James Guillory-Imagn Images
After years of stagnation, an increase in the salary cap should make things easier for NHL teams. RIGHT?
Not necessarily.
Three teams with playoff aspirations could find themselves on an unusually difficult road as they head into the playoffs, with both of their goalies approaching unrestricted free agency.
This in itself creates uncertainty. But after Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that it’s possible the salary cap could rise even more than expected next season, players have every reason to take their time before signing an extension.
Gary Bettman debunked Friedman’s report. But if there’s even a chance that more money will be available on the market – on top of the expected cap increase to $92.5 million – it makes sense for players to wait before to sign if they are trying to maximize their salaries.
According to PuckPedia22 NHL goalies are heading toward UFA status on July 1. Aside from Marc-André Fleury, who is retiring, and his former Vegas teammate, Robin Lehner, we are down to 20.
Three teams are currently running tandems where both guards are headed to free agency. As of November 27, they were all in position for the playoffs.
If these shot-stoppers show some reluctance to sign extensions until the salary cap scene for next season becomes clearer, these teams could be forced to live with some significant uncertainty as they navigate their way to the trade deadline and beyond.
Igor Shesterkin (28) and Jonathan Quick (38), New York Rangers
Even after last Saturday’s 6-2 loss in Edmonton, the Rangers remain one of the stingiest defensive teams in the league. But at the moment, their goalkeeping image for next season is completely uncertain.
Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick are currently impending free agents. Shesterkin has a .914 save percentage and a 2.91 goals-against average, while Jonathan Quick has a .943 SP and a 1.85 GAA.
Shesterkin’s importance to his team cannot be overstated, but reports of his aggressive contract demands leave the door ajar for a possible surprise departure.
Related: Are big changes coming for the New York Rangers?
At this point, it seems unlikely he’ll sign an extension anytime soon, which would leave his future a big question mark heading into the playoffs. And the sudden storm clouds that have formed over the team could be indicators of rough waters ahead, which could further influence Shesterkin’s decision to stay or go.
Quick’s status is less concerning. His late-career resurgence was accompanied by his return to the region where he grew up. After raking in more than $78 million in career earnings, he’ll likely be comfortable signing inexpensive one-year contracts to remain the stand-in on Broadway for as long as his play holds up.
Stephen R. Sylvanie Imagn Images
Logan Thompson (27) and Charlie Lindgren (30), Washington Capitals
Last year, Lindgren’s exploits led the Capitals to an unlikely playoff berth and the offseason departure of Darcy Kuemper.
Washington took another step forward this season, even with Lindgren and Logan Thompson on the brink of free agency.
The two men essentially split the duties this year. But it’s Thompson, with a cap hit of just $766,667, who has the best record (9-1-1), save percentage (.917) and underlying numbers (9.0 goals saved above expectations, according to moneypuck.com). He would have received interest from Team Canada’s 4 Nations faceoff management team.
Lindgren is 5-5-0 and his stats hover around league average with a cap hit of $1.1 million. That’s still very reasonable, so both of these stoppers will have suitors who will likely be willing to give them multi-year raises if they decide to consider leaving Washington next season.
Stephen R. Sylvanie Imagn Images
Adin Hill (28 years old) and Ilya Samsonov (27 years old), Vegas Golden Knights
Thompson’s former team, the Golden Knights, also has two goalies on expiring contracts.
Hill, of course, has the Stanley Cup ring in his trophy case. And he’s the epitome of turning a strong playoff run into an impending UFA into a nice payday.
He was on the final part of a two-year contract with a cap hit of $2.175 million when Vegas acquired him from the San Jose Sharks in the summer of 2022. Ten months later, Cup in hand, he re-signed for two years at $4.9 million per season. That makes him the second-highest paid UFA impending goaltender in the class of 2025, only behind Shesterkin ($5.67 million).
Can history repeat itself come playoff time? Hill’s save percentage so far this season has been a disappointing .887. But he’s still in the number one role and finding ways to score wins, with a 9-4-1 record to date for the Pacific Division leaders.
In his first year with Vegas, Samsonov’s save percentage was slightly higher at .904. He missed some time due to injury, but overall he was relegated to the backup role, where he is 5-2-1.
Now on his third team, Samsonov’s numbers are an improvement over his performance with Toronto last season. He could find himself on the move again this summer, and he’ll have a hard time improving on his $1.8 million cap hit if he can’t challenge Hill for the starting role in Sin City.
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