[Signing] Hurricanes sign Scott Darling to 4 year deal ($4.15 mil AAV)

[sureLoss]

https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/...ct/c-289294812

Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with goaltender Scott Darling on a four-year contract through the 2020-21 season. The deal will pay Darling a total of $16.6 million and carries an average annual value of $4.15 million per season.

"Obviously Scott could have waited until July 1, to see what other options he might have as an unrestricted free agent," said Francis. "But he believes in what we are trying to do here and we are thrilled that he is committing to the Hurricanes and to Raleigh."

If I was in his shoes, no way I would pass that up.

[savardandjokinen]

This could either go really well or go really bad.

[iloveicedhockey]

Stating the obvious but he's their starter next year. Agree, he could be the next Talbot, or the next Scrivens.

[Moneyhands23]

Thats a lot of cash! But id say he has a decent shot at earning it.

[TheScorpion]

Dang, that could be risky for Carolina. Hope it goes well for them, I've always liked the Hurricanes.

[GioforPM]

4 years is too much term for a first time starter.

[Caged Great]

I wonder where Ward is going to go. Wouldn't be surprised if Dallas might call for him.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by iloveicedhockey

Stating the obvious but he's their starter next year. Agree, he could be the next Talbot, or the next Scrivens.

Are you talking about Scrivezina?

[ComixZone]

That's a good chunk of coin, and I'm happy it's not coming from the Flames.

If Tree saw Darling as the answer here, I'm sure he'd be here. If we're looking for a "he could be the next Talbot" type situation, my bet would be on Grubauer. That said - I still think it's much more likely we go the Bishop/Fleury (Murray?) route.

Should be interesting leading up to the expansion draft!

Carolina has Lack (2.75M), Ward (3.3M), and now Darling (4.15M) under contract for 2017/2018. "Quantity > Quality"....?

[iloveicedhockey]

I am indeed. I don't mean to pick on him, could've named numerous back ups who just don't quite make the starter grade.

Wasn't Lack doing ok down the stretch?

[Poe969]

This is great news. One less team needing a goalie and (IMO) one less bad option. Sure he's shown that he's been really good but that is in a really limited number of games and on a really good team.

100% agree with comix, Grubauer would be the guy I get but I'd still want to get a proven guy. I see the Flames getting one of Bishop/MAF/Murray either way.

[Dr. Doom]

....

[united]

Great job by the Hurricanes picking up Darling. Goaltending has hampered what is otherwise a pretty good team. Not sure why they thought Ward was still capable when he's clearly been finished for years.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by united

Great job by the Hurricanes picking up Darling. Goaltending has hampered what is otherwise a pretty good team. Not sure why they thought Ward was still capable when he's clearly been finished for years.

Expect this will be the deal we wish the Flames had made instead of 6 years of Bishop.
Great deal for the Canes

[TheScorpion]

The 'Canes are building a really defensive-oriented team. They have a really good defensive-minded coach in Bill Peters, a ton of defensive depth in Faulk, Hanifin, Slavin, Murphy, Bean, McKeown, Gauthier, and Fleury, and now have a potentially really good goalie in Darling (and a bounce-back candidate in Lack).

I really like where the Hurricanes are going... they just need to shore up their bottom-six. They've got a lot of good offensive options in Aho, Skinner, Staal, Rask, Lindholm, Teravainen, and Stempniak... but past that, they've got Derek Ryan who had a Versteeg-like year this year (and he's also a UFA on July 1) and really nobody else. I think that if the Hurricanes can go out on July 1st and get some really solid middle-six players and maybe graduate some AHL guys to play on the fourth line, then they can absolutely make the playoffs next season.

[Roof-Daddy]

If Darling turns out to be the real deal, you gotta like what Carolina is building.

Their D-core is absolutely stacked with a good mix, and all young guys too, plus more in the pipeline. I would KILL to have Brett Pesce on the Flames to pair with Brodie. Really good "modern era" shut down Dman, and just 22 with a right shot.

Up front they are looking decent too. Especially with Aho coming in and doing what he's done. Talk about a rookie flying under the radar with all the big names that broke out last season. And Jeff Skinner is still only 24. That is hard to believe, feels like he's been around forever already. Center depth decent too with Staal, Lindholm and Rask.

They are lucky the expansion draft wasn't next year though, or they would have lost one of their Dmen for sure.

[Erick Estrada]

I don't think it's that bad of a deal if they really like the player. It probably means Bishop will expect no less than $6 million/season.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I don't think it's that bad of a deal if they really like the player. It probably means Bishop will expect no less than $6 million/season.

I was coming here to post that this likely seals a 6x6 deal for Bishop. It looked likelymanyway but this contract guarantees it imo

[Cali Panthers Fan]

A year from now, we are going to be talking about Darling's contract as one of the best bargains in the league.

Now they just have to find a home for one of their other two goalies. I wouldn't be surprised to see Lack traded or waived given his conflict with the coach. I doubt they buy him out since they are still paying both Semin and Wisniewsky $3.33 million next year to NOT play for them. And yet, they still have the best cap hit in the league.

[Derek Sutton]

Scott Darling is a great story, this is a questionable contract in my opinion.