Anyone who checked out of Canes hockey at the end of the work week on Friday and is just returning on Monday has some catching up to do. The buzz, and a significant one at that, around the team right now is all about the team’s trade for Scott Darling from the Chicago Blackhawks.
If you are catching up, I posted my initial thoughts on the Darling trade (part 1) about an hour after it was announced (also includes bunch of reader comments). Sunday Canes Chronicle features four articles on Darling to get everyone up to speed. And today’s Daily Cup of Joe offers part 2 on the Darling deal including salary comparables, and my best guess for his deal.
And continuing with the buzz, Scott Darling is the focus of today’s Coffee Shop polls and discussion questions.
Scott Darling polls
Please remember to click ‘vote’ after each poll response.
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Scott Darling trade discussion questions
1) What are your thoughts on the trade and on Scott Darling?
2) What do you see as potential downside or risks to this deal? Are there other options that you like better?
3) How does the rest of the summer and in preseason for the Hurricanes at the goalie position?
Go Canes!
1) I think GMRF had this planned for some time. As you mentioned he and Bowman seem to talk frequently. And RF gets excellent results from these talks. So while the 3rd-round pick seems a little aggressive, in context it makes perfect sense. In game theory you want
to be seen as “fair.” Giving up the pick does 3 things: 1. It gives Carolina a chance to lock up their target before the real bidding, which likely will be more unpredictable than most years given the expansion and LV’s pot of money they can spend; 2. It sends an early message to the Canes’ fan base; 3. It keeps the relationship between RF and Bowman “fair” so that future negotiations will be easier (and the 3rd is going to be late, not significantly different from a 4th in this draft).
2. I can’t really think of a better option. My guess is Darling wants to feel like he is the No 1 for a playoff contender. That probably makes completely maximizing the payout not as important. He may demand 4 years, but I think he will be fine signing early for something like 4/14-17M.
3. You know I think both goalies were hampered by coaching. I can’t believe that some scouts and GMs won’t have similar ideas and believe that Lack can be a bargain addition. RF should be able to trade Lack and picks/prospects for a center. The two teams that seem to need net minding help most are Dallas and Winnipeg. Offer them Lack (maybe even keeping 1M of salary) and a 2nd and see what they are willing to return.
1. I’m absolutely stoked about this trade! I forget which post I commented on a few weeks ago, but I said I like Darling as our target in net, and I see Vegas going after Philip Grubauer in Washington as their goalie sighting the history with McPhee drafting PG in Washington.
2. In the event that GMRF can’t get the ink on the paper I do see him trading Darling’s rights closer to UFA. I think he would do his best to recoup the 3rd rounder for whatever he can get. In all honesty though, I think a deal gets done before the end of the 2nd round of the playoffs.
3. My hope is that Ward is restricted to 30 games next season and that he can give us 20 solid games where the team has a chance to win. I think asking for anything more is going to give you more of the same. He’s an average goalie who can get hot for a short time and hopefully if limiting his games he can get hot more often.
I remember at least one person tagging Darling but could not remember who. Nice call!
ctcaniac and canesjkg cover my thoughts pretty well on all points. This is a great deal if we get him signed and I sure couldn’t have picked a better goalie out of what’s available. I had it narrowed down to Darling, Howard, or Grubauer. Darling is the best option among the three.
The deal was done at a very good time as it shows management is sincere about improving the goaltending position and it should spur interest in the fans over the offseason. I would like to emphasize what canesjkg said in his paragraph 3. If Ward stays, it’s not as a 1A or 1B. He’s the backup goalie. Darling should be the number 1. goalie and paid like a number 1. goalie (more than Ward). No “Lack treatment” by management for Darling.
I’ll be the first to admit I was biased. Given that he was a former UMainer, I’ve been on the ‘Sign Darling’ train since February. So naturally I’m ecstatic. Darling really had a rough college experience, but for anyone who has ever actually been up to Orono, that’s a really common hole to fall in to. Not a whole lot to do up there. I’m super glad he’s recovered, and it really appears that he is a far better goalie because of it….Though, he was still a level above his peers talent-wise even back then. I think he’ll bring maturity, stability, and a heck of a lot of desire between the pipes. This is his shot. Let’s hope he signs quick. With Ryan Miller a free agent, I wonder if Vancouver will make a play to get Lack back. It could happen.
Obviously there are risks to this signing. You can’t build a playoff team on a budget without some level of risk. Still like GMRF said it was worth taking. That said, preliminary contract talks start this week, it seems like both sides have an interest, so take the gamble that Darling may be (but won’t be) a bust, give him a lot of $$ and get him a Hurricanes jersey stat.
It will be interesting to see how the goalie situation plays out. I both agree and disagree with RedRyder, I think Darling is the starter, but I still think you want a goalie capable of playing 20-30 games, in case he falters. Stats-wise (over the span of the entire season) that’s still Ward over Lack. We have no idea whats going on in the locker room obviously, but the little evidence we have would still suggest Ward would be the better backup option, provided Winnepeg doesn’t want to pay him to be Hellebuyck’s 1B.
I’m okay with 20-30 games for either Ward or Lack. I’m just for the number 1 (Darling) getting 50 or so starts as the designated number 1.
As things stand now, the Canes have a bright future (in goal and, more importantly as a team)! Yes, more has to be done, but this is a big step. The backup goalie (still uncertain) is HOPEFULLY NOT Lack or Ward. The reason should be obvious…just do the math, and besides their ineptitude, it would be nice to have a young promising guy who can compete for the starting job!
Now, the forward position needs help… a new top6 Center (minimum, ideally top3), and 1 or 2 veterans who have the ability to fill top6 slots WELL! Finally, another RHD for the 3rd pairing (minimum) is important.
The sooner these things are ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED… The sooner this team is ACTUALLY COMPETING FOR THE CUP…EVERY YEAR!
puckgod, I would be with you about the backup goalie situation except we do not currently have anyone in the system to fill that role. That being the case I can live with either Lack or Ward in a strictly backup role. If you are implying we go out and sign another goalie for the backup role, I could live with that as long as we have some way of not ending up with four goalies on the payroll.
Matt, Did you really think it would take me UNTIL THURSDAY?
…come on, get a grip!!!
Everyone is essentially the same thing in their own way: Darling is (ought to be) The Man and whoever else is the #2 is tolerable at least for next year. Maybe a new coach elevates our #2 to better play.
Let’s get him signed and move on to other priorities – lots of picks left to make some more noise.
Hope Grubauer doesn’t wind up in Philly. They’re suddenly playing catch up.
I am wondering if anyone would be happy to give up more than picks/prospects. If so, who and for what type of player in return.
As far as game split for goalies, Canes’ fans need to accept (and actually hope for) the backup to get 30-35 starts. I remember reading several years ago that no team had won the cup for a number of years with a goalie who started more than 55 games in the regular season. I think that has changed the past few years, but still a fresh goalie (just look at Penguins last year and this and maybe Ottawa this year) appears more likely to help than hurt. Certainly the experience of Bobrovsky, Price, Dubnyk, and Crawford this year supports the “worn down” thesis. As a fan I want to make the playoffs and win.
Ctcainiac I agree with having two guys who play significant number of games. The backup goalie should be as good as the starter (if possible). I know that won’t always happen, but it’s a goal that if reached will pay big dividends… guys tend to get hurt…SHOCKING, I KNOW??!!! I’ve never understood the mindset that (in the most important position) a mediocre goalie was adequate!