Washington isn't trading Holtby, they don't don't have anyone else to fill that net. You don't take a team that constantly finishes in a top spot and magically give them a new goalie trading out a guy who is considered top 5.

I thought the plan in Washington was to make Samsonov the starting goalie next season (like OP did, this is a 19/20 team after all). If they did that they'd be smart to move Holtby. Samsonov is a lot younger and more promising... He'll be an absolute stud if he reaches his ceiling.

I think the Holtby trade is pretty good, that pick will probably be at least top 15 and Carolina really only has a major need in net (everywhere else looks solid, they've got arguably the best defensive group in the league and some very good forwards). They'd probably prefer Samsonov but I doubt Washington trades him.

no one knows what they have in him. That isn't a goalie who has played 60+ games a year. Goalies aren't the type of player you simply drop into the position sink or swim. They are groomed in, usually as a backup first then getting their shot. He's getting his first shot in the AHL this year. But there is a huge drop off between the AHL and NHL. He would need to come in and get 20-30 NHL games to see what you are getting before you put him in net, don't you think?

Yes, but this kids potential is so massive. He's been an absolute stud everywhere he has played (just look at his numbers, in the 3 seasons he played in the KHL he has been above .925 SVS% and he's only 21), I don't think the Caps are worried about him being good. The caps are also in a cap bind, I can see Holtby making $8M per season and the Caps won't be able to afford that with their core locked up. I imagine Samsonov will start in the AHL and if he gets hot he'll get some looks in the NHL. If Holtby is injured, my money is on Samsonov stepping in to get the lions share of games. Here's what Corey Pronman has to say about Samsonov:

"Samsonov has been an elite performer wherever he’s gone, between junior, all levels of international play and the KHL. He has the skill set to match the numbers, as well. He’s a big, physically developed goalie with high-end athleticism. He recovers out of his butterfly quickly and doesn’t shy away from playing an aggressive style. Samsonov is a very competitive goalie who battles in the crease well. He’s aggressive and plays a confident style of goaltending high in the crease with the ability to get to any spot to make a save. His reads aren’t perfect and he makes the odd error, but overall, he makes a ton of tough stops and doesn’t hurt his team. That’s a No. 1 goalie."

Playing in the KHL is way different, you should know that man. It's bush league over there. there are a lot of players that are suppose to be the next great thing from over there and they flop here. Playing goalie on the smaller ice is vastly different as well. This is a much faster, closer game. Even if this kid has all the talent in the world, the worst thing you can do is rush a goal tender. It will ruin him. I don't see them trading Holtby out. They may let his contract go when it expires and say they can't afford him, but they aren't trading him. It's simply not worth the risk for a team that is trying to compete for cups.

Fair enough. I do know that the KHL is different, but to say is a "bush league" isn't fair. There are some very good players over there but it's not as saturated as the NHL with talent. I just think it would be foolish of the Caps to let Holtby walk for nothing. They could get some nice assets back to help with their thin prospect pool (see John Tavares to get what I mean).

Moving Kempney is a terrible idea. The defense you have is awful.

if they had a person for sure NHL ready I could see them definitely trying to get assets back but relying on a rookie isn't a wise move for a team trying to compete that year, if it was one year later and he had a year to get his feet wet before handing him the reigns over it might be different, but the guy hasn't even played in the AHL yet, let alone the NHL.