Carolina Hurricanes Goaltending Options

The Carolina Hurricanes goaltending was notably weak during the 2015-2016 season. The Hurricanes ranked second to last with a .902 team save percentage.

Long time starting goaltender Cam Ward’s contract expiring this year. GM Ron Francis will have a decision to make this off season when it comes to the goaltending position.

During last year’s draft, Francis upgraded goaltending depth with the acquisition of Eddie Lack. Some thought that he could compete with Ward for the starting job, but Lack failed to seize the opportunity.

Both net-minders posted similar statistics, Ward and Lack posted .909 and .901 save percentages respectively, both ranking under 30th in the league. The goals against averages weren’t much better, Ward ranked 20th in the league with a 2.41 and Lack ranked 42nd with a 2.81.

Carolina Hurricanes

Now moving to the offseason, Ron Francis will have an interesting decision to make. With the goaltending prospects too young and raw to bring to the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes will need to acquire another goaltender.

Re-Sign Cam Ward

Ron Francis could always make the least exciting move and re-sign Cam Ward. The main benefit behind this move is that Cam would be taking a pay cut and providing a cost effective option between the pipes.

Ward earned $6.3 mil last year, but his numbers were more consistent with players like Kari Ramo who made $3.8 mil. If you add the fact that Ward would most likely be playing big minutes and has played in Raleigh for as long as he has, there is a good chance he would sign for under $3.8/yr.

Though Ward’s numbers haven’t been stellar he has shown that he can handle a pretty big work load and can win games. The Canes were a statistically unlucky team last year, if their luck turns next year his stats could look better.

Sign a UFA

The main issue with signing a UFA this offseason is that the talent pool isn’t deep. The goaltenders that are available are Kari Ramo, Jonas Enroth, Al Montoya, Chad Johnson, Niklas Backstrom, Ben Scrivens, and James Reimer.

Out of these players only Scrivens, Reimer, and Enroth posted better save percentages and goals against averages than Cam Ward. Out of those player only Reimer played over 20 games last season.

It could be nice to bring in a new player through free agency, but it is risky. Reimer and Enroth played for San Jose and Las Angeles respectively, who were both playoff caliber teams, so how much of their success was due to their teams success?

Ron Francis may like what he sees more in Eddie Lack as a starter and sign one of these guys to fill the back up role.

Trade for Frederik Andersen

The trade market is often difficult when it comes to goalies. Francis was able to nab Eddie Lack for a good price last year, but acquiring a true starter can be costly. The most obvious trade partner would be the Anaheim Ducks.

The Ducks have two young goalies in Frederik Andersen and John Gibson, both who played well last season and split time in the postseason. Both posted over a .919 save percentage and Goals Against Averages of below 2.30.  Gibson is signed through 2019, but Andersen is an RFA this year.

So it begs the question, why would the Ducks trade a relatively young (26) goalie this year? The Ducks have some very difficult decisions to make this year. Their GM still believes that their window to a championship is still very open and has made that clear this year.

The Ducks have 10 other free agents to sign this year including young stud defensemen Sami Vatanen and Hampus Lindholm.  It’s not likely that the Ducks will be able to re-sign all of their free agents and will have to move some pieces to make it work.

Being able to trade an RFA that will be able to fetch good return will be one of the options they will consider this offseason. Due to the quality and scarcity of top defenders it is unlikely that Linholm or Vatanen will be shipped.

This leaves Andersen as the best trade option for Anaheim. Francis is not scared to wheel and deal. Francis was busy last draft and has already stated that he is willing to trade some of the excess picks for a piece or two.

Next: Carolina Hurricanes Draft Options with #13 Pick

With few other goaltending options out there, Ron Francis will be looking to make a deal, and the Ducks may just be the partner he is looking for.