Lack heads into this season third on New Jersey's organizational depth chart behind Cory Schneider and Keith Kinkaid, meaning he'll likely serve as the starter for AHL Binghamton. Schneider's recovery from offseason groin surgery could linger into the season, however, in which case Lack would back up Kinkaid at the NHL level until Schneider's ready to play. Lack hasn't posted a save percentage better than .903 since 2014-15, though his 2.62 career GAA is better than what either Kinkaid or Schneider managed last season, so he's got a better chance of seeing significant game action than most No. 3 goalies.
After two largely disappointing seasons in Carolina, Lack was traded to Calgary in June as part of a package deal for draft picks and prospects. Looking back, it certainly wasn't hard to see that the writing was on the wall for Lack after he was publicly called out by coach Bill Peters in March for his poor play. And looking at Lack’s numbers, there is certainly room for improvement given his unimpressive .901 save percentage over the past two seasons, accompanied by a lackluster 20-21-9 record. Looking ahead, the 29-year-old netminder should settle nicely into a backup role behind Flames starter Mike Smith, and could wind up inheriting a decent share of playing time if he can show some of the form he showed over two seasons in Vancouver (.917 save percentage over 82 games). At the present time, Lack projects as a bottom-tier fantasy goalie in most formats.
Lack finished the 2015-16 season with disappointing numbers: a 12-14-6 record, 2.81 GAA and .901 save percentage. Brought in via trade from Vancouver to push Cam Ward for the starter's job last season and perhaps become the goalie of the future, Lack wound up mostly in a backup role due to his poor play and Ward's merely competent turn. With the veteran having re-signed for another two seasons in Carolina, Lack’s role will be unchanged. But a new season brings a new opportunity for the Swedish backup to demonstrate that he’s capable of running with the starter’s job if given the chance.
After posting an impressive .921 save percentage in his second NHL season with Vancouver, Lack was dealt to the Hurricanes this summer in exchange for two draft picks. The 27-year-old has just 82 career NHL games under his belt, but he’s proving to be at least a league-average fantasy option in the cage. Lack, who posted a 18-13-4 record in 2014-15, joins 2006 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Cam Ward in the Carolina crease. While Ward has long been viewed as the Hurricanes’ starting netminder due to his massive contract, his inconsistent play the last few seasons has resulted in the 31-year-old seeing a decreased workload. It’s unrealistic to expect that Lack will have the starting role handed to him, but the Swede figures to receive an opportunity at some point to prove he's capable of being the man in Carolina. Ward showed flashes of excellence during certain stretches last season, so it won’t necessarily be easy for Lack to capture No. 1 duties, but if he's able to adapt to his new surroundings quickly and build off his strong sophomore season with Vancouver, he could certainly see an uptick in crease time in 2015-16.
It looked like Eddie Lack would be Vancouver’s starting goalie heading into the 2014-2015 campaign, but the offseason signing of former Vezina winner Ryan Miller puts Lack at the end of the bench once again. The 26-year-old Lack did fine in his first full season in Vancouver, posting a 16-17-5 record, .912 save percentage and 2.41 GAA. However, his slow transition into the NHL was thrown out the window following a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline that sent starter Roberto Luongo to the Florida Panthers. Lack proceeded to start the following 19 games, getting worn to shreds while managing only eight wins. Miller has been a workhorse historically, which figures to limit Lack’s start total to less than 30 games this season, but he should at least give the Canucks a fighting chance when he’s called upon.
Lack missed most of the 2012-13 season with a groin and hip injuries, appearing in just 13 games for Chicago of the AHL before eventually undergoing season-ending hip surgery in January. Prior to last season, Lack had established himself as the best goaltending prospect in the Canucks’ system by posting back-to-back stellar campaigns at the AHL level. The 25-year-old is expected to be at full health for the start of training camp and should be considered the frontrunner to earn the backup gig to Roberto Luongo if the Canucks don’t bring in any outside help. Lack is a big (6-4, 187) goalie with solid skills who should one day have a shot at a starting gig in the NHL, but his immediate future will be receiving tutelage from Luongo.
Back-to-back stellar seasons in the AHL have solidified Lack as the Canucks’ top goaltending prospect. The 24-year old was strong in the crease for Chicago of the AHL in 2011-12, finishing with a 2.31 goals-against average and .925 save percentage. With little left to prove in the minors and Roberto Luongo expected to be traded before the start of the season, Lack might have an opportunity to make the Canucks’ roster as Cory Schneider’s backup. His chances at a roster spot could change drastically if the Canucks bring in a veteran backup, but there might not be many options available if a Luongo trade isn’t completed soon. The Canucks still haven’t officially inked Lack to a contract yet for the 2012-13 season, but, as a restricted free agent, that’s a mere formality. He should be in Canucks camp come September and will likely make his NHL debut at sometime this season.
Lack put together a stellar campaign with Manitoba of the AHL in 2010-11, finishing 28-21-4 with a 2.26 goals-against average and .926 save percentage. The 23-year-old twine tender is turning into a very solid prospect, but with Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider manning the net in Vancouver, he'll have to wait his turn in line before getting a shot at the NHL level. Deep keeper leagues that stash prospects should take notice.
Lack, 22, was signed by the Canucks in April of 2010. The Swedish goaltender will need a couple seasons in the minors before factoring into the mix at the NHL level.
