3 Goalies, 1 Starter; Who Will it be?
Jose Theodore
Cap Hit: $4,500,000.00(final year)
Age: 32
Glove Hand: Right
2008-2009 Numbers
| GP | W | L | OT | GA | SA | SV | SV% | GAA | SO | PIM | MIN |
| 57 | 32 | 17 | 5 | 157 | 1572 | 1415 | .900 | 2.87 | 2 | 6 | 3287 |
Notes:
Theo finished ranked 12th overall in wins last season, completing only the second 30 win season of his career. With 32 wins in 57 games, Theodore was actually quite steady. He was not flashy and, following a rough stretch at the beginning of the season, rebounded nicely by going 11-3-1 between mid December and the beginning of February before finishing up the regular season with 4 wins in his last 5 games.
Although Jose was tabbed as the sure-fire number 1 for Washington heading into game 1 of the playoffs, he quickly learned that things aren’t as certain as they seem. Theo lost his spot to rookie netminder Simeon Varlamov after giving up timely goals to the Rangers leading to the loss in game 1. From there on out it was the Russian rookie’s show.
Simeon Varlamov
Cap Hit: $821,667.00(2nd year of 3 year rookie contract)
Age: 21
Glove Hand: Left
2008-2009 Numbers
Hershey Bears
| GP | W | L | OT | GA | SA | SV | SV% | GAA | SO | PIM | MIN |
| 27 | 19 | 7 | 1 | 62 | - | - | .916 | 2.40 | 2 | - | 1551 |
Washington Capitals
| GP | W | L | OT | GA | SA | SV | SV% | GAA | SO | PIM | MIN |
Regular Season:
| 6 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 159 | 146 | .918 | 2.37 | 0 | 2 | 329 |
Playoffs:
| 13 | 7 | 6 | - | 32 | 389 | 357 | .918 | 2.87 | 2 | - | 759 |
Notes:
Varlamov stole the show for the Caps in the playoffs last spring, nearly guiding them to the Conference Finals. Replacing Theodore following the Capitals game 1 loss, Varly’s start came as quite a surprise to most everybody. The young goaltender was ready for the bigtime and showed it by earning 7 wins in 13 playoff appearances.
The playoff performance followed up an impressive regular season showing where Varly won 4 of the 5 games he appeared in. Simeon also collected 19 wins in 27 games for Hershey while helping the Bears to an impressive regular season and another Calder Cup title. Varlamov backed up Neuvrith for the remainder of the AHL playoffs following the Caps ousting by Pittsburgh.
Michal Neuvrith
Cap Hit: $821,667.00(2nd year of 3 year rookie contract)
Age: 21
Glove Hand: Left
2008-2009 Numbers
South Carolina Stingrays
| GP | W | L | OT | GA | SA | SV | SV% | GAA | SO | PIM | MIN |
| 13 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 29 | - | - | .918 | 2.28 | 2 | - | 329 |
Hershey Bears
| GP | W | L | OT | GA | SA | SV | SV% | GAA | SO | PIM | MIN |
Regular Sesaon:
| 17 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 45 | - | - | .913 | 2.70 | 1 | - | 1001 |
Playoffs:
| 16 | 12 | 4 | - | 33 | - | - | .974 | 2.03 | 3 | - | 974 |
Washington Capitals
| GP | W | L | OT | GA | SA | SV | SV% | GAA | SO | PIM | MIN |
Regular Season:
| 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 11 | - | - | .918 | 2.28 | 2 | - | 220 |
Notes:
By far the most travelled of the 3 netminders who will be competing for the top job in Washington this fall, Michal Neuvrith is the Capitals other option for the future. Neuvrith payed his dues in the ECHL, playing 13 games for the Stingrays before getting promoted to Hershey. Neuvrith remained with the Bears for the remainder of the season(not including his 5 games with the Caps during the regular season) and was the Playoff MVP as he led the Bears to their 10th Calder Cup.
He should have just as good a chance at making a solid impression come training camp at the end of Summer. Neuvrith has all the makings of a true number 1 goaltender in the NHL and will definitely give Varlamov and Theodore a run for their money.
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The Capitals will have their hands full at training camp as they will try to decide what to do with their 3 headed monster in nets. Following Brent Johnson’s departure to backup MA Fleury in Pittsburgh, Washington general manager George McPhee will have a little bit of breathing room as he will likely be able to keep Theodore and one of the youngsters(likely Varlamov) while Neuvrith will likely see some more seasoning in the AHL before getting his chance to make the full-time jump.
Nothing is guaranteed though.
The thought of moving out Theodore, now the Capitals only experienced netminder, and going forward with the two 21 year-olds is not a bad prospect, but it certainly leaves the door open for serious disappointment or failure.
Although it is almost certain that the Caps will open with Theo as the starter, Varly the backup and Neuvrith the starter in Hershey, the door is always open for promotion and change.
Theodore, despite 30 wins last season, may actually have the most to prove.
32 regular season win is impressive, but his 1 playoff loss spoke volumes about his ability to play when the pressure is on.
If the 32 year old cannot regain his form, McPhee and Boudreau will turn to Varlamov as the starter and if he can prove up to the task, would then move forward in attempting to move Theodore.
Although fans would appreciate seeing that type of move happen sooner than later, it is far likelier that the Capitals will wait to move out their only veteran netminder.
I state that this is the most likely scenario, yet it is always possible that a deal may come along that could send Theo out of town, opening the door for the Capitals to sign a veteran backup, although this may be the most unlikely scenario of all.
With two 21 year-olds ready to steal away Theodore’s role as the top netminder for the Capitals, and with only 1 year remaining on his 2 year deal, will Jose be Washington’s #1 goaltender or will it be Varlalov or Neuvrith?
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