Logan Thompson 'Couldn't Be Happier' To Be With Capitals, Takes Aim At Golden Knights & Wants To Prove Them Wrong
The Capitals netminder enters the year with a lot to show the organization and the league as a whole.
Sammi Silber - The Hockey News - Logan Thompson 'Couldn't Be Happier' To Be With Capitals, Takes Aim At Golden Knights & Wants To Prove Them WrongARLINGTON, V.A. — Logan Thompson and the Vegas Golden Knights didn't end things on the best terms. Now, he's ready to prove them wrong with the Washington Capitals.
Thompson was traded to Washington at the draft this summer, shortly before he was due at the Sphere for an autograph signing. He'd hinted that there were talks of a trade when the team made it clear that Adin Hill would be the starter, but the trade was still a difficult first-time process for the 27-year-old.
Though it's been over two months, and even though his transition to the Capitals has been going well, he still had some strong words for his ex-team.
"I guess Vegas takes all the credit for goaltending over there, right? I'm curious to see how different it will be and if I can even play in the league," Thompson said with a laugh when asked about the differences between Vegas and Washington.
The Calgary native had a rough end to his tenure in Vegas, posting a .908 save percentage in 46 games and losing the starting job after an All-Star campaign in 2022-23.
For Thompson, this year will be about turning the page and continuing to not only prove his worth at the NHL level, but showing the Golden Knights that they made a mistake.
"I just have a lot of excitement... I couldn't be happier to be here," Thompson said.
The Calgary native will be competing with Charlie Lindgren in a 1A/1B situation, and the two are expected to battle it out for sole possession of the starting job. Both are also in the final years of their respective contracts, as is Hunter Shepard, who is trying to work his way up the pipeline.
"I'm not going to worry about that, it's business, right? We all understand we all got one year left, but I think it's going to help the team," Thompson said. "Hopefully we're going to put our best foot forward and give the guys the best chance to win. Whoever's in net, I think we'll let the play do the talking and we'll see what happens at the end."
That said, Thompson's goal now is to continue settling in and making the most of the change in scenery.
"I'm just trying to get comfortable. I think that's the biggest thing is just getting comfortable, finding that confidence that you had in playoffs or you had at the end of last season, and that comes with time," Thompson said. "It's a great group here, everyone's really close. They made it really easy for me, so I'm just getting closer. The guys are just going to make it easier when it comes to playing games."
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