The Washington Capitals traded goaltender Vitek Vanecek and the 46th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft to the New Jersey Devils. Washington received the 37th and 70th overall picks in this year’s draft in exchange.
A second-round draft pick in 2014, Vanecek played the past two seasons with the Capitals. He emerged in net during the 2020-21 season as Ilya Samsonov dealt with injuries and COVID protocols.
As a rookie, Vanecek started 36 games in net during the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season. His emergence led to the Seattle Kraken selecting him in the expansion draft. However, the Capitals traded a 2023 second-round draft pick to acquire him back a week later.
Last season, with both healthy, Vanecek and Samsonov split time in net. Vanecek started 42 games, compiling a 20-12-6 record with a 2.67 goals against average. He had a .908 save percentage in each of his two seasons with Washington.
Vanecek started in net for Game 1 and 2 of the Capitals’ first-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers. However, he was benched in favor of Samsonov after allowing seven goals in the first two games.
Samsonov stayed in net, as the Capitals lost the series in six games.
Both Vanecek and Samsonov entered the offseason as restricted free agents. Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said earlier this week the club would extend qualifying offers to both. But, the Capitals have their eyes on acquiring a veteran goaltender as an upgrade, thus Vanecek became expendable.
It’s unclear what this move means for Samsonov as far as starting. But, Vanecek had a market among other NHL teams. At 26, Vanecek will get to start a new chapter of his professional career in New Jersey.
The Devils were among the teams interested in the small veteran goaltender market. Now they at least have a young netminder with experience that could be a long-term option.
Meanwhile, the Capitals used the 37th overall pick they acquired from the Devils to select American defenseman Ryan Chesley. Washington then used the 70th overall pick on forward Alexander Suzdalev.
The Devils picked American defenseman Seamus Casey with the 46th overall pick they acquired from Washington.
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