Holtby hardball.

The Washington Capitals and restricted free-agent goalie Braden Holtby are negotiating terms on a new contract, but reportedly remain apart by between $500,000 and $1 million.

Holtby's camp is looking for an annual salary in excess of $6 million, while the Capitals are offering deals in the mid-$5-million range, according to Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post.

Prewitt notes that the expectation is the workhorse netminder will sign a deal before requiring the intervention of an arbitrator.

Holtby made a league-leading 73 appearances in the second season of his two-year, $3.7-million bridge deal, winning 41 games and placing in the top 10 in both goals-against average and save percentage.