dont give desmith that much

Just a one year deal, didn't want to underpay. Wanted someone else instead of signing Husso for the hundredth time lol.

Gonna have to be 7 years for Gaudreau

Caps pass. Zacha doesn't help them.

Samsonov was the best Russian goalie developing since Vasilevskiy (obviously now Askarov is in that category now too). Vasilevskiy played two seasons as a backup and one season as a 1A 1B with Bishop before playing 65 games as a starter in his fourth year (third year he played 50 games Bishop played 30). Samsonov is in his third season and has played 42 games. plus doesn't have Ben Bishop as a tandem guy to lean on when needed.

So from Washingtons perspective why would they ever want to move on from a guy like that? Keep dreaming buddy

Probably all the reporting that they may want to move on from one of their RFA goalies and Samsonov seems to be underperforming Vanacek in most underlying metrics?

Gaudreau gets more than that to stay in CGY

Ya sure the fact that Jerry Koken said they want to move on from a goalie justifies just giving away a former first rounder for a third liner

By your own logic this is underperforming former first rounder for underperforming former first rounder.

Like you gotta see the dishonesty in calling Samsonov a former first rounder but Zacha a third liner. If you're gonna go on their NHL play, do that. If you're going on their draft pedigree, do that.

Yeah I wonder why a bunch of Caps fans would want trade him...
https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/3197095
https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/3190787
https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/3182743
https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/3174163

Stop overrating TF out of him



Zacha was a former top 10 pick so again terrible logic

Yes fair, Zacha was a very high draft pick himself. Just knowing how long it takes goalies to truly develop compared to forwards and the fact that Zacha has played 300 more games in the league than what Samsonov makes me believe Samsonov is still worth more than Zacha. Part of me wonders if Washington is regretting letting Holtby walk as a veteran with a cup ring and a lot of experience he could of taught Samsonov

Samsonov had clearly outplayed him for the net, right? And he was a UFA? It makes sense, even in hindsight.

Ya just hard to know the timing of when to get rid of the older starter and let the young prospect take the reigns. Like obviously it worked for Tampa getting rid of Bishop, and Van letting go of Markstrom to let Demko play, and having Rinne retire to let Saros play. But didn't work as well when Ottawa let go of Bishop to let Lehner play. And then teams like LA haven't got rid of their older goalie Quick yet to let Peterson take the reigns.

So yes Samsonov had outplayed Holtby and Wash obviously thought he was ready for the fulltime starting role. I'm just wondering if Holtby was still there splitting games with Samsonov, how does Samsonov's play differ. Totally speculation

$10.75 million a year?!?!

dude's going to finish with over 110 points, and again, most even strength points in a single season in 25 years.

Fine with that, just trying to mitigate some risk there.

Tough scene if you have to give him 11 or 12M+ on an 8 year

yeah I don't get the sudden outrage here lol. I've seen this trade 100 times on this site from Devils/Caps fans alike.

He is an amazing player and having an amazing season.

But how many of the truly good teams in cap-era have a big ticket UFA forward in their lineup? Hossa in Chicago and Panarin in New York are only ones I can think of off top of my head.

10 on an 8 year is more than 10.75 on a 6 year, a lot more.