The first player casualty of the 2017 offseason has hit the Chicago Blackhawks. General manager Stan Bowman on Friday night traded backup goaltender Scott Darling to the Carolina Hurricanes for a third-round draft pick in this year’s event.
Darling was an unrestricted free agent and expressed his desire to become a starter in the NHL. It was highly unlikely he’d be able to do so in Chicago, with Corey Crawford not giving up the net unless the Blackhawks decided to move his contract (to a Crow-approved team).
Darling joins a host of former Blackhawks who play for the Canes — Bryan Bickell (though he’s retiring), Joakim Nordstrom, Teuvo Teravainen and Klas Dahlbeck have all worn the Indian Head before.