I would guess that Darling is looking for a starting job, and has to find a team willing to pay him As a starter. Let's see....
Winnipeg Calgary, Dallas, and Carolina needing a number 1 goalie.... And Carolina obviously wants him...... No way Darling pases this up for another backup job....
He's an American.. so I doubt he would prefer to play in Canada....
So that leaves Dallas and Carolina....
Philly needs one too.
But yes, Winnipeg, Calgary, Dallas, Carolina, Vegas and Philly....so 6 possible starter spots.
Bishop, Darling, Mason, Miller, Fleury, Miller, Elliot....7 guys wanting those spots.
Then add in that Vegas could get their goalie spots filled thru the ED like Raanta, Grubauer, Korpisalo, etc..
So there is going to be 1-3 starters that will have to take backup jobs just due to supply and demand. And for a wanna be starter in Darling, to walk away from one of the 6 teams offering him that spot, would be dumb. He can sign a nice, fair deal for 2-3 years behind a defense that is only getting better. Then he can go after an even bigger contract as he will be hopefully a proven starter with good numbers.
Darling will sign with them.