Insider: Capitals Have Extension Problem With Netminding Duo

14 hours ago  /  NHL Trade Rumors

We heard a couple of weeks ago that the Washington Capitals had no intention whatsoever of trading either one of their elite goaltending duo of Logan Thompson or Charlie Lindgren, despite the pending UFA status for both. The two have led the team to unexpected heights this season with the best record in the NHL.But did that news mean that the Caps intended to sign extensions with either of the netminders? We're learning now, through insider Pierre LeBrun in The Athletic that the team is facing a bit of a conundrum with re-signing the pair, and it concerns team chemistry:While there have been very preliminary discussions with both Thompson and Lindgren, the sense I get is that the Capitals are treading carefully. They like both goalies and the way they’ve worked as a tandem this season but haven’t convinced themselves of the need to re-sign both right away. And I think there’s also some concern from Caps management that if they extend one goalie now and not the other, it could have a negative impact on the dressing room.Lindgren, who is 10-8-2 with a 2.65 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage in 21 starts, is in the final season of a three-year, $1.1 million AAV deal. Thompson, 27, is having a career year, with a sensational 20-2-3 mark, with an equally stunning .924 Sv% and a 2.13 GAA in 24 starts. He has never earned much above the minimum in his four NHL seasons, currently on an expiring deal that pays him $766,667. His negotiations would presumably be more difficult, as he is due for a huge raise. Thompson's career trajectory is impressive; he already has one All-Star game on his resume, in 2023 with the Vegas Golden Knights and has a career .914 Sv%. Lindgren had a great year for the Caps last season, recording a league-high six shutouts along with a 25-16-7 record in 48 starts with a .911 Sv% and a 2.67 GAA. He even got enough Vezina votes to finish 8th in the balloting for that award. Despite these extension tensions, the Capitals will continue to talk with both goalies' agents, and LeBrun assumes that "at least" one of them will be re-signed, but "they’re going about it very carefully for the time being."Photo: © Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images...

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