Carolina Hurricanes: Eddie Lack Competing for Starting Role
By Zeke Lukow
Between now and the start of the preseason, Cardiac Cane will preview every Carolina Hurricanes player as they enter the 2015-2016 season and what we expect from them in the coming year.
Player: Eddie Lack
Position: Goalie
Date of Birth: January 5, 1988 (27)
Birthplace: Norrtalje (SWE)
Height/Weight: 6’4″/187lbs
2014-2015 Team: Vancouver Canucks
Eddie Lack was acquired by the Hurricanes through a draft day trade during the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. GM Ron Francis acquired Lack from the Vancouver Canucks for 2015 3rd round pick and a 2016 7th round draft pick.
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This was a great trade with a lot of upside. Francis only gave up one real pick in the 3rd rounder and was able to get a goalie who can potentially start in return. One way to know you got a good deal is to look at what the other team’s media is saying, and it was not good in Vancouver.
Lack has proven to be a reliable back up in Vancouver, in 2014-2015 he posted a winning record of 18-13-4 with 2 shutouts. This was one more shutout than Cam Ward posted last year, and he only posted 4 less wins with 10 less starts.
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Lack is in his last year of a 2 year deal worth $1.150 mil average annually. Francis should be able to sign Lack for much less than Ward this year, and could end up being a very cost efficient replacement for the aging goalie. As a team that is always trying to stay around the cap floor, Lack could prove to be a valuable asset.
I would expect Lack to have a year that is pretty similar to last year, putting up a GAA around 2.41 and a save percentage of .921. So far the biggest thing slowing down Eddie has been a low time on ice, if he can win the starting job from Cam Ward, he can take a huge step forward in becoming an every day player.
Apr 2, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Shaw (65) fights for the puck with Vancouver Canucks center Henrik Sedin (33) in front of goalie Eddie Lack (31) during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
One of the best parts about Lack that isn’t talked about is his personality. Lack is the type of player that Carolina needs because he gets fans involved and creates a buzz around him and the team. He will easily become a fan favorite, and has a large social media following.
As a brother of a goalie who has played for over 20 years, I know that goalies are very eccentric people, and I am no stranger to strange routines or behavior. Lack takes this to whole new level of fun and strange. His notable offseason includes, getting former teammate Roberto Luongo painted on his mask, being a model for NHL 16, and getting a tattoo of a taco.
He is the kind of player that will get the Raleigh and the North Carolina market excited about hockey despite results. I am excited to see how fans will react with more time getting to know him.
Carolina Hurricanes
Fans should be excited about Lack, he is a fun guy that wants everyone around him to have a good time but he also has the ability to contribute in a major way. 2015-2016 should be his most interesting season to date because he has the ability to really make a name for himself and cement himself as an NHL starter.
This will prove to be a very interesting training camp for Lack and Ward. They will both be competing for the top spot on the roster, and there may not be a wrong answer for coach Peters. Either he has a former Conn Smythe winner, or a young, cost efficient goalie with a fun strong personality starting.
2015-2016 may prove to be the year of the goalie for the Hurricanes.
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