Capitals add Charlie Lindgren to backup Kuemper

After finding their veteran net minder in Darcy Kuemper, the Washington Capitals needed to add another goalie to back him up after saying goodbye to both Vitek Vanecek and Ilya Samsonov. They chose Charlie Lindgren and signed him to a three year, $3.3 million contract that will carry an average annual value (AAV) of $1.1 million.

The 28 year old went undefeated last year going 5-0-0 with the St. Louis Blues that included a 1.22 goals against average and a .958 save percentage in those five games. He made his Blues debut on Dec. 7, 2021 and became the first goaltender in franchise history to earn wins in each of his first five appearances.

The six foot two, 179 pound goalie also appeared in 34 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds of the American Hockey League (AHL), going 24-7-1 with three shutouts, a 2.21 goals against average, and a .925 save percentage. He ranked third in the AHL in goals against average, second in save percentage, and tied for fourth in wins last season.

Lindgren is a native of Lakeville, Minnesota. From 2015-16 to 2019-20 he appeared in 24 games with the Montreal Canadiens with a career high 14 starts in 2017-18. In 29 career NHL games with Montreal and St. Louis, Lindgren is 15-12-2 with two shutouts, a 2.74 goals against average, and a .913 save percentage.

Lindgren signed with Montreal as an undrafted free agent on March 30, 2016. In 171 career AHL games with the St. John’s Ice Caps, Laval Rocket, and Springfield, Lindgren went 76-65-24 with 11 shutouts, a 2.75 goals against average, and a .903 save percentage.

Lindgren atended St. Cloud State University where he posted a 51-29-3 record over three years in the NCAA with a 2.21 goals against average, a .921 save percentage, and eight shutouts in 88 games over three seasons.

During the 2015-16 season, Lindgren was selected to the NCHC All Star Team, the NCAA (West) First All American Team, and named NCHC Goaltender of the Year.

Lindgren didn’t play much last season in the NHL but anytime you win all five of your games going into free agency, a lot of teams open their eyes. The Caps eyes were certainly on him after agreeing to a deal with Kuemper and he seems like the better option to go at backup over Ilya Samsonov (who’s now with the Toronto Maple Leafs), Pheonix Copley (who’s now with the Los Angeles Kings) and Zach Fucale.

Now Fucale can still get called up here if something were to happen to the two varsity net minders. And Fucale has proven he can step in when needed. So the Caps should be all set in goal.