Canucks GM will trade Lack if team decides he's not part of long-term plan

Eddie Lack has a bright future ahead of him in the NHL, but it may not be with the Vancouver Canucks.

The 27-year-old netminder, who was impressive enough to earn the starting job in the postseason over veteran Ryan Miller - eventually losing it by series end - could be traded if he doesn't fit the team's long-term plans.

From Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun:

Canucks general manager Jim Benning said Tuesday the team will make a decision on its goaltending before the entry draft in June and if Lack isn’t part of the long-term plan, the club will try to trade him rather than risk losing him as an unrestricted free agent after next season.

Benning signed Miller to a three-year, $18-million deal that keeps him as a member of the Canucks until the end of 2016-17, which could mean Lack may not get the minutes a prime goaltender with a decent track record as a starter may deserve.

Talks between Lack's camp and the Canucks have started.

"We've had preliminary talks with Eddie's agent and we know what it's going to take to get him signed," Benning said. "We're bringing in all our pro scouts and we'll meet here in the next couple of weeks … and as a group make that decision."

Lack made 41 regular season appearances, posting a record of 18-13-4 with a goals-against average of 2.45 and got into four postseason contests, not faring as well with a GAA of 3.03 and a record of 1-3.