The Carolina Hurricanes are in the market for a goaltender.
However, the current market for goalies is either filled with older, journeymen backups, inconsistent potential starters or overpriced trade bait. It's virtually a minefield out there.
It's the most unpredictable position, yet the most vital to a team's success, so Carolina's management is going to have to really make sure they've done their homework before they bring anybody in.
I touched on five potential options for the Hurricanes to target already, but here are five players who, for a variety of reasons, the Canes should avoid this offseason:
1. Connor Hellebuyck - WPG (30)
One year remaining of a six-year, $6.166 million AAV contract
Okay, calm down.
This placement has nothing to do with Hellebuyck's abilities in net. He's a top-end goaltender and would boost nearly any time he went to.
However, the issue is that if Hellebuyck is actually available, he's easily the top goaltender on the market and that means he will command a steep, steep price.
On top of that, he's only under contract for a single year after which he can waltz into free agency in a market where he could potentially land an eight-digit contract.
Hellebuyck is amazing, but he very well may cost way too much for only a single year of play. Is that worth the price? Who's to say.
2. John Gibson - ANA (29)
Four years remaining of an eight-year, $6.4 million AAV contract
Gibson was once a top-end goaltender, but now it seems that ship has sailed.
The veteran goaltender has seen his play dip in each of the last four seasons culminating in what was a very dismal year, where Gibson posted his worst career numbers.
There's arguments to be made that the Anaheim Ducks getting worse in every other facet has affected his game, but the truth of the matter is that a lot of his backups over that same span have outplayed him.
Gibson just has too much of a contractual commitment, both in terms of length and money, for Carolina to humor any sort of conversation around.
3. Joonas Korpisalo - LAK (29)
End of a one-year, $1.3 million AAV contract
Korpisalo has had a steady pattern of having a really strong season and then immediately following that up with at least two bad seasons.
He's been very inconsistent throughout his career so far and unless you're facing a Canadian-based team in the playoffs, you don't know what you're getting out of the Finnish netminder.
He's had some tremendous games, including setting the all-time NHL record for saves in a game with 85 back when he was with the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 2020 five-overtime game in a series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the inconsistencies is something the Hurricanes are best to avoid.
4. Cam Talbot - OTT (35)
End of a three-year, $3.67 million AAV contract
If you want to talk about a guy that's been injured more than Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta, then that's Talbot's music.
The journeyman netminder is seeing the wear and tear of a 10-year career catch up with his body and it showed in his game last season.
Talbot did have a good two year run with the Minnesota Wild, so perhaps a defensive team like Carolina can work well with him, but there isn't much to say that the 35 year old, who will be 36 by the time next season starts, will be available enough to put together the season the Canes will need.
5. Tristan Jarry - PIT (28)
End of a three-year, $3.5 million AAV contract
There's a reason why the Pittsburgh Penguins seem to be moving on from Tristan Jarry. They need steady goaltending and they no longer believe that Jarry can deliver that.
If a divisional rival isn't believing in the guy they shipped a two-time Stanley Cup winner out for, then it's just not worth the risk.
Jarry is a player who makes as many questionable plays as he does good saves. He's hot and cold and as of the last two seasons, has had consistent injury concerns.
That's not the player you take the risk on if you're a team like the Carolina.