Hurricanes sign goaltender Scott Darling to four-year, $16.6 million deal

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Friday that the team had agreed to terms with goaltender Scott Darling on a four-year contract worth $16.6 million – $4.15 million annually – through the 2020-21 season.

The 28-year old Darling was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks on April 29 in exchange for Ottawa’s third-round selection in the 2017 NHL Draft.

“Obviously Scott could have waited until July 1, to see what other options he might have as an unrestricted free agent,” executive vice president and general manager Ron Francis said.

“But he believes in what we are trying to do here and we are thrilled that he is committing to the Hurricanes and to Raleigh.”

Darling finished at 18-5-5, with a 2.38 goals-against average and .924 save percentage in 32 games played for Chicago in 2016-17.

One of his handful of losses came at the hands of the Hurricanes in a 3-2 decision at PNC Arena back on Dec. 30, 2016.

His save percentage numbers for the season ranked tied for fourth among all NHL goaltenders who started more than 25 games.

The six-foot-six-inch, 232-pound netminder made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks on Oct. 26, 2015 and since has played in 75 career NHL games, posting a 39-17-9 record, 2.37 goals-against average and .923 save percentage.

Darling comes to Carolina with postseason experience, finishing 3-1 in five opening-round playoff appearances in 2015 against Nashville that helped the Blackhawks win the first-round series and eventually led to claiming their third Stanley Cup championship in six years.

Originally an Arizona Coyotes sixth-round pick (153rd overall) in the 2007 NHL Draft, Darling played two seasons at the University of Maine before turning pro and progressing through numerous leagues including the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), Central Hockey League (CHL) and American Hockey League (AHL).