John Gibson’s Potential Landing Spots

October 23, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) defends the goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina’s Goaltending Situation:

Live Feed

Cardiac Cane

Cam Ward is a former Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe winner in the final year of his contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. The playoffs are a long-shot for a rebuilding Hurricanes team, and Ward’s services are valued highly around the league. Since the Hurricanes don’t want Ward to walk at the end of the season and get no return for him, it is likely that they will try to deal him prior to the NHL trade deadline in 2016. Considering the fact that the Hurricanes will most likely be without Ward by the end of this season, GM Ron Francis has a few options in-goal for his team’s future.

The current backup goalie to Cam Ward is Eddie Lack. Lack, who came over to Carolina from Vancouver, is 27 years old, and has a total of 85 NHL games under his belt. With the Canucks in 2014-15, Lack played 41 games, posting a goals against average of 2.45, and a save percentage of .921. These numbers are definitely respectable, though it is unclear if the Hurricanes consider Lack to be the goalie of their team’s future. If not, the Hurricanes can look for a trade, or they can look within their system for a solution.

Alex Nedeljkovic is a 19-year-old goaltender developing in the Hurricanes system. Nedeljkovic was the team’s 2nd round draft pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, and he is an athletic goaltender who has the potential to one day be an NHL starter. His style is reminiscent of Jonathan Quick’s, as he is a little undersized, but makes up for his stature with his flexibility and with his movements across the crease.

Why Acquiring John Gibson Would Make Sense:

Carolina has a couple of options when it comes to the future in their crease. The plan for the future could involve Eddie Lack being a mentor to the young Alex Nedeljkovic, though this would mean Lack would have to assume the starting role for the Hurricanes until Nedeljkovic is ready. Lack’s steady career numbers not guarantee that Hurricanes’ management want him as their starting goalie. If GM Francis doesn’t feel that Lack is the way to go, he could examine other options. John Gibson would fit in to the Hurricanes’ rebuild, as he is young, hungry, and eager to take on a more prominent NHL role. Having Gibson in the Hurricanes system would take lots of pressure off of the shoulders of young Nedeljkovic, as most goalies aren’t ready to take a starting job in the NHL until their early to mid twenties.

Sep 30, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Eddie Lack (31) skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Washington Capitals 4-3 in a shoot out. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Final Verdict:

Gibson ending up with the Hurricanes is pretty unlikely, though it is possible. The Hurricanes come in at #4 on the list, as it seems as if Alex Nedeljkovic is the goaltender of the future for their organization. The Hurricanes could entrust Lack with their crease for the years to come until Nedeljkovic is ready, or they can trade for Gibson (among other options). Having a Gibson/Nedeljkovic goalie tandem could be interesting, but not necessarily likely.

Next: Next: #3. The Arizona Coyotes