Carolina Hurricanes Free Agency Preview: Goaltenders
By Austin Isham
Braden Holtby
A name familiar to Hurricanes fans, Braden Holtby is an interesting name to keep tabs on entering free agency. Posting a career worse .897 save percentage and 3.11 GAA this season, it appears as if his tenure in Washington is coming to an end with the emergence of 23 year old Ilya Samsonov.
Over the years he has been one of the goaltenders that has had Carolina’s number. Often stealing games with his stellar performances in net, he tended to leave a sour taste in the mouths of Hurricanes’ fans. Ever since their first round upset last season, the script seems to have flipped in favor in Carolina however.
Appearing to be a bit on the decline, a change in scenery could be just what that doctor ordered for the ten year, five time All Star vet to get back on track. Appearing in almost 500 regular season games he’s proven that he has what it takes to be an elite number one.
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Posting multiple 40 win seasons, and career save percentage of .916, he would be a nice addition to any team under the right circumstances. Just a few years removed from a Stanley Cup, he has been through the grind and knows what it takes to win.
Historically in the playoffs Holtby is a guy who elevates his game, with a save percentage of .928 and a GAA of 2.09. in 89 career appearances. The Hurricanes appear to be in win now mode under the ownership of Tom Dundon and his addition would further support that.
Similar to Sergei Bobrovsky, Holtby enters free agency looking for his last real pay day, and on the wrong side of 30, any long term deal will be a big mistake for whichever team locks him up. Panthers fans are already up in arms about Bob’s contract, and with six more years at 10 million per, it’s only going to get worse. The Canes will likely do the smart thing here and avoid repeating their mistake.