Chicago Blackhawks: Potential 2020 Free Agent Adds Part II
G. Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby. 1. player. 19.
The Chicago Blackhawks need goaltending next season. They still might bring back Corey Crawford who is there with an expiring deal. They traded Robin Lehner to the Vegas Golden Knights at the trade deadline when it looked like they might hang onto him and try and resign him but he is gone. Even if Crawford comes back, he would be much better served if he didn’t have to carry the whole load. Assuming they don’t go after Lehner again, Braden Holtby might be a good fit.
Holtby has had a rough year and a half stretch with the Washington Capitals. The team continued to dominate after winning the Stanley Cup in 2018 but Holtby’s numbers weren’t where we are used to them being. It is a bit strange because he piles up win after win, but the goals against averages and his save percentages just aren’t what we’ve been used to from him. In 2019-20, he has a 3.11 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage which isn’t Holtby like.
Holtby, however, has been one of the best goalies in the National Hockey League for the past handful of years. He has won the Vezina Trophy, Jennings Trophy, and the Stanley Cup in addition to being all-star multiple times. He might not get the most lucrative contract because of his numbers in 2019-20 but he has proven he can continue to win.