- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Capitals Braden Holtby is a pending RFA. He doesn’t plan on getting that involved in the contract talks, but would prefer to do a long-term deal to remain in Washington.
“Job security is something that doesn’t come around very often in this profession,” he said, “so if you can find some it’s great.
“If you don’t have any ties it’s a lot different. But with family you’d like to stay and get to know the community and get involved. So the longer term the better.
“But at the same time, I expect if it’s a one-year deal I want to earn it for the next year. If it’s longer term I want to earn every single year of it. I’m just happy to be here and happy to be a part moving forward.”
The Capitals acquired pending UFA Tim Gleason before the draft deadline, and he wouldn’t mind sticking around as he likely their future and “at some point you get tired of living out of a suitcase.”
- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Coming off an excellent playoff run, Braden Holtby will be inline for a nice raise. Holtby made $2 million this past season with a $1.85 million cap hit. He could become one of the highest paid goaltenders, with comparables in the $6 million range. He is two years away from being UFA, and it’s likely that the Capitals would want to sign him long-term, maybe in the five-year range.Top cap hits for goalie: Henrik Lundqist ($8.5 million), Tuukka Rask and Pekka Rinne ($7 million), Carey Price ($6.5 million), Cam Ward ($6.3 million), Corey Crawford and Ryan Miller ($6 million), Semyon Varlamov and Kari Lehtonen ($5.9 million) and Jonathan Quick ($5.8 million).
- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Capitals Mike Green would like to remain in Washington, but doesn’t know if they have the cap space to re-sign him. He’ll likely command $6 million a year.
“Ten years now I’ve been with the organization and it’s hard to think of the uncertainty of this summer and what might happen,” Green said. “It’s probably a little scary at times for myself to think that anything could happen. But I’ve got to thank Washington for everything up to this point. It’s been quite the journey and we’ll see what happens.”
On their blueline, they already have Matt Niskanen (six-years, $5.75 million cap hit), Brooks Orpik (4 years, $5.5 million), John Carlson (3 years, $3.966 million) and Karl Alzner (2 years, $2.8 million). They also have RFAs in Holtby, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Marcus Johansson that they need to re-sign.
- Craig Custance of ESPN: Things that Capitals GM Brian MacLellan needs to address this offseason.1. A long-term deal for Braden Holtby: will be a challenge to find a number that works for both the Capitals and Holtby. Comparables are Semyon Varlamov and Sergei Bobrovsky. His next deal will likely start in the $6 million range.
2. A likely parting of the ways with Mike Green: Green would like to stay, but there likely isn’t enough money for him, unless he’s willing to take a big discount. The right-handed defenseman would make more on the open market.
3. Contract extension for Marcus Johansson: hard to project what Johansson’s next contract could be. Would be easier for the Capitals if they could trade Brooks Laich and his two years at $4.5 million.
- Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post: Capitals UFA include Jay Beagle, Eric Fehr, Joel Ward, Curtis Glencross, Tim Gleason and Mike Green. The Caps have Nate Schmidt and Dmitry Orlov that could step into their third pairing next season.
