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Carolina Hurricanes: The Curious Case of Cam Ward’s Backups

By Jeb Bohn

SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 2: Goaltender Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes stretches on the ice during warm ups against the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center on April 2, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Cam Ward
SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 2: Goaltender Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes stretches on the ice during warm ups against the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center on April 2, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Cam Ward /
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NEWARK, NJ – MARCH 25: Eddie Lack #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes defends his net against the New Jersey Devils during the game at Prudential Center on March 25, 2017 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – MARCH 25: Eddie Lack #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes defends his net against the New Jersey Devils during the game at Prudential Center on March 25, 2017 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Eddie Lack

Eddie Lack spent 2 seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, putting up solid numbers backing up Roberto Luongo first and then Ryan Miller.

The Canucks, faced with choosing between two young goalies to serve as Miller’s backup, opted to keep Jacob Markstrom.  Due to this, Lack (and his affinity for tacos) was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in return for 2 draft picks.

Lack’s first season with the Hurricanes was almost a 50-50 split between good play and “what are you doing?”  Let’s take a look:

2015-16: 34GP; 12W; 14L; 2.81 GAA; .901 SV%; 2 SO

Lack’s workload shrank the following season, though his GAA and SV% actually increased slightly:

2016-17: 20GP; 8W; 7L; 2.64 GAA; .902 SV%; 1 SO

While his numbers weren’t drastically different, Lack seemed to be disinterested at times, leading to a legendary tirade by then-coach Bill Peters, during which he implored Lack to “make a [expletive] save.”

In June of 2017 Lack was shipped off to Calgary.  In December of that year Lack was on the move again, headed for New Jersey.  Too bad he wasn’t still with the Flames when Peters was named head coach.  He is currently an unrestricted free agent.

Best Performance: Eddie Lack put up a 34 save shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators on February 24th, 2017.

Overall Impression: I really wanted things to work out for Eddie Lack with the Hurricanes.  Seriously, who smiles that much?  How could you not root for him?  I can’t pinpoint what derailed his game, though I’m sure the expletive-laden rant from his coach didn’t help

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