Carolina Hurricanes: Top 3 UFA Goalies the Hurricanes Should Sign
The Carolina Hurricanes are on the hunt for a starting goaltender yet again, as previous netminders Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney have made it clear they’d like to test the open market during Free Agency.
Here we are again, Caniacs. Not a very enviable situation to be in, although this time around it doesn’t seem to be as bleak. Last year, the Hurricanes gave Petr Mrazek a chance to be a starting goaltender after picking him up on a reasonable trial contract of $1.5M for a 1-year deal.
The Hurricanes also claimed Curtis McElhinney off of waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs completely free of charge back in October of 2018 as well. Both goaltenders were a huge reason in the Hurricanes meteoric rise in the latter half of the 2018-19 season, as well as the Hurricanes unexpectedly deep playoff run that ended just over a month ago.
Both Mrazek and McElhinney have expressed interest in testing the open market during Free Agency after July 1st; this doesn’t mean they are not interested in re-signing in Raleigh. Simply that they are gauging their worth, and testing other teams to see if they’d be a good fit. Either of the two could still circle back around and sign a deal in Raleigh, so don’t sell the farm just yet.
According to Don Waddell as recently as today, the Hurricanes are still actively talking to both Petr Mrazek daily, and occasionally with Curtis McElhinney. There is still plenty of time to come to a deal, but nothing is set in stone yet.
In the event that neither Mrazek nor McElhinney come back to Carolina, the Hurricanes still have quite a few options. AHL superstar, and Calder-cup winning Alex Nedeljkovic is more than ready to draw into an NHL roster. Recent pickup from the Chicago Blackhawks Anton Forsberg is more than likely his replacement at the AHL level.
That being said, the open market has quite a few options available in the goaltending department, and the Hurricanes have plenty of cap space to play with. Disclaimer before we begin: my take on goaltending and who we should pick up may be different than yours, and that is perfectly okay.
Keep in mind that I am operating under the assumption that Mrazek/McElhinney aren’t coming back, Nedeljkovic will be serving as backup, and Forsberg will be serving as his replacement in Charlotte.
Sergei Bobrovsky
For those of you who follow me on Twitter, you’re probably asking yourselves the same question.
“Didn’t you say Bobrovsky is all but a done deal for Florida?”
Yes, I did. I fully believe he is, but that doesn’t mean the Hurricanes shouldn’t at least kick the tires on him. Speaking about Florida for a bit, all they really need to be a solid contender is a consistent, clutch goaltender. Sergei Bobrovsky fits that mold and then some. For this reason alone, Bobrovsky ranks at #3 for me.
"Sergei Bobrovsky is one of the best goaltenders in the world."
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 16, 2019
More in Jody's Take: pic.twitter.com/BX4OOXBSLA
Bobrovsky’s numbers last year were phenomenal. The 30 year-old netminder had a record of 37-24-1 in 62 games played, and boasted a .913 SV% with a 2.58 goals-against average during the regular season. During the playoffs, his numbers spiked to .925 SV% and 2.41 goals-against average.
He’d be a huge pickup, and the Canes would be near unstoppable with him if they manage to lock down some more scoring talent and figure out the powerplay.
Wherever he ends up, he’ll more than likely be seen leading a solid young team to the playoffs. Could it be Carolina? Absolutely. Will it be Carolina? Probably not. But a man can hope!
Cam Talbot
Man, I bet you guys are glad I didn’t say the other Cam, aren’t you? In all seriousness, Cam Ward was a phenomenal story for the Hurricanes, and I appreciate everything he did during his tenure here.
That being said, Cam Talbot would not be a bad short-term option in net for many reasons. Once upon a time, Cam Talbot led the New York Rangers to the playoffs in breakout fashion. Not many backup-caliber goalies could outshine The King himself, Henrik Lundqvist, but Talbot did.
His reward? Getting traded to Edmonton, where his numbers inevitably fell. Various factors went into his slipping performance, not all of which were his fault. Talbot was then moved to the Philadelphia Flyers last season to mentor up-and-coming goaltending superstar Carter Hart.
I had the privilege of seeing Cam Talbot play a few games with the Greenville Road Warriors (now the Swamp Rabbits) while they were still affiliated with the New York Rangers. Talbot was phenomenal at the ECHL level, and even better at the NHL level with the New York Rangers.
Talbot, despite being 31 years-old, still has potential, and still has a few good years left in him in the right surroundings. The Canadian goaltender turned in less-than-stellar numbers last season; 11-17-3 record in 35 games played with a .892 SV% and 3.40 goals-against average.
Not good numbers, but not terrible considering his role with Philadelphia last year, as well as Philadelphia’s lackluster defense. All in all, Talbot would be a good option for a year or two until Nedeljkovic is ready to take the mantle of NHL starter.
Brian Elliott
I know what you’re thinking. Two goaltenders out of the handful that Philadelphia used this past season? Absolutely, and here’s why.
Brian Elliott had a decent season. Not phenomenal, not outrageous. Decent. 11-11-1 in 26 games played, with a .907 SV% and 2.96 goals-against average. Sure, there are other goaltenders out there with better or more consistent numbers. Semyon Varlamov, for one; Jake Allen another. But, if I’m being honest, I don’t think a player like Varlamov or Allen would fit into the Hurricanes system and would be a detriment to the culture that Rod Brind’amour has cultivated this past season.
Get on Brian Elliott's level.
— NHL (@NHL) December 28, 2015
Goodness gracious what a save.https://t.co/AcRlTDTmkP
Varlamov specifically has been shrouded in controversy that I won’t get into in this article, but would undoubtedly kill his chances of being a good fit in Raleigh. Elliott is 34 years-old, meaning he would be a short-term option until Nedeljkovic grows into a starting role. His veteran presence would be a help to the team as well, especially if Justin Williams decides to hang up the skates for 2019-20.
Elliott has had some phenomenal seasons in the past, most notably 2011-12 and 2015-16. Elliott hasn’t dipped below .900 SV% since 2010-11, despite being well past his prime. He would be a solid pickup, and would provide the goalies in the system a good mentor and player to look up to to round out their skills in becoming a starting goaltender.
The Hurricanes’ situation in the goaltending department definitely isn’t envious, but we don’t seem to be in as much foreboding peril as last season. Don Waddell knows what options he has, and isn’t rushing into any decisions.
This is a good thing, despite the news about player signings, re-signings, trades, etc. coming out at a snail’s pace. One thing is for sure; this year, the Hurricanes have options. Nothing is more dangerous in this league than a patient, intelligent GM with plenty of options. For the first time in a very long time, the Hurricanes just so happen to have both.
Related Story. Internal Goaltending Options. light
Question for CC Readers: Do you agree with this list? Which pending UFA goalie would you like to see Waddell pursue?