The Case for Phillip Grubauer

Fair warning: I'm going to do a little more editorializing on this post than I maybe have in the past. dealwithit.jpg.

We're back from the All Star break and the Washington Capitals are going to have a pretty tough schedule for the foreseeable future:

• at CBJ
• vs PIT
• at MON
• vs STL
• vs LAK
• at OTT
• vs ANH
• vs PHI
• at SJS
• at LAK
• at ANH
• at PIT
• vs WPG
• vs NYI

Of the next 14 opponents, the Capitals will face 11 playoff contenders (and some very strong ones, to boot).  They also play 3 back to backs in that time, which seems to have become a trend for the team (they have played 5 back to backs to date). With such a grueling schedule and 6 games being played as part of a back to back, secondary goal tending is going to be crucial in maintaining momentum as the latter half of the season progresses. As I've written before, Justin Peters is...just not cutting it right now.  It may be time to bring the Caps' AHL affiliate Hershey Bears goal tender Phillip Grubauer up to the bigs.

Phillip Grubauer, image courtesy of Circling the Wagon, 1/2013.

Grubauer has had a pretty strong season in the AHL thus far, though he faced an injury just a few short weeks ago. In his stead, 23 year old Pheonix Copley has played strongly, showing that he is indeed able to handle starts on the AHL level if and when needed. The 23 year old Grubauer has played 27 games and boasts a record of 14-9-4.  His GAA of 2.15 is good for 11th in the AHL. Hershey is also currently in a playoff position as they lead their division, and their season ends on April 18th, 2015.

That being said, it seems high time to bring Phillip Grubauer back to the Capitals as a back up.  His development will certainly not be stunted, as many have argued, for there are plenty of opportunities for Grubauer to get some more action on the NHL level.  Combine the Caps upcoming schedule, his AHL success, and Grubauer's limited but eye-opening success on the NHL level (6-5-5 last season behind a not-so-great Washington Capitals defense, boasting a GAA of 2.38 in 17 games), and I think you have all the reasons you need to bring him up in exchange for an obviously struggling Justin Peters.

Besides, letting Peters play in Hershey has some advantages for him, as well.  He can gain a little more confidence as well as find a bit more comfort while Grubauer handles limited engagements with the Caps (back to backs, etc.).  Near the end of the season, if Peters has accrued a healthy dose of confidence courtesy of some wins and a decent GAA, he would feasibly come back to Washington to serve as back up for Holtby going into the playoffs, assuming the team qualifies.  This could prove advantageous to Grubauer as well, enabling him to gain valuable play time in the AHL playoffs, assuming Hershey qualifies as well.

This is a win-win situation for the Capitals, and one that may prove necessary going forward if the team is to make the Stanley Cup playoffs.  Getting Holtby some rest is critical in designing a deep run, and it's hard to imagine the team doing so if the current trend of consecutive starts continues. Couple that with risk of injury and it seems obvious that Phillip Grubauer's time in Washington is near.