Avalanche Stanley Cup-winning goaltender has a new home, and conference

Darcy Kuemper, Stanley Cup-winning goalie for the Colorado Avalanche, signed a five-year contract with the Washington Capitals.

The Colorado Avalanche lost only four games in the playoffs and won the Stanley Cup by defeating the back-to-back champions in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Credit can be given to the performance of Darcy Kuemper. After winning the Stanley Cup, Kuemper hit free agency. On opening day of free agency, Kuemper cashed in.

According to a variety of reports, Kuemper has signed with the Washington Capitals on a five-year, $26.25 million contract.

Capitals sign Stanley Cup-winning goalie Darcy Kuemper

Colorado and Kuemper tried negotiating a new contract, but the two sides could not reach an agreement. The Avalanche then acquired Alexandar Georgiev in a trade with the New York Rangers and prevented him from reaching free agency by signing him to a three-year, $10.2 million contract extension. That opened the door for Kuemper to sign elsewhere on what would be a lucrative deal.

The Capitals tipped their hands that they were in the market for a goaltender by the moves they have made in the offseason. They traded Vitek Vanecek to the New Jersey Devils, and did not extend a qualifying offer to Ilya Samsonov. Afterward, the Capitals managed to get the best goaltender on the open market.

In the regular season, Kuemper recorded a .921 save percentage, a .2.54 goals allowed average, and a 37-12-4 record as a starter. Through the 16 playoff games, Kuemper posted a .902 save percentage and a 2.57 goals allowed average.

There was a lot of action at the beginning of free agency. It did take a little bit, but the Capitals have who they believe can help them make a further run in the playoffs out of what will be a difficult Metropolitan division in Kuemper.