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Washington Capitals: Pheonix Copley hopes to rise in net

By Ron Juckett

MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 24: Look on Washington Capitals Goalie Pheonix Copley (1) at warm-up before the Washington Capitals versus the Montreal Canadiens game on March 24, 2018, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 24: Look on Washington Capitals Goalie Pheonix Copley (1) at warm-up before the Washington Capitals versus the Montreal Canadiens game on March 24, 2018, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Washington Capitals look to Pheonix Copley to back Braden Holtby in net. Can Copley meet the challenges in his first full NHL season?

If the Washington Capitals have a major concern heading into the season, it is the depth behind Braden Holtby and with the last defensive pairing.

Although the free agency market favors Washington when the time comes to grab a veteran defender, Pheonix Copley is the backup for Holtby. Ilya Samsonov, the hot prospect drafted 2015 from Russia, will play in North America this year. But, he is not NHL-ready at the start.

This puts the Caps in a bind. Copley will come to camp as a planned one-year bandage. Unless Holtby has a terrible season, or injured, he is the top dog. Samsonov hopes to be the understudy starting the fall of 2019. Copley is playing for a nice free agent contract after the season.

Yes, the trade of Philipp Grubauer was needed. There is no way the Caps could pay him over $3 million while keeping John Carlson and stay within the salary cap. Like it or not, Copley is the backup.

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If his AHL record is any guide, Copley will adjust to the NHL. In three AHL seasons, he has never had a GAA above 3.00. His save percentage hovers around .900 and he is not afraid to mix it up and take a penalty.

Copley can joke with T.J. Oshie about being traded for each other a couple years ago.

Read nothing into Copley’s brief NHL experience. He started a game, that is one, with the St. Louis Blues in the 2016-17 season and relieved for 24 minutes the year before. Yes, he got shelled in his start. In the AHL that season, between Chicago and Hershey, he went 26-11-2.

Although pre-season statistics and performances should be taken with a salt shaker, Copley is under pressure to make a good impression come September. At 26, this is his best chance to show the hockey world what he can do.

If there is not a long-term role for him in DC, there is never a job shortage for quality goalies elsewhere. Copley would love 20-25 starts for Washington. If he can play his way into a situation similar to Grubauer, then everybody wins.

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But, if Pheonix Copley struggles, the Washington Capitals will need to look on the trade market for a short-term backup. You must have someone trustworthy as insurance on the long road to the Stanley Cup.

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