Feb 6, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (79) makes a save against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

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Washington Capitals Secure Goaltender Charlie Lindgren with Three-Year Extension

Washington locks in Lindgren with a multi-year deal, reinforcing their goaltending depth for the future.

The Washington Capitals have secured their goaltending duo for the foreseeable future. The team announced a three-year, $9 million contract extension for netminder Charlie Lindgren, ensuring he remains a key piece of their roster beyond this season.

For Lindgren, the deal represents a significant pay raise, nearly tripling his previous salary. Yet, for general manager Chris Patrick, it appears to be a savvy move, locking in a reliable goaltender at a reasonable cost. With Lindgren and Logan Thompson under contract, the Capitals will be spending a combined $8.85 million on goaltending next season—about 9.26% of the 2025-26 salary cap.

LOCKED IN 🔒

The @Capitals have signed Charlie Lindgren to a three-year deal! 🦅 pic.twitter.com/6qQg48PUYh
— NHL (@NHL) March 3, 2025

While the deal is a solid one for Washington, Lindgren may have left a larger payday on the table. His first season with the Capitals was largely unremarkable, posting a 13-11-3 record with a .899 save percentage and a 3.05 goals-against average across 26 starts. At the time, he was playing behind Darcy Kuemper, who outperformed him with an 8.8 goals saved above average (GSAA), compared to Lindgren’s -3.9 GSAA, per MoneyPuck.

However, Lindgren’s role changed drastically last season when injuries and inconsistent play from Kuemper thrust him into the starting job. He rose to the challenge, delivering one of the most surprising goaltending performances in recent memory. In 48 starts, he posted a 25-16-7 record, a .911 save percentage, a 2.67 GAA, and led the league with six shutouts. His 10.5 GSAA ranked 16th in the NHL, earning him an eighth-place finish in Vezina Trophy voting and a 12th-place spot in MVP consideration.

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Despite Lindgren’s breakout season, the Capitals opted to ease his workload by acquiring Thompson from the Vegas Golden Knights last summer. Before last season, Lindgren had never shouldered such a heavy load, with his 48 starts nearly matching his total over the previous seven years combined across stints with Washington, Montreal, and St. Louis.

This year, back in a shared role, Lindgren’s numbers have dipped closer to his pre-breakout form. Through 27 starts, he holds a 13-10-3 record with a .896 save percentage, a 2.70 GAA, and a -2.2 GSAA. By signing him now, rather than waiting until the summer when he might have commanded a higher price based on his stellar 2023-24 performance, the Capitals may have saved themselves a few million dollars.

Image Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Charlie Lindgren

NHL

Washington Capitals

Anamika Shrivastava

nhl

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