Braden Holtby emerges as one of NHL’s top goaltenders
Washington Capitals fans have watched Braden Holtby impress since his NHL debut on November 5, 2010. He earned the full-time starting goaltender role in 2012-13, though former coach Adam Oates seemed to do everything he could to derail the progress Holtby had made over the course of his young career.
Barry Trotz and goaltending guru/coach Mitch Korn have allowed Holtby to be himself again, and it is working out in everyone’s favor.
He played in a career-high and league-high 73 games in the 2014-15 season, going 41-20-10. To start the 2015-16 campaign, he has gone an absurd 24-4-1 through December 30th’s contest against the Buffalo Sabres. He leads the league in wins, and is very near the top in the two other major categories, Goals Against Average and Save Percentage. He is solidifying himself as a favorite for his first Vezina Trophy.
2015 has been kind to Holtby as an individual, too. He is an extremely rich man after signing a five-year, $30.5 million contract extension in July. There is no doubt that he is “the guy” in Washington, just as he should’ve been all along.
2015 was great to both the Washington Capitals and Braden Holtby, but it is within reason that 2016 could be even better.
Next: A Hot Start (And Finish)