A hockey team’s talent and skill can be gauged in a variety of ways. It is a such a team game that it is often hard to credit just one player or position for success, with one exception.
The goaltenders are the only players on the ice who can change the game every single play and they often decide the fate of games. Successful hockey teams are almost always accompanied by at least one exemplary goalie that reflects the strength of the team.
Cam Ward has been a player of intelligence, poise, and excellence in his 13-year tenure with the Hurricanes, but, like all good things, the time has caught up with him.
With the idea of Ward’s retirement looming just around the corner, the Hurricanes needed to address their issue in between the pipes this offseason. The team struck quick, trading for former Chicago Blackhawk Scott Darling, only having to part ways with a third-round draft pick, making Darling an investment that could potentially post a big return.
To clear cap space, the team parted ways via trade with backup goalie Eddie Lack , who had spent his last 3 years on the team. After this trade, Darling was signed to a 4 year $16,600,000 deal and it was clear that Darling would assume the starting role. While Darling will lead the team in a new direction, Ward will watch from the bench for the first time in his career.
While this duo is a new step for the franchise, the two may bring the team into the playoffs.
In addition to only being 28-years-old, Darling brings an impressive .923 career save percentage and a sparkling 39-17-9 record. Add in Ward’s 295-230-80 career record, and the Hurricanes two starting goalies have two Stanley Cup Championships, a combined .916 save percentage, and a combined 16 years of experience.
One of Ward’s biggest criticisms and a large factor in his decline over the last five years has been his high number of goals allowed. One could blame it on age or even a decrease in skill but it all comes back to how heavily the team leaned on him. Playing a significantly lower number of games as a backup could help keep his stamina up and will hopefully increase his stats.
So the Hurricanes have a decorated newbie and a stoic veteran backup. How does this combination of netminders compare to the rest of the league?
Certain names come to mind when thinking of the league’s truly talented goalies, including Carey Price, Henrik Lundqvist, and Sergei Bobrovsky. Backups may not always get the recognition they deserve and are often integral parts to championship teams.
In Montreal, backup Al Montoya finished the season with an 8-6-4 record, recording a .912 save percentage and allowing 2.67 goals per game. Backing up the best goal keeper in the NHL in Carey Price probably isn’t easy, but Montoya is a legit player. In the regular season, this is the best one-two punch of any goalie staff in the league.
An obvious pair would be Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray for the Pittsburgh Penguins. While Fleury was taken in the Las Vegas Golden Knights expansion draft this offseason, the two dismantled offenses in their short time together. Both have won a Stanley Cup while being the primary goalie and they each are excellent captains. If Fleury was still there, it would be the best combo in the NHL.
Phillip Grubauer and Braden Holtby for the Washington Capitals were marvelous last season, posting a combined 2.05 goals allowed average and .925 save percentage. Their play ultimately took Washington to the post season and they were the cohesive factor in the team’s playoff run.
Big names like Tuukka Rask, Henrik Lundqvist, Jonathan Quick, and Corey Crawford don’t have solid backups. They are so good themselves that it the team can manage without an all-star backup.
In contrast to the Hurricanes, most of the elite teams, such as the Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Washington Capitals have better goalie corps due to the play of their starters. Backups play better when they can ride the momentum of their starters, giving the team a better overall record.
Due to Ward’s decline in skill and Darling’s lack of experience, it puts them somewhere in the middle, better off than teams like the New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, and the Arizona Coyotes, but not better than the elites. This lack of an established goalie duo might give the two the advantage, taking the pressure off them and allowing them to play loose.
If Darling can capitalize on the success he found in Chicago then the Hurricanes have a shot at seriously improving their goal keeping. Ward has the wisdom and knowledge to help the progress of the new starter and it will be interesting to see how each of their playing styles impacts the game.