The Washington Capitals have not only started contract extension talks with goaltender Logan Thompson but reportedly want to get them wrapped up within the next few weeks. Thompson is in the final year of his contract and scheduled for unrestricted free agency next summer.
According to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun in the latest edition of “Early Trading,” the Capitals would like to sign Thompson before the 4 Nations Face-Off if they’re able to get on the same page with him and his agent, Allain Roy. The tournament, which replaces the NHL All-Star Game this year, begins on February 12 in Montreal.
“What I can tell you is that, of late, certainly, there have been talks with Logan Thompson,” Lebrun said. “I think there’s some urgency there. I think the Caps would like to get something done, if all goes well, before the 4 Nations break next month.”
Thompson is being paid under $767k this season, less than the current league minimum salary. He arrived in Washington in a trade from the Vegas Golden Knights last offseason and has responded with sparkling numbers in DC, including a 22-2-3 record, a 2.09 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage, and two shutouts.
The 27-year-old backstop was recently named the NHL’s First Star of the Week and, per MoneyPuck, has saved 26.8 more goals than expected this season, which is good for second-best in the league. Only Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, ranks ahead of him with 27.2 goals saved above expected.
Per updated AFP Analytics projections, Thompson’s next contract is projected to be a five-year, $30.66 million deal ($6.13M AAV) with the current NHL salary cap estimations for next season ($92.5M). The outlet, which primarily focuses on player valuation, still gives Jordan Binnington’s six-year, $36 million contract that he signed with the St. Louis Blues in 2021 as the most comparable for Thompson’s upcoming negotiations.
Thursday’s news from LeBrun comes just over a week after he reported that the Capitals might be hesitant to upset their locker room by signing one goaltender to an extension before the other. Charlie Lindgren, the team’s hero in net last season, is also set to become an unrestricted free agent.
The Capitals hold exclusive negotiating rights with Thompson and Lindgren through June 30.
