Eddie Lack shipped to Carolina

Neil Parker

2015-06-27

Eddie.Lack.6.27

Despite switching coasts, expect more of the same from Eddie Lack …

The first domino fell in the goalie trade market before Round 2 of the NHL Entry Draft kicked off Saturday, June 27. Eddie Lack was dealt from the Vancouver Canucks to the Carolina Hurricanes for a third-round pick in the 2015 draft and a seventh-round selection in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

Lack posted a .921 save percentage and a 2.45 goals-against average last season, and he boasts the size coveted in goaltenders in 2015. It is worth noting, Lack also improved in his second season, albeit he did so along with the Canucks improving as a team.

We know a little bit about Lack. He is a capable backup goalie who can handle the load for stretches when needed.

We know a lot less than we do, though, especially with the relocation to Carolina.

Is that really an indication of anything substantial? Potentially, and if nothing else, it supports the suggestion that Lack can handle himself in a supportive role.

Back to what we don’t know, and that is his role with the Hurricanes.

Though, it is safe to say it is unlikely he’ll be handed full-time crease duties in Carolina, at least initially. Therefore, there is no real reason to suspect Lack’s fantasy value will be significantly impacted, at least, as far as his ratios are concerned.

His win total, though, that could be an entirely different story, as Carolina finished with 18 fewer wins than Vancouver last season.

Still, Carolina’s 52.4 CorsiFor% was the eighth-ranked mark in the league, which is a huge upgrade compared to the Canucks’ 49.9 percentage, which ranked 19th (both at five-on-five). However, the Hurricanes posted a .909 save percentage at five-on-five this season, so expect Lack’s trend of playing above his team’s mark to carry over and help the Hurricanes when he receives the starting nod.

Fantasy owners should view Eddie Lack as a potential No. 2 goalie, if he earns the majority of starts. However, it is more likely he forms a tandem with Cam Ward, especially given Ward’s hefty contract and lengthy tenure as the No. 1.

So, while there is a high ceiling, it’ll take everything to fall into place for Lack to be anything more than a low-end No. 3 goalie who contributes reliable ratios. In a best-case scenario, Ward is a low-end No. 2 tender.