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Vegas Golden Knights Expansion Outlook: Washington Capitals

By Richard Cardinale |
OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 24: Washington Capitals Goalie Philipp Grubauer (31) takes a knee as he waits during TV time out during second period National Hockey League action between the Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators on January 24, 2017, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 24: Washington Capitals Goalie Philipp Grubauer (31) takes a knee as he waits during TV time out during second period National Hockey League action between the Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators on January 24, 2017, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The team in the nation’s capital has a wide array of talent for the Vegas Golden Knights to choose from.

Vegas Golden Knights General Manager George McPhee knows the Washington Capitals all too well. This is the team he built from the bottom of the barrel to what they are today. McPhee drafted players like Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Niklas Backstrom, John Carlson, Karl Alzner, Braden Holtby and many more.

Like last years Caps team, not only do they sit in first place in the whole Eastern Conference, but they sit in first place in the NHL. This Capitals team is by far the most well-rounded, well-balanced club in the league this season. Washington fans finally may have that Stanley Cup fever again like they once did in 1998 despite just coming up short.

Prospects like Jakub Vrana, Jonas Siegenthaler and Madison Bowey are exempt from the expansion draft which is good news. The bad news is with the amount of talent on this roster, the Caps have to leave some players exposed. Washington is destined to lose a key piece from their squad.

Caps General Manager Brian MacLellan needs to use his smarts and pick the right draft strategy. If he uses seven Forwards, three Defenseman, and one Goaltender he may lose a key defender. If he goes the other and goes with eight skaters and one goalie, he’ll be bound to lose a top six forward. MacLellan should use his first route and protect as many Forwards as he can.

Obviously Braden Holtby is the keep in the crease as he’s pushing for his second Vezina Trophy in as many years. Holtby’s stats are once again out of this world. The former fourth round pick in 2008 is 37-11-6 with a GAA of 2.05 and a save percentage of .928 with eight shutouts to his name.

However, the Goaltender left exposed by Washington, could be a viable starting goalie option for the Vegas Golden Knights. Philipp Grubauer is also on another planet as he’s having an outstanding year despite limited playing time. In 16 games started, he’s 10-6-2 with a 2.10 GAA and a save percentage of .925 and three shutouts. George McPhee most certainly has his eye on the goalie he picked once before in the fourth round in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

It gets even tougher for Washington when it comes to their blue line and who their going to protect on defense. The locks are John Carlson, Dmitry Orlov and Matt Niskanen without question. However, it’s going to be tough possibly parting ways with veteran defenseman Karl Alzner and/or 25 year old Nate Schmidt. Something to keep in mind: Alzner is a UFA and McPhee could explore Alzner in the exclusive Vegas free agent window.

MacLellan can breathe easier when protecting his Forwards for the expansion draft. Ovechkin, Kuznetsov, Niklas Backstrom, TJ Oshie (assuming he signs back with Washington), Andre Burakovsky and Marcus Johansson are the keeps. The last spots going to come down to Lars Eller, Tom Wilson and Brett Connolly. I’m leaning towards Wilson getting protected just because it’s so hard to find his element of the game elsewhere in the league.

So after looking at all the potential pieces exposed where could McPhee go with this? He could choose former 6th overall pick in 2010 Brett Connolly. Connolly is having the best offensive season of his career, but I don’t expect Vegas to look into a  player that is inconsistent as Connolly is. Nate Schmidt is also having a good year but I expect Washington to protect Schmidt by giving Vegas a draft pick or a prospect.

The player I see McPhee taking is one of his old friends he picked from Washington Philipp Grubauer. If chosen by McPhee, Grubauer will challenge for the starting role. I’ve talked to some fans in Washington and they LOVE Grubauer. The 25-year-old has the perfect frame of an NHL goaltender and has great mechanics. He’s a great athlete and is also capable of making hard saves look routine.

Uncertainty. That’s the one word that pretty much sums up Grubauer when it comes to being an NHL starting goaltender. As an NHL starting goalie, you at least need to start 60 games a year, which Grubauer has never done.

Next: Maple Leafs Have Few Options For Golden Knights, But Which Player Is Heading To Vegas?

If left unprotected by Washington without using draft picks or prospects, McPhee will be found dancing on the Las Vegas Strip. McPhee knows what Grubauer has and he saw potential since the day he drafted him. And to see him develop and come along the way he has, McPhee would be a fool not to select him. Grubauer has the potential to become a NHL starting goaltender, if given the chance. The Vegas Golden Knights could give him that glorious opportunity.

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