FLAMES ADD GOALTENDER EDDIE LACK
The Calgary Flames acquired goaltender Eddie Lack, defenseman Ryan Murphy and a seventh-round draft pick in 2019 from the Carolina Hurricanes for defenseman Keegan Kanzig and a sixth-round draft pick in 2019.
What does it give the Calgary Flames
This deal gives the Flames more goaltending depth, at half-price. Lack, whose salary cap hit was $2.75 million, will see the Hurricanes retain half his salary in order to play for Calgary in 2017-18. That said, Lack will have to beat out both Jon Gillies and David Rittich for the backup job to newcomer Mike Smith. As for Murphy, he gets a fresh start with Calgary and will compete for the No. 7 role on the Flames. He has offensive ability, but Murphy's defense leaves a lot to be desired.
What does it give the Carolina Hurricanes
How badly did the Hurricanes want to discard their third-string netminder (Lack)? They retained 50 per cent of Lack's cap hit and threw in Murphy just to move up one round in the '19 NHL Draft. Carolina also acquired mammoth rearguard Kanzig, who is no more than organizational depth without much of an NHL future. With Lack gone, Scott Darling and Cam Ward will team up in '17-18. Murphy's departure gives Klas Dahlbeck, Trevor Carrick and Roland McKeown a shot at the No. 7 job.
Fantasy impact
Lack has very little fantasy value going into 2017-18, even if he beats out Gillies and Rittich for the backup job. Murphy continues to be a fantasy dark horse, but he is no closer to regular playing time in Calgary. Ward seems to be the big winner after this deal, as his No. 2 role behind new starter Darling is all but secure now.
