Hurricanes Add Eddie Lack for Draft Picks

After Robin Lehner went to the Buffalo Sabres for a first round pick yesterday, it seems the haul for Eddie Lack wasn’t quite as good. Nonetheless, the Carolina Hurricanes trade for Lack, sending several lower draft picks to the Vancouver Canucks.

The Canucks will get a third round pick in today’s draft, and a seventh round selection for next year. Not what they were looking for, and it doesn’t bode well in the goalie market for Cam Talbot, either.

The only goalie other than Lehner to move yesterday was Martin Jones, who was a throw in to the Boston Bruins in the deal that sent Milan Lucic to the Los Angeles Kings.

Pierre LeBrun from ESPN said on Twitter he believes the Hurricanes will move goalie Anton Khudobin today to make room for Lack. They also have veteran Cam Ward as a part of their goaltending crew.

Ward is making $6.8 million this season while the 27 year old Lack will receive $2.25. The ultimate goal of the Hurricanes would appear to be to transition to Lack as the starter. Lack had a 2.83 goals against average splitting duties in Vancouver, and is capable of becoming the starting goalie in Carolina.

Earlier in the off season it had been reported the Canucks were seeking at least a second round pick for their young goalie. That would make this return seem a little more than underwhelming for Canucks supporters. Jacob Markstrom, who had a terrific campaign this past season with the Utica Comets of the AHL, should take over a roster spot alongside Ryan Miller.

In the past few years, the Canucks have developed and had several NHL starting goalies they have traded for underwhelming results. Roberto Luongo has resurrected his career with the Florida Panthers, while Cory Schneider has become the starting goalie with the New Jersey Devils.

The total haul for these three goalies became Markstrom, Shawn Matthias, and Bo Horvat.

Even with Khudobin likely gone, the Hurricanes could trade away Ward if someone would take his hefty contract. Ideally, they’d like Lack at his price to be their goaltender.