Capitals “Not Interested” in Trading Michal Neuvirth
Ahead of Sunday’s NHL Draft, Washington Capitals general manager George McPhee expects that “there may be more [trade] activity in this one than other drafts” as all 30 teams have to adjust to a reduced salary cap, one that will slide from $70.2 million to $64.3 million next season.
“Particularly this year, teams are sort of more forthcoming on what they want to do,” he said at a pre-draft press conference at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. “Now, they have to get the guys they want to move out there because you only have so much flexibility.”
Yet McPhee made it clear Monday that if there is a deal to be made, it won’t involve goaltender Michal Neuvirth.
“We’re not interested in trading him,” McPhee said. “As we’ve often said, it’s the most important position in the game. We’ve got two good ones here and a couple good kids [prospects Philipp Grubauer and Brandon Anderson] down below in Hershey, so we don’t want to be in that position.
“Goalies get hurt. Goalies can go off their game for a little bit and why not have as many good ones as you can? So, let’s see how this year goes and we’ll go from there.”
Neuvirth only appeared in 13 games last season, finishing with a 4-4-2 record with a 2.74 goals against average and .910 save percentage. The 25-year-old has been a victim of circumstance over the past two seasons, having lost several chances to reclaim the starting job he once had due to untimely bouts of injury and inconsistency.
http://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/capital-games/Capitals-Not-Interested-In-Trading-Michal-Neuvirth-2013-NHL-Draft-Free-Agency.html