Rumor: Braden Holtby signing deal in California

Washington Capitals coaching staff recently admitted the team hasn't decided on a #1 goalie for the playoffs. It will be either, Ilya Samsonov or Braden Holtby, however, should there even be a debate, considering Holtby's resume?

Holtby, a Cup champion, did lose his #1 spot a couple of times over the past few years, including the year Washington won the Cup. At 30, Holtby still has a ton left in the tank and with his pending unrestricted free-agency coming up after this season, and a Washington team without cap space, or a willingness to use it on Holtby, the tender could find himself on the outside looking in.

Insert the San Jose Sharks. We caught up with a western conference executive and asked if Washington goes with Samsonov, what that means for Holtby's future:

Keep tabs on San Jose. They are not happy with Martin Jones and will see what the market is like at the Draft. They feel they can re-tool on the fly, instead of re-build, and with their roster not getting younger, it makes sense. Holtby would provide them the stability they wish Jones could have. Could be a fit there.