While the reigning Vezina Trophy winner would love to be in the crease for Team Canada when it opens the World Cup on Sept. 17, he knows who should be there.
"All of us want to play, but if Carey (Price) is healthy, there's no reason not to go with him," Holtby said, according to The Washington Post's Isabelle Khurshudyan. "He has all of the experience internationally and the smart choice obviously would be that."
Holtby won't sulk. He's a team-first guy, especially when representing his country, and he'll support his teammates whether he's starting or watching from the bench.
And Price was the man for Canada at the Sochi Olympics in 2014. He had a .972 save percentage and 0.59 goals-against average in five games behind a formidable Canadian squad. His 2014-15 season was the best of his career, as he posted a .933 save percentage and won 44 games. Injuries robbed him of all but 12 games in 2015-16.
Holtby's only international experience came with Canada's Under-18 squad in 2006-07.
Canada's third goaltender for the tournament is two-time Stanley Cup winner Corey Crawford. In other words, there's no issue, regardless of who's in the crease.
Holtby won a record-tying 48 games last season, as the Washington Capitals ran roughshod over the league. He's won 89 regular-season games over the past two seasons, finishing with save percentages of .923 (2014-15) and .922 (2015-16).
Learning you've been traded is one thing. Learning you've been traded while seated in a stall next to Paul Bissonnette is quite another.
In the right place at the right time Thursday morning, "BizNasty" used Mike Commodore's popular trade deadline catchphrase to embarrass Lawson Crouse moments after he was dealt to the Arizona Coyotes.
Hired as Anaheim's new head coach earlier this offseason, Carlyle returns to Anaheim and the franchise that he led to its first ever Stanley Cup victory in 2007.
"I’ve followed this team closely for the last couple of years and am familiar with the core group," Carlyle told AnaheimDucks.com at the time of his hiring. "I believe this team can win immediately and I can’t wait to get started."
Carlyle returns a sense of accountability to the club, one that has lost four straight Game 7s on home ice, including last year's poor showing in the first round against Nashville.
"He will hold people in the organization accountable," Ducks general manager Bob Murray told NHL.com. "And that's just not on the ice during games; he'll do it in practice, he'll do it in the weight room, he'll hold everybody accountable."
Gibson has spent parts of the past two seasons with the Ducks after making his NHL debut in 2013-14, when he played in only three games, winning all three.
The 23-year-old played a career-high 40 games last season, posting a 21-13-3 record, alongside a 2.07 goals-against average and .920 save percentage.
In the postseason, Gibson got the call but dropped the first two games, allowing six goals in the process, leading to former bench boss Bruce Boudreau shifting back to Andersen.
Gibson and Andersen shared last season's William M. Jennings Trophy, awarded to the team that allows the fewest goals, so shedding a goalie with as much talent as Andersen is a risk.
A risk the team hopes is negated by the addition of veteran goalie Jonathan Bernier.
Bernier is another familiar face for Carlyle, as the two were previously together in Toronto - and as Carlyle returns to Anaheim, Bernier is also making a homecoming of sorts as he returns to Southern California, having previously suited up for the Los Angeles Kings.
Seeing his fair share of struggles during his tenure with the Maple Leafs, the 28-year-old 'tender isn't concerned with his potential lack of playing time.
As Bernier told NHL.com, "You can't think about how many games you're going to play or whether Gibson is playing more games than me or not. I've been working hard this summer, and I'm ready to go for the upcoming season."
The Panthers are getting a conditional 2018 second-round selection from the Coyotes, and will get the better of Arizona's or the Detroit Red Wings' third-round pick (which Arizona acquired in June) in 2017, Friedman added.
If Crouse doesn't play in Arizona this season, the 2nd round pick becomes a 3rd round pick.
Crouse would have to burn a year off his entry-level contract in Arizona, Custance adds.
There's no money being retained on Bolland's contract, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston. He's owed $5.5 million over the next three seasons, for which the Coyotes are now on the hook.
This is a salary dump by the Panthers, and the Coyotes get a solid prospect in Crouse to add to the mix of young players they're building around. Interestingly, Arizona's two highest-paid forwards are now Pavel Datsyuk - who's gone home to play in Russia - and Bolland.
On the other side, with Bolland off the #Panthers roster, team now sits at $63,170,833, giving them roughly $9.82M in cap space this season
Crouse was drafted 11th overall by the Panthers in 2015. The big left winger - he's 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds - had 23 goals and 39 assists in 49 games for the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs last season.
Bolland spent most of last season off the ice due to an ankle injury, scoring one goal and adding four assists in 25 games. The Panthers had been trying to move him for months, reports the Sun Sentinel's Harvey Fialkov.
It's been a busy summer for the Panthers, as they signed unrestricted free agents Keith Yandle, Jason Demers, and James Reimer. After winning the Atlantic Division last season, they're out to prove that was no fluke.
Florida traded its No. 1 prospect Thursday, but it's an indication of how serious the team is about winning next season and beyond. Roberto Luongo isn't going to be around forever, after all.
The Panthers are getting a conditional 2018 second-round selection from the Coyotes, and will get the better of Arizona's or the Detroit Red Wings' third-round pick (which Arizona acquired in June) in 2017, Friedman added.
If Crouse doesn't play in Arizona this season, the 2nd round pick becomes a 3rd round pick.
Crouse would have to burn a year off his entry-level contract in Arizona, Custance adds.
There's no money being retained on Bolland's contract, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston. He's owed $5.5 million over the next three seasons, for which the Coyotes are now on the hook.
This is a salary dump by the Panthers, and the Coyotes get a solid prospect in Crouse to add to the mix of young players they're building around. Interestingly, Arizona's two highest-paid forwards are now Pavel Datsyuk - who's gone home to play in Russia - and Bolland.
On the other side, with Bolland off the #Panthers roster, team now sits at $63,170,833, giving them roughly $9.82M in cap space this season
Crouse was drafted 11th overall by the Panthers in 2015. The big left winger - he's 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds - had 23 goals and 39 assists in 49 games for the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs last season.
Bolland spent most of last season off the ice due to an ankle injury, scoring one goal and adding four assists in 25 games. The Panthers had been trying to move him for months, reports the Sun Sentinel's Harvey Fialkov.
It's been a busy summer for the Panthers, as they signed unrestricted free agents Keith Yandle, Jason Demers, and James Reimer. After winning the Atlantic Division last season, they're out to prove that was no fluke.
Florida traded its No. 1 prospect Thursday, but it's an indication of how serious the team is about winning next season and beyond. Roberto Luongo isn't going to be around forever, after all.
Whether it be courtesy of a coaching decision to add ice time or unexpected production in limited minutes, certain players will undoubtedly fulfill long-awaited expectations or create them seemingly out of nowhere.
Here are five breakout players for the 2016-17 season. Cast your vote in a poll at the bottom of the post.
Gibson carries only 66 regular-season appearances into 2016-17, having split crease time with Andersen after getting some reps in at the AHL level. He has, however, posted a career record of 37-21-4 and a .920 save percentage in that time, and those kind of numbers in a single season would put him among the top players at his position, similar to what Martin Jones was able to do in his breakout campaign with the San Jose Sharks.
Seth Jones - Columbus Blue Jackets
No longer buried behind a bevy of talented blue-liners in Nashville, Seth Jones is finally set to create some buzz with the Blue Jackets.
Jones recorded two goals and 18 assists in 41 games for Columbus after being traded straight up for center Ryan Johansen, upping his points per game average to 0.49 from 0.32 with the Predators.
His ice time in all situations was up under John Tortorella, and Jones is well-positioned for career numbers across the board for the Blue Jackets after representing Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey.
Morgan Rielly - Toronto Maple Leafs
In his third season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Morgan Rielly averaged over 23 minutes of ice time per game, recording career highs in goals (9), assists (27), total points (37), and shots (167).
What stands to help his numbers grow is an uptick in power-play time, something he saw under head coach Mike Babcock following the departure of Dion Phaneuf.
Drafted fifth overall in 2012, Rielly is emerging as a cornerstone player for the Maple Leafs, and the six-year, $30-million contract extension signed this summer could end up being a steal upon its expiry.
He's now Toronto's highest-paid defenseman, and will start playing like a No. 1 option on the blue line as early as this season.
Jonathan Drouin - Tampa Bay Lightning
Steve Yzerman's decision to remain patient amid an in-season trade request made by Jonathan Drouin already paid off for the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs, wherein the 21-year-old made good on a long sought-after bump in ice time and produced on a consistent basis.
In 17 playoff games, Drouin recorded five goals and nine assists, and often in the most timely of fashions. He's now expected to play a regular role in the team's top-six forward group, and will be looking to have a successful campaign with his entry-level contract set to expire next summer.
Add it all up, and Drouin's poised to finally live up to the hype of a third overall draft pick.
Overlooked at the 2014 NHL Draft due to his diminutive frame, Fabbri bounced back from an early-season concussion and finished 10th in rookie scoring after playing only 72 games last season.
It was in the playoffs, however, that he shone, with four goals and 11 assists in 20 games, and while seeing a significant increase in power-play time.
Likely to begin the season on the team's second line, Fabbri will be relied upon to help fill the voids left by the departed veterans, proving wrong the 20 teams that passed him by in the first round two years ago.
At least one candidate has been ruled out, namely San Jose Sharks assistant coach Bob Boughner, who wasn't listed among the finalists following a series of interviews, adds Frei.
Team officials did not comment on specifics, but said the search is in its final phases.
An earlier report suggested a head coach is expected to be named at some point this week.
The restricted free agent remains without a new contract, and reportedly won't negotiate with the club during his sting with Team North America at the upcoming World Cup of Hockey.
Meanwhile, general manager Brad Treliving said the two sides will continue to work away in hopes of reaching a new agreement prior to the start of the regular season.
The process is taking longer than both sides would have hoped, but don't question Gaudreau's affinity for his hockey home.
