The Carolina Hurricanes have acquired G James Reimer from the Florida Panthers in exchange for G Scott Darling and a 2020 6th round pick. The 6th round pick was originally Buffalo\’s.
The Canes need a goalie. Darling struggled in Carolina, and struggled in 14 AHL games this past season. They were going to buy him out, but now they have the Panthers buy him out for them. In return, they get Reimer, as they need a goalie, with both Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney becoming free agents tomorrow. Reimer has good seasons before, though the last two haven\’t been pretty. They give up a sixth as well. Between the two goalies, they get the one with value. Reimer has a lower cap hit as well, though Darling will cost less once bought out.
Reimer, 31, had a .900 SV% with a 3.09 GAA in 36 games for the Panthers this year. In his NHL career for the Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks, Reimer has a .914 SV% and a 2.81 GAA in 338 games.
The Panthers were looking to buyout or trade Reimer, and if they didn\’t make this deal, Reimer likely would have been bought out. This trade leaves them with just one goalie, Sam Montembeault. They also have Chris Driedger, who has played in three NHL games, all of them have been in relief, last in 2017. They will likely sign Sergei Bobrovsky tomorrow when free agency starts. Bobrovsky will be the starter and Montembeault the backup. They haven\’t signed Bobrovsky yet and might not sign him, so there is a chance they go with a lesser goalie like Semyon Varlamov or Mrazek.
Darling, 30, had a .884 SV% with a 3.34 GAA in eight games for the Hurricanes this year. He had a .882 SV% and a 3.40 GAA in 14 games for AHL Charlotte. In his NHL career for the Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks, Darling has a .908 SV% and a 2.72 GAA in 126 games.
CarterHud 