Charlie Lindgren says he has more to give Spencer Carbery and the Washington Capitals. This camp might decide whether he gets the chance.
Last season fell short of what the 32-year-old wanted, individually and as a team. His numbers dipped, and most of his starts came on the back end of back-to-backs.
He didn't use that as an excuse. He used it as fuel, hitting the ground running in early June and grinding on post play and rush scenarios.
"Worked really hard, worked smart... I feel really good about where I'm at," the veteran said this week.
Why does it matter so much? Clay Stevenson is pushing hard, and he isn't waiver-exempt.
The prospect posted a .921 save percentage in four games with Washington last season. Sending him back to the AHL's Hershey Bears means he'd have to clear waivers first.
Washington opened camp with three goalies in the main group, with Stevenson rotating alongside Lindgren and No. 1 Logan Thompson.
Chris Patrick may only have room for one backup behind Logan Thompson
Chris Patrick isn't handing out jobs. "We're evaluating every position, and goalie is no different," the general manager said when camp opened.
The team hasn't ruled out carrying both backups behind Thompson. But there isn't much space to make it work.
The cap sheet is already heavy. Alex Tuch carries a $10,500,000 cap hit, and Jakob Chychrun sits at $9,000,000.
Carbery sounds like a coach who hasn't made up his mind. "I thought they've both been solid, and that's something we're evaluating on a daily basis," he said.
He added that "Clay's knocking on the door," while calling the veteran "a really good goaltender" who's been around for years.
Both goalies split Monday's preseason win, and both figure to get more looks in the final two preseason games.
If it comes down to one, Washington should keep Stevenson. Losing a young goalie on waivers for nothing is how front offices end up regretting a September.
Three goalies for two spots is like three people sharing two umbrellas in a downpour. Somebody's getting soaked.
The undrafted veteran knows that feeling better than most. He's already clawed his way up the ranks once.
"I just want to go out and be the rock I know I can be," Lindgren said.
The Capitals host Boston on Friday. Opening night comes October 2 in Carolina, and Carbery's answer could land before the team boards that flight.
Should the Capitals keep Clay Stevenson over Charlie Lindgren if only one fits?
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