The Carolina Hurricanes have inked an intriguing No. 2 goalie behind Cam Ward -- former Boston netminder Anton Khudobin.
“Anton proved to be a very capable NHL backup for the Bruins last year,” Carolina GM Jim Rutherford said in a statement. “This solidifies an elite goaltending tandem for the Hurricanes.”
The deal will pay the Russian netminder $800,000 next season, down slightly from the $875,000 he made in 2013.
Khudobin, 27, posetd a 2.32 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in 14 games last season, proving to be one of the NHL’s best backup netminders (statistically speaking), giving Boston a stellar one-two punch in goal with Tuukka Rask.
The deal is important given how last year went for the ‘Canes.
When Ward was lost for the season with a knee injury, Carolina opted not to acquire a secondary option, instead relying on Dan Ellis and Justin Peters to carry the load.
Both struggled and were unable to provide a consistent level of play -- as such, the ‘Canes went from atop the Southeast Division to finish 13th in the Eastern Conference.