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Michael

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Forum: Armchair-GMMar. 19, 2018 at 9:30 a.m.
Thread: Changes (yes I know the TDL is gone)
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Michael</b></div><div>My god it was a suggestion when I had no idea what Washington wanted, I knew it would be much more. Take it easy. The untouchables were just guys on the Flames that are key parts of the core (which I forgot to include Tkachuk in), I wasn't relating them to Holtby whatsoever.

Okay so the reason I included Smith was that CGY would need to free up a starter spot, and I thought WSH may want to take one year of an experienced goalie in return. Smith had also been having one of his best years up until he got hurt last month, still think he could do well getting 40-50 starts or splitting with Grubauer. Andersson should've been in the NHL this year if the management wasn't bumbling, Kylington is getting close but also has 150+ games of AHL experience at only 20 which aids his development. CGY will have room to take salary. So I thought Smith and Bennett were good add ins but I see you don't think so which is fair. Also tbh I don't understand the demand for Gawdin from other teams, he's a good year but had a couple really good linemates in his overage year in the WHL.

So my question is why are so many Caps fans trading Holtby in their Armchair GM's? That kind of led me to believe his value was down for once reason or another. I know he's still an elite goalie even if he's having a down year. Once again I just trying to get a sense of what the Caps needed but according to you they're so good that they don't have any real holes. I know I vastly under-valued Holtby if it was just those players, but I was trying to get a sense of what makes sense for the Caps.

Just glad that 2nd all time save percentage is really doing wonders in the playoffs for you guys.</div></div>

Grubauer and Ilya Samsonov each might have a chance to start next year, if they keep progressing. If the Caps get a fair offer for Holtby, I think fans on here are right that it makes sense for the organization to trade him while he's young and incredibly valuable, and to try to add potentially elite depth at defense and center. I don't see the Flames really parting with anyone good on defense, and you're pretty much blocking out all their centers.

Smith is having a great year. Part of that is that Calgary's defense this year is as good as the Caps' defense was the last couple years, which means Holtby should be elite again in Calgary (yes, Holtby is having an off year, after the Caps lost Schmidt, Shattenkirk, and Alzner last summer. That's a credible top three rotation.).

And again, if Orpik flops in the playoffs this year, then yes, taking his contract could indeed lower the price down to, like, Anderson, Kylington, Gawdin, Bennett, and picks, one would imagine. That should net the Caps one good defenseman and one good center, eventually, although I have no idea which is which.

I'm not as high on Samsonov's progress as a lot of Caps fans are. Yes, he's young, but his stats aren't as good as former Sting Ray (the Caps' long-time ECHL affiliate) Ryan Zapolski. Without having seen either play, I'm not sure why the Caps don't just offer Zapolski a decent-paying AHL contract and let both keep developing. yes, I know, Zapolski is 31. But he's got 9 shutouts in the KHL this year, and a 1.7 GAA. Samsonov is at 3, and 2.3, so I'm not really sure that Holtby is available based on Samsonov alone. <a href="https://en.khl.ru/stat/leaders/468/so/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://en.khl.ru/stat/leaders/468/so/</a>

Of course, in the KHLympics, Zapolski came out way behind Viktor Fasth, Jonas Enroth, Ben Skrivens, and Islanders prospect Ilya Sorokin
<a href="http://pyeongchang2018.iihf.hockey/men/statistics/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">http://pyeongchang2018.iihf.hockey/men/statistics/</a>

The apparent argument for Holtby's availability is that Samsonov continually makes hockey journalists' unscientific top five lists of the best goaltending prospects. I haven't seen him play, so I make no claim to understand what they're saying. Statistically, I'd rather play Holtby, unless an overwhelming offer comes along.

The last month, Holtby has been out of sorts, and Grubauer has been decent. So maybe some Caps fans don't agree with us that Holtby is still an elite goalie who, behind a solid team, can consistently stop the easy shots and give the forwards a chance to win.

I think the Caps need to solidify their defense, short and long term, and I won't pretend to understand goaltending or the differences between leagues right now well enough to guess whether Samsonov really has a shot to start in the NHL next year or whether he needs to prove himself in the AHL for two or three years, first. But if the Caps need someone right away, and aren't comfortable with the guys they have in the AHL, I'm intrigued by Zapolski.

Intrigued is not enough to trade away the best player off back to back President's trophies, in his prime. Thank you for asking.