One of the most interesting and anticipated training camp battles for the Washington Capitals has been in the crease. Charlie Lindgren took over as the face between the pipes for the club last season, and Darcy Kuemper was eventually dealt in the offseason to the Los Angeles Kings for forward Pierre-Luc Dubois. Not too long later, then-general manager Brian MacLellan acquired netminder Logan Thompson from the Vegas Golden Knights. With how well Thompson played in Vegas, he was expected to push Lindgren for that number one goalie spot. Since then, Capitals training camp and preseason is nearly over and three goalies are left on the roster. There is Thompson, Lindgren, and Hunter Shepard.
Charlie Lindgren’s Numbers for the Capitals
Charlie Lindgren has been with Washington since he signed as a free agent on July 13, 2022. Since then, he has established himself as a legitimate netminder for the team. Lindgren has totaled the following as a Capital:
- 2022-23: 13-11-3, .899 save percentage (SV%), and 3.05 goals-against average (GAA) in 31 games played
- 2023-24: 25-16-7, .911 SV%, 2.67 GAA, and six shutouts in 50 games played
Lindgren also suited up as the starting netminder for all four postseason games in 2024 against the New York Rangers. He finished that series with an .864 SV% and a 3.58 GAA.
Some expect Lindgren to be the starting goalie for the 2024-25 campaign, as he deserves the chance to build on his performance from 2023-24. He became the go-to in net for the Capitals last season, and he should have the opportunity to see what he can do as the leading netminder in 2024-25. This could be the case, but there are other names still currently in the mix as well.
Logan Thompson on the Goaltending Competition
Both Charlie Lindgren and Hunter Shepard have been to Capitals training camp before. Logan Thompson is the new netminder in the locker room among the three. However, the former Vegas Golden Knights talent is used to having goalie battles from his time with that organization. He wants to do his best when called upon by the Capitals while also providing support for the goalies around him.
Thompson said, “…I’m really kind of used to it by now. I mean I think every year in Vegas, there’s always a goalie battle it seemed like. There’s always something going on in that department. So, I am used to it from that standpoint. From coming in here…obviously, I know that me, Chuckie, and Shep are all up and, you know, I just want to be a good teammate. I want to do my part and do what I can to help this team win when I’m in net, and when Chuckie is playing, I want to be his biggest cheerleader and support him. I think that’s kind of my goal this season. Just being a good teammate. Not worrying about things off-ice or on the ice, and just letting everything happen…”
Thompson suited up in 103 games for the Golden Knights between 2020-21 and 2023-24. He produced a record of 56-32-11 with a GAA of 2.67, a SV% of .912, and four shutouts.
Shepard Continues Growth Between the Pipes
Hunter Shepard has worked hard to remain among the goalies in Washington’s camp. The Capitals signed the undrafted talent on July 28, 2021. He became a stellar netminder in the AHL with the Hershey Bears and was a key figure in the team winning back-to-back Calder Cup championships in 2023 and 2024. He put up the following numbers in the AHL for the Bears:
- 2020-21: 3-0-0, .969 SV%, 1.00 GAA, and one shutout in three games played
- 2021-22: 5-3-0, .922 SV%, 2.06 GAA, and one shutout in nine games played
- 2022-23: 20-8-5, .916 SV%, 2.18 GAA, and one shutout in 33 games played
- 2023 postseason: 14-6, .914 SV%, 2.27 GAA, and three shutouts in 20 games played
- 2023-24: 27-4-3, .929 SV%, 1.76 GAA, and five shutouts in 34 games played
- 2024 postseason: 14-6, .910 SV%, and 2.49 GAA in 20 games played
Shepard also got his first stint of NHL games in Washington in 2023-24. He suited up for four games and posted a record of 2-1-1. Shepard finished with a GAA of 3.19 and a SV% of .894. He will eventually get more NHL games under his belt, and I think that will further his development into becoming a solid goalie in the league.
Projected Goalie Depth for 2024-25
Even though Hunter Shepard has stayed with the Capitals this long in training camp, I believe he will eventually be sent to the Hershey Bears. He will get his next NHL opportunity soon. Shepard has been playing so well for Hershey that his full graduation to the NHL is inevitable. Time will tell when that next opportunity will be, but I think he finds his way back to Hershey at the end of Washington’s training camp.
As a result, the Capitals will keep Lindgren and Thompson as their goalies for the 2024-25 season. They could lean toward Thompson playing more games. The club could also decide to give Lindgren that chance in the regular season to build on his successes from last season. Head coach Spencer Carbery could even go 1A/1B between both netminders. In fact, I believe that is the direction they go. I think Carbery and his staff will want to see more from both talents in the regular season. Depending on how both goalies play could determine whether he leans more toward one over the other as the starter.
All final roster decisions will be happening soon. The preseason ends tonight for Washington. They take on the Boston Bruins at 5:00 p.m. in Capital One Arena. Then, the 23-man roster will be set and the team will prepare for their first regular season matchup against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, October 12 at 7:00 p.m.
