?

He's quite apparently been burning up phone lines trying to lay down foundations for possible trades, though no one has taken a bite just yet.

But who's he shopping and what are they looking for?

One thing that is a rather muddled subject in Caps land these days is the future of the blue paint at Verizon Center.

With Tomas Vokoun playing out his ridiculously cheap one year contract, it's not all that likely that he will be returning to DC or that he will come anywhere close to accepting the number he took last summer. That said, Washington would be hard pressed to trade him at the moment as he has been among the only reasons why they still have a fighting chance at the playoffs.

Yet what about Michal Neuvirth?

The remaining netminder from the '10/11 goalie tandem, it would seem apropos to assume that he is the one destined to tend the cage for the Caps moving forward, yet his play this season has not turned that many heads, nor has it dissuaded any concerns over Washington's goaltending question moving forward.

Throw highly touted prospect Braden Holtby into the mix and you have to wonder if Neuvirth isn't destined for the same fate as his former partner, Semyon Varlamov?

To be fair, it's not as if the Caps are as loaded with goaltending prospects as they were when they still held the Varlamov playing card, yet at the same time, they aren't bereft of upcoming talent.

Beyond Holtby, and though still in need of some work, is Philipp Grubauer. The young German netminder has been finding his groove in the ECHL, and has legit potential to become a starting goaltender in the NHL.

Considering these 4 netminders and the fact that the Caps have those 1st and 2nd round picks from Colorado still to use, there's no reason to imagine the Capitals aren't going to possibly part with some of that talent.

And while Grubauer won't likely be a starting point for any possible deal, he could prove a valuable throw in.

But what about Holtby and Neuvirth?

Are the destined to be the Caps tandem next season?

Both are signed through next year and both are very talented, but do the Caps continue to push the process of settling on a #1?

It's a tough call because ultimately only one of those 2 young goalies can become the team's top netminder.

And since that is the case, what says that decision won't be made sooner than later?

To put a little more pressure on the situation, the stark truth is Tomas Vokoun is a remarkably enticing piece of trade bait.

While the playoffs are still very much a reality and the goal for the Caps this season, with Vokoun performing so well as of late and his miniscule cap hit looking more and more enticing, would it not be reasonable to assume he could be a very valuable chip for George McPhee to dangle?

It's a tough call if only because none of these netminders have stood out to the point where the decision has become an easy one.

Add to that the fact that they are all talented and valuable in one way or another and I can't help but think Washington could wind up being one of those teams that sees fit to part with some goaltending.

Nothing is a sure bet, but with the Caps in dire need for help at center and with a plethora of netminders in the fold, you have to think the two won't tie in together at some point.

Consider that if the Caps traded Vokoun they would be left with the tandem of Holtby/Neuvirth. Or consider any other variation of trading one of those 3 goalies and the Capitals are still left with a decent and talented pair of netminders in DC.

Targeting what the team needs right now is clearly the most important thing for McPhee, but while other assets are bandied about as potential trade bait, consider Washington's situation between the pipes.

With an incredibly important 4 point game tonight against the Panthers, the only thing the Caps need to do at this time is win. And for George McPhee, those wins (or losses) will mean a world of difference between what he is willing to pay and what he is willing to pursue.


Vokoun is expected to start tonight in Florida while Alex Ovechkin will look to prove his work ethic is still strong enough to make him a force in the NHL.

Enjoy the game!



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