Rightfully, the headline news from a Carolina Hurricanes standpoint is the re-signing of Petr Mrazek to fill the top of the depth chart in net and the offer sheet signed by Sebastian Aho.
My thoughts on the Petr Mrazek re-signing are HERE.
And my detailed thoughts on the Sebastian Aho offer sheet are HERE.Â
Beneath the headlines the Hurricanes took a hit in terms of AHL/NHL depth on the first day of free agency.
Canes lose six depth players to free agency
At forward, Charlotte Checkers captain Patrick Brown signed with the Vegas Golden Knights. Charlotte Checkers leading scorer Andrew Poturalski signed with the Anaheim Ducks. Greg McKegg signed with the New York Rangers. Tomas Jurco signed with the Edmonton Oilers.
On defense, Daniel Renouf signed with the Colorado Avalanche, and Josiah Didier who was under contract with the Checkers, not the Hurricanes, departed to sign with Providence in the AHL.
Coupled with the departure of Charlotte Checkers Head Coach Mike Vellucci, there will be significant changeover in Charlotte. More significantly, the team’s AHL/NHL depth has been depleted, especially at forward.
Is this a red flag?
The Mike Vellucci situation is a separate thing which I will not address here, but at a summary level, I would categorize the other departures as mostly normal turnover. The Checkers won the Calder Cup which put these players in the spotlight. And I feel nothing but happy when players whose career has been mostly or all AHL salaries to date leverage a successful season to win better next contracts. So though the impact on the team’s AHL-level depth is a negative, the situation of the team doing well and players being rewarded for it is still a positive.
Player by player
Greg McKegg
As a player who arrived to bolster the AHL lineup a year ago, Greg McKegg sure had a big impact. He burst onto the scene with a couple big scoring games when the team needed it and was part of the oddly-timed turnaround. When Jordan Staal was out of the lineup long-term, Lucas Wallmark stepped up to fill that big hole and Greg McKegg stepped up to fill Wallmark’s spot. McKegg was a steady professional from that point forward. As a 26-year old, he was a player who seemed destined to be a good AHL player for the rest of his career. Kudos to him for seizing the opportunity given to him and playing his way up into a one-way contract for 2019-20. As with the others below, I actually do not blame the Hurricanes for passing on his next contract. Erik Haula makes the Hurricanes deeper at scoring and pushes McKegg to a fifth center slot.
3rd round draft pick
Career earnings entering 2019-20: $2,178,000 / Current contract guaranteed: $750,000 for 2019-20 season
Tomas Jurco
Jurco was sort of the 2018-19 version of the 2017-18 Greg McKegg. Jurco arrived as reinforcements during the season and played well down the stretch and also in the playoffs. Most significantly, he clicked with countryman Martin Necas and played a significant role in Necas having a strong AHL season after not quite being ready for the NHL to start 2018-19. With Necas very likely to get another look at the NHL level in 2019-20, some have suggested that the Hurricanes should have signed Jurco to move up with him. While that familiarity could be a positive, it is questionable whether Jurco would earn a slot. He is another who won a one-way contract for 2019-20. That is a huge step up from the AHL contract that he played on in 2018-19.
2nd round draft pick
Career earnings entering 2019-20: $3,966,000 / Current contract guaranteed: $750,000 for 2019-20 season
Patrick Brown
Patrick Brown has been the captain of the Checkers for some time and now has ‘captain of an AHL champion’ on his resume. To boot, he was serviceable in a fill in role at the NHL level during the playoffs which is a strong testament to his ability to at least be #13 or #14 forward depth. When one adds it up, Brown brings a lot of value as a fringe AHL/NHL player. And he was rewarded for it. His new contract is two-way in the first year but with a sizable $450,000 AHL salary is a one-way contract for $700,000 in the second year. Because I think mature, veteran leadership can be an underrated part of prospect development in the AHL, I would have been tempted to offer Patrick Brown a similar deal. But admittedly the $1,150,000 commitment over two years is a bit steep for a player who at best slots as a #13ish depth forward for the Hurricanes. In addition, the path to the NHL might be less blocked with a Las Vegas team that needs a couple depth forwards on sub-$1 million contracts to make the salary cap math work. So in the end, I think you have be happy for Patrick Brown and let him go. The key question is who will be the next captain in Charlotte. The team does have a few players with Trevor Carrick being the gray beard who were part of the 2018-19 success and could be next in line for captaincy.
Undrafted
Career earnings entering 2019-20: $799,000Â / Current contract guaranteed: $1,150,000 for two years
Andrew Poturalski
Poturalski’s starting point as a professional was as an undersized, undrafted skill player who figured maybe to be a capable AHL player. He has since grown to become a great AHL player and has earned at least a chance to see if he can do it at the next level. Whether he does or not, he is yet another great story. With 70 points in 72 games and 23 points in 18 games in the playoffs, Poturalski was an offensive catalyst for the Checkers in 2018-19 and like Brown will be missed. But though I would like to see him get an NHL audition with the Hurricanes, I do not see him as a 2018-19 regular with the Hurricanes. As such, it makes sense for him to pursue a better opportunity elsewhere. As with Brown, he earned an upgraded contract that is two-way but guarantees him a minimum of $425,000. This another case of good for him/not really much Canes can do.
Undrafted
Career earnings entering 2019-20: $409,000 / Current contract guaranteed: $425,000 for 2019-20 season
Daniel Renouf
Renouf is a bit like Brown and Poturalski in that he is a veteran AHLer who has a hump to push over to get into the NHL. Veteran AHLers are valuable to have in the organization to fill out the AHL roster, but they are not often part of the NHL equation. From his strong showing on the AHL champions, he went from earning $70,000 at the AHL level in 2018-19 to a two-year contract with a total of $625,000 total. That will more than double what he has earned thus far in his professional career. This is yet another case for being happy for a player being rewarded for this success. The Hurricanes have back filled at least one defense spot with the signing of Finnish defenseman Alex Lintuniemi.
Undrafted
Career earnings entering 2019-20: $454,000 / Current contract guaranteed: $275,000 in 2019-20 and $350,000 in 2020-21.
Josiah Didier
Didier was actually on an AHL contract with the Checkers and not technically a Hurricanes prospect. Even more so than the rest, Didier is a player whose financial life could benefit from gaining a good contract after the Calder Cup win. As an AHL player, he does not so much impact the Hurricanes directly.
What say you Canes fans?
1) Who else is unanimously happy to see these players be rewarded for strong 2018-19 seasons?
2) Are there any that you would have committed similar contracts to to retain?
Go Canes!
At the individual level I think you are under estimating Jurco (he could be an NHL difference maker and his chemistry with Necas is a positive) and Poturolski, who deserves a shot and should get it in Raleigh. The rest I agree with you could be classified as expected turnover.
But at a bigger level we know this team is not going to spend to the cap, and we honestly have no idea what their budget is, and one way to outperform your budget is to snag cheap players with big potential.
For that a team has to rely on its depth and if you let your top affiliate players go where are you going to find that depth? Retired NHL players?
I mean, maybe there is a plan, DW is a smart guy, we’ll just have to see, but the Canes forward core is a few players short of good.
Having followed and identified with the Checkers, particularly in the past 2-3 seasons, I am extremely for each of them acheiving an excellent financial improvement as well – particularly for Brown and Potsy – legitimate chance for time on NHL ice. That would not have come if they had chosen to remain in the Canes organization – regardless of what we offered to pay them.
Jurco has spent a lot of time in the NHL that past 6-7 seasons – he was on an AHL contract trying to get back to the NHL following an injury. EDM got a steal with him at $750,000. He has legitimate skill.
ANother departing CLT forward who had impact, including the Calder Cup game-clinching empty netter, was Nastasiuk who had spent some time in Florida early. He signed with San Antonio.
Reno and Didier were horses on the CLT blueline this past season – that blueline was solid with veteran AHL players. They had a role in the team culture (winning) and showing players how it is done, while playing the tough-guy roles to protect our young skill players. There is value to that.
Although each of the better players (Brown, Potsy, Jurco) are moving to better opportunities I can’t help think of the irony – “thanks for winning the championship, guys, now move along”. The Checkers have great ownership and management – they have lost a lot and I will be curious to see how they rebuild.
*extremely happy
I am also very happy for these players and their families. Thank you for posting their salary history and new contract, it really brought out how important it is for their careers.
If we evaluated them all as bubble players, then getting fringe contracts is the best for all involved. The canes don’t need anymore 4th line forwards at this instant in time.
But was 4th line forward literally the cap for all of them? I am not convinced of that, but I also am not sure who may excel. Potsy has a fine scoring touch and Jurco has done it before so they would head the list.
Add in Saraala as another with breakthrough potential and there is a good chance one of them will outperform.
That said, to be blunt and MOTO (Master Of The Obvious), difference makers make a difference, if the team believed these players have NHL potential but not as a difference maker, then it is the right thing to clear slots and bring in more potential difference makers. Bring in as many as possible, ideally players considered elite at something. Then fill out the AHL roster with bubble players again.
We have a number of forwards with top 6 potential in the pipeline and, unless a few bottom six slots open up, attention should shift to them.
Aside: would like to read a future article on Vellucci, what happened there. Choices for callups at first struck me as odd during the year, seemingly prioritizing AHL success over NHL success. Results made me become a fan of the decisions, but it all still was a bit odd.
Very happy several players from CLT have found their next path, even if most end up in the AHL with a better inside shot at a callup (coach included). Would have loved to keep Brown the most as a backup 4C, but he earned the shot at a quicker callup and good for him!
The cold hard truth is that AHL teams have a short shelf life. Minor league hockey teams are not built to become dynasties or hold onto good players as contracts are short for a reason. Either the player has a path to the NHL, and if not, they continue as an AHL-lifer and jump to the next opportunity hoping for that chance. None of the above moves are surprising for these reasons.
Matt, one of your best timed and insightful articles ever. While in total the losses seem big, looking at them individually, puts the moves in a much better perspective. Here’s a viewpoint that supports your summary. Mike Vellucci knew these players better than anyone. While he went to the Pittsburgh system, not one of them went to the Pens, a team that needs value depth signings more than most teams.
I thought Brown and Poturalski would follow Vellucci to PIT. I imagine their decisions got down to opportunity for NHL ice and pay. Brown is going to fit in nicely on Vegas and Poturalsky is in the mix of a number of depth forwards. They are going to play on NHL ice early – quite possibly an opportunity PIT wouldn’t be able to commit to.
Much to do about nothing.
If Jurco was such a steal and a potential top 6 guy why does he sign for the absolute minimum for one of the worst organizations in one of the worst places to live in the NHL? The guy has played almost 200 games in the NHL. The chances of him becoming a difference maker is slim. TJ, I hear ya, but the numbers don’t add up.
The #1 job of the Checkers is to develop young talent. Guys in their mid to late 20s are depth players. There are plenty out there the Checkers can pick up if needed later in the season.
I appreciate the ability to disagree and do so respectfully that this page offers. 🙂
I am very happy for the guys who improved their lot. I was disappointed that we lost a couple of big nasty defensemen. I was disappointed that we let Roy go. He might have been a replacement for Ferland. It might also have been that Brown could have replaced Ferland.
But then, Donny can always go to the NHL’S trash heap and find Ferland’s replacement.
I was (and still am) concerned that we lost Bales. But he went on to something bigger. I realize that Vellucci has long standing connections with Jimmy R. He is now next in line for the head coaching job in Pittsburgh. Good for him.
I hope we find suitable replacements for these guys.
Does the AHL/ NHL have a trash heap of coaches?
Time marches on.
The term is scrap heap, Mr. Passive-Aggressive.
I’m not particularly concerned about losing any of the players mentioned. I didn’t see any being on the stronger side on the linked chain, at least on the Canes. And I am very happy that they are getting a shot an NHL glory elsewhere.
As for Roy, I think I’ll take our side of the Haula trade.
It’ll be interesting to see who graduates from Juniors/US College into ELC’s this year. Maybe that backfills some of the spots in CLT even if at a lower level of experience.
I too have see a lot of the Checkers the past two seasons. The players moving on were important parts of the team—but their absence shouldn’t be too damaging. The Checkers will have Kuokkanen back from injury, Mattheos and Lorentz for the full year. If he can stay healthy, Spencer Smallman is a slightly more talented version of Brown. I am not certain, but Luostarinen may play in the states.
Much like losing Miller, Tolchinsky, and Samuelson last season, the departing players were missed but the team quickly found chemistry.
The big question is how much was Vellucci responsible for the winning culture. Because the 19-20 Checkers will still be one of the most talented teams in the AHL.
I am always happy when the AHL guys get a chance. I really hate developing talent for other teams, but the fact of the matter is, we just did not have opportunities for these guys here. They did not want to sit in the AHL again. They had an opportunity and it was time to take advantage of it. It is a shame the checkers did so well and will now not do so well. The coach and many of their top guys are gone.
Bottom line is we developed a bunch of guys who were knocking on the door but we had no place for them. Its sad but we could not offer them much.I wish we would have had a spot for Jurco. I think he had very good potential.
Why do we not have a place for a $750K player with significant upside and chemistry with our next “mr. save the franchise”?
Our forward groups needs upgrading, and if the management does not want to do it with money they have to do it on the cheap, and in the NHL this is as affordable as you can get.
26 year old guys with almost 200 games in the NHL rarely have significant upside. They are what they are.
And we have money to sign a 31-year-old journeyman with a track record of virtually no NHL success in Bryan Gibbons, seriously?
I can’t see this guy as much of a difference maker for either the Canes or the Checkers.
going insane over the loss of 26 year old AHL guy Tomas Jurco
At the end of the day every player is a gamble.
In order to win it all, a team like the Canes who are not the ideal destination for a UFA (like Florida or New York) and who do not want to spend to the cap has to outsmart other teams and identify high value players.
I personally think Jurco was one such player for two reasons:
1. He has been dealing with a lot of injuries in his career. Obviously those injuries alone represent a risk, but they have also prevented him from playing to his potential for 3 or 4 years. If he is truly over those injuries (and only a medical professional would be able to make an educated guess) I think he cannot be compared apples to apples with other 26-year-olds.
2. (this is the bigger reason), teams are built not so much around individual difference makers but more around chemistry and lines. WE saw what Martinook did for Svech last year and we’ve seen dangerous duos and trios such as Duchene and Zingel, better together. With Necas being the next big bet for the team and Jurco having developed great chemistry with him on the ice and serving a mentor role for him off the ice, I think bringing the duo up together would have carried a good chance of forming two thirds of an NHL capable third line with some scoring for a total cost of less than 2 million. If Brown had been brought up two, the entire line could’ve provided NHL quality at under 3 mill (then again, it might not have but these are the gambles that I think the Canes need to take given their status and finances).
Again, the experiment could’ve been a total disaster, top AHL lines do not necessarily become even capable third NHL lines, but I would’ve liked to see that experiment. We’ll never know. We could see how Jurco performs with a new team, which could be great or awful, but we don’t know whether his familiarity with Necas could’ve translated to an NHL surprise.
I hope the team is not done, I personally would try to add Gusev from Vegas, even with his Russian history, and Anisimov is pretty much available for pennies from the capstrap troubled Blackhawks, a reliable center with some scoring (his actual salary is much lower than his cap hit now that his bonus has been delivered by Chicago) (Aho, Staal, AA and Walmark would form a pretty decent quartet at center with guys like Hala and Necas able to work themselves into the role).
Ferland is still available, hopefully his asking price is coming down, though he may not want to (remember the cryptic “not Carolina” comment on that blog).