James Guillory-Imagn Images
After years of stagnation, a rising salary cap should make things easier for NHL teams. Right?
Not necessarily.
Three squads with playoff aspirations could find themselves on an unusually challenging road as they head toward the post-season, with both their goalies approaching unrestricted free agency.
On its own, that creates uncertainty. But after Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported there’s a chance that the salary cap could rise even higher than originally projected next season, players have every reason to take their time before signing any extensions.
Gary Bettman did debunk Friedman’s report. But if there’s even a chance of more money being available in the marketplace — on top of the expected cap increase to $92.5 million — it makes sense for players to wait before signing if they’re trying to maximize their paydays.
According to PuckPedia, 22 NHL goalies are headed toward UFA status on July 1. Take out the retiring Marc-Andre Fleury and his old Vegas teammate Robin Lehner, and we’re down to 20.
Three teams are currently running with tandems where both goalies are heading toward free agency. As of Nov. 27, they’re all in playoff position.
If those stoppers show any reluctance to sign extensions until the salary-cap scene for next season gets clearer, those squads could be forced to live with some significant uncertainty as they navigate the trade deadline and the road beyond.
Igor Shesterkin (28) And Jonathan Quick (38), New York Rangers
Even after last Saturday’s 6-2 shellacking in Edmonton, the Rangers remain one of the stingiest defensive teams in the league. But for the moment, their goaltending picture for next season is completely up in the air.
Both Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick are currently impending free agents. Shesterkin has a .914 save percentage and 2.91 goals-against average, while Jonathan Quick has a .943 SP and 1.85 GAA.
Shesterkin’s importance to his team can’t be overstated, but the reports of his aggressive contract demands leave the door cracked open for a possible surprise departure.
Related: Are Big Changes Coming For The New York Rangers?
At this point, it seems unlikely that he’ll sign an extension anytime soon, which will leave his future a big question mark heading toward the post-season. And the sudden storm clouds that have formed over the team may be indicators of choppy waters ahead, which could further influence Shesterkin’s decision to stay or to move on.
Quick’s status is less of a concern. His late-career resurgence has come with his return to the region where he grew up. After banking more than $78 million in career earnings, he’ll likely be comfortable signing inexpensive one-year deals to remain the backup 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 heroics led the Capitals to an unlikely playoff berth and the off-season departure of Darcy Kuemper.
Washington has taken another step forward this season, even with Lindgren and Logan Thompson on the brink of free agency.
The pair have basically split the duties this year. But it’s Thompson, at a cap hit of just $766,667, who has the better record (9-1-1), save percentage (.917) and underlying numbers (9.0 goals saved above expected, according to moneypuck.com). He’s reportedly receiving interest from Team Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off management team as well.
Lindgren is 5-5-0, and his stats are hovering around the league average at a cap hit of $1.1 million. That’s still very reasonable, so both these stoppers will have suitors who will likely be willing to give them raises on multi-year terms if they decide to explore leaving Washington next season.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Adin Hill (28) And Ilya Samsonov (27), Vegas Golden Knights
Thompson’s former team, the Golden Knights, also features two goalies on expiring contracts.
Hill, of course, has the Stanley Cup ring in his trophy case. And he’s the poster child for parlaying a strong playoff run as an impending UFA into a nice payday.
He was on the last part of a two-year deal with a cap hit of $2.175 million when Vegas acquired him from the San Jose Sharks during the summer of 2022. Ten months later, Cup in hand, he re-signed for two years at $4.9 million a season. That makes him the second-highest-paid impending UFA goalie in the class of 2025, only behind Shesterkin ($5.67 million).
Can history repeat come playoff time? Hill’s save percentage so far this season has been a disappointing .887. But he’s still in the No. 1 role and is finding ways to get wins, with a 9-4-1 record to date for the Pacific Division leaders.
Related: ‘I Guess They Had A Little Duel Going’: Knights’ Ilya Samsonov Exacts Some Revenge On Senators’ Linus Ullmark
In his first year with Vegas, Samsonov’s save percentage is slightly higher, at .904. He did miss a little time with an injury, but overall, he has been relegated to backup duties, where he’s 5-2-1.
Now on his third team, Samsonov’s numbers are an improvement on his performance with Toronto last season. He could find himself on the move again this summer, and he’ll have a tough 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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