Storm Advisory 2/11/19: NHL News, Rumors, Links and Daily Roundup

Scott Darling Takes Personal Leave of Absence

As reported Sunday by Chip Alexander of the News and Observer, Scott Darling has been granted a personal leave of absence from the Charlotte Checkers. Darling did not travel with the Checkers to their weekend back-to-back games against the Hershey Bears, and Callum Booth was recalled from ECHL Reading on Feb. 8 to accompany Alex Nedeljkovic in net.

Darling played in seven games with the Hurricanes this season, posting a 2-4-1 record and .892 save percentage, before being assigned to Charlotte on Nov. 30. He has a 5-6-2 record and .882 save percentage in Charlotte in 14 games, the most recent a 5-1 loss to the Cleveland Monsters on Feb. 6.

Per Waddell, there is no set timetable for the leave of absence, and he reiterated the commitment on the part of the Hurricanes to fully support Darling through this process.

(Ed. note: please remember that our community guidelines do not allow for comments speculating on the personal aspects of players’ lives outside the bounds of the game of hockey. While comments regarding the impact of Darling’s absence on the Hurricanes or Checkers, or regarding his future with the organization, are fine, any comment that swerves into speculation on his personal situation is prohibited and moderation will be strictly enforced.)

Storm Advisory

• We’re getting closer to the trade deadline, and Don Waddell says the Canes could be buyers at the deadline. Or, you know, they could be sellers. [nhl.com]
• Want to spend an evening under the big top, challenging your favorite Canes players to casino games or trying your hand at carnival games? Join the team at the second annual Canes Bash on Feb. 17, benefitting the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation. Tickets are still available! [CH.com]
• He’s not just an elite defenseman, he’s also a doodle wrangler and an all-around great guy. Get to know Jaccob and Kylie Slavin off the ice.

• Sidney Crosby is pretty good at the hockey, and he just passed Mario Lemieux as the most tenured player in Penguins history. [NHL.com]
• To absolutely no one’s surprise, Randy Carlyle has been relieved of his responsibilities as head coach of the Anaheim Ducks. General manager Bob Murray will serve as interim coach for the remainder of the season. [ESPN]
• The Flyers and Canadiens made a trade over the weekend, the Habs sending defenseman David Schlemko and forward Byron Froese to the Flyers in exchange for forward Dale Weise and defenseman Christian Folin. [Broad Street Hockey]
• Kendall Coyne Schofield is at it again, skating like the wind and besting her NHL All Star time with a winning fastest skater performance at the NWHL All Star competition. [NESN]
• Spend the day with Brian Boyle as he learns he’s been traded from the Devils to the Predators. [Athletic $]
• A story 40 years in the making, Washington Capitals president Dick Patrick finally joins the others in his hockey royal family in getting his name on the Stanley Cup. [WaPo]
• Finally, congratulations to former Panthers anthem singer Ariana Grande on her Best Pop Vocal Album Grammy award at Sunday’s ceremony, a much more prestigious honor than being hit not once, but twice, by pucks at a hockey game. [RMNB]