“Excited for new opportunity” – Darcy Kuemper pens down five-year $26.25 million contract with Capitals
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Darcy Kuemper signs with Washington Capitals
Goaltender Darcy Kuemper signed a $26.25 million contract for 5-years, with an average annual value of $5.25 million with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. During the last season, he had 37-12-4 with a 2.54 GAA, .921 save percentage, and 5 shutouts in 57 regular-season games. He played a crucial role in Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup this year since 2001.
Since signing with the Capitals, Kuemper commented, “Super(ly) excited for the new opportunity”. “I think this is a team that can win it. That’s always a lot of fun to be a part of. Really looking forward to getting started. It’s going to be a short summer, but I can’t wait to get down there and meet the guys.”
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Capitals have high expectations from Darcy Kuemper
Apart from Darcy Kuemper, the Washington Capitals also signed Charlie Lindgren with a $3.3 million contract for 3-years. Charlie is going to act as the backup goalie as Kuemper starts as their No. 1. Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said, “I think it was the goal going into free agency that we wanted to change our goaltending, and we accomplished it”. “I feel good about both guys we’ve gotten, and I look forward to the season with both of them in the net.”
The Capitals wanted to revamp their goaltending area after Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek spilt time on each of the past two seasons. With the risk of them slating to the restricted free agent, the Capitals traded Vanecek to Devils on Friday, and no qualifying offers were given to Samsonov, making him an unrestricted free agent. They are now betting on Kuemper as the starting goalie.
As noted on nhl.com, MacLellan further explained their choice, “The young guys were good”. “I guess it’s a little frustrating that I wish one of them would have taken over the No. 1 spot. And it seemed like one or the other were going to, but then they never quite did it and I think we ran out of time to wait for it. I still think they both have good futures in the NHL. They’re still young, they’re still improving.”
The Capitals believe that they have a better shot with the new recruits. Capitals coach Peter Laviolette said, “I think it’s really good”. “Darcy’s a veteran goaltender who just won the Stanley Cup, had a terrific year, brings a lot of experience and a history of playing really well. We’re really excited to have him. Charlie Lindgren, he’s, from what I understand, a really great person, a great team guy, has had some good numbers as well. Definitely a new look in net for us, and we’re really excited about it.”
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Kaushani Chatterjee
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