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Forums :: Blog World :: The Fan Blog : Braden Holtby & Ilya Samsonov
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the_fan_blog
Joined: 01.22.2009

Jan 13 @ 2:11 PM ET
The Fan Blog : Braden Holtby & Ilya Samsonov
Dr Blob
Pittsburgh Penguins
Joined: 09.30.2018

Jan 13 @ 2:33 PM ET
Similar situation as the Pens with a proven goalie with Stanley Cup victory on an expiring contract struggling with consistency while the backup has clearly outperformed the incumbent. Could we see both Holtby and Murray both on the open market? Sure seems like it is trending that way. Not sure I can remember a similar situation in recent times.
mcm322003
Joined: 06.14.2012

Jan 14 @ 12:21 PM ET
As much as I would hate to see him go, I think trading Holts at the deadline would be the way to go. Consistency was always what made him what he is and he has lost that over the last couple years. Might as well get something for him before he walks in the spring.
Octavarium
New York Islanders
Joined: 01.03.2007

Jan 14 @ 12:25 PM ET
Nice signing Caps.

Congrats to your fans. He's a good guy, he'll retire as a Cap.
BrenosBagels
Washington Capitals
Joined: 03.05.2019

Jan 14 @ 12:38 PM ET
As much as I would hate to see him go, I think trading Holts at the deadline would be the way to go. Consistency was always what made him what he is and he has lost that over the last couple years. Might as well get something for him before he walks in the spring.
- mcm322003


As inconsistent as Holtby has been, I dont believe they trade him.

Lets pretend they do trade Holtby for a moment. What happens if Samsonov gets lit up in his first two playoff games and the Caps go down 0-2 on the road? Copley gonna come in and save the day? Unlikely. Having Holtby on the roster in that instance could pay huge dividends. Now granted this is a very specific and rare instance but knowing the Caps and their playoff history. First round will go to six or seven games no matter who they play.

Holtby could very well come out of his funk and be lights out come playoff time. He is after all one of the best playoff goalies of all time.
mcm322003
Joined: 06.14.2012

Jan 14 @ 8:46 PM ET
I don’t disagree at all. He does tend to be a beast come playoff time, but I think with the issues they have on the right side defensively, it would be worth the roll of the dice to try and fortify the backend especially against the heavy forechecks they will see in the playoffs. I don’t think what they have now can make it through. With Backstrom signing, Holtby is for sure gone next year so might as well use his value to upgrade elsewhere. I think it’s worth a look at least if you can get a descent enough return.
Savetheembers33
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 01.23.2017

Jan 15 @ 1:06 PM ET
You gotta ride Holtby out the rest of the year and continue to get Samsonov as many games as you can to continue to develop him. Let Holtby walk in FA and sign a legit guy to split time with Samsonov going forward and hope for the best.

Risky move signing Backstrom for as much as you guys did
Savetheembers33
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 01.23.2017

Jan 15 @ 1:10 PM ET
As inconsistent as Holtby has been, I dont believe they trade him.

Lets pretend they do trade Holtby for a moment. What happens if Samsonov gets lit up in his first two playoff games and the Caps go down 0-2 on the road? Copley gonna come in and save the day? Unlikely. Having Holtby on the roster in that instance could pay huge dividends. Now granted this is a very specific and rare instance but knowing the Caps and their playoff history. First round will go to six or seven games no matter who they play.

Holtby could very well come out of his funk and be lights out come playoff time. He is after all one of the best playoff goalies of all time.

- BrenosBagels


This happened to the Hawks in 2015. Darling came outta no where and played fantastic. Everyone said that they needed to trade Crow right away to improve elsewhere and blah blah...fast forward to the Playoffs and Crow starts and struggles in Game 1 and 2 Darling gets the nod and does alright and then struggles himself. Then Crow came in and took over and played fantastic the rest of the Playoffs to go on to win the Cup.
Marvio13
Calgary Flames
Joined: 01.15.2020

Jan 15 @ 2:58 PM ET

Just 2 seasons ago, when Washington won the cup, they started Grubauer in the first playoff round. He was outplaying Holtby at the end of the regular season so starting him was smart, but he couldn't get the job done in those first 2 playoff games against Columbus. Being down 0-2 and going on the road they decided to start Holtby for the following game, and he lead them to an incredible comeback in that series and went on to play lights out for the rest of the playoffs (Huge reason they won the cup). This is surely fresh in the mind's of Capitals management, so I would be surprised if they traded Holtby. Its risky getting rid of the only goalie to ever bring your franchise a cup