Report: Hurricanes plan to buy out Scott Darling

Goaltender, Scott Darlings short time with the Carolina Hurricanes will be coming to an end. The Hurricanes plan to buy out the 33-year-old netminder after only 50 games in 2 seasons. David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period has reported that the Hurricanes will buy out Darling once the buyout period opens and Darling has been notified. 

"It’s my understanding the Carolina Hurricanes plan on buying out the contract of G Scott Darling when the buyout period opens and that the netminder is aware of their decision."

In February, Darling was down in the AHL with the Hurricanes affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers and he had requested a leave of absence. He requested the absence due to the mental standpoint he was in and needed to regroup. Darling came to Carolina to be the team’s No. 1 goaltender and rewarded with a four-year, $16.6MM contract, but he struggled right out of the gate and finished the 2017-18 season with a 3.18 GAA and a .888 save percentage in 43 games. Darling has been unable to recapture his form as a great backup for the Chicago Blackhawks.

The buyout cap hit would break down like this (according to CapFriendly):

2019-20: $1.233M - 2020-21: $2.333M
2021-22: $1.183M - 2022-23: $1.183M

If the Hurricanes do intend to buy out Darling, they will need to shop for an inexpensive goalie to slot in the #3 position on the depth chart.