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5 free agents the Coyotes should consider this offseason

By Nick McAdam

PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 05: John Chayka of the Arizona Coyotes addresses the media during a press conference introducing him as the new general manager for the team at Gila River Arena on May 05, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 05: John Chayka of the Arizona Coyotes addresses the media during a press conference introducing him as the new general manager for the team at Gila River Arena on May 05, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 05: Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on during warm-ups against the Philadelphia Flyers on April 5, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 05: Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on during warm-ups against the Philadelphia Flyers on April 5, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2. Cam Ward

This might be the biggest stretch on the list and it could come with a debate from some, which is deserved.

The Carolina Hurricanes got exactly what they asked for with Ward — a franchise goalie, Stanley Cup winner and a player who will be between the pipes for the many years ahead. Ward did just that, but other areas of the ice haven’t turned out to plan with Carolina in order to support the talent of their netminder over the years.

There are a lot of attractive areas with having a player like Ward on the squad. Despite being on a rather losing team for his career, Ward has still managed to put in a winning record over the past three seasons.

This past season might have been the most impressive from the 33-year-old. Folks in Carolina would have thought that Scott Darling would be the savior in net to get the Hurricanes into the postseason, but it was Ward with a record of 23-14-4 in 42 games started that put on a show.

Ward has always posted above a 90 percent save percentage at even strength for the Hurricanes over the years. A 2.73 goals against average is not the best from a keeper, but it was good enough to win games for the Hurricanes this past season.

It’s no secret by now the amount of problems Arizona has had with goalie depth over the past few years. Raanta was thought of to be some sort of answer, but things haven’t really worked out so far with him.

Ward is only a $3 million cap hit player. The netminder can be the perfect time gap to help the Yotes win games now, while the management and scouts search for the goalie of the future.

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