Carolina Hurricanes: The Goalie Conundrum

With the season ending early again for Carolina, the same question will be asked. What will happen in net for the Carolina Hurricanes?

The Hurricanes have a very tough off-season coming upon them and not just resigning top guys or bringing in new ones. Once again the Canes have another off-season of deciding what to do in net except this time, might be easier than the last.

As Adam Gold said best on 99.9 the fan. There’s no right or wrong answer. We could sign a hometown pair for cheap like we have now or sign a big name to a big contract, to carry the load. Whatever happens I think Carolina will be pretty much safe goalie-wise this season. But with that said, let’s take a look at the options:

1. Hometown Heroes

Petr Mrazek

Petr Mrazek would be a great keep for the Carolina Hurricanes. Last year he signed a 1 year 1.5 million dollar deal to come to Carolina and did just that. Finishing the year with 23 wins in 40 games played with a .914 save percentage he would be one of the best options for Carolina.

Obviously his price to stay in Carolina will definitely be higher but it will still most likely be affordable for Carolina. I would assume he would cost the Canes anywhere from 3.5 to 4.8 million dollars a year for the Canes to resign him which would be a fair price for good goal tending.

Curtis “Big Mac” McElhinney

McElhinney has been Carolina biggest and most welcomed surprised. Going into a season where we expected Petr Mrazek and Scott Darling trade starts. However, once McElhinney was picked up he played very well from the start and made his presence known in Carolina.

After earning the partial  starting role, McElhinney was an absolute beast between the pipes, collecting 20 wins in 33 games with a .912 save percentage. Collecting many career highs along the way.

I wouldn’t expect a big contract if we do sign Mac back. Most likely a 925 thousand dollar two way deal, if that.

Alex Nedeljkovic

Alex Nedeljkovic’s (say it five times fast) name seems to come up every off-season as being the potential new starter for the Carolina Hurricanes. While I don’t think he’ll be starting for the Canes as quickly as next year, I think there’s really potential in him being an NHLer by then, and possibly the back up.

Ned also had an amazing season this year in the AHL, earning the honor of AHL goalie of the year. Which this didn’t come as a surprise  to any of us as he was solid all season long for the Checkers.

Ned ended the year with 34 wins in 51 games, with a career best .917 save percentage. He also started one game in the NHL this season, stopping 24 out of 26 shots, for a .923 save percentage.

Ned’s contract this off-season will remain small unless his agent really forces a 1-way deal, but I really don’t see that happening. Probably around a 2 year 850-925 thousand dollar 2-way contract.

2. Free Agent Options

Sergei Bobrovsky

Sergei is the number one goalie that will be hitting the market this summer. The former Vezina trophy winner has been one of the most consistent goalies in the NHL since he came to the league and doesn’t look like he’ll be slowing down anytime soon.

Bob collected 37 wins last season in 62 games, with a save percentage sitting at .913. He also has a career save percentage sitting at a high .919.

Bobrovsky is a very talented goal tender but comes with a large asking price. He’s 30 years old and hitting the free agent market which means he’ll be looking for a long term deal around 5-6 years. He’s currently getting paid 7.425 million dollars a year and I wouldn’t be surprised if the asking price is even higher this off-season.

I would say it would cost the Canes around 8.25-9.75 million a year for around 5 years, to lock the goal tender down, and that might now even be enough.

Semyon Varlamov

I think Varlamov is one of the most underrated goalies hitting the market this summer and the Canes could take advantage of that. The former Capitals goaltender is coming off a down year for his standards most likely, which could affect his asking price.

Last season Varlamov finished the season with just 20 wins in 49 appearances, while finishing with a .909 save percentage. But like I said this was a below value performance as the 31 year-old vet has a career save percentage at .916

Although it isn’t clear what Varlamov will do this summer, if there’s a chance the Canes could get him he wouldn’t be a bad option, or an expensive one. Coming off the year he had and his age I would say to sign him the cost would be around 3.8-4.5 million a year, for a couple years. Which would be less than his current contract sitting at 5.9 million a season.

Robin Lehner

Robin Lehner has been an amazing story to follow. From struggling in his career, mental health, and personal issues. To be being healthy, and up for the Vezina this season is absolutely incredible.

Lehner had a career year when he needed it the most. After signing a one year 1.5 million dollar contract just like our guy Mrazek, Lehner showed up in a big way. Ending the season with 25 wins in 46 appearances, and a save percentage at an insane .930.

With those numbers Lehner will be a hot commodity during free agency. I don’t think his contract will be anywhere close to Bobrovsky’s but it still will be a costly one. This one is very hard to estimate with everything going into the contract but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a 4-6 year deal for an average around the 5-7 million dollar range.

Question for the readers: What do you think the Canes should do for goal-tending this off-season?