Carolina have an abundance of goalies
– It’s been well discussed the Carolina Hurricanes have a few goalies and now comes the time to make a decision about them. The Hurricanes have Cam Ward who will soon return from injury, Anton Khudobin and Justin Peters. They even had Rick Dipietro at some point in the farm team. He has since left the team. Jim Rutherford find himself in a position to trade at that particular position. Rutherford is looking for a top 6 forward capable to score goals. Rutherford is looking at unloading a goalie before the trade freeze. The trade rumor is even saying Cam Ward should be considered but it is doubtful Rutherford will pull the trigger on his veteran goalie. But to acquire a top 6 forward, he may have to do just that. If Rutherford do trade one of his three goalies, we ccan expect either Peters or Khudobin will be traded. The Hurricanes do not want to carry three goalies on the roster of 23 and sending Justin Peeters to the farm AHL team would mean for him to go on waiver. Peters would be claimed in an instant and the Hurricanes would receive nothing in return, hence the reason for completing a trade sooner rather than later.
According to Brian Stubits from CBS.com, the two goaltenders are set to become unrestricted free agent at the end of this season and are actually making less than a million a year. Peeter’s cap is set at $537,500 and he shows statistics valued at much more with a .929 save percentage and a goals against average at 2.16. Khudobin has been doing really well too with 929 save percentage and 2.00 GAA behind the starter Ward. As for Ward, his contract is not easy to move with a cap hit at over 6 million for another three years.
Editor’s Note: The Hurricanes will likely move Peeters with either Tim Gleason or Tuumo Ruutu and picks in order to get a solid defenseman or top 6. The Edmonton Oilers could be in with the Carolina Hurricanes since they haven’t really filled the goalie spot long term.
Oilers in a shopping mode
The Oilers are actively shopping two of their forwards: Ales Hemsky and Linus Omark. Hemsky has been on the trading block for some time now while Omark has asked to be traded. Although the Oilers were playing better lately, they have been faltering the last four-five games. According to the Edmonton Sun, Hemsky came into the season with the expectations to be traded by the deadline. “I came here (for training camp) and I was happy I came here,” Hemsky told the Sun. “And I just tried to play the game and not think about anything else.” Hemsky, who’s 30 years-old is in the final year of his contract and a trade of Hemsky would be seen as the classical rent-a-player type of trade. Hemsky who is currently day-to-day with a rib injury has six goals and twelve assists for eighteen points in thirty-four games played associated with a minus -10. As for Omark, he has requested to be moved and could be moved sooner than Hemsky. Drafted in the 4th round in 2007, 97 pick total, Omark has no points in one game this season with the Edmonton Oilers. He tallied 69 points in 48 games last year with the Zug team.
