Capitals GM MacLellan says contract offer to Holtby was 'aggressive'
Item No. 1 on the Washington Capitals' offseason checklist is signing goaltender Braden Holtby, and, according to Brian MacLellan, they've come flying out of the gate to do so.
The team's general manager shed a bit of light Saturday on where the team and Holtby stand in negotiations, telling reporters that the offer made to Holtby was "aggressive."
However, both sides are no closer to a deal.
Caps GM says he's willing to go to arbitration with Holtby, Johansson but willing to negotiate. #CapitalsTalk
— Chuck Gormley (@ChuckGormleyCSN) July 11, 2015
In fact, it would seem both sides are at a bit of a standstill. Chuck Gormely of CSNWashington.com reported Friday that Holtby's agent, David Kaye, told him there was "nothing to report" - this after MacLellan stated during the NHL draft that he had made a "competitive" offer to the club's netminder.
The 25-year-old Holtby had a career year last season, finishing second in the league with 41 wins and nine shutouts to go along with a .923 save percentage and a 2.22 goals-against average.
He's coming off a two-year contract that paid him $2 million last season, and is surely in line for a large pay increase.