Capitals’ commitment to goaltending should pay dividends this season
In the modern NHL landscape, goaltending has become one of the most scrutinized and strategically managed positions on the ice. While some franchises hesitate to invest heavily in their backup goaltenders, preferring to allocate cap space elsewhere, others recognize the value of depth and stability in the crease. The case of Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren exemplifies how committing to a strong goaltending tandem can pay dividends over time.
The best team in the Eastern Conference last season is poised for another great season, with much of the potential credit heading to the team’s two masked men.
It was quite the turnaround for the Washington Capitals last season. Along with Alex Ovechkin’s quest for history, goaltenders Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren carried a huge load, putting the team at the top of the Eastern standings, with Thompson helping the Capitals win their first playoff series since 2018.
The two goaltenders both signed contract extensions last season, with Thompson being locked up through the 2030-31 season at a cap hit of $5.85 million, while Lindgren is going to be paid $3 million over the next three seasons.
Many teams might balk at the idea of paying a backup goaltender $3 million annually. The logic is simple: if your starter is reliable, why not save money and sign a low-cost backup? This approach, while fiscally conservative, often overlooks the unpredictable nature of the position. Injuries, slumps, and the grueling pace of an 82-game season demand more than just one dependable netminder. In this context, the decision to lock up both Thompson and Lindgren for the next three years reflects a forward-thinking strategy rooted in performance and consistency.
Logan Thompson has proven himself to be more than just a promising young goalie. His calm demeanor, technical precision, and ability to steal games have made him a cornerstone for his team. Meanwhile, Charlie Lindgren, once viewed as a journeyman, has emerged as a reliable and often spectacular presence between the pipes. Together, they form a tandem that not only shares the workload but also pushes each other to maintain elite standards.
What makes this duo particularly compelling is the sustained nature of their success. It’s not a flash-in-the-pan scenario or a lucky stretch of games. As the quote suggests, “It’s a full year. It’s almost 18 months.” That kind of consistency is rare in goaltending, where hot streaks and cold spells are common. The fact that both Thompson and Lindgren have maintained high-level play over such a long period suggests that their performance is not an anomaly—it’s the new norm.
From a team-building perspective, having two capable goaltenders locked in for multiple seasons provides stability and flexibility. Coaches can manage workloads more effectively, reducing the risk of burnout or injury. It also creates internal competition, which often leads to improved performance. Moreover, in the playoffs, where goaltending can make or break a series, having a dependable backup is invaluable.
While some franchises may question the wisdom of spending $3 million on a backup goalie, the success of Thompson and Lindgren challenges that notion. Their consistent play over nearly 18 months proves that investing in goaltending depth is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity. As the league continues to evolve, teams that prioritize stability and excellence in net will find themselves better equipped to compete at the highest level.
Prominent Chiefs Staff Member Dubbed ‘Name to Watch’ for Head Coach Job
Patience is a virtue in the NFL, yet many teams don’t seem to have much of it. The Tennessee Titans further proved that on Monday, when news broke that the organization fired now-former head coach Brian Callahan. In the aftermath, the Kansas City Chiefs are being connected to the organization’s search.
One of Andy Reid’s top assistants could be in the mix in due time. Per a Monday evening report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is a name to monitor.
Chiefs OC Matt Nagy Tied to Titans’ Head Coaching Job
Rapoport seems to hint that although senior offensive assistant Mike McCoy is the Titans‘ interim head coach, they could eventually look elsewhere. That’s commonplace in the NFL, especially considering the offseason is months away.
Nagy’s ties to first-year Tennessee general manager Mike Borgonzi may help him.
“As far as the Titans, they now have to find a new head coach,” Rapoport began. “A couple of names to watch, Colleen [Wolfe], I would say Matt Nagy. He worked with Mike Borgonzi in Kansas City. Certainly would be a name to watch, the decorated Chiefs offensive coordinator. And then Arthur Smith, the former Falcons head coach, also a former OC in Tennessee.”
This is the first time Nagy’s name is linked to the 2025-26 coaching cycle, but he’s no spring chicken. The 47-year-old has a four-year head coaching career, leading the Chicago Bears of 2018-2021 to a 34-31 regular-season record. Nagy’s Bears went 0-2 in the postseason during his time in town.
Nagy has two separate stints in Kansas City as offensive coordinator: first under Reid back in 2017 and again since 2023. Last season’s struggles (15th in scoring, 16th in yards) left a sour taste in many folks’ mouths, but it didn’t stop teams from knocking on the Chiefs‘ door. Nagy was linked to head coaching vacancies with the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets earlier this calendar year.
Callahan, a former offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, led the Titans to a worrisome 4-19 record. McCoy now takes over a team featuring a rookie quarterback in No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward.
Nagy Helping Kansas City Enjoy Offensive Renaissance in 2025 Season
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand why the Chiefs‘ offense sputtered at times a season ago. For starters, players like wideouts Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Rashee Rice missed tons of time due to injury. The left tackle position was also an abject disaster, seeing Kansas City cycle through a multitude of options. They still got all the way to Super Bowl LIX, where they ultimately got exposed by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Things are going smoother this time around, even before Rice’s season debut. Entering Monday night’s play, the Chiefs rank second and fifth in yards and points per drive, respectively. They’re fifth in EPA per play, per SumerSports, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes back to playing MVP-level football.
There aren’t many better examples of that than Week 6’s Sunday Night Football triumph over the Detroit Lions. After the game, Reid tipped his cap to Nagy and company for putting Mahomes in good positions to succeed.
“It’s hard to get everybody going, but I thought Patrick did a nice job getting everyone involved and spreading things around,” Reid said. “I thought Matt Nagy had an unbelievable game plan for the guys, and they bought into it and he and (pass game coordinator) Joe [Bleymaier] kind of worked that thing together and put this thing together and come up with stuff with (offensive line coach) Andy Heck and the rest of the guys. It was strong.”
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Nagy is tied to a coaching cycle. Now, it’s a matter of waiting and seeing where the Titans‘ search is at come January.
