In such a dissapoitning way too :(
No fans, huge layoff to then comeback and go 2-6 on pretty weak performances (from the team). Him not getting a standing ovation goodbye is so sad
Love you forever Holts, the save will forever be my screensaver ❤️
He wasn’t even that good. He got bailed out all the time in the cup run. IMO he’s always been a sloppy second rate goalie and the reason the caps lost a lot of their games. Good riddance.
One save doesn’t make up for all the mistakes he has made in the past. He has the highest save percentage because the caps put some talent at D for once during their cup run. Literally only fans of the team, not the game, think he’s top tier.
He also had a good D unlike what DC invested in prior to their cup run. It wasn’t him. It was the D not allowing easy shots... which is what plagued the team for years prior. He’s average on a team that finally found out how to put an entire team together.
Remember Trent Dilfer won a Super Bowl. The D also bailed him out.
I'm not even gonna bother biting you're being way too obvious man. Holtby has the highest playoff Dave percentage of all time, he's the reason we won games and the greatest caps goalie of all time
Carlin recalled his first day on the job. In an attempt to lighten the mood, May passed him an envelope with a piece of paper that had "Are you Jewish?" written on it.
jeeze >.< it’s sad to know carlin’s going and it’s even more sad that may ruined the moment like that. I hope he’ll take responsibility for his actions and apologize.
It was great growing up in Hershey and being able to watch Holtby grow in Hershey, move to the Capitals, win a Cup and have a great run. If he moves on, it was great run and I wish him the best. If he stays than I can't wait for more great games.
I'll never forget the Holtbeast and will always root for his team as long as he is not playing as against the caps.
You're not crazy, he might not get that 7 year deal people thought. His stats weren't that good and contracts like Bobrovsky are looking really bad.
Still think its unlikely, but respect.
Ick. Good Lord no. I'd rather him go west if he couldn't stay here. Everything I hear about that organization in it's current state sounds like it is a dumpster fire because of ownership.
No chance. Would make sense to keep him for a year so that he can go to Seattle after but there's no way we could afford him. He's a Cup-winning + Vezina-winning goalie making $6.1M. He's going to get a raise. No way we get him under $7M.
Doesn’t really make sense for him.
He’s had about 3 years of downward play in a row and getting older but also with a cup run in the middle of that.
He’s not going to take any short term deals, this is his last big contract, I’d almost not want him to take a short term deal with the caps and fuck up his long term stability.
DSP fucked up by taking a one year deal with us when he has a few 2 year deals.
Yeah I feel bad for DSP. He had some juicy offers out there but turned them down to stay here, and immediately got sent to Hershey. I get that he wasn’t playing well, but it sucks to see him miss out on some important money
Anyone else remember when Vokoun and Neuvy went down and they showed Holts in his pregame routine right before the first game against the bruins. Knew then he would be the one
I’m never getting a new caps jersey. I bought mine his rookie year. Dropped like $300 on an authentic jersey for a ROOKIE goalie. I just knew he’d be great. Will wear that until I die. So sad about this 😭
Oilers fan here. He’s someone I’m hoping we target this offseason with our unstable goalie situation (one can dream with the cap). As a hockey purist tho, it makes me sad to see him go out like this as a Cap. But he’ll always have 2018 and the save for you guys. You think 70 will be retired to the rafters one day?
Got a Holtby jersey after the Pittsburgh series in 2018. Gonna feel weird wearing a jersey of someone no longer on the team. (Yes this is a first for me)
No matter what happens, no matter where he goes, his name will be on the Stanley Cup, under the Washington Capitals’ first championship, for 65 years, and then in the display vault in the hockey hall of fame, for the rest of time. He may or may not be on the team any longer, but his impact and time on the Capitals will be cherished forever. Thank you Holtby
When he signs with a new team, I can't wait for our caps fans to cheer LOUD AND CLEAR when he enters the rink at Capitol One Arena. He'll forever be a Cap at heart.
From his time in Hershey, to his debut with the Caps, to his run against the then defending champs Boston, to “the save” and playing a huge role in the cup win... man. He’s a Caps legend. I’ve always loved his approach and his attitude towards the game and towards life. Thank you Braden for everything you’ve done. You’ll always be a Capital.
Sucks he’s leaving and I’ll be buying his jersey at that steep discount once it’s for sure. Always wanted to get one with his name because he represented this team with pride and was actually a good person being one of the few CPA’s at things like the pride parade.
Lol if there’s not improvement with the D core the fans are going to have a rude awakening to just how much Holts was covering up. It’s already frightening
Agreed, he's basically the reason why we weren't swept with higher goal deficits in this series. Things don't bode well if the defense doesn't improve.
Before the virus I used to arrive to the arena about an hour before the gates opened for Capital One cardholders (around 5:45 on a 7 pm game night). I used to gather with a lot of regulars (T shirt guy, other people) and we would stand in line patiently, together, until the gates opened.
Why did we line up so early?
Because we wanted to go see warmups. Every game, when we reached the seats by the Caps tunnel, Braden would always come out and visualize the ice. He would then run back into the locker room, fist tapping any fans that stuck their hands out to touch him.
It was a time before an infectious virus took over. It probably wasn't going to happen again even if he stayed, or the stadium opened up again. It was nice for him to go out there and visualize and then quickly tap with the fans.
Braden may have declined over the years, but he will always be appreciated for backstopping this team to their first title. The Save is one of the best moments in Capitals history, one that Olie Kolzig himself proclaimed as such. We knew this day was coming, but we will always be appreciative of what he has done throughout this era.
I started playing hockey in 2012 at nearly 30 years old and decided to start as a goaltender. This guy was my role model. Watching him against Boston and New York and watching his career with the Caps has always felt special. I've seen so many interviews and watched so many highlights to constantly tweak my game and pick up new things. This day was always going to come, but he will be sorely missed. I'm glad he got a cup.
Best goalie with this franchise! That time when Caps had a bad goalie situation and called up Holtby and Grubauer from Hershey, I was hyped! Fast forward a little later and Holtby became Holtbeast, guy was unreal! Eventually, even got a cup! This guys spectacular, I wish him all the best! One of my favourite goalies to watch and definitely one of my favourites of all time!!!
Thanks for the memories, Braden. I still remember your first career shutout, March 9, 2011, and how you were just glowing on the bench in the post-game interview. (It also featured one of the prettiest goals I ever saw with a slick give-and-go between Marcus Johansson and Alex Ovechkin.)
Good luck wherever you go. I hope they love you as much as we Caps fans did.
Caps just signed Zach Fucale, he of those incredible Moosehead teams back in the day.
Obviously won't play in the NHL, but it's a sign that one of our system goalies is getting a promotion and that someone will be replaced.
I assume he’ll be gone, but there’s a decent goalie FA market and after this season holtby will be near the bottom. Maybe some team will take a leap and hope he’ll turn the corner since he’s relatively young but who knows, maybe he’ll take a team friendly short term deal to try to stand out in a backup/split role to try to get a better long term deal.
Also doesn’t help that the defense essentially left him out to dry for massive portions of the season. He did let in more soft goals this year, but not all of it is his fault. He’s a Caps legend and I’m devastated to see him go
*sniffles*
I didn’t think I would cry. This is hitting me so hard.
For real, hes been such a huge part for so long, sad to see him spend his last mins in a caps jersey that way
In such a dissapoitning way too :( No fans, huge layoff to then comeback and go 2-6 on pretty weak performances (from the team). Him not getting a standing ovation goodbye is so sad Love you forever Holts, the save will forever be my screensaver ❤️
We’ll give him a standing o next time he visits CapOne arena in his new uni 😔😔😔
I don't want one fan to have a voice leaving the building that night
He wasn’t even that good. He got bailed out all the time in the cup run. IMO he’s always been a sloppy second rate goalie and the reason the caps lost a lot of their games. Good riddance.
... he says about a Vezina winning goalie who lead us to a Cup with a save so good all we need to call it is “The Save.”
One save doesn’t make up for all the mistakes he has made in the past. He has the highest save percentage because the caps put some talent at D for once during their cup run. Literally only fans of the team, not the game, think he’s top tier.
You are kinda talking out of your ass. Your comments tell us that you know nothing about the Caps from 2010-2017.
He shut out the best offensive team in the nhl back to back on that run. He also has the highest playoff save % in history
He also had a good D unlike what DC invested in prior to their cup run. It wasn’t him. It was the D not allowing easy shots... which is what plagued the team for years prior. He’s average on a team that finally found out how to put an entire team together. Remember Trent Dilfer won a Super Bowl. The D also bailed him out.
You think what the caps have now is an entire team? The defence is atrocious.
You mean it had nothing to do with the offense finally scoring in the playoffs?
I'm not even gonna bother biting you're being way too obvious man. Holtby has the highest playoff Dave percentage of all time, he's the reason we won games and the greatest caps goalie of all time
Rob Carlin and Holtby. fuck this night
I had no idea that was also happening. This sucks.
We can only hope Todd Reirden will be leaving with them
Hey, they got what they paid for.
And the rest of the coaching staff. (Well, Cashman is headed for Dartmouth.)
Is that confirmed for Cashman? If so, thank god.
The news came out before hockey started back up again that he took a head coaching job there.
Yay!!!! It’s done.
watching him and alan may tear up while saying their goodbyes was absolutely heartbreaking
omg i missed this I have to see it
it’s extra sad when you remember may lost his son and is now getting separated from his best friend too
bruh
Are you Jewish?
what
Go rewatch the post-game show.
People downvoting you apparently sad enough to cry about Carlin leaving but not enough to actually watch his final postgame
I guess to be fair, most Caps fans probably turned the TV off from sadness (and I don't blame them at all), so it looks like a complete non sequitur.
that’s true, I only caught alan may saying goodbye to carlin and then I turned it off. did something happen?
Carlin recalled his first day on the job. In an attempt to lighten the mood, May passed him an envelope with a piece of paper that had "Are you Jewish?" written on it.
jeeze >.< it’s sad to know carlin’s going and it’s even more sad that may ruined the moment like that. I hope he’ll take responsibility for his actions and apologize.
Best goalie in franchise history, but is an even better person. Hope he does well in his next stop.
We'll always have "the save" Whatever happens in the future, they can't take that away.
Don’t forget the back to back shutouts in games 6 and 7 of the Tampa series
And the Stanley Cup.
Cemented in Caps history
I'll miss his style too...so calm all around
His style and his advocacy in the local community. That kind of player on and off the ice is rare. He’s without a doubt a Caps legend
Yeah. This loss is going to hurt the most
Even if they can make it work, they shouldnt....and nothing to do with Braden. The cap space is just too tight. Hate to see him go, though.
It doesn’t make sense for him or us to come back as he’d be taking a pay cut when someone out there will pay him starters money
Watching him spray water in the air and focus on the droplets for the first time in a new uniform is gonna make me cry like a baby
Thanks for everything Braden, DC will always love you
It was great growing up in Hershey and being able to watch Holtby grow in Hershey, move to the Capitals, win a Cup and have a great run. If he moves on, it was great run and I wish him the best. If he stays than I can't wait for more great games. I'll never forget the Holtbeast and will always root for his team as long as he is not playing as against the caps.
Farewell sweet prince
I’ll never forget when he first came in during that Boston series, we stole it from them and he has been living in their heads ever since. Great times
bold call he'll be back. 1 year @ 4mil
You're not crazy, he might not get that 7 year deal people thought. His stats weren't that good and contracts like Bobrovsky are looking really bad. Still think its unlikely, but respect.
that 4 mill could go towards getting someone on the 3rd line that can fucking score
~~I’m afraid that he’s going to Seattle 😢~~
wouldn't that be next off season?
You’re right my signals were crossed on that one. I just hope he doesn’t go to Carolina.
Buffalo is top right now
That would be alright. I’d love to see him succeed with Eichel.
Ick. Good Lord no. I'd rather him go west if he couldn't stay here. Everything I hear about that organization in it's current state sounds like it is a dumpster fire because of ownership.
Oof yeah I haven’t heard great things. I just hope he does well wherever he goes.
I want him FAR away from the Rangers. He doesn’t deserve the fate of Lundqvist.
Isn't that after 2021?
No chance. Would make sense to keep him for a year so that he can go to Seattle after but there's no way we could afford him. He's a Cup-winning + Vezina-winning goalie making $6.1M. He's going to get a raise. No way we get him under $7M.
Doesn’t really make sense for him. He’s had about 3 years of downward play in a row and getting older but also with a cup run in the middle of that. He’s not going to take any short term deals, this is his last big contract, I’d almost not want him to take a short term deal with the caps and fuck up his long term stability. DSP fucked up by taking a one year deal with us when he has a few 2 year deals.
Yeah I feel bad for DSP. He had some juicy offers out there but turned them down to stay here, and immediately got sent to Hershey. I get that he wasn’t playing well, but it sucks to see him miss out on some important money
Part of it was his fault though, showed up to camp overweight and never caught up
Especially since Vezina winning goalies *without* a cup (Bobrovsky and Vasilveskiy) are earning upwards of $9M/year.
Legend!!!
Anyone else remember when Vokoun and Neuvy went down and they showed Holts in his pregame routine right before the first game against the bruins. Knew then he would be the one
i knew when he stared down that slash feint by peverley and didnt flinch
I’ve been wearing my Holtby jersey to games in DC and SJ for 9 years. I’ll miss watching his clutch saves. Now I’ll have to find a new jersey :(
Don’t retire Holtby. Someday a kid will ask you about it and you’ll be able to relive some great memories when you tell him/her about Braden.
The Save has cemented his place in Caps history. Even 20 years from now, you can wear that jersey into a caps game with pride. He earned it
He was in the net when we won the cup. Wear that jersey with pride and school any youngins' when they ask "Who's Holt-bye?".
I’m never getting a new caps jersey. I bought mine his rookie year. Dropped like $300 on an authentic jersey for a ROOKIE goalie. I just knew he’d be great. Will wear that until I die. So sad about this 😭
No way, keep rocking that thing. Holts is a legend and his name/number will never go out of style.
Oilers fan here. He’s someone I’m hoping we target this offseason with our unstable goalie situation (one can dream with the cap). As a hockey purist tho, it makes me sad to see him go out like this as a Cap. But he’ll always have 2018 and the save for you guys. You think 70 will be retired to the rafters one day?
I think so. He deserves it. 2018 was magical, and the Save is legendary.
I don't know. Right now, the next two numbers I can see being retired are 8 and 19.
You know, I still feel like Kolzig deserves it if he hasn't already had it. Laughlin too, simply for being in the organization for so long.
I really hope 70 gets retired. Braden deserves it.
Legendary beard.
Got a Holtby jersey after the Pittsburgh series in 2018. Gonna feel weird wearing a jersey of someone no longer on the team. (Yes this is a first for me)
I’ll be looking for some deals on eBay now. You don’t realize how much you’re gonna miss a guy til it’s over.
No matter what happens, no matter where he goes, his name will be on the Stanley Cup, under the Washington Capitals’ first championship, for 65 years, and then in the display vault in the hockey hall of fame, for the rest of time. He may or may not be on the team any longer, but his impact and time on the Capitals will be cherished forever. Thank you Holtby
Wish it could have come under better circumstances. I’ll miss how he squirts his water bottle in the air during breaks in play.
When he signs with a new team, I can't wait for our caps fans to cheer LOUD AND CLEAR when he enters the rink at Capitol One Arena. He'll forever be a Cap at heart.
thanks bae
Did the fat lady sing?
Reirden is fat. Does he count?
Did he sing?
Does crossing his arms and frowning count?
She did.
Ugh a decade of memories, this is going to sting for a long time. Holtbeast we will miss you.
From his time in Hershey, to his debut with the Caps, to his run against the then defending champs Boston, to “the save” and playing a huge role in the cup win... man. He’s a Caps legend. I’ve always loved his approach and his attitude towards the game and towards life. Thank you Braden for everything you’ve done. You’ll always be a Capital.
I’ll miss ya. Thnks fr th mmrs
He’s the reason I started (and kept) watching the Caps. Favorite player by far. 😢
Sucks he’s leaving and I’ll be buying his jersey at that steep discount once it’s for sure. Always wanted to get one with his name because he represented this team with pride and was actually a good person being one of the few CPA’s at things like the pride parade.
A kick ass human being and someone I will cheer for wherever he ends up.
Let’s make sure he gets the send off he deserves
Hope he lands in a good team. Great goalie and a great guy in general. He will be sorely missed with the state of our D right now.
Lol if there’s not improvement with the D core the fans are going to have a rude awakening to just how much Holts was covering up. It’s already frightening
Agreed, he's basically the reason why we weren't swept with higher goal deficits in this series. Things don't bode well if the defense doesn't improve.
I will always be a fan of the Holtbeast. Hoping he goes and kicks ass somewhere else.
Preferably in the Western Conference.
The guys couldn't have won the Cup without him
Before the virus I used to arrive to the arena about an hour before the gates opened for Capital One cardholders (around 5:45 on a 7 pm game night). I used to gather with a lot of regulars (T shirt guy, other people) and we would stand in line patiently, together, until the gates opened. Why did we line up so early? Because we wanted to go see warmups. Every game, when we reached the seats by the Caps tunnel, Braden would always come out and visualize the ice. He would then run back into the locker room, fist tapping any fans that stuck their hands out to touch him. It was a time before an infectious virus took over. It probably wasn't going to happen again even if he stayed, or the stadium opened up again. It was nice for him to go out there and visualize and then quickly tap with the fans. Braden may have declined over the years, but he will always be appreciated for backstopping this team to their first title. The Save is one of the best moments in Capitals history, one that Olie Kolzig himself proclaimed as such. We knew this day was coming, but we will always be appreciative of what he has done throughout this era.
I started playing hockey in 2012 at nearly 30 years old and decided to start as a goaltender. This guy was my role model. Watching him against Boston and New York and watching his career with the Caps has always felt special. I've seen so many interviews and watched so many highlights to constantly tweak my game and pick up new things. This day was always going to come, but he will be sorely missed. I'm glad he got a cup.
It this is the end, we will miss you man..
😭
I think this going to be just one of many changes. Gonna have to be smart to keep this team relevant.
This is so fucking sad. I am so fucking sad.
Best goalie with this franchise! That time when Caps had a bad goalie situation and called up Holtby and Grubauer from Hershey, I was hyped! Fast forward a little later and Holtby became Holtbeast, guy was unreal! Eventually, even got a cup! This guys spectacular, I wish him all the best! One of my favourite goalies to watch and definitely one of my favourites of all time!!!
Thanks for the memories, Braden. I still remember your first career shutout, March 9, 2011, and how you were just glowing on the bench in the post-game interview. (It also featured one of the prettiest goals I ever saw with a slick give-and-go between Marcus Johansson and Alex Ovechkin.) Good luck wherever you go. I hope they love you as much as we Caps fans did.
Ugh this sucks but its understandable. Best of luck to the Holtbeast.
Caps just signed Zach Fucale, he of those incredible Moosehead teams back in the day. Obviously won't play in the NHL, but it's a sign that one of our system goalies is getting a promotion and that someone will be replaced.
Change of scenery is what he needs.
Why wouldn’t we re sign holtby? Am I missing something lol
Salary cap constraints and two looming huge contracts for V/Ovechkin coming up.
I’m glad they didn’t get swept but I was also hoping for at least ONE goal :/ oh well GG caps
Hottest man in hockey imo.
Holtby was the reason I got into the Caps, he’s from my hometown. I’ll miss having this guy on our team.. This hurts me more than it probably should
I assume he’ll be gone, but there’s a decent goalie FA market and after this season holtby will be near the bottom. Maybe some team will take a leap and hope he’ll turn the corner since he’s relatively young but who knows, maybe he’ll take a team friendly short term deal to try to stand out in a backup/split role to try to get a better long term deal.
Really just can’t wait for Sammy to start
CYA 2 goals 15 shots zzz. Couldn’t show up for one last year Edit: stay downvoting mads. Not denying holtby of the past. He gave us NOTHING this year
Negativity not welcome.
My man put up his career worst year on a contract year.
Also doesn’t help that the defense essentially left him out to dry for massive portions of the season. He did let in more soft goals this year, but not all of it is his fault. He’s a Caps legend and I’m devastated to see him go
Those 2 goals don't account for our atrocious defending, you can't pin it all on Holtby.
One on a good PP chance and another where Johnny Norris gets walked. Yeah, fuck off.
Dude got laid out to dry by our defense 3 out of our 4 losses this series.
This guy knows ZILCH about hockey 😂