The Washington Capitals announced Monday that Charlie Lindgren is set to stick around DC, extending him on a three-year deal worth $3 million per season. With Logan Thompson’s six-year extension kicking in this fall, the Caps now have both their goalies signed through the 2027-28 season.
Lindgren, who would have become an unrestricted free agent this summer, told reporters he was both glad to be done with negotiations and thrilled to stay with the Capitals organization.
“It feels great,” he said. “The business side is probably the toughest part of hockey. I think for everyone in this locker room, all you want to do is just play hockey and compete with [your] brothers and go and win hockey games and then when the business side comes up, when you’re on an expiring deal, it’s just part of the program.
“But no, really happy to get it done and to sign a three-year deal here. Obviously I think you guys all know how I feel about this place and the people here, from the trainers, the staff, right through security, teammates. It’s really just a home run organization, so just really, really happy to sign the deal.”
Though Lindgren was open to signing an extension last summer, the Capitals opted not to start working on a new deal over the offseason, instead launching discussions once Thompson signed. Lindgren admitted that hearing about Thompson’s extension in late-January made him wonder about his own future with the franchise, but credited general manager Chris Patrick for reassuring him that he still had a place in the team’s plans.
“It’s not like we were ever really far off, but no, we just kept on working at it,” Lindgren said. “To be honest, [I’ve] got a lot of respect for Chris Patrick and what he does. After Logan signed, he actually allowed me the opportunity to go and just meet with him. And he still told me where I fit into the picture and how bad he wanted me to be a part of this organization.
“I can’t tell you the amount of respect I have for that meeting and him allowing me to just have a conversation with him, just to see where I fit in — and it still makes sense, this whole dynamic as partnership. It’s going to be great for Logan and I, it’s going to be great for organization, it’s going to be great for the team, and so we’re just going to continue to build this thing. It’s been obviously a really special year. We’ve got a really special group here and we’re just going to continue to keep pushing here.”
The Capitals’ goalie tandem has proven one of the best in the NHL this season, with Thompson and Lindgren mostly alternating games. Though they’re both competing for starts, the pair see each other partners, not rivals, and have developed a close relationship as the year has progressed. Lindgren highlighted how he and Thompson brought the best out of each other, something they’ll get to continue for years to come
“I think it starts off the ice,” he said. “We get along really well. We have a lot of respect and admiration for each other. Certainly what Logan’s done in his time here has been pretty unbelievable. He’s had quite the year and so he’s driven me to push harder. It’s the classic ‘iron sharpens iron’ and he’s constantly pushing me to get better because obviously with his his play this year, I knew that if I wasn’t playing well, I probably wouldn’t get many opportunities with the way he’s playing. It’s kept me focused, it’s kept me driven, and hopefully I’ve done the same to him. It’s been a great partnership.”
He also made a point to recognize the less-prominent figures who helped him progress in his career.
“Obviously Scotty Murray leading the charge as the goalie coach. I want to thank him as well for everything he’s done for me, thank the organization, and thank my parents, obviously, and my wife. So many people go into this. It’s not just me — it takes a takes a village and I’ve got a lot of really good people in my life and so I’m very thankful for that. Couldn’t be happier.”
After nearly a decade as a pro, Lindgren’s new deal will offer him relative stability. He spent most of his career as either a backup goalie or in the minors but emerged as a bona fide NHL regular in DC, playing an especially vital part in the team’s 2023-24 playoff push as his stellar performance saw him wrest the starting position from Darcy Kuemper. His new $9 million contract will see him more than double his career earnings over the length of the deal and make nearly three times his current salary per season.
“Well deserved from Chucky,” head coach Spencer Carbery said Monday. “Really happy for him and his family. It’s a life changing contract, for him to earn $9 million over the next three years. And a big commitment from the organization, so real happy. Especially for what he’s done for our team over the last year and three quarters. I was really happy to see him get that contract. And now I feel real good about the goaltending position in this organization for the next foreseeable future.”
As he signed on for what is set to become a six-year tenure in Washington, Lindgren was grateful for the chance to continue putting down roots in Washington, but had no plans to slow down anytime soon.
“Yeah, six years,” he said. “That’s the other thing. Like, my dad texted me, just thinking about the ride that it’s been. It’s been incredible. There’s been hardship, there’s been tough times, there’s been times where I feel like I maybe should have gotten an opportunity and maybe I wasn’t and it gets hard. I mean it’s hard as a goalie. When you’re in the minors, you’re trying so hard to get your your foot in the door and get a chance to play in the NHL and Washington gave me that opportunity three years ago and I’ve been obviously very thankful ever since.
“Every time I’ve got a chance to play for this team, put on this jersey, I’ve always tried to give the team a chance to win and always — I’m a guy that’s going to compete. And so even after signing this three-year deal, I truly believe that my best hockey is still in front of me, and I look forward to showing that and proving that. Certainly there’s going to be no complacency. I’m not comfortable by any stretch of the imagination, so I’m going to keep pushing here and continue to be a better goalie.”
