Washington Capitals Player Preview: Vitek Vanecek Needs A Strong Sophomore Campaign

Vitek Vanecek enters the 2021-2022 season with much higher expectations than he did a season ago. Vanecek, the Washington Capitals’, second-round selection in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft was forced into action a season ago when Henrik Lundqvist’s season ended before it even began due to a heart condition. Shortly thereafter, Vanecek became the de facto number one goalie when Ilya Samsonov contracted COVID-19.

Vanecek was expected to be the team’s third-goalie at best when the season began, but by January, the team’s season was on his shoulders. Vitek Vanecek delivered. The rookie finished sixth in Calder voting, finishing the season with a 21-10-4 record, a .908 save percentage, and a goals against average of 2.69. Vanecek quickly earned the trust of his team and coaches. After posting his first career shutout in March against the Buffalo Sabres, the Capitals’ head coach had this to say.

"“He’s played really well for us,” Peter Laviolette said. “I’ve said it before, he’s given us a chance to win on a nightly basis. He’s done a really good job. It’s nice for him to get his first shutout.”"

Now, with a full season of experience under his belt, the Capitals will look to Vitek Vanecek to once again be a key contributor. This time around, he’s expected to be a part of a 1A/1B duo in-net with Ilya Samsonov. In and around DC, Vanecek has made believers. It seems like another successful season will be needed to earn the respect of the national media. A recent ESPN article (subscription required) has the Capitals’ goalie tandem of Vitek Vanecek and Ilya Samsonov ranked 26th out of 32 tandems in the NHL. 

"“Vanecek moves way too much for an NHL goalie, one goalie expert told ESPN. “I don’t like the Caps at all.”"

Of course, the ranking has a lot to do with Samsonov’s inconsistency but it also goes to show why goaltending overall remains a question mark in DC. Despite the national hesitancy, internally, the Capitals clearly believe in Vitek Vanecek. After losing him to the Seattle Kraken in the Expansion Draft, Brian MacLellan ended up quickly reacquiring Vanecek in exchange for a second-round pick. So all in all, the Capitals are two second-round selections in on the young Czech netminder. It’s up to Vanecek to prove that 2020-2021 wasn’t a fluke.