The Capitals reportedly want to keep both of their goaltenders for the long haul.
After locking up Logan Thompson long-term, the Washington Capitals are reportedly also trying to hold on to Charlie Lindgren.
Per ESPN's Kevin Weekes, Washington is exploring a potential contract extension for Lindgren, which would carry an AAV in the $3.5-4 million range.
Lindgren is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, as he's in the final year of the three-year, $3.3 million contract he signed to originally be Darcy Kuemper's backup in 2022.
The 31-year-old rose to prominence last season following a stellar run that helped Washington squeak into the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This year, he's been splitting the net with Thompson, who was brought in this summer to replace Kuemper and just signed a six-year extension.
Through 24 games this season, Lindgren is 11-9-3 with a .903 save percentage, and though his stat line isn't as strong as last year's, the team is happy with its goaltending situation, and he is still coming up with huge saves while being a beloved member of the locker room.
Per reports, Washington had been treading carefully when it came to assessing their situation in net and there was some hesitancy to sign one goalie before the other. However, the team had been in talks with both agents, and it has become clear that D.C. wants to hold on to both goalies.
Captain Alex Ovechkin even expressed his hope that Lindgren would re-sign as Thompson did.
“Both great guys, great players and the chemistry that we have in the locker room, you don’t want to change it up," Ovechkin said.
Re-signing Lindgren would mean more time in the AHL for Clay Stevenson and also put Hunter Shepard's future with the organization in flux. Shepard is set to become a UFA in July.