On the Carolina Hurricanes …
Michael Smith of CarolinaHurricanes.com: Assuming the Hurricanes are able to sign recently acquired goaltender and pending free agent Scott Darling, it would give them three goalies under contract next year. Eddie Lack and Cam Ward have a year left on their deals. Ward or Lack will be exposed for the expansion draft. Carrying three goaltenders next season isn’t practical or ideal.
Pierre LeBrun: Keep an eye on Hurricanes GM Ron Francis, he’s not done making moves yet.
Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News & Observer: The Hurricanes have spent several years stockpiling prospects and draft picks and now have a solid foundation.
GM Ron Francis hasn’t made a swing for the fences type deal. The Hurricanes need to a center that can play on their top two line and a goal scoring winger. Both are not easy to acquire.
The Hurricanes could also use one or two third pairing defensemen.
The Hurricanes don’t have any salary cap concerns.
They could look to move their first round pick – 12th overall – or a defensive prospect like Haydn Fleury or Ryan Murphy.
“I think we’re in a good position this year,” Francis said, “to do some things.”
Francis can afford to make some short-term moves to help get the Hurricanes back in the playoffs.
“Pieces need to come in, in order to close that gap,” Peters said. “The reality is, if we think guys from Charlotte are going to come in and close that gap? It’s not happening, in my opinion as the coach.”
After trading a third round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for Scott Darling, the Hurricanes still have six draft picks in the first three rounds.
Teams may not want to lose a player for nothing to the Vegas Golden Knights and the Hurricanes can take advantage of this.
