Rumor: Cam Ward

[Cardiac Jerks]

It's got a be up there, no? 4M for 3 more years for a backup is extremely crippling to the Canes who need an actual starter.

Might not be the term or AAV of a Seabrook but it's crippling to Carolina given the circumstances

Not necessarily. New owner and tons of cap space.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

who wants this goalie tho.

Buffalo needs a goalie, I don't know he's any better than Lehner but they do need a goalie, as do the NYI and Detroit Red Wings

 

[Langdon Alger]

I’ll forever be grateful to cam ward for keeping the scum oil away from stanley...even if canes fans aren’t.

Just like a lot of Canadians will be forever grateful the Bruins beat the Canucks in the finals. I can’t think of a fanbase that deserves bad things to happen to them more than Vancouver. Maybe Montreal.

 

[Chayos]

Lucic and Talbot for Darling and Faulk

 

[greasysnapper]

Wouldn't be surprised if he ends up in Calgary.

He's from Sherwood Park, loads of family there only ~2.5 hours away, the Peters connection, I think Treliving is feeling the pressure from ownership after last season and will go with a more experienced option to backup Smith than one of the younger goalies, and just in case Smith goes down again. Treliving can't afford another goalie meltdown and I think will stock the cupboard.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Damn. Darling officially has the worst contract in the league. 4+M at 3 more years for at best a backup goalie.

Not even close to worst contract in the league. Buying him out would only cost $1.3M per year. There are lots of other contracts that are worse (see Lucic, Milan)

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Ward had a pretty decent season last year, just was needed more than he should have been because of Darlings ineptitude and wore out. He’ll be an excellent backup for some team.

 

[Slomo]

Ward would look great as a backup in his hometown of Calgary. Sign him up Brad, 1 year at $2mil.

 

[Lunatik]

depending on his demands, I wouldn't be hurt to see Ward backing up Smith. But, I think we will like see Rittich keep the job.

 

[stokes84]

Buffalo needs a goalie, I don't know he's any better than Lehner but they do need a goalie, as do the NYI and Detroit Red Wings

Yeah, I could see the Sabres signing him to a 2 year deal to compete with Ullmark, with the hope that Ullmark pulls away with the job.

 

[Chan790]

Yeah, I could see the Sabres signing him to a 2 year deal to compete with Ullmark, with the hope that Ullmark pulls away with the job.

You know how they say "goalies are voodoo"? Having watched the Canes try that repeatedly, Wardo may have actual black magic: Dobby, Lack, Darling...

Ward will win that competition. Not because he will be lights out, but because Ullmark will suddenly and magically forget how to tend goal.

Really though, he's been a solid player and member of the Raleigh community for years. He's been our Cup hero and should never have to pay for his own drinks anywhere there's a Canes fan. I'm pretty sure he has a FO job for the Canes any time he wants it. I wish him luck and happiness wherever he plays next year.

I just wouldn't put him in a goalie competition you don't want him to win.

 

[Negan4Coach]

I feel hurricanes fans have been too overzealous on crapping all over Ward now that he’s not what he used to be.

I do understand that his play has fallen off a cliff, but I feel that being so massive in winning the Stanley Cup in a market where that is by far the best thing they have ever done, the guy shouldn’t ever again pay for a meal or take any crap ever again in the state of Carolina.

That’s just my opinion and I do understand if you take exception.

This is coming from a fan in a long suffering fan base where I would let every player that won this area’s first theoretical cup languish into absolute liability and still call them hall of famers for that one moment of ultimate relief.

Try not making the playoffs for 9 years and then see how you feel about your overpaid goaltender who was not making it happen. 9 years, buddy. NINE.

 

[JKG33]

I don't get why Carolina doesn't want him anymore. For years they've been doing these half-assed attempts at replacing him, and every time he's outperformed the schlub they brought in. Its not his fault they never bring in a proper starter or even a 1A type. Retain 50% on Darling or even buy him out if you have to, and if you can't get a proper starter at least bring in someone mediocre like a Halak, Elliott, Mason, etc. to platoon with Ward. Anyone who's read anything about Ward and his son know that the guy wants to stay in Carolina, and he'd be a more than adequate backup/1B.

 

[Scott Stevens]

Try not making the playoffs for 9 years and then see how you feel about your overpaid goaltender who was not making it happen. 9 years, buddy. NINE.

As I said, I’d go 39 years out of the playoffs, never mind 9, for one year where my team is the last one standing. I’ve alreasy done 28 of em with no championship.

 

[Devilsrock17]

I think a great destination for Cam ward would be Edmonton to help Cam Talbot grow more. A veteran backup like Cam Ward could benefit the oilers to get back to the post season

 

[Lunatik]

I think a great destination for Cam ward would be Edmonton to help Cam Talbot grow more. A veteran backup like Cam Ward could benefit the oilers to get back to the post season

The Oilers just signed that Finnish goalie from the KHL to be Talbot's backup

 

[Devilsrock17]

The Oilers just signed that Finnish goalie from the KHL to be Talbot's backup

He needs time to develop give ward a 1 year deal then trade him at the deadline

 

[belair]

He needs time to develop give ward a 1 year deal then trade him at the deadline

He's 30.

There's no more developing for that guy.

 

[Devilsrock17]

He's 30.

There's no more developing for that guy.

Age doesn't matter if you haven't played in the pros you might not make it

 

[Yamazaki]

I think the isles sign him

 

[belair]

Age doesn't matter if you haven't played in the pros you might not make it

He has played in the pros. In North America and in Russia.

 

[tarheelhockey]

As I said, I’d go 39 years out of the playoffs, never mind 9, for one year where my team is the last one standing. I’ve alreasy done 28 of em with no championship.

But that’s a false dilemma you’re making up.

12 years removed from a championship, 9 years into a playoff-less streak, you’re allowed to move on from a backup goalie.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I thought he would make sense in Washington to replace Grubauer. Calgary, Dallas, Detroit and the Isles also make sense, but I think teams like the Isles (as well as Buffalo and Carolina) will look for better.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

Ward would look great as a backup in his hometown of Calgary. Sign him up Brad, 1 year at $2mil.

He's from the Edmonton suburbs, not Calgary.

Another piece to consider is that his son, who was born profoundly deaf, has been getting care from doctors here at UNC Chapel Hill who are specialists in his condition. In past interviews, articles I've read it almost seems like he'd rather retire than play anywhere else so his son could keep getting care from the same practitioners.

 

[tarheelhockey]

It would surprise me if they didn’t offer him a non-player job if he decided to retire. He may be choosing between more than just different places to play.

 

[steveayres35]

He's from the Edmonton suburbs, not Calgary.

Another piece to consider is that his son, who was born profoundly deaf, has been getting care from doctors here at UNC Chapel Hill who are specialists in his condition. In past interviews, articles I've read it almost seems like he'd rather retire than play anywhere else so his son could keep getting care from the same practitioners.

Washington seems to be the only option if he doesn't want to move too far away from NC, it's only 4 hours away from Raleigh.