Capitals Get it Right by Signing Darcy Kuemper
By Jared Ross
After getting rid of both goalies from last season in Vitek Vanecek and Ilya Samsonov, the Washington Capitals were looking for a serious upgrade in the goaltender department. The Capitals have signed Darcy Kuemper to a 5 year, $26.25 million contract ($5.25 million AAV).
Kuemper contract with Caps
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 13, 2022
Year 1, $6 M
Year 2, $6 M
Year 3, $6 M
Year 4, $4.5 M
Year 5, $3.75 M
Darcy Kuemper, a recent 2022 Stanley Cup Champion with the Colorado Avalanche appeared in 57 games this past season, posting a 2.33 GAA and a 0.921 save percentage.. The 6’5″, 215 pound goaltender tied for fourth in the NHL for wins with 37 and shutouts with 5. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native will be representing his fourth NHL team, as well as a team that he believes has a chance to win.
Darcy Kuemper (via Zoom): “Super excited for the new opportunity. I think this is a team that can win it.”
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) July 13, 2022
Kuemper said once he knew WSH was interested, he wanted to come to D.C. This is where he wanted to go out of all the options.
After years of inconsistency in goal, the Capitals are hoping that Darcy Kuemper will be the answer to those problems, and help this team have playoff success once again.
"Once I knew Washington was interested that was a place I could really see myself fitting in. I was really excited at that thought, so this is where I wanted to go."
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 13, 2022
Darcy Kuemper speaks to the media after signing with the Capitals on the first day of free agency. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/OQ89at1D3h
Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan said in a press release from the Caps:
"“Darcy is an established starting netminder who proved that he can win on the game’s biggest stage, and we are excited to welcome him to Washington. We feel this signing will provide our team confidence and stability in net.”"
In the Avalanche’s run to the Cup, the 32 year old played in 16 playoff games, posting a record of 10-4 with a 2.57 goals against average and a .902 save percentage. In the regular season, the six foot five, 215 pound net minder additionally ranked fifth in save percentage at .921. His 37 regular season wins were a career high and the fifth highest total in a single season in Colorado history.
The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native appeared in 27 games for the Arizona Coyotes in 2020-21, finishing with a 10-11-3 record with a 2.56 goals against average and a .907 save percentage.
He ranked tied for third in save percentage (2.22) and third in save percentage (.928) during the 2019-20 season and was selected to represent the Pacific Division at the NHL All Star Game but didn’t play in the game due to injury. In 2018-19 with Arizona, Kuemper played in 55 games and finished tied for fifth in Vezina Trophy voting.
Kuemper was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the sixth round at 160th overall in the 2009 NHL Draft. In 299 games with Minnesota, the Los Angeles Kings, Arizona, and Colorado, Kuemper is 143-95-36 with 25 shutouts, a 2.48 goals against average, and a .918 save percentage.
Kuemper also represented Canada at the 2018 and 2021 World Championships, taking home a gold medal in 2021 white posting a 5-2-1 record with a 2.17 goals against average and a .916 save percentage.
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Welcome to D.C. Darcy Kuemper. Let’s bring home another Cup.