Photo: Amanda Bowen

Reuters’ Tim Wharnsby reported an update on the pending arbitration hearing between the Capitals and RFA goaltender Braden Holtby. According to Wharnsby, the Caps offered Holtby $5.1 million, which is just $2.9 million south of Holtby’s reported initial ask: $8 million.

Salary arbitration news: #Sens A.Chiasson Club offer: $1M Player asking: #2.475M #Caps B.Holtby Club offer: $5.1M Player asking: $8M

— Tim Wharnsby (@TimWharnsby) July 21, 2015

Eight. Million. Dollars.

That’s two more millions than Holtby’s long-term deal request according to a source earlier this month. A grain of salt: an initial ask at the top of a negotiation is not the same as an actual demand. Think of it like the extreme upper limit at the edge of reason. Holtby’s team knows he won’t make $8 million; the true number is somewhere between that and 5.1. But, yeah, the Caps and Holtby are going to arbitration and it might get ugly. Have a lovely Tuesday!

A pertinent update:

The Caps have elected a one-year deal for Holtby in arbitration, per a source. Would return him to restricted free agency next summer.

— Alex Prewitt (@alex_prewitt) July 21, 2015