5 teams who could trade for Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 01: New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (30) during the second period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers on April 1, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

5 of 5

Mandatory Credit: Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

1. Carolina Hurricanes

After upsetting the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals in the first round, and sweeping the Islanders in the second round, the “Bunch of Jerks” in Carolina are in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Bruins. Last week, they became the betting favorite to win the Stanley Cup.

Petr Mrazek had an outstanding run in goal over the tail end of the series against Washington and into the series against the Islanders. But after he went out with a lower body injury in Game 2 against New York, Curtis McElhinney picked up the slack quite well over two-plus games (.947 save percentage; 71 saves on 75 shots). Mrazek is in line to return for Game 1 against Boston, though as of Tuesday morning nothing is official.

As of right now, Mrazek and McElhinney are not under contract with the Hurricanes for next season. Scott Darling is under contract, but he was sent down to the AHL amid a personal leave of absence this season and his contract looks like a major sunk cost.

Ice Cold Takes: Hurricanes are America's team. dark. Next

But Carolina has over $32 million in cap space right now, and it’s safe to assume one or both of Mrazek and McElhinney will find a better contract elsewhere this summer. If they go to the Stanley Cup Final, their appeal as a destination for players automatically rises. Lundqvist, however surprisingly, should be keeping on eye on the Hurricanes as a spot to go to.

Home/New York Rangers