Logan Thompson will no longer be tending net for the Vegas Golden Knights. He is now part of the Washington Capitals effort to make Alex Ovechkin‘s record-breaking season a good one.
Logan Thompson is on his way to the @Capitals! #ALLCAPS | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/h2RCkOHQX7
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) June 29, 2024
Logan Thompson Traded and Now a Capital
The undrafted Thompson has spent his entire career for Vegas, playing 103 games over four seasons. After being one of five goaltenders sharing duties in 2022-23, he claimed the starter’s role last season. He played in 46 games with 42 starts, a .908 save percentage, 2.70 goals against, and a 25-14-5 record. While it was a slight drop from his previous year – .912 SV% and 2.65 GAA – he maintains a high standard.
Washington, who went some way into a rebuild last season, is looking to course-correct. With Ovechkin within reach of Wayne Gretzky‘s all-time goals scored record, they want this season to be a good one. Veteran Darcy Kuemper didn’t hold up behind the slightly erratic Capitals defence last season, and they’re expecting more from Thompson.
What to Expect
He’s also 27 years old and knows how to handle a starting role. His net-sharing duties will fit perfectly in Washington, where he will share duties with Charlie Lindgren. One thing the two share is a very low cost as both netminders are in the final years of bargain contracts. Lindgren’s cap hit of $1.1 million was a fantastic value, and Thompson’s $767K is even better.
This will be the final year those bargains will be had, as both Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren can expect to get big raises next year. That explains in part why the cost of getting Thompson was so low. The Capitals had the picks to offer because of their willingness to begin a rebuild and could take advantage. The two third-round picks they moved were their own, but they still aren’t lacking. Not a bad lesson for other teams today.
Main photo by: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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