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

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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NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 05: Ondrej Pavelec #31 of the New York Rangers skates against the New York Islanders at Barclays Center on April 5, 2018 in New York City. New York Islanders defeated the New York Rangers 2-1. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 05: Ondrej Pavelec #31 of the New York Rangers skates against the New York Islanders at Barclays Center on April 5, 2018 in New York City. New York Islanders defeated the New York Rangers 2-1. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)

Continued

Ondrej Pavelec is sort of the Czech equivalent of Cam Ward. A former starting goalie who is pretty well passed his prime. He hasn’t put up a decent save percentage since  the 2014-15 season, and his save percentage this season was a shaky .910. We can probably cross Pavelec off as an NHL goalie, and we really have no reason to sign him.

Former Hurricane Eddie Lack is quite an easy one to cross off the list. He flipped around the AHL a bit, and played only 8 games in the NHL this year, ending up with a pretty abysmal .858 save percentage. I hope he can make his back into NHL contention once again, but signing him is probably out of the question.

Now, Jonathan Bernier is pretty interesting. He ended up with a .913 save percentage this year, proving himself to be a high-level backup… and dare I say it… a possible fringe starter. If the Avalanche part ways with him, he might be the best option for the Hurricanes.  Then again, why would Colorado part with him? If they did, that would mean the potential return of the the Hamburglar himself: Andrew Hammond, which would probably not be too great for the Avs.

Anton Khudobin would be nice, but I don’t see the Bruins letting go of him. Boston has a reputation for relying on Tuuka Rask far too much, and Khudobin’s good season came as a pleasant surprise. Not resigning Khudobin would be pretty silly.

Schedule