Capitals goaltender and restricted free agent Philipp Grubauer wants to be a starting goaltender in the NHL and the Capitals are willing to trade him so that he can accomplish that feat. Now what exactly the Capitals could get in return and which team exactly he will end up on is still a mystery.

Friday morning, TSN’s Bob Mckenzie did an interview on TSN1050 and stated that the Capitals believe they can secure a first round pick for Grubauer.

McKenzie on TSN1050 says Capitals think they can get a 1st RD pick for Grubauer. Says Detroit, Colorado, Chicago, Islanders and Carolina are all looking for goaltenders.

— NHL Prospects Watcher (@Prospects_Watch) June 22, 2018

According to McKenzie, the Red Wings, Avalanche, Blackhawks, Islanders, and Hurricanes are all looking for goaltenders.

During Breakdown Day, Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said he didn’t feel “pressure” to trade Grubauer, but thought the German netminder had earned the right to be the starter on another team.

“For Grubi, I think he wants to be a number one,” MacLellan said. “I think it’s a personal thing for Grubi. I’d love to have Grubi back. We’d have two really good goaltenders. I just think he’s at the point where he wants his own team. He wants to be the guy that is running the show for his own team, and I respect that.”

MacLellan said “yes” when asked if he would be looking to trade him.

The Capitals signed talented first-round pick Ilya Samsonov to a three-year, entry-level contract and promised the prospect he would play in Hershey next season, necessitating a move to open up a spot on the team’s goalie depth chart. Pheonix Copley, for now, is slated to be the team’s backup goaltender next season. Vitek Vanecek will likely begin the season as the full-time starter in Hershey.

Headline photo: Cara Bahniuk