The Washington Capitals have signed goaltender Henrik Lundqvist to a one-year, $1.5 million deal. The team announced Friday after the NHL free agency period officially started.
Lundqvist gets an opportunity to extend his career and play for a Stanley Cup contender. Washington gets an experienced and future Hall of Fame goalie to mentor and split starts with their up-and-coming netminder Ilya Samsonov.
“Henrik has the competitive drive and the ability to help our team compete for a championship,” Capitals GM Brian MacLellan said in a statement. “We feel he will be an excellent fit for our team and provide leadership to our organization and our young goaltenders.”
Where Lundqvist was headed in free agency was the worst kept secret in hockey. Speculation of him landing in Washington began immediately after the final year of his previous deal was bought out by the New York Rangers last week.
The five-time Vezina Trophy winner spent 15 seasons with the Rangers. But his play declined over the past two seasons, prompting the Rangers moved on in favor of their two young goalies Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev.
Last season, he had career worsts with .905 save percentage and 3.16 goals-against-average. Still, those numbers are serviceable for his role in Washington, backing up Samsonov, who is coming off an impressive rookie campaign.
Signing Lundqvist signals the end of the Braden Holtby era in Washington. The 2016 Vezina Trophy winner in turn is signing with the Vancouver Canucks after 10 seasons with the Capitals.
