Fansided

One free agent every NHL team should sign this offseason

By C.L. Kohuss

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 18: Patrick Maroon #17 of the New Jersey Devils heads out to play against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center on April 18, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 18: Patrick Maroon #17 of the New Jersey Devils heads out to play against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center on April 18, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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WINNIPEG, MB – MAY 3: Paul Stastny #25 of the Winnipeg Jets keeps an eye on the play during first period action against the Nashville Predators in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 3, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Preds defeated the Jets 2-1 and tie the series 2-2. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB – MAY 3: Paul Stastny #25 of the Winnipeg Jets keeps an eye on the play during first period action against the Nashville Predators in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 3, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Preds defeated the Jets 2-1 and tie the series 2-2. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Carolina Hurricanes: Paul Stastny, Center

The Hurricanes finished sixth in a stacked Metropolitan Division and missed the playoffs for the ninth consecutive year, prompting Bill Peters to walk as head coach and move on to Calgary. Former captain Rod Brind’Amour will now take the reigns as bench boss, and he has some work to do.

Luckily for him, some of that work has already taken care of itself by way of the NHL’s draft lottery. Though the Canes didn’t win the first overall pick, they do have second choice meaning they’ll likely go with top forward Andrei Svechnikov. Unless of course Buffalo loses its mind and passes on Dahlin.

Money isn’t an issue for Carolina. It has six restricted free agents and $33 million to use in any way it wants. Seeing as how the Hurricanes were still $16 million under the cap this past season, it isn’t probable they try to go for broke in 2018 either, though the Scott Darling situation is looking pretty rough right now. Carolina surrendered the fewest shots per game and still allowed an average of three goals, mostly due to subpar goaltending. Darling posted a 3.18 goals against average with a .888 save percentage, all while being paid $4 million. That contract is on the docket for another three years.

It also paid goaltender Cam Ward over $3 million and his numbers were better but not by a lot. He could be gone as he’s a free agent.

This decision is pretty difficult. Carter Hutton is out there as a nice option at goaltender. He put up great numbers in 32 games with the St. Louis Blues, but will probably be looking for starter’s cash. We aren’t sure Carolina wants to gamble again on a player who’s been a career backup. At the same time, they won’t go anywhere until they’re sure they have a solid guy in net. It thought they had that in Darling, but clearly they have to be rethinking it now. With Svechnikov, its offense will improve, but they could still use depth help.

Paul Stastny would be a good fit for a team that’s one of the youngest in the NHL and could stand having a veteran presence. He made $7 million this season but at 32, that figure could fall to $5 million or $6 million. Stastny put up 53 points between St. Louis and the Winnipeg Jets and he also currently has 11 points in 11 playoff games. Let’s also figure that there are some very good defenseman and goaltenders Carolina could potentially target next year. Its window isn’t closing so adding a safer option like Stastny while looking beyond isn’t the worst thing this team could do at the moment. They could also pick him up while adding Hutton if the right price is there.

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