Goaltender Cam Ward signed a two-year, $6.6 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. On the verge of becoming an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career, Ward instead decided to stay with Carolina through the end of the 2017-18 season. The Saskatoon, SK native has spent his entire NHL career as a member of the Hurricanes organization and won a Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006.
AAV for Cam Ward is $3.3M. $3.5M in first year, $3.1M in second year.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 16, 2016
Cam Ward Re-Signs
The Hurricanes drafted the now 32-year old, Cam Ward, in the first round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. The 25th overall selection was the team’s backup goaltender during the 2005-06 campaign. He would take the reigns in the Stanley Cup Playoffs backstopping Carolina to the Stanley Cup. Ward was sensational, with a 2.67 goals against average, and .915 save percentage in 23 starts. That same year Ward was also awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for the effort, his first year in the NHL.
Despite his early success with Carolina, Ward has struggled to find consistency over the last four seasons. He has posted a 2.67 GAA and .906 save percentage over that span.
The Hurricanes crease has been a revolving door beginning in the 2010-11 season as Carolina attempted to find a steady performer in net. Ward has shared time over the years with Anton Khudobin, Eddie Lack, Justin Peters, Dan Ellis, and Brian Boucher. Ward never lost his starting job, but his mixed performance coupled with his $6.3mm AAV contract never quite lived up to the billing either.
Ward a Known Quantity
Ward signed his last, and largest deal with Carolina in 2010 for $37.8 million over six years. After four sub-par seasons, Ward is a risky but known, option for the Hurricanes. With Eddie Lack signed through the 2017-18 season, both goaltenders should compete for playing time over the next few years.
The move is a good one for the young Carolina team. Highly-touted prospect Alex Nedeljkovic will begin his professional career with the Hurricanes AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. The combination of Ward and Lack figure to keep the crease warm until the next young goaltender emerges for Carolina, a team many believe is on the verge with a promising group young players.
Ward has appeared in 564 NHL games with a career 2.70 goals against average, .910 save percentage and 23 shutouts. He has also appeared in three World Championships for Team Canada, winning a gold medal in 2007 and a silver in 2008.
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