Hurricanes make controversial statement on offseason despite quick elimination vs. Bruins

The Carolina Hurricanes needed to lean on both goalies Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney during the postseason, however, they couldn’t hold off the Boston Bruins and their perfection line during the Eastern Conference finals. The Bruins swept the Canes, who needed more from the two netminders, their offensive crew and their deep blue line. 

However on Tuesday, Hurricanes GM Don Wadell revealed that the team hopes to re-sign pending unrestricted free-agent Mrazek and McElhinney, according to Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer.

While the goaltending duo managed to help the team reach the postseason and make their way to the ECF, some fans were hoping an upgrade would be considered in between the pipes. Both Mrazek and McElhinney came in as cheaper options last season, but their extensions could be a different story… 

Mrazek signed a one-year $1.5-million contract with the club last summer, and McElhinney was claimed off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs while riding out the last campaign of his two-year, $1.6-million deal. 

The Canes also need to consider that they still have to count for Scott Darling’s contract. After acquiring Darling from the Chicago Blackhawks in April 2017, the Hurricanes signed him to a four-year, $16.6-million contract. He lost his job to Mrazek when he came along and spent most of the past year in the AHL. Wadell did not reveal if he plans to buy out Darling’s deal. 

Wadell will first tackle the question of forward Sebastien Aho’s extension. The Canes have more than $28 million in expected cap space, but a big chunk of it will go to Aho’s deal. The GM also wants to look at re-signing defenseman Justin Faulk now before he hits free-agency next summer. 

So, it sounds like a busy offseason for Wadell, however, some fans will want him to reconsider his decision about Mrazek and McElhinney if they want to get further into the playoffs next spring…