Mixed feelings on this one.
On one hand, Lindgren is obviously a big part of the locker room, and they want to try and preserve that chemistry for as long as they can. So I get the desire to keep him around. And he's largely exceeded expectations since joining the team. Plus the deal has no trade protection, so it's possibly they can buy themselves out of future problems.
On the other hand, the biggest appeal of the Capitals goaltending tandem heading into this season was how incredibly cap efficient it was. Next year it will cost nearly 5x more than the same tandem did this season. And $3M until the mid-30s for a goalie who essentially only has one year of starter grade play in the NHL is definitely a gamble in it's own right.
Bolded what I think many has a problem with. I get it, but also, not really. Lindgren isnt getting anywhere close to starter money so I dont think its fair to expect that of him. This is market value for a really good back-up, and a kind of value contract for a 1B. Thats where we should set the expectations and it can still bring good cap value.
Thompson is the guy whos on the watch now. He is the one who needs to keep his level to justify that contract (which I very much approved), and since this is a new situation for him its very functionable to have that Lindgren-level plan B as a safety net. We dont have to lean solely on LT being hot for 65 games a season and he can get a free pass every once in a while, and Charlie can carry the load when needed and make it easier for LT to achieve. Its much as how the team is built overall aswell, we have really good depth and thats the advantage we need and thats where we have been succesfull lately when we are missing the McDavids and MacKinnons and Shesterkins of todays game.
At 8,85 mills our goalie tandem can still be cap efficient. We have a good tandem. This season, really good, better than most. Looking at 82 games, next season 20 teams (and likely more after the dust settles on Vejmelka etc), will be paying 8+ mills for their goalies. We are not on the high end of that line of cap and if they can keep the level, we are on the high end of performance. Thats cap efficiency, still. And from the 12 that arent paying 8+ in the G position, they are mostly screwed... Or on their way to paying it up anyways.
Im not sure why we are so scared of "over paying" our tandem this money, as it has been top notch for this season. I get that goalies are mystery and they can both go all Kuempers and Samsonovs next season, but you do need security on the position anyways. Id rather have this than go hail mary every offseason. Spreaded like this on two good options, I like our security a lot. Its unlikely they both suddenly forget how to goalie, and its likely that atleast one of them gets on a hot streak every now and then.
