Carolina Hurricanes: Choosing Between Eddie Lack and Cam Ward
The Carolina Hurricanes net is crowded after the addition of Scott Darling, so who stays with the Canes, Eddie Lack or Cam Ward?
The acquisition of former Chicago Blackhawk’s goalie Scott Darling signaled a real intention to shake up the situation in goal for the Carolina Hurricanes. The one-two punch (or lack there of) of Eddie Lack and Cam Ward was needing a change and Darling looks like the solution.
Together, the three of them make up a pretty expensive accompaniment of goalies. Darling will be making the most of the bunch at $4.15 million next season. Ward follows with a salary of $3.3 million. Lastly, Eddie Lack rounds out the trio, making $2.75 million in 2017-18.
Sure, Carolina has the cap space to keep all three, but they won’t. Carrying three goaltenders has always proven problematic for NHL teams. Plus, with all making multi-millions next season, some of that money could be used elsewhere. That means that one of the two (Lack or Ward) are likely to be shipped out of Carolina’s net. Here are the few ways that could shake out.
Expansion Draft
A chance for Carolina to lose one of their goalies is during the Vegas Golden Knight’s expansion draft. This would serve as a clean loss of the player. That means none of the player’s contract would remain with Carolina. However, they lose the player for nothing.
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In Carolina’s case, there are three players that Vegas is likely looking at. At forward, they will find Lee Stempniak as an attractive option. On defense, Swede Klas Dahlbeck could be a decent depth pickup. However, Vegas may see goalie as the position to exploit with the Canes and pick a Carolina netminder.
Who do they take though? Well, that is determinate of who Ron Francis protects. Based on how the season trended, the price of the contracts, and age, it is probably expected that Cam Ward will be left exposed by the Hurricanes. Vegas could use the veteran for a season until a serious goaltender could be lured out to Sin City.
Trade
The second, and more preferable scenario is the trading of one of these goalies. If a goalie isn’t taken from the expansion draft, this is the route Francis will take. It could potential involved swallowing some of the contract, but will yield a pick or depth player.
For the same reasons Carolina would elect to expose Cam Ward, the Canes will be shopping Eddie Lack out on the trade market. He is younger and was performing pretty well to close out the season. There won’t be much in return, but someone will take a chance on him to maybe challenge as a number one.
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Assuming this happens, that leaves Darling as Carolina’s starter and Ward as back-up. It’s a pricey goalie crease for a fading veteran and unproven starter, but its something new. Ward has shown a willingness to stay with the Hurricanes and would be a good back-up when called upon. If Darling was injured, Ward has the experience to step in and cover. This is probably the most advantageous situation for all going into next season.