Fansided

One player from each NHL team who should be on the NHL 18 cover

By David Rouben

Nov 2, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) prepares to throw pucks to the crowd after the game against the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) prepares to throw pucks to the crowd after the game against the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 1, 2016; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) makes a save in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2016; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) makes a save in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /

Carolina Hurricanes: Cam Ward

Cam Ward is still going strong as the Carolina Hurricanes’ netminder even after 12 seasons. They have only made the playoffs in two of those seasons, but Ward has remained a consistent force. And while he may not be considered one of the best goalies, he’s still a high-end one.

Cam Ward is an elite company of goalies who won the Stanley Cup in their rookie season. He replaced Martin Gerber in the middle of their first round series against the Montreal Canadiens, then led a comeback from 2-0 down. The rest was history as the Hurricanes went on to beat the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final. Only three other goalies have won the Cup in their rookie year: Ken Dryden, Patrick Roy, and most recently Matt Murray.

The Hurricanes haven’t sustained that success at all, as they only made it back to the playoffs in 2009. But Ward’s numbers tell the whole story. He has a career save percentage of .910, and only dipped below that mark six times. One of those times was in his rookie year, but he more than made up for it in the playoffs. And in 2009-10, his season was marred by a gruesome injury.

Ward doesn’t get the plaudits that he deserves, and a lot of that has to do with the team he plays for. The Hurricanes are off to another bad start this year, but more often than not, Ward is keeping them in it. Someone has to give him credit for the work he puts in, which is why he would be more than deserving of landing on the NHL 18 cover.

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