Draft Day Drama: Capitals Nab Vegas Goalie Logan Thompson in Round Two Trade
The Washington Capitals and Las Vegas Golden Knights shocked the hockey world on the second day of the 2024 NHL Draft when, unexpectedly, the Golden Knights traded outstanding backup goaltender Logan Thompson to the Capitals in the second round of the draft. The Golden Knights will get future draft selections from the Capitals, including a 2024 and a 2025 third-round selection, according to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. Thompson was in the middle of signing autographs and taking photographs at the NHL Draft, which was taking place at the Sphere in Las Vegas when the news regarding the former Knights goalie broke. Thompson has had a fantastic start to his short NHL career, and the Capitals will be getting a dynamic goalie with his trade to the nation's capital.
The Capitals lost their number two goalkeeper, Darcy Kuemper when they dealt him to the Los Angeles Kings for Pierre-Luc Dubois more than a week ago. General manager Brian MacLellan of the Capitals had hinted that the team might look to add goaltending depth in the offseason before the regular season ended. Last season, the team tied for 10th in goals-against average, 12th in goals-against, and 11th in save percentage. MacLellan has stated that he wants to give starting goalie Charlie Lindgren the chance to keep succeeding in the starting role next season. Lindgren took the reins for Washington late in the regular season and into the playoffs, finishing with a 25-16-7 record, a 2.67 goals-against average, a .911 save percentage, and six shutouts. However, the addition of Thompson to the goaltending room, provides the Capitals with an added boost in goaltending heading into next season, as Thompson has one year remaining on his contract and with Vegas last season, Thompson finished with a 25-14-5 record, a 2.70 goals-against average, a .908 save percentage and one shutout.
The previously undrafted goaltender joined the Golden Knights on a two-year entry-level deal in 2019, marking the beginning of his NHL career. During his time with the Knights, Thompson quickly made a significant contribution to the team's goaltending success. He won multiple awards during his tenure, including NHL Rookie of the Month in November 2023, having won eight of his 10 games, and a spot in his first All-Star Game in 2023 as a goaltender for the Pacific Division. Thompson concluded his career with Vegas with a 56-32-11 record, a 2.67 goals-against average, a .912 save percentage, and four shutouts in 103 games. With Lindgren and Thompson both being extremely skilled goaltenders who would both be starting on different clubs, Thompson's signing with the Capitals will provide head coach Spencer Carbery the chance to potentially use them in a platoon position.
