One of the big topics discussed during the summer was the goaltending situation for the Vegas Golden Knights. Who was the true No. 1 netminder for Vegas? Was it Adin Hill or Logan Thompson? The conversation had fans torn, with an epic war ensuing. Family relationships were shattered, friendships were ended, and debates raged on.
It's easy to see why. Hill and Thompson had similar statistics in 2023-24.
- Hill: 35 games played, 2.71 GAA, .909 save percentage
- Thompson: 42 games played, 2.70 GAA, .908 save percentage
In the end, Thompson was traded to the Washington Capitals for a 2024 third-round draft pick and a 2025 third-round draft pick. Bruce Cassidy and crew picked the Stanley Cup hero over the 27-year-old, making him the de facto No. 1 goaltender. The war... was over.
Now, these two names will pop up again on Sunday, with the new Capitals netminder returning to T-Mobile Arena. It'll bring up memories of Thompson's heroics, whether it's during the 2022-23 season or in the playoff series against the Dallas Stars last season.
Expect a hero's welcome from the Golden Knights faithful on Sunday, with those memories coming full circle again. Thompson might not be with the team anymore. However, there's still admiration from the fanbase. Now, Thompson has the opportunity he wanted with Vegas, establishing himself as the No. 1 goaltender.
How have both goaltenders done since the Logan Thompson trade?
Looking at Adin Hill, he hasn't had the best start to the 2024-25 season. He's posting a GAA of 3.16 and a save percentage of .886 entering Sunday's matchup. Granted, he's been buoyed by a strong Golden Knights offense (4.12 goals per game entering Sunday, second-best in the NHL). However, it's been a combination of below-average play and a lackluster blue line defensively.
As for Thompson? He's been slightly better for the Capitals, carrying a GAA of 2.71 and a save percentage of .906 in eight starts. Like Hill, the Capitals netminder has been anchored by a strong attack (4.19 goals per game, best in the NHL). Thus, he has a record of 7-0-1 during his eight games.
On paper, it appears Thompson was the better choice. He looks more athletic in the net and has played at the top of the crease well. Meanwhile, Hill is still getting himself situated, with a strong performance on Friday against the Utah Hockey Club. He stopped 32 of 34 shots, standing strong for a 4-2 victory for the Golden Knights.
However, the season is long, with both teams getting off to hot starts. Eventually, the two netminders will play towards the average, bringing more fortune to their respective teams. That's especially true for Vegas's No. 1 netminder, who's turning things around after a slow start.
Many Golden Knights fans know this and will preach patience with their current goaltender. Yes, some will miss Thompson in net at T-Mobile Arena. However, it's a new season and the Golden Knights want to win another Stanley Cup. That means having Hill turn things around and showing he was the right preference all along.