Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan was diplomatic when explaining the reasoning behind the team’s trade for Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson during Day 2 of the NHL Draft.
The Capitals sent Vegas a third-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft (originally from the NY Islanders) along with their third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft for Thompson, a 2023 NHL All-Star.
“It was an opportunity to get a good goalie with some upside,” MacLellan said to media. “We’re going to have to have four goalies. We only had three after the trade. We look at it as a potential guy that’s going to improve and we’ll see what happens in the future with him.”
The move gives the Capitals a second proven starter in net at the NHL level, pairing the 27-year-old Thompson with the incumbent starter, Charlie Lindgren, after MacLellan dealt away Darcy Kuemper earlier in June. Lindgren took over the full-time spot from Kuemper halfway through last season, posting a 25-16-7 record along with a goals-against average of 2.67 and a save percentage of .911.
The career year marked the first time the 30-year-old Lindgren made appearances in more than half of his team’s games (50) at the NHL level. He’s an unrestricted free agent next summer and likely due a big raise.
“It could be [a 1a/1b situation],” MacLellan said. “Charlie’s earned his spot here. Hopefully, we have a competitive situation in net and we’ll work it out from there.”
But the trade also continues a status quo with the goalie depth chart in the minor leagues. MacLellan’s deal blocks Hunter Shepard from a legitimate shot in the NHL despite the 28-year-old netminder accomplishing seemingly everything there is to accomplish in the AHL. Shepard has led the Hershey Bears to two consecutive Calder Cups, was AHL playoff MVP in 2023, and was named the AHL’s most outstanding goaltender during the 2023-24 regular season. He also did well in his four spot starts in the NHL last season, going 2-1-1.
Clay Stevenson, whom some in the organization have called the Capitals’ netminder of the future, would also likely remain Hershey’s backup going into next year despite leading the AHL in shutouts with 7 and having sparkling numbers himself. The 25-year-old AHL rookie finished the season 24-10-2 with a 2.06 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage. Down in South Carolina, Mitch Gibson also showed promise with the ECHL Stingrays and was impressive when he suited up for the Bears, going 2-0-0 and posting a 1.92 goals against average and .915 save percentage.
“I think we like the progression of what’s happening in Hershey,” MacLellan said days earlier. “Both our goalies have played really well. Maybe they would have a little inexperience, but anticipate both playing NHL games at some point.”
Thompson does have a previous history with the Capitals. He participated in Capitals Development Camps in 2018 and 2019 where Aliaksei Protas was once his roommate. His first professional contract came with the Hershey Bears where he suited up with the South Carolina Stingrays during the 2019-20 season before signing his first NHL contract with the Golden Knights.
“I think there’s relationships,” MacLellan said. “[Goaltending coach Scott Murray] knows him really well. I think he’s familiar with our organization and we’re familiar with him.”
Thompson appeared in 46 games for Vegas last season, posting a 25-14-5 record with a 2.70 goals-against average, a .908 save percentage, and one shutout. He has one year remaining on his contract with a cheap $766,667 cap hit, making the 2025 offseason a big one for the Capitals’ direction in net.
“Obviously, it’s a good contract,” MacLellan said. “It’s below the minimum even. There’s value there just from the contract and given the skill he has to play.”
