CanadaCanes
Well-known member
My understanding is that the offer Carolina had for Darling was indeed from Chicago. That probably means that it would have been tied up in a scheme to dump Hossa's salary, so it's not likely Carolina would have gotten much if anything back in terms of assets. If so, then we would have been paying for nothing one way or the other and I completely understand the reluctance to do that.
And look. If Darling follows the conditioning program, comes into camp in great physical and mental health and THEN bombs again ... fine. You figure out Plan B, bury him in the minors and buy him out next summer. At least then you've exhausted your options to avoid dead money, which is a thing any savvy businessman will tell you is to be avoided like the plague. I'm good with that. I just wish we could have brought in a better goalie to challenge him on the ice than Mrazek. One reclamation project at a time, please.
I think that all adds up JB and likely the reasoning behind giving Darling another kick at the cat next season. If I'm the Canes GM, I still have to be thinking about finding another young goaltending prospect or option as a future plan B via trade...even if an asset like that is part of a future Skinner or Faulk trade package. Philly has an interesting dynamic in goal...Carter Hart is the future in net for Philly and Alex Lyon had an amazing year in the AHL, a guy like Lyon might be an interesting young prospect to add to the system with hopes he is ready to play in the NHL in a year or less.