Goaltender Braden Holtby will have the chance to continue recording career-highs with the Washington Capitals as they signed him to a five-year, $30.5 million pact last Friday after both sides went through arbitration the day before.
Holtby recorded career-highs last season with 41 wins, nine shutouts, 73 games played, a 2.22 goals-against average (GAA) and a .923 save percentage, also setting a Capitals record with 1,887 saves.
According to NHL.com, Holtby will be getting $3.5 million with a $3 million bonus for the upcoming season and will get $7 million for each of the next two seasons following the 2015-16 one.
In the final two seasons of the 25-year-old's new deal, he is set to earn $5 million annually.
Holtby was the fourth-round pick of the Capitals in the 2008 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft and he said he has always wanted to be with the team since day one.
According to NHL.com, Holtby stated, "Since day one I've wanted to be the guy in the Washington Capitals net, since I got drafted by them. It doesn't change. I'm just happy to have the opportunity, and like in the past I know I still have to prove it."
Meanwhile, Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan commended Holtby for his achievements last season and said he is a perfect fit with the Capitals.
Washington was just a win away from the Eastern Conference Final last season but suffered elimination in the hands of the New York Rangers in the second round of the playoffs despite an early 3-1 lead in that series.
Holtby played in 13 playoff games (6-7) last season and tallied one shutout with a 1.71 GAA and a .944 save percentage.
"My goal has always been to win as many games as possible and work toward that goal of a Stanley Cup. Obviously, we fell short, so we know we need to get better — myself, our group — and I think we're doing the right things to do that," Holtby said, according to NHL.com.
"I try and focus on my job to win games and accomplish the main goal," he added.
