On Monday, Caps GM Brian MacLellan mentioned in a press conference that Braden Holtby would be the starting goaltender next season and Philipp Grubauer would spend the season in Hershey. While that's all good and dandy, the question now is who would be Holtby's back-up?
The Caps need a calming presence in net, and they thought they had that last year when they traded for Jaroslav Halak. However, the damage, by the trade deadline, was already done, and while Halak didn't play poorly, he wasn't the saving grace that McPhee had hoped for. Bringing on Halak only added more fuel to the goaltending fire in Washington, as Braden Holtby once again had to find his confidence knowing that a possible new number one was in town.
Holtby is a good goaltender, but he's been given the short of the proverbial stick, and having a poor defense in front of him and Olaf Kolzig (no offense to Olie, but he's not a very good teacher) as his coach, didn't help Holtby grow last season.
So who does MacLellan bring in to help Holtby and the Caps calm things down and take some pressure off?
This list is just a list. There aren't a lot of rumors out there (if any) involving the Caps and any of these players. They are just a list of goalies who I think the Caps could target.
1) Martin Brodeur - Brodeur's days in Jersey are over, but he still wants to play. He's still an incredible competitor, but he has to know that there aren't a lot of starting positions available for a guy his age. Not saying that the Caps would sign Marty, but he's in that stage of his career where he would be a good mentor for a young guy like Holtby. The Caps have to be thinking about it. A guy like Brodeur could make an impact in the locker room, too. Last years cap hit: $4.5 million.
2)Tomas Vokoun - I have to say that I never liked the idea of Vokoun here in DC. He never fit into the Caps game (and honestly we've had so many coaches and systems that I couldn't tell you what that game was at the time). He had success in Pittsburgh before he had to take some time off due to a blood clot - which thankfully seems to be all better now. Vokoun in DC for a second stint makes sense this time. He would be re-united with Barry Trotz and could be comfortable in a setting like that, but more importantly, Mitch Korn is here. Korn was the Predators goalie coach for 16 years and, from what I have heard from friends who have trained with him, he's incredible - just look at Rinne. Vokoun might be intrigued by the thought of training with him again. Last Years cap hit: $2 million.
3) Evgeni Nabokov - Nabokov has been stuck on the Island for too long and I'm sure he would love a chance to compete. Whether or not the Caps are that kind of team yet is too early to tell, but Nabokov would be a good fit. At 38 years old, he isn't the kind of guy to carry a season anymore, but give him 20 games or so, and he could make a real impact. He was brilliant at times in New York for a bad team, but would he want to come to DC and maybe make the playoffs, or go to a definite contender? Last year's cap hit: $3.25 million.
4) Tim Thomas - I chuckled to myself when thinking about Thomas coming to DC - for obvious reasons. However, Thomas did play well last year in Florida and Dallas considering his time off the season before. His stint in the Worlds wasn't bad either, and he proved he can still compete. Not sure if the Caps would seriously consider him, but he fits the mold for an experienced, veteran goaltender who could mentor Holtby. Last year's cap hit: $3.75 million.
5) Ray Emery - I'm sure there are no hard feelings between Holtby and Emery after last years "fight". This is hockey after all. Emery may or may not be back in Philadelphia, and while he couldn't re-create his season in Chicago the previous year, he didn't play all that bad either. He probably isn't in the running for the Caps back-up gig, but he's a good option if GMBM wants to go this route. At only 31, he still has a few more years ahead of him. Last year's cap hit: $1.6 million.
6) Chad Johnson - The Bruins, in the last few years, have had some good goalies tending their crease. Johnson played extremely well in his back-up role to Tuukka Rask, and that should earn him a nice contract this summer. He may not be in the running for a starting job, but he could steal one if given the right opportunity. I think a team that is need of a future number one, or a team that is weak in net will be Johnson's destination, but his name is intriguing. Last year's cap hit: $600,000.
7) Cam Ward - He's probably not going to be around much longer in Carolina, and his name has been casually linked to the Caps, among other teams. Ward isn't the same goaltender he was a few years ago, but that doesn't mean he isn't any good. If the Caps brought him on, he could easily steal the spotlight from Holtby - which would be yet another blow for Holtby's confidence. The idea is not a long shot by any means, but I'm just not sold on the idea of Ward in Washington. However, stranger things have happened here. Last year's cap Hit: $6.3 million.
8) Ryan Miller - Any team looking for a goaltender is going to have Miller's name in their hat. Miller's experiment in St. Louis didn't go so well, and he's going to be hungry to win with whoever wants to take a shot at him (pun intended). He was briefly linked to Washington last year, but that may not be the case this year with GMBM in charge. Still, he's the best goalie available, and if the Caps can somehow bring Miller in and still have room to make improvements on the chasm that is their blueline, then by all means, do it. Again, it would mean Holtby is on the back burner, but with Miller, it means Holtby would probably be shipped out instead of benchwarming. Last year's cap hit: $6.25 million.
What do you guys think? Who did I forget? Who do you think the Caps should go after? Is Holtby enough for the Caps to be confident in net? Let's hear your thoughts.
More to come...
Follow me on Twitter: @_Mellin_