Washington Capitals‘ 7th year net minder Braden Holtby(70) is making 2015/2016 look like a Vezina Trophy winning season.
He leads the league with 25 wins in 32 starts and has a 1.93 GAA and .932 SV% on a team that currently sits atop the NHL in victories and points.
In 2014/2015, the 6’2″ 217 lbs. back stop had the most games played with 73, shots allowed 2044 and saves at 1887. He finished 2nd with 41 wins.
He’s been up with the big club exclusively for the last few seasons but spent his first four campaigns split mostly with long-time affiliate Hershey Bears and helped the team to a 2010 Calder Cup Championship.
The now only 26-year old even spent time in the ECHL to start his pro career with South Carolina Stingrays and got the nod for their 2010 All-Star Game.
He would get the same distinction next season in the AHL and was selected for this year’s NHL All-Star festivities.
No doubt this is a player that’s learned to play well under pressure and help his squads win.
He signed a 5-year extension through 2019/2020 and there’s really only one small trophy remaining, the Stanley Cup and the Caps look like front runners to claim that prize.
Braden Holtby(1) Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals‘ third year goaltender Braden Holtby(1) is working hard to steal the number one job with the parent club heading towards a postseason bid.
He’s played a career high 40 AHL games with Hershey Bears collecting a season best 20 wins. His 15 losses is also a regular season personal worst.
After posting 10 wins in 14 games with the Caps last season, it’s a bit of a thinker why they didn’t give him a longer look for the starter position this season.
Although despite being in his 3rd pro season, he’s still only on the 2nd year of his 3-year entry level deal. So they may be taking it slowly with his development.
He was originally a Capitals‘ 4th round pick in the 2009 draft (#93 overall).