Fantasy Impact: Canucks Sign Braden Holtby
Ian Gooding
2020-10-09
The Vancouver Canucks have signed goalie Braden Holtby to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $4.3 million.
The Canucks get:
Holtby, the 2016 Vezina Trophy winner and a 2018 Stanley Cup champion. After posting stellar numbers between the 2014-15 and 2016-17 seasons (sub-2.25 GAA, .920+ SV%), Holtby has struggled over the past three seasons with a 2.96 GAA and .906 SV% over that span. He has also posted a negative GSAA (goals saved above average) in two of the past three seasons.
Holtby's recent issues were perhaps masked by his ability to post 30+ wins in two of his last three seasons in Washington, as well as the Stanley Cup win. On a Canucks team that gives up a high volume of shots and high-danger scoring chances, it's quite possible that those ratios don't improve. That being said, he will provide the Canucks with a veteran goalie who will form a tandem with the emerging Thatcher Demko in 2020-21.
Holtby's contract seems easy to swallow for the Canucks given his name value and considering how Jacob Markstrom's asking price was getting out of reach. As well, Holtby will likely be the goalie that the Canucks expose in the Seattle expansion draft next offseason, which doesn't force the Canucks to try to shop Demko.
Fantasy players impacted:
As mentioned, Holtby will split starts with Demko. Expect Travis Green to start the season with the veteran Holtby, although Demko will also be given a long look because he could be the full-time starter by 2021-22 (if Holtby is claimed by Seattle).
Since the Canucks are an up-and-coming team with a strong offense, Holtby will be in line for plenty of wins, which should help his value when you consider some of the other possible landing spots. However, bet the under on both 55 games and 30 wins (assuming a full 82-game season).
For more on the Washington side of things, see our Fantasy Impact piece on Henrik Lundqvist signing with the Capitals.
Fantasy players this helps, in order:
Ilya Samsonov (based on anticipated Holtby departure)
Demko (better than if Markstrom re-signed in Vancouver)
Holtby (on an opportunity cost standpoint, not necessarily from moving from Washington to Vancouver)
Fantasy players this hurts, in order:
No one
*
Fantasy owners are already discussing this signing in the Forum – give your take here!
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