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Carolina Hurricanes: A GM’s Guide for Next Season (Part 1)

By Thomas G

NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 27: Scott Darling #33 of the Carolina Hurricanes surrenders a goal as Miles Wood #44 of the New Jersey Devils starts to celebrate on March 27, 2018 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Hurricanes 4-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 27: Scott Darling #33 of the Carolina Hurricanes surrenders a goal as Miles Wood #44 of the New Jersey Devils starts to celebrate on March 27, 2018 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Hurricanes 4-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 07: Kari Lehtonen #32 of the Dallas Stars looks on after a goal by Alec Martinez #27 of the Los Angeles Kings during the second period of a game at Staples Center on April 7, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 07: Kari Lehtonen #32 of the Dallas Stars looks on after a goal by Alec Martinez #27 of the Los Angeles Kings during the second period of a game at Staples Center on April 7, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

The Goalie List

In order for us to narrow down which of these guys would be ideal, we have to make a bit of a chart.

Goalie Kari Lehtonen Jaroslav Halak Eddie Lack Jonathan Bernier Anton Khudobin Antii Niemi Ondrej Pavelec
Affordable? Maybe Probably Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Starting Caliber? Maybe No No Maybe Maybe Probably Not No

Ha, I didn’t even know I could do that. Anyways, who can we pluck out with this chart, as victor? Well, coming off a 6 million dollar contract, Kari Lehtonen will likely be pushed out of Dallas by Ben Bishop, unless he’s willing to accept a backup role. Lehtonen is one of those weird limbo goaltenders; one that rides the fine line between starter and backup.

In all likelihood, Kari is gonna want quite a bit of green. The Stars sure gave it to him, along with their sickening puke-colored jersey. Additionally, I think it’s time the Hurricanes made a statement. Do we want a backup or a starter? Are we going to trust Scott Darling to regain his former glory? Do we trust Alex Nedeljkovic to develop into a star(ter)?

In my opinion, signing a limbo goalie, who probably wants a pile of cash, would not be an intelligent decision.  Thus, I think we can exclude Lehtonen from the conversation.

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