When the playoffs came around last year, Semyon Varlamov became an instant sensation (to those of us who follow hockey). #40, the young Russian netminder who has the right half of his helmet painted in Caps motif and the left dressed up in Ruska colors, was sensational.
During the playoff run when my eight year old wanted a new Caps jersey, it was a #40 that was chosen.
I figured that he was to be the starter for the next few years. At that time, we also had Jose Threeormore (Theodore) and Brent Johnson (who is now the backup in Pittsburgh).
Waiting in the wings was another young phenom in Michael Neuvirth, #30 (pronounced Nye-virt).
For 2010, Varlamov gets injured and Theodore, in a contract year gets white hot. For a few months, it was a tandem of Neuvirth and Theo.
Meanwhile, at the Triple A level in Hershey, another superb goalie gets most of the work. Braden Holtby was sensational for the Hershey Bears.
So where does that leave us? It seems that Theo, a free-agent at the end of the year is done. The Caps still have three top-flight goalies. It would seem that you could make a case of trading one goalie and player (Semin or Green) to get a real defensemen (or two) and upgrade the team.