NHL Trade Rumors: Flames acquire Eddie Lack from Hurricanes

As the goalie carousel goes around and around in the NHL, another one is reportedly on the move as the Flames traded for Eddie Lack.

Goalies have been a hot commodity in the NHL offseason so far, with big names like Marc-Andre Fleury and Ben Bishop flying around to new teams for the next season. Now, you can add Eddie Lack to that list.

Lack, formerly of the Carolina Hurricanes, was acquired in a deal by the Calgary Flames to help bolster their goaltending crew in net, to go alongside new goalie Mike Smith from the Arizona Coyotes.

According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, the Hurricanes are trading Lack, Ryan Murphy, and a 2019 seventh round draft pick to the Flames for Keegan Kanzig and a sixth in 2019. Another big piece comes on the financial end, as the Hurricanes will reportedly hold on to 50 percent of Lack’s salary in the deal, as well.

Lack could step into a starting role for the Flames if necessary, should Smith not perform at a high level in net or sustain some injury next year, which is a good deal to have for Calgary in the long run. They also only have to pay $1.375 million for the goalie, so it’s an incredibly low risk contract to have to hold onto a talented backup goalie like Lack for the year.

Next: 30 best NHL goaltenders of all time

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes get much-needed cap relief in the trade, even as they retain half of Lack’s salary for his contract. They had three goalies on their roster, all with some decent talent to them, and it’d be a waste to hold onto Scott Darling, Cam Ward, and Lack in net for the full year.

It may not be the biggest blockbuster deal, and Lack certainly isn’t the biggest goalie name out there in this offseason, but the trade works out in both the Hurricanes and Flames’ favors in the end.