Who the Washington Capitals Could Lose to Free Agency This Summer

Goaltending

We saved the best one for last. Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek are both restricted free agents. Pheonix Copley is an unrestricted free agent. Copley will probably be gone. From there the Caps will have to decide between Samsonov and Vanecek. One could stay, one could leave, or both could leave. But very unlikely they go with both of them again. It didn’t work the last two years.

Vanecek was 20-12-6 last season with a 2.67 goals against average and a .908 save percentage. Samsonov was 23-12-5 with a 3.02 goals against average and a .896 save percentage. There wasn’t even a clear starter when the playoffs emerged but Vanecek got the nod for Game 1 and then was lit up in Game 2.

Vanecek did win Game 1 but Game 2 was horrendous which caused Samsonov to come in relief for the third period to try to put out the fire. Samsonov stopped all 17 shots in that third period and ended up getting the nod in net the rest of the series.

Does this mean the Caps coaches and decision makers have made up their mind on who will likely remain on the team next season? Or is it still way too early to tell? Even if it is still too early, General Manager Brian MacLellan has to make a decision soon.