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Capitals sign Neuvirth to two-year, $5 million extension

Tampa Bay Lightning v Washington Capitals

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 7: Michal Neuvirth #30 of the Washington Capitals makes a save during an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 7, 2013 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

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Caps GM George McPhee is doing his part to keep at least half of his goaltending tandem happy.

The team announced they’ve signed current backup goalie Michal Neuvirth to a two-year extension worth $5 million. He’ll cash in at $2.4 million next season and $2.6 million the following year. The deal is good for a cap hit of $2.5 million. He was due to be a restricted free agent this summer.

What’s curious about this extension is it puts Neuvirth ahead of current starter Braden Holtby on the salary list. Back in February, the Caps signed Holtby to a two-year, $3.7 million extension. His deal and Neuvirth’s deal will expire after the 2014-15 season putting them in a competition for the starting job til then.

It’s not a ton of money being burned against the cap, especially for goaltending, and both goalies are young and have playoff experience but you have to wonder what it makes Holtby think of what he’s done to help buoy the team in net this season and last.