Breaking News
Canucks make goaltending move, trading out backup Eddie Lack for prospect, pick
With three goalies up with the main club, and all of them needing to pass through waivers, rumours had started swirling around what Canucks general manager Trevor Linden might do. Today they have made a decision, committing to keeping rising star
Jacob Markstrom around to back up veteran
Ryan Miller and moving on from the twenty six year old
Eddie Lack, who surprised many by showing very well in training camp and retaining his backup job, and then also impressed in nine outings this year, posting a .930 save percentage over those games. Given that they were in a bad spot, they managed a decent return, moving Lack to Philadelphia, along with two late round draft choices this year (6th and 7th round) in exchange for twenty year old
Anthony Stolarz and a third round selection in this year's draft.
Trade:
PHI acquires G Eddie Lack, VAN 2015 6th, VAN 2015 7th;
VAN acquires G Anthony Stolarz, PHI 2015 3rd
Stolarz is a young goalie who will augment the depth in Vancouver's farm system and some scouts see potential for him to develop into an NHL backup or tandem keeper. The third round choice will have to do, although Linden was reportedly looking for a second. Vancouver ended up needing to add the late round lottery tickets in order to convince Hextall to pull the trigger.
Trevor Linden said in the press conference announcing the trade,
"We appreciate Eddie, his work ethic and attitude, and the great play he brought into Vancouver. Sometimes it's just a numbers game and in this case we really believe in Jacob as our goalie of the future. We couldn't retain both and got the best return we could in this situation. Stolarz is somebody our scouts are high on and we hope that he can eventually become an NHL goalie for us down the road. Gaining draft capital, especially top 100 picks, is a priority for our management group and we have confidence in our scouting staff to help us find and bring in talent that will make an impact at the NHL level."
Trade Grade:
Vancouver B, they had to make a move and received two useful assets in return, but both are probably low ceiling and the Canucks are clearly giving up the best player in this trade.
Philadelphia B+, they move out a couple futures but they aren't key pieces and the goalie they get in return is only twenty six and showing serious 1B potential - he should slot right in behind
Steve Mason and bring a lot more stability than they were seeing from veteran
Ray Emery.