Make it samsonov and you have a deal. I know samsonov had a great series but vanecek has been the better goalie the last 2 years. I think they both have similar trajectories maybe samsonov has a little higher ceiling but the main reason is i want the russian for sorokin. I think the isles goalie dept can do the same with both goalies but theres been a lot of talk about how much having a friend amd fellow russian goalie has helped sorokin.

lol great minds think alike. I want Sammy to have a fellow russian goalie (Varly)

and Sammy has a much higher ceiling (according to the Caps / analysts) compared to VV

Maybe sammy does have a significantly higher ceiling but hes already 25yo. How much better is he really going to get. Imo he becomes an ok starter good 1a great 1b kinda guy. Something around the 20-25th best goalie in the league.

He is only 25 years old...

"Late bloomers" for goalies are not uncommon, especially Russian players. Goalies can take various times to develop and reach full potential. We saw the potential in the first round against one of the best offensive team we have seen since the 90s. I am not saying he will be a great goalie, but I would like the Caps to keep him on another bridge deal and sign a vet to have a solid tandem. He has a higher ceiling than VV and teams will pay for VV (starting at a 2nd round pick I would say).

Make it samsonov and you have a deal. I know samsonov had a great series but vanecek has been the better goalie the last 2 years. I think they both have similar trajectories maybe samsonov has a little higher ceiling but the main reason is i want the russian for sorokin. I think the isles goalie dept can do the same with both goalies but theres been a lot of talk about how much having a friend amd fellow russian goalie has helped sorokin.

Yeah idk. Who was the last great goalie that is a real late bloomer. And before you say sorokin and shesterkin both were younger than samsonov and both dominated everywhere they went. Samsonov has already been in the league for 3 years and hasnt solidified himself as anything other than a 1b[/quote

Tim Thomas - 1994 draft pick - didn't start his career (consistently) until 2005 - 2006. Did not become the starter until 2006-2007 season (when he was 33 years old).

Jack Campbell - 11th overall in the first pick in 2011. Up until 2017, he only played 2 NHL games. First 8 years after being drafted, he only played 7 total NHL games.

Looking at stats, Varly fits that bill. Didn't start having above average stats 2013-2014 on COL when he was around 25-26 years old.

Binnington - drafted 2011 - didn't start consistently playing in NHL until 2018 (yes he had an inconsistent year this year).

Dominik Hasek - he was 29 years old at the end of his breakout season in 1993-1994. Didn't play an NHL game until 26 - barely played before 28 years old. Won a Vezina at 28 and 5 more by 2001.

These are just a few. I can name some forwards that are late bloomers as well. My point is, players (forwards and goalies) can take longer to fully develop to their potential. Again, not saying Sammy will be a stud, but the dude has high potential and is only 25 years old. Has been in the league for 3 years and has some average stats - not terribly not amazing. But it is known throughout the league that goalies (on average) tend to develop at a slower pace then any other position group.

Give Sammy another bridge deal and reassess at the end of next season. He is a solid 1b goalie option - bring in a vet and let those two lead the team in net

I'd be fine with Vanecek & a 2nd for Varlamov, maybe throw a little treat in for some retention (Isles should be able to easily do that).

I think Vanecek is preferable to Samsonov if only because of the cap implications. Samsonov probably pushes for a raise over his current $2M salary, which he should deserve; Vanecek is coming off an ELC with a $750K AAV where you can probably re-sign him for $1.5Mish. You can then do full retention on Varly ($2.5M), get the extra whatever, and walk away with Vanecek, a savings of $1M overall, and whatever draft capital Washington sends along. Vanecek was arguably the better goalie this year (.908, 2.67 GAA in 42 games vs. .896, 3.02 GAA in 44 for Samsonov).

I think you sell Washington on the Varly mentorship angle, since he worked so well with Sorokin. I'm sure Sorokin would be sad to see him go, but I would hope that over 2+ seasons in the locker room he is involved with more of his teammates than just Varly (everything I've heard basically confirms this is the case). Let Varly mentor another guy, let Sorokin take the reigns, and restock the larder a little bit.

You named a bunch of decent goalies. Binnington is not a great goalie. Jack campbell is an ok 1a/1b. Varly had 2 good years where he was great and they were last season and the year before. I havent looked at thomas' stats to see when he became great, and hasek obviously works. Point is youre going back 30 years till the last great goalie to be a late bloomer.
Edit: thomas is another one, so 2 in the last 30 years. Sorry but that doesnt bode well for samsonov