Why Darling to Carolina makes perfect sense for both sides
Nothing like a trade to spice up the NHL playoffs.
The Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes orchestrated a move Friday, as the former sent netminder Scott Darling to Raleigh in exchange for a third-round pick in June's draft. Darling is an impending unrestricted free agent, but Carolina owns exclusive negotiating right as part of the deal.
The deal makes plenty of sense for both parties, and here's why.
He can be a No. 1
Although he's backed up Corey Crawford throughout his career, Darling, 28, has the tools to be a starter in the NHL.
In 32 appearances this season, Darling posted an 18-5-5 record, with a 2.38 goals-against average and .924 save percentage. His career marks in the same categories sit at 2.37 and .923, respectively, through 75 games.
Though his body of work is a smaller sample size than that of Cam Ward and Eddie Lack, both of Carolina's options this season, in a word, stunk.
Lack was publicly lambasted by head coach Bill Peters for poor play, while Ward waited until the end of the season to give his team a chance. Coincidentally, the Hurricanes earned points in 12 straight games down the stretch, coming closer than expected to sneaking into the postseason.
The Hurricanes have believed in Ward for 11 seasons since he won the Conn Smythe trophy, and with a bevy of youthful talent both up front and on the blue line, the timing couldn't be better for Carolina to hand the crease over to a new No. 1.
Cap relief, protection
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Like clockwork, Chicago's cap situation is a mess, and although they're losing one of the game's premier backups, keeping him around for next season and beyond wasn't an option financially.
On Carolina's side of things, adding Darling affords the Hurricanes, and general manager Ron Francis, an easier decision on who to leave exposed for Las Vegas.
Little cost
Darling's an Illinois native, and a character guy in the dressing room. Pulling the trigger on the breakup may have been difficult, but Stan Bowman just landed an additional draft pick, basically for free.
With Darling all but likely hitting the open market anyway, Chicago grabbed the third-round selection they lost in acquiring Tomas Jurco earlier in the season.
Carolina, meanwhile, won't be griping at the loss of the pick, which they acquired in exchange for Viktor Stalberg at the deadline. Trading another team's selection for a new starting goalie? No brainer.
One measly lost pick won't stop the Hurricanes on their trek toward prominence, as Francis still owns the chance at a lottery pick in the first round, three second-rounders, and two third-rounders in the 2017 draft.