The Carolina Hurricanes have been plagued with many issues this season, but starting goalie Cam Ward has not been one of them.
The future of Carolina Hurricanes cornerstones Eric Staal and Cam Ward have been discussed a lot in the early portions of the 2015-2016 season, but is it smart to deal a proven number 1 goalie at this point?
More from Cardiac Cane – Staal and Ward Want to Stay with the Hurricanes
My answer is no, and Ward has once again proven to everyone that he is still more than a reliable starting goalie in the National Hockey League.
Ward enters Friday’s game with a 7-6-3 record. He is above .500 on a team that currently sits at 8-10-3 and 12th in the Eastern Conference.
The numbers speak for themselves for the 31-year-old net-minder. His 2.35 goals against average ranks 15th in the league amongst goalies with more than 10 starts, which means that he gives the Hurricanes and their bottom-five ranked offense a chance to win every game. It is also more than fair to assume that his numbers would be even better if the Hurricanes weren’t taking offensive risks late in games, which in turn give opponents more odd-man rushes and chances, which lead to quality scoring chances and more goals.
Nigh after night, Ward gives the Carolina Hurricanes a shot, but the offense rarely rewards his efforts. His career best goals against average is 2.40, which is the number he posted last season. So, based off just numbers, he is playing the best hockey of his career.
This is something that is commonly overlooked by those around the team, and that was very apparent in preseason and even earlier when most assumed that Eddie Lack would come in and be starter right from the get go. Instead, Lack has started just 6 games compared to Ward’s 16. Ward has also not been pulled from a game this season and has allowed more than 3 goals just 3 times. He has yet to allow over 4 goals in a game this season.
More from Cardiac Cane
- 2023 Southeast Rookie Showcase: Takeaways from the Canes’ Strong Showing in Florida
- Week Two Coverage Of College Hockey In NC
- Derek Stepan Ends His On Ice Career As A Hurricane
- The Southeast Rookie Showcase Will Be a Good Look at Carolina’s Future
- Noesen Ready To Provide Depth For Canes
Trading away a goalie like Cam Ward is a bad decision. His contract expires in July, and he will be getting a pay decrease. Keeping him around as your starting goalie, or at least your shared starter with Eddie Lack, buys the organization time to develop guys like Callum Booth, Alex Nedeljkovic, and Daniel Altshuller properly. Odds are that one of those three quality goalie prospects will turn into their goalie of the future, but the Canes just have to give them the right amount of time to get there.
Ward is still just 31 and is playing some of his best hockey in a long time. He has not lost a game in regulation since November 10. That was 6 starts ago as he enters Friday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres.
If the Saskatchewan native continues his high level of play and consistency, there is very little reason to deal him away. He gives the organization a quality player and person in net as they look for their goalie of the future. Ward is still talented enough and young enough to be a considered a good starting goalie in the NHL.
Next: Decision on Staal's Future Getting Closer Everyday
Unless an offer they can’t refuse comes across, my vote is to keep Cam Ward on the Carolina Hurricanes for as long as he still deserves a spot on the roster.