Stars and Sticks
Fansided

Washington Capitals: Philipp Grubauer on trade market

By Ron Juckett

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Philipp Grubauer #31 of the Washington Capitals hoists the Stanley Cup after Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals defeated the Golden Knights 4-3 to win the Stanley Cup Final Series 4-1. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Philipp Grubauer #31 of the Washington Capitals hoists the Stanley Cup after Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals defeated the Golden Knights 4-3 to win the Stanley Cup Final Series 4-1. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Whether the Washington Capitals want to or not, they are exploring a trade for goalie Philipp Grubauer. Ready to be a top starter, there is no room here.

The Washington Capitals are exploring a trade of backup goalie Philipp Grubauer.

In his third season as Braden Holtby’s primary backup, Grubauer came into his own. In 35 regular season games, starting 28, he stopped 880 shots on 953 tries for an impressive save percentage of .923. That number is down from his .926 figure from the 2016-17 campaign.

Coach Barry Trotz used him as a starter in the first two games of their first-round tilt against the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, after four goals allowed over the first two periods, Holtby replaced Grubauer for the duration.

Shaky postseason or not, Grubauer’s strong regular season performances make him a strong trade target this summer. There were stretches when he played better than Holtby. All three of the Caps shutouts were recorded by Grubauer. Credited with 19 quality starts, he exceeded the league save percentage in 67.9 percent of his starts.

More from Stars and Sticks

Having two credible netminders is a luxury. One the NHL Salary Cap puts a damper on. Before the new cap is announced, Washington has $11 million left of wiggle room.

Out of that money, the priority is re-signing defenseman John Carlson. Expect his pursuit to eat most of the remaining money available.

When you add Grubauer’s ability to start for some teams in net, you can understand why Caps general manager Brian MacLellan told Washington Post reporter Isabelle Khurshudyan the team is exploring a trade.

Conventional wisdom says the New York Islanders or Carolina Hurricanes are the best fit. If a trade happens, expect Pheonix Copley to back Holtby next year. Copley, 26, will make $650,000 regardless if he is on the big club or with the AHL’s Hershey Bears. Vitek Vanecek, the Bears backup goalie, is a longshot. But, he is 22 and still has plenty of development time.

With the draft and 2018-19 cap numbers coming out soon, expect no fast movement for Grubauer. There is the possibility Washington could get a draft pick next week as compensation. But, any final decision will come likely after the Caps know what their spending limit is.

Next: Stanley Cup worthy of long celebration

Philipp Grubauer is developing into a quality goalie for the Washington Capitals, but is not as good as Holtby. Although he is a prime asset, finances dictate otherwise. If he can carry a playoff load, his new team will think he is a steal.

Home/Capitals News