Goalkeeping stands as one of the, if not the most critical roles in any NHL team. Often, the goalie stands as the linchpin who can single-handedly determine a win or loss. Therefore, when goalies face challenges, teams feel the impact.
At the start of the NHL season, the Carolina Hurricanes were hailed as Stanley Cup contenders. However, they currently hold the fourth position in the Eastern Conference standings, which might seem positive but presents underlying issues.
Throughout the season, the Hurricanes have grappled with goaltending struggles, stemming from injuries to both Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta, along with the setbacks faced by top prospect Pyotr Kochetkov. Despite boasting one of the NHL's strongest defenses, the Hurricanes have been hindered by goaltending woes.
In an effort to address these significant concerns, the Hurricanes are reportedly exploring options in the trade market. According to David Pagnotta, the Hurricanes are eyeing veteran goalie Jacob Markstrom.
Despite the Calgary Flames challenges this season, Markstrom has been a standout performer, maintaining a 2.54 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage. These numbers represent a considerable upgrade for the Hurricanes.
