Scott Darling came to the Carolina Hurricanes last season anointed as the
team';s new starting goaltender. Even so, in an in-depth report on
Darling published in the Raleigh News & Observer earlier this month, author
Luke DeCock wrote that Darling had come to the Hurricanes "out of shape."

DeCock wrote that Darling said this about coming to the Hurricanes:

"It was a big move for me personally. I think I just let my foot off the gas
and figured it would just work out as is. I learned pretty quickly you can';t
do that at this level."

He';s right and even though the team missing the playoffs was not entirely his
fault, it paid a large price for his lack of preparation.The good news is that
he is now grinding, doing the hard work necessary to be in NHL shape.

Grind. 

Then grind some more. #TakeWarning pic.twitter.com/2dfR24Dv2W

- Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) July 27, 2018

Hurricanes'; Darling Season One Revisited

It seemingly mattered not to the Hurricanes'; then-general manager, Ron
Francis, that Darling had not been a full-time starting NHL goalie, nor that he
 had not played in a game as a starter for the Hurricanes. In fact, as
seemingly was Francis'; custom, he signed Darling to a four-year
$4.15-million-a-year contract essentially sight-unseen as a full-time starter.

Francis had done the same thing before with Eddie Lack in 2015, signing him to
a two-year, $5.5-million deal without him having shown what he could do in a
Hurricanes sweater. Other than getting fans excited about tacos, Lack did not
do very much as a goalie for the Hurricanes and was traded to the Calgary
Flames in June 2017. He fell all the way down to the minors but has staged a
comeback and is now a backup with the New Jersey Devils.New Jersey Devils
goaltender Eddie Lack (Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports)

The experience with Lack was not enough of a primer on signing goalies for
Francis to keep him from going all-in with Darling.The Disaster

As last season unwound, it became glaringly clear that something was not right
with Darling. The footage of him filling in for Chicago Blackhawks'; starting
goaltender Corey Crawford, of him hoisting Lord Stanley';s Cup with his
Blackhawks teammates, and of him showing the right stuff to play goalie at the
NHL level seemed a stark contrast to what Hurricanes fans and teammates were
watching night after night with Darling.

By mid-November, it looked as if longtime Hurricanes starter Cam Ward would
regain his spot. After a game on November 19 wherein he played like he was
unconscious, Ward claimed he was not trying to send a message by his
outstanding play. But, the message was there whether by his design or not: Ward
 was still the man and Darling would have to fight to regain the spot as the
Hurricanes'; starting goaltender.Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Scott Darling
(Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports)

The former owner of the Hurricanes, Peter Karmanos, said prior to last season
that if Darling were to have an average season that his team would make the
playoffs. That did not happen, and Darling is now in the hands of the new owner
 of the team Tom Dundon, who said after last season that the tandem of Ward and
 Darling would likely not be seen in the future for the Hurricanes.Darling
and Mrázek: Dynamic Duo?

Some thought or hoped that Darling would be shipped out-there was talk that the
 Blackhawks might want him back. But, in the end, it was Ward who was blown to
the Windy City. Then Dundon and general manager Don Waddell brought in Petr
Mrázek, the sometimes back up, sometimes starting goalie formerly with the
Detroit Red Wings and then the Philadelphia Flyers. The two will work this
summer, in training camp, and during the exhibition schedule to see who will
get the nod as the starter.Petr Mrazek was with the Philadelphia Flyers, Mar.
10, 2018. He is now with the Carolina Hurricanes (Amy Irvin / The Hockey
Writers)

For some, however, the tandem of Darling and Mrázek is not a team strength and
 could derail them from making the playoffs. Greg Wyshynski wrote at ESPN a
few days ago that the Hurricanes have had a great offseason and could be close
to contending.

The caveat to that analysis lies in-goal, as Wyshynski wrote, "The only two
things giving us pause on the Hurricanes'; ascension to contender status is Rod
 Brind';Amour as a novice head coach and a current goaltending tandem of Scott
Darling and Petr Mrázek; incredibly, that duo might be a downgrade from last
season';s awful .897 team save percentage nightmare."

Fortunately, Darling is doing work and is not likely to have a repeat of last
season. At least logic would tend to dictate that an in-shape, focused Darling
will perform at a higher level than an unfocused, out of shape
Darling. Mrázek could be magical or he could be inconsistent. Before the
Hurricanes can be contenders at any level, their play in front of the goal will
 have to be strong and reliable.

Canes goalie Scott Darling stopped by to talk to some kids at the junior Canes
camp. pic.twitter.com/yk8KwVFZDp

- ABC11Charlie Mickens (@GameDayCharlie) July 24, 2018

Both Darling and Mrázek have shown that they have what it takes to excel in
the NHL. At least this season Darling should be ready.

The post Hurricanes'; Scott Darling Doing Work appeared first on The Hockey
Writers.

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