The Capitals are spending this Monday making final roster moves in advance of the start of their season on Thursday. After re-assigning six and waiving nine players, Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette also finalized his goaltending plan to start the season.
Laviolette made it formal in his call with media on Monday afternoon, naming Vitek Vanecek as the backup to Ilya Samsonov.
Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek will be the Capitals’ goaltending duo this season, per Laviolette.
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) January 11, 2021
“These are two young goalies that need an opportunity … there are other goalies here for depth in case we need them, but these two guys had really good camps … now they’ll get a chance to show what they can do.”
With the Capitals starting the season with a pair of back-to-back games against the Sabres Thursday and Friday, Vanecek could be looking at getting his first NHL start Friday night in Buffalo.
The announcement also indicates that netminder Craig Anderson will likely be assigned to the taxi squad.
Laviolette said Craig Anderson (PTO) is “going to be a part of it” — imo that indicates to me that he’s going to be on the taxi squad
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) January 11, 2021
Ilya Samsonov played in 26 games last season for the Capitals. Vitek Vanecek has yet to see any action at the NHL level. He recorded a 2.26 GAA and a .917 save percentage in 31 games with the Hershey Bears last season.
By Jon Sorensen
I for one am looking forward to seeing V tech get a chance in the NHL now. Anderson on the taxi squad as a steady old vet is a nice thing to fall back on.
With ya, Marky. Vitek has paid his dues, worked his way up the food chain. 5 years in the system, but more importantly, he’s ready for the shot.