Chicago Blackhawks trade Scott Darling to the Carolina Hurricanes

The Chicago Blackhawks trade Scott Darling to the Carolina Hurricanes

The Chicago Blackhawks have traded back-up goaltender Scott Darling to the Carolina Hurricanes for a 3rd Round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. The pick that Chicago traded to Carolina is via a prior trade with Ottawa.

Darling will be an unrestricted free agent on June 30th, giving the Hurricanes just over two months to negotiate a new contract with the 28-year-old. Darling joins Eddie Lack and Cam Ward as the three goalie options for the Hurricanes. Both Lack and Ward are expected to become unrestricted free agents after the 2017-18 season.

There is speculation that Carolina went through with this trade to leave Darling unprotected, and having the Vegas Golden Knights sign him. This would then mean that Darling is the player drafted from Carolina. This is due to the Hurricanes having to decide whether they want to protect Lack or Ward in the upcoming expansion draft.

Darling has been the full-time back-up option to Corey Crawford in Chicago for the last two seasons. During that time he has compiled a record of 30-13-9, has had save percentages of .915 (2015-16) and .924 (2016-17), and goal against averages of 2.58 (2015-16) and 2.38 (2016-17). Darling has career stats of 39-17-9, a 2.37 goals against average, and a .923 save percentage. Exceptionally strong numbers for a back-up goaltender.

Darling has many attributes that play to his, and his new organizations advantage, for the future. Having a 6’6″ frame, and the stats that he does both shows his ability to challenge for a possible starting position, wherever he may end up. As for the benefit of Carolina, Darling becomes an enticing option for the Golden Knights to sign or select in the expansion draft, meaning they have two solid goalies regardless of who they end up losing this summer to the expansion draft.