Observations:

June 2016 – Playing in Washington full-time this season, behind Holtby, Grubauer put up very good numbers slidifying his current position in the organization. Grubauer started 16 games posting eight wins, a 0.918 save percentage, and played well when called upon most of the season. There were a couple hiccups of poor play but at his age and experience it was almost expected. He still has starter potential so keep an eye on him, and stash him if you can. Pat Quinn

Nov 2015 – Grubauer, now established as the backup to Holtby, has played in a total of two games, both wins, and posting a 0.963 and 0.826 save percentage in those games. He has played will continue to see spot starts during the season but will be good enough to win for the Capitals, especially in a Barry Trotz coached system. If you can add him for the spot starts here and there during the week do it as he will, more often than not, post respectable numbers. Pat Quinn

Oct 2015 – Grubauer has now officially won the back up position behind Holtby as he was the better option all training camp and exhibition. He will be a great goalie to use for spot starts, and if Holtby gets hurt expect him to shine. Pat Quinn

Sept 2015 – The Capitals are making no secret that the NHL back up position is a battle between Grubauer and Justin Peters, but the position is essentially Grubauer’s to lose. Management still thinks Grubauer is unproven so they are taking a cautious approach to this training camp battle as they should. Pat Quinn

June 2015 – Grubauer has signed a two-year one-way contract with the Washington Capitals according to Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post. He is all but guaranteed the back-up position for the Capitals in 2015-16. Pat Quinn 

April 2015 – Grubauer played the most games he has ever played at the conclusion of the AHL season with 49, and posted his best save percentage in the AHL so far at 0.921. During the NHL season he played one game in relief of Holtby as Trotz wanted to see him in action, and he did not disappoint posting a 0.920 sv% in that game. In the playoffs versus the New York Islanders he started game two, with Holtby sick, earning the win. He did look very shaky in the first period but settled and played strong through the next 40 minutes. He was reassigned back to Hershey as they have a chance to sweep their first round match up. Pat Quinn

February 2015 – Overall Grubauer is having his best AHL season to date. He sits 13^th in save percentage at 0.924, his best in three AHL seasons, and has played one more game than he did in each of the last two years. In those seasons his save percentages were 0.919 (2012-2013) and 0.916 (2013-2014). Needless to say he is performing very well and if not for Justin Peters’ extra year on his contract he would be a candidate to be the back-up in Washington in the 2015-2016 season. Pat Quinn

November 2014 – The Bears are playing a more conservative style of play this year due to their lack of scoring punch; they only allow an average of 25.88 shots per game, and the onus is on the goalies to play well for the team to win. So far Grubauer has started the season pretty average for the Hershey Bears. In eight games he has a 0.908 save percentage, a 2.39 goals against average, and a 4-3-1 record. In the four losses he has a sv% of 0.848 and in the four wins he has a sv% of 0.962, including a shutout. His sv% should climb up more towards his average of 0.917 as the season progresses. Pat Quinn

July 2014 – The Washington Capitals let it be known to Grubauer that they want him to spend more time in the AHL for next season, and the signing of Justin Peters to a two-year contract only reinforces that. Grubauer is prepared to play in Hershey and develop his game. He had an up-and-down season in the AHL, outside of his impressive NHL debut, and finished the season battling Leggio for the starting position to finish the year. Next year he will be battling Pasquale for the starting AHL role, and whoever is playing better at the time will likely get the call if an injury occurs to either Holtby or Peters. Pat Quinn

January 2014 – Grubauer was reassigned to the AHL on January 20th. The 22 year-old had started 14 of the Caps past 20 games, and after two sub-par performances in a row Oates and company decided it was the logical thing to do with Neuvirth healthy again. For those who didn't get a chance to ride the hot streak just stay patient, as Neuvirth or Holtby may get traded in the near future and if not Grubauer will not doubt get another chance to prove himself. Nathan Kanter

December 2013 – Grubauer has added his name to the list of 20-something backup goalies proving they are ready for bigger and better things (Jones, Scrivens, Talbot, Andersen etc.). Though he has only played seven games, Grubauer has an impressive 2.20 GAA and .934 SV% to go along with a 4-1-1 record. His play has led to rumours about the future of current backup Michal Neuvirth, who recently stated himself that he wants to be a "number one goalie in this league and if not [Washington] maybe somewhere else." With Holtby also posting sub-par numbers, look for coach Adam Oates to continue to ride whichever goalie is hot. As the Caps continue to contend for a playoff spot, it's also quite possible Neuvirth is traded by the deadline (Neuvirth is in fact the third Washington player to openly state their desire to leave Washginton along with Erat and Orlov). Without a full season of AHL hockey under his belt, the trade of Neuvirth could also hinder the development of Grubauer by bringing him along too qiuckly. Nathan Kanter

December 2013 – With Neuvirth out with a lower-body injury, the Caps recalled Grubauer, who was 4-4-1 at the time (2.60 GAA, .910 SV% with Hershey). He came in relief on December third and stopped all nine shots but even better was 2 minutes away from a shutout on Sunday against the Rangers in his first start this season. He stopped all 30 shots before Pouliot beat him late in the third. The Caps won the game 4-1. Nathan Kanter

November 2013 – Grubauer is splitting duties so far this season in Hershey and has posted a 3-3-1 record in seven games to go along with a solid .2.48 GAA and .915 SV%. He is outplaying David Leggio, who also has seven starts this season so expect Grubauer to get more starts going forward. Nathan Kanter

June 2013 – Grubauer spent time at all three tiers of pro this season. In his first move he spent 26 games in the ECHL winning 19 before being promoted to the AHL due to the Lockout ending and Braden Holtby going to the NHL. While in the AHL he made 28 appearances, won 15 and posted a 2.25 GAA with .919 SV%. While Micheal Neuvirth battled illness, he was recalled and started a game vs the New York Islanders. The young German was eliminated in the first round of the AHL playoffs ending his season. I’ve personally never enjoyed his play since watching him play for the Belleville Bulls in the late 2000s, but he unfortunately keeps winning and getting further. He once won a Memorial Cup with the Powerhouse Windsor Spitfires despite being unspectacular. He has a knack for making spectacular saves look easy, but allowing but allowing poor goals fairly often. With Neuvirth resigning for two years and Holtby also signed for a pair while looking like the Capitals goalie of the future, Grubauer will have two solid years of development before he expects to move up again. Jason Banks

August, 2012 – Washington's veteran depth between the pipes pushed Grubauer to the ECHL as a rookie-pro, but he was one of the best goaltenders in that league in 2011-12. The ECHL isn't as tough on the career of goaltenders as it is for skaters. With Braden Holtby jumping to the NHL, look for Grubauer to make a splash in the AHL in the season ahead. An NHL lockout may delay this, as Holtby could play some AHL games early on. The Goalie Post's Justin Goldman believes Grubauer will be an NHL starter some day.

Fantasy Outlook: B

Grubauer has proven he can compete at the NHL level but consistency needs improvement and if he works on that at the AHL level there is little doubt he will be a competent NHL starter in a few years.

Footage:

Grubauer robbing Ondrej Palat:

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