Hurricanes’ Darling set to miss ‘a couple weeks’ with lower-body injury

[Brewin Flames]

Hurricanes’ Darling set to miss ‘a couple weeks’ with lower-body injury

By Scott Billeck, Oct 2, 2018, 12:02 PM EDT

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The Carolina Hurricanes are expected to be without their No. 1 netminder to start the season.

 

Scott Darling, who left Carolina’s final preseason game against the Nashville Predators with a lower-body injury on Sunday, will be out for at least a couple of weeks, according to head coach Rod Brind’Amour.

 

Darling has been enjoying a solid preseason before giving up three goals on 20 shots and then picking up the knock over the weekend.

After Sunday’s game, Brind’Amour said there was “concern” over Darling’s injury. This comes after the netminder entered the summer with a different focus following a dismal first season with the Hurricanes.

 

Darling was brought in on a four-year deal paying him north of $4 million per season but poor preparation for the season saw him splitting time with the now-departed Cam Ward— the man Darling was supposed to replace. 

 

Petr Mrazek, who was signed on July 1 to promote some healthy competition for the starter’s crease, will take over as the No. 1.

“It’s a setback, no doubt. But that’s why we got Petr in here, too,” said Brind’Amour via the News and Observer, who added Darling’s MRI showed nothing major.

 

“It makes my decision a lot easier on who we’re going to throw out there to start on opening night. That part is done and hopefully he gets healthy and back to where he was.”

 

A good run from Mrazek could see him keep the job, even when Darling is healthy enough to return.

 

The Hurricanes wasted no time trying to solidify Mrazek’s backup, claiming Curtis McElhinney off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

 

“Curtis is a proven NHL goaltender,” said Canes general manager Don Waddell. “Scott Darling is dealing with an injury and we see this as an opportunity to solidify our depth at the position.”

[hf101]

This is a tough break for Darling  as he had worked hard this summer to better prepared to help the Canes off to a solid start to the season.  The pick up of McElhinney yesterday off waivers was a great move by Brind'Amour as Mrazek may not be the best answer in backup.