Ben Case: Part I: Looking at Hurricanes Goaltending Depth and NHL Draft 2017 The signing of Darling for four-years at $16.6M appears to be an indication that Darling is the intended starter for the 2017-18 season. Now that the Canes have found their starter and addressed the goaltending, there are three questions: Who will be the next goalie coach, what happens with Lack/Ward and what does the depth in the AHL/ECHL look like?

Nice article... good input on the goalies and possible futures! In the post-season press conference, Bill Peters made an interesting comment about the 10 draft picks... he said he hoped RF would use only a couple of them (implying he would acquire players by trading picks), and i'm hoping he does that to some degree!
Most pundits seem to fall all over themselves lauding the job RF is doing, but if he'd
got a goalie last year, and/ or a top6 forward the Canes would probably been in the playoffs THIS YEAR! Most everybody knew our goalie situation sucked the year before, but nothing GOOD was done to fix it...
Better late than never, I guess...??

Nice article... good input on the goalies and possible futures! In the post-season press conference, Bill Peters made an interesting comment about the 10 draft picks... he said he hoped RF would use only a couple of them (implying he would acquire players by trading picks), and i'm hoping he does that to some degree!
Most pundits seem to fall all over themselves lauding the job RF is doing, but if he'd
got a goalie last year, and/ or a top6 forward the Canes would probably been in the playoffs THIS YEAR! Most everybody knew our goalie situation sucked the year before, but nothing GOOD was done to fix it...
Better late than never, I guess...??
- randycane

I saw that Peters had made that comment and am hoping that it means we make a few more moves. GMRF is positioning them for a strong year next season, I'd like to see them add a D for the third pairing with whichever young D wins the 6th spot, IE: Fleury/Bean/McKeown.

My ideal situation is that he trades in the expansion draft for someone that a team can't cover. Minnesota appears to be the best option and has some serious coverage issues.

I still hold by an article I wrote earlier in the year saying that I would love to see them work a trade for Nino N. He has the right size and wing versatility that he could fill the RW spot in top 6. He got plenty of time this year as a top line player too. He is great on Corsi and appears to be a strong fit for the Canes system.

Given the amount of 26-32 year old D in the UFA market, I'd hold off on trading for one, unless the price is too low to ignore and we win in spades on the deal. Probably smarter to just hold off there and sign one.

The ex-goalie RF signed last year to work with the prospects...forget his name, would be good as a goalie coach, eh?
What's the likely-hood of losing one of Lack/ Ward in the expansion draft? If that happens, do you think they could trade or release the other (buyout)?

The ex-goalie RF signed last year to work with the prospects...forget his name, would be good as a goalie coach, eh?
What's the likely-hood of losing one of Lack/ Ward in the expansion draft? If that happens, do you think they could trade or release the other (buyout)?
- randycane

Cujo isn't bad, but I think he would do better learning under a more experienced goalie coach. I might be wrong but I think this is his first goalie coaching gig at this level. Many ex-pro's don't get the nod right away and spend a few years as an associate learning more.

He also was an athletic, barely undersized goalie-I am not sure he would do the best working with a more blocking style goalie, as witnessed by Marcoux butchering Lack. I think learning from someone who is teaching more current styles would be beneficial for his career, as well as our NHL level goalies. If Canes are committing to Darling, they need to bring someone in for his style.

At the current landscape for expansion draft, I don't see Vegas taking either Lack or Ward. Unless something changes, or some teams trade major pieces to ensure Vegas won't select an exposed goalie, I'd be shocked if Ward/Lack selected.

Too many better options in Col, Pit, Wsh, Det, etc. for Vegas to select from. I think it is more likely that GMRF moves one to a team that loses a young and capable goalie bc of expansion. It's tough to predict landscape too because we don't know yet if some of goalies on NMC would waive them yet too.

Another vote for Niedereiter!!! Oh yeah...

Another vote for Niedereiter!!! Oh yeah...
- randycane

Biggest factor to what type of move GMRF can make is the $ aspect IMO. He clearly has the picks, future assets and prospects to do something. I think the biggest question is will Karmanos open the pocket book for GMRF still. Darling was positive because it showed he allowed GMRF to spend some $.

If Karmanos keeps the budget tight again, we will see another off-season of discount shopping, makeshift solutions and disappointing stretches in the season. I'd say tight budget, then no big move until GMRF knows cost for Lindholm, Slavin, Hanifin and Pesce next summer.

Cujo isn't bad, but I think he would do better learning under a more experienced goalie coach. I might be wrong but I think this is his first goalie coaching gig at this level. Many ex-pro's don't get the nod right away and spend a few years as an associate learning more.

He also was an athletic, barely undersized goalie-I am not sure he would do the best working with a more blocking style goalie, as witnessed by Marcoux butchering Lack. I think learning from someone who is teaching more current styles would be beneficial for his career, as well as our NHL level goalies. If Canes are committing to Darling, they need to bring someone in for his style.

At the current landscape for expansion draft, I don't see Vegas taking either Lack or Ward. Unless something changes, or some teams trade major pieces to ensure Vegas won't select an exposed goalie, I'd be shocked if Ward/Lack selected.

Too many better options in Col, Pit, Wsh, Det, etc. for Vegas to select from. I think it is more likely that GMRF moves one to a team that loses a young and capable goalie bc of expansion. It's tough to predict landscape too because we don't know yet if some of goalies on NMC would waive them yet too.
- BenCase

Think there's a decent chance that Francis bribes Vegas with a 3rd round pick to take Eddie or Cam off of our hands.

I don't know who's the idiot that's responsible for the tight purseeee strings...ie CHEAP BASTARD, but whoever it is he ought to know by now that being cheap has cost more in empty seats, parking lot, etc. than spending on GOOD PLAYERS!
You'd think a business man in the organization (there must be at least one) would know you have to spend money to make money!!! I was an original STH 1997-2014
until i got fed up with no playoffs, and no urgency to spend any money on improving the team...!
I got stupid and got an eleven game pkg. this last year, but only went to about 5 games after they blew so many games after being ahead !

I don't know who's the idiot that's responsible for the tight purseeee strings...ie CHEAP BASTARD, but whoever it is he ought to know by now that being cheap has cost more in empty seats, parking lot, etc. than spending on GOOD PLAYERS!
You'd think a business man in the organization (there must be at least one) would know you have to spend money to make money!!! I was an original STH 1997-2014
until i got fed up with no playoffs, and no urgency to spend any money on improving the team...!
I got stupid and got an eleven game pkg. this last year, but only went to about 5 games after they blew so many games after being ahead !
- randycane

You should be ashamed.

I am ashamed for throwing away money on a team which is not motivated to win, BY THE MANAGEMENT!

Fans of many other teams are envious of the nice situation Carolina is in. Your GM is doing it right, building from backend out. Now is not the time to panic, add another piece or 2 this draft, a trade for a decent piece & you guys are well on your way.

I am pretty sure Lack will be gone next year. He is too inconsistent and has had injury problems. Cam Ward will be the back up goalie and may be ok since he won't have the heavy work load he had this year.

Even with a decent goalie, the Hurricanes still must address the issue that they have a talent gap with the rest of the league. They need a veteran top four defenseman, a top center, and a forward who can score 15-20 goals on a yearly basis. I don't think bringing in more talent from the AHL like they have tried to do the last two years will do the trick. You can just hear Coach Peters' frustration in the last press conference.

So bringing in a good center, a forward, and a veteran defenseman, will cost a minimum of about $14 million a year for these three positions combined. The Canes have the money to do this but so far the owner has not been willing to field a truly competitive team. So unless the owner is willing to open his wallet, Caniacs can continue to expect a marginal team.

I am pretty sure Lack will be gone next year. He is too inconsistent and has had injury problems. Cam Ward will be the back up goalie and may be ok since he won't have the heavy work load he had this year.

Even with a decent goalie, the Hurricanes still must address the issue that they have a talent gap with the rest of the league. They need a veteran top four defenseman, a top center, and a forward who can score 15-20 goals on a yearly basis. I don't think bringing in more talent from the AHL like they have tried to do the last two years will do the trick. You can just hear Coach Peters' frustration in the last press conference.

So bringing in a good center, a forward, and a veteran defenseman, will cost a minimum of about $14 million a year for these three positions combined. The Canes have the money to do this but so far the owner has not been willing to field a truly competitive team. So unless the owner is willing to open his wallet, Caniacs can continue to expect a marginal team.
- cbcibryant

They're not THAT far away.

One impact forward and one bottom pairing defenseman at a minimum are required now.