Thompson has been a starting quality goaltender for the Vegas Golden Knights in three full seasons with the team. He's played 107 career games in the NHL and posted a very impressive .912 save percentage. He's signed to one of the best value contracts in the NHL, for only $766K, until the end of next season.
The Washington Capitals will get a high quality goalie on a value contract one year away from free agency, and give up two third round draft picks to acquire him. After trading Darcy Kuemper for Pierre-Luc Dubois earlier this offseason, Thompson will be eyed as the starting goalie of the future in Washington. On Vegas' side, this is a clear commitment to Adin Hill as their starting goalie, while retaining some assets for an expiring free agent.
It's yet another example of the Vegas Golden Knights running their franchise as a cutthroat business. Thompson was a fan-favourite and a quality goaltender, but likely didn't make sense for the team to sign, and they made the right call to retain some assets for him before losing him to free agency. Not only that, but Thompson was signing autographs for fans in Vegas just hours before he was traded.
Like every offseason and trade deadline, the Vegas Golden Knights will make any move they can to improve their roster. This is one big trade, and they definitely won't be done.
