It seems like a burn to do this since Holtby won a Cup with the Caps and he's only 29 years old, but they may let him walk (although they should try not to lose him for nothing) and crown Samsonov the future between the pipes. I know it seems a bit early for him, but they will have to decide before the Seattle expansion draft in a couple of years anyway.

I think they might have to let him walk, too. Our GM has said that they're going to start extension conversations with Holtby and Backstrom shortly, so I was just wondering what this team might have to look like to support a $10M contract for Holtby (since that's market value) and re-sign Backstrom.

Gah I hope they don't sign him. He'll wreck this team for years with that contract.

Shave a bit of money and term off Holtby and a bit of money off Backstrom so they can keep Eller and I like it.

Totally understand the intent of this ACGM and not disputing the values or anything here. That said - just think of what this team could do with an extra $10mm. Enough to make a grown man cry. Or sniffle, at least.

Yeah, I'd rather use that 10 M elsewhere. We can find a serviceable goalie to be Samsonov's backup or 1B goalie if Copley isn't good this season. I think it's just one of those things where we'd have to take a hit up front for supporting a huge cap hit for a goaltender who isn't going to play more than 60 games.

Can you think of any team that will offer Holtiby 10m? Holtby might just be happy to remain a Capital at 6.5m X 4 (even if the Caps want him). If not find that team that offers significantly more $$ and term.

Why do you think that? Holtby has a very similar resume as Bobrovsky, and has a Stanley Cup win. Bob has one playoff series win. Teams pay a premium for that experience. Not to mention, he's won a Vezina. There will be a team that's starving for goaltending that will give him that. Calgary comes to mind if they clear the cap for him.

Why I think that. Because a think the 2020/21 version and going forward, Holtby will not be a premium goalie. Just takes one to think he "he still has it" to prove me wrong But so many teams are close to the cap, who have spade for a 10m goalie..... Even the Caps might want to go with the 4m in two less experienced goalies than Holtby

I'd like to think Holtby would definitely get a big money (~10M$) contract should he hit free agency next season. As mentioned above, the Flames as well as the Red Wings could look into him if they clear cap space. Maybe even the Senators may look towards a veteran goalie if things start to turn around for the better after next season.

But as a previous post mentioned, maybe they can get him on a short term deal (2-3 years at a lower cap hit), although that seems very unlikely.

I absolutely think the Caps move on unless Holtby is willing to take a short term deal at a lower AAV. This was more of a view on what the roster might look like if the Caps are paying premium price for Holtby, which I think is very unlikely at this point.

I think a 2 or 3 year deal at a reasonable cap hit (7.5-8M) would be the dream scenario for the Caps. A short term deal would allow them to season Samsonov in the NHL for a couple of years, and give him the reins when Holtby's new contract expires.

Exactly this.

Although I have a feeling that Holtby will want a long term deal, whether it's with the Capitals or not. A long term deal would probably be his last contract (or at least his last big contract), so I'd like to think he would want one no matter where he will get it.