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Seattle Kraken News
The Capitals re-signed Michal Kempny to a four-year deal worth $10M ($2.5M AAV)

Kempny was acquired from the Blackhawks mid-season in 2018. Kempny had seven points (1G / 6A) in 31 games with Chicago and three points (2G / 1A) in 22 games with Washington—10 points (3G / 7A) in 53 games overall. Kempny is a solid second/third-paring defenseman, who will be with the Capitals through the 2022 season.

Michal Kempny
The Avalanche signed Philipp Grubauer to a three-year deal worth $10.0M ($3.33M AAV).

Grubauer was acquired from the Capitals on Friday and signs with the Avalanche, where he figures to start the season as Semyon Varlamov’s backup. Grubauer has played in more than 20 games in each of the last three seasons and ranks tied for first in GAA (2.25) and tied for third in SV% (.923) among goalies with at least 60 games played over that span.

Philipp Grubauer
The Avalanche have acquired Philipp Grubauer and Brooks Orpik from the Capitals for the No.47 overall pick.

Grubauer is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1st and is expected to be Semyon Varlamov’s backup in 2019. Grubauer was 15-10-3 with a 2.35 GAA, .923 SV% and three shutouts in 35 games with the Capitals last season. Grubauer even started the first two games of the playoffs before Braden Holtby took his job back in Game 3 vs. the Blue Jackets.

Philipp Grubauer
The Blackhawks signed John Hayden to a two-year contract extension last Friday.

Hayden, 23, was a third-round pick (No.74 overall) in 2013 and turned pro after his senior season at Yale University in 2017. Last year he split his season between the AHL and NHL—picking up 17 points (5G / 12A) in 24 games with Rockford and 13 points (4G / 9A) in 47 games with Chicago. Hayden is a physical winger with some skill who should be in Blackhawks’ bottom-6 this fall.

John Hayden
Grubauer will start Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Grubauer allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Capitals win in New York on Monday. Braden Holtby started the last two games, but Grubauer will get back between the pipes tonight in Pittsburgh. He has won three in a row while allowing just six goals on 90 shots (.933 SV%) with one shutout.

Philipp Grubauer
Grubauer is in the starter's crease at the Capitals morning skate.

Grubauer allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Capitals win in New York on Monday. Braden Holtby started the last two games, but Grubauer will get back between the pipes tonight in Pittsburgh. He has won three in a row while allowing just six goals on 90 shots (.933 SV%) with one shutout.

Philipp Grubauer
Tolvanen will make his NHL debut on Saturday.

Tolvanen, 18, was the No.30 overall pick in last summer’s draft and joins the Predators after one year in the KHL. Tolvanen scored 21 goals with 17 assists (38 points) in 51 games with Jokerit—adding three goals in four playoff games. The rookie winger is expected to skate on the Predators top line with Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson.

Eeli Tolvanen
Grubauer will start Monday in New York.

Grubauer allowed four goals on 21 shots in the Capitals win in Montreal on Saturday. It wasn’t the best outing for Grubauer, but it was enough to get the win and earn him another start tonight in New York. He is 5-2-0 with a 2.12 GAA and .927 SV% in March and will be looking to set a new career-high in wins in a season (14) with a ‘W’ tonight.

Philipp Grubauer
Gibson will start Monday vs. the Panthers.

Gibson was pulled after he allowed six goals on 24 shots in the Islanders loss to the Lightning last Thursday. Gibson has gone 2-1-2 with a 3.48 GAA and .915 SV% in six starts since being called-up and will be in tough tonight with Florida in town—they are 12-3-1 in their last 16 games.

Chris Gibson