Especially for July past the beginning of free agency, today is a busy one at Canes and Coffee.
Check out today’s dueling prospect camp recaps including part 1 of my player by player final notes and also a guest article by Brandon Stanley.
Today’s Daily Cup of Joe addresses a couple Canes catch up notes related to a matter at hand with Justin Faulk and also another potentially big Hurricanes event this summer that so far has been in the background.
Justin Faulk for Brandon Saad
Elliotte Friedman from TSN reported that the Blackhawks were interested in Justin Faulk but that the Blackhawks balked at the asking price of Brandon Saad.
My guess is that where things sit right now is that the Blackhawks would be happy to offer Artem Anisimov plus something else for Justin Faulk, and that the Hurricanes would be willing to offer Justin Faulk plus possibly something else for Brandon Saad.
But as a depth center with a modest scoring ceiling, I do not think the Hurricanes have much use for Anisimov. If the Hurricanes are going to add a center this summer, the player must be a higher-end offensive player. If that is not possible, then the path forward is probably patience while Martin Necas develops.
From a Chicago side, the Blackhawks need to somehow improve on defense without giving up too much depth scoring to do so. Yes, the Blackhawks could use Faulk. But on a team that is suddenly light on independent depth scoring losing Saad even after a down 217-18 season would be costly.
Therein lies what I suspect is the impasse.
From a Hurricanes viewpoint, could taking Marian Hossa’s $5.3 million cap hit but only $1 million actual salary be enough to make the deal happen. If so, I would strongly consider it. There is $3 million of real money over three years. The cap hit will not matter in 2017-18 and even looking forward two more years, it should be something that the team can absorb without creating budget problems.
Brandon Saad is an interesting fit for the Hurricanes. As a young player with decent size and two-way acumen who can skate, Saad could actually be a decent replacement for much of what Lindholm brought but potentially with more scoring upside. He could make a good third on a scoring line with Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen, or he could add a bit more offensive to a Jordan Staal line with checking responsibilities as priority one.
Despite what seems to be an initial impasse, I think the Blackhawks are worth watching.
Brett Pesce versus Justin Faulk
With Justin Faulk rumored to be on the trade market but not finding a suitor just yet, I see conversation here and there at Canes and Coffee at elsewhere that the team should consider instead trading Brett Pesce who might have more value because of his age, modest salary and contract term. I think this misses the point of that the team is trying to do right now which is solidify the defense in hopes that it will give the team a true strength and identity which is lacked in 2017-18. It is not as simple as just plugging any right shot defenseman into the top 4. If it was that simple, Faulk would have worked during the past two years, and we likely would not even be having these conversations. What, if any, offensive upside Brett Pesce has entering his fourth season in the NHL is uncertain, but he has established himself as a capable and steady defensive defenseman. Meanwhile Faulk is trending in the other direction. It really only takes one weak link within the top two pairings on defense to create problems, and as of the end of the 2017-18 season, Justin Faulk is much riskier in that regard. As such, I do not view the option of moving Pesce instead of Faulk to be an interchangeable/either-or type situation.
Sebastian Aho’s next contract
With the big name trade rumors swirling and a couple free agent signings last week, little has been said about a possible contract extension for Sebastian Aho. Although it is possible to just wait until his contract is up at the end of the 2018-19 season, I fully expect the Hurricanes to sign Aho to a long-term contract this summer.
If that occurs, it will be interesting to see what the price is. Right now, Aho seems to be trending toward becoming a good young player in the forward tier just below the top ones. The salary for a player of that caliber is probably in a $7 to $8 million range right now but seems to be trending upward. By doing the deal early and possibly before Aho has a break out season, might it be possible to do this deal long-term for a modest $6.5 million? Or even now, will Aho’s agent be able to push the yearly salary up to more like $8 million? Regardless, the situation is one worth watching especially if the potential trades occur and the team’s management team can start looking forward to what is next?
What say you Canes fans?
1) Do you think where there is smoke there is a potential Faulk trade to the Blackhawks? If so, ultimately what do you think that deal is?
2) Do you think the Hurricanes will re-sign Sebastian Aho this summer? If so, what do you expect/hope for for terms?
Go Canes!
I doubt we see a deal with Chicago now. Had Chicago signed JVR, then we might have see a Saad swap. Faulk’s hold up is Karlsson. We probably see a trade finally go through in a couple of weeks.
It is wise for the Canes to re-sign Aho this offseason before he has another 60+ point year. It is smart for Aho to wait until next offseason hoping he gets into the 70s so that he can get 8 million. Turbo too.
Aho is going to get big money barring injury or something odd in his development. On the other hand I can’t see TT getting paid in the same way. Turbo has benefited big time from Aho. Aho is the straw that stirs that drink. If he wants the $7M+ money my bet is he will have to get it elsewhere. This is kind of like the Tavares and Moulson/Okposo dynamic.
1) I think Faulk for Saad would be an excellent trade–even if the Canes need to add a solid prospect. However, if you know that Faulk is “trending in the other direction” as a defender, then so do all the scouts for other teams. That is why I was one of the folks who mentioned Pesce. The only way there is a Jones/Johansen or Larsson/Hall trade is if the Canes move Pesce. Otherwise, Faulk brings back a substantially less valuable forward. I completely agree that Pesce should not be traded. Yet that overlooks the comment by Waddell about the importance of scoring. I hope you are right Matt, in that the focus is on a defensive identity .
2) I would–not sure about the organization’s commitment. So far everything that has been stated publicly (respect for Francis and Peters, then the view that “new” management was needed) has played out differently than many of us thought. So the apparent support for Aho might not include being in a hurry to pay him. I hope I am wrong. He should get 8/years with a minimum of $57M.
1. I think Faulk will go to the highest bidder. Once the Karlsson situation is settled, the canes will be in a good place. I see a power forward coming back. Does Faulk return a legitimate number one center? No. Yet in a bidding war he may return a big winger. For example he would not return a Larkin from Detroit but maybe a Mantha. It may take time but I think his value is such that he gets moved for a player who helps this year.
2. Aho and TT should get long term deals this summer. They are both foundational players for the team. Dundon said he would like to have a lot of players like Aho. He will not let the one he has on the team be mistreated. After all the trade business is taken care, I would expect some long term deals to be announced.
1/ I would be fine with a Faulk-Saad deal. If we had to take Hossa’s contract to make it happen I would ask for a conditional 3rd/4th (ie, look at BUF-PIT deal earlier this summer) or whatever pick our analytics team thinks is worth $4-million ($3M of salary + ~$1M opportunity cost of consuming cap space in year 3). Without Hossa’s contract, I might add an offensive prospect. DET, TBY, TOR, EDM, BOS – there are other teams out there shopping for a RHD that have interesting assets so I’m not in a hurry.
2/ Extend him in the way that keeps him in CAR for the most number of years. Almost all 1C’s are drafted, so if we really have one, we need to do everything we can to keep for as long as possible. Wouldn’t it be something if, over time, we actually had two 1C’s with Necas being the other one?
I have to laugh at the premise that we should trade Pesce over Faulk – I do think that Faulk’s time with the Canes has come to an end but I don’t want guess or speculate on any trade details. I do think the “Faulk for Saad (and Hossa)” is a scenario driven more by fan pages (not implying that about C&C – but other sites and these thoughts go semi-viral) that anything more substantive.
We should extend Aho (and Turbo) – the question is how and when. To me that will be a big test as to how O/M operates. How do they treat the (owner-announced) best player on the team? A lot will be revealed. I am sure there have been preliminary discussions with both.
I would sign him for something like 7×7. But if I was Aho’s agent I would opt for a shorter term (maybe 4-5 years). Although there is injury risk, Aho is due a big day next season and should be setting himself for an even bigger payday down the road when his own value goes up (due to his improving play) and the salary cap goes up.
I don’t know why you think it’s laughable to suggest it… there are pretty CLEAR reasons to suggest it:
As a Canes fan, having seen both the best and worst of Faulk I personally think trading him for Saad straight up would be fair. I think anything MORE than Saad and you risk it being an overpayment – I see how Faulk no longer fits on the team purely based on the moves they’ve made but we can’t just run the guy out because he doesn’t fit here is a valuable dman that is worth waiting for the right price. I don’t care if it ends up being a Duchene situation – Sakic proved with the return he got no matter how AWKWARD the situation might be and everyone knowing your time is up you can’t risk losing out on a great return.
So if Faulk’s value is truly so pitiful that Chicago “balked” at that offer – don’t trade him for a lesser quality forward than Saad. Furthermore certainly don’t add picks and prospects to the trade to absolutely 100% make it an overpayment from the CAnes side. Would I do Kuokkanen and Faulk for Saad? HELL NO. I honestly wouldn’t do ANYTHING more than faulk except a late pick possibly or a VERY minor prospect (i’m talking Filipe, Zimmer level not even above that).
So the reason we talk PEsce is about VALUE. I think FAULK +++ to get Saad is such a pitiful value trade to get a marginal offensive upgrade – whereas if PEsce puts you in the conversation of the Hall for LArsson type deals then a 1 for 1 deal to improve your offense is significant and should be looked at. Furthermore something that should be looked at is the possibility that Faulk has a bounce back year – I think A LOT of teams in the league would bet that over the next two years Faulk will provide positive value from the 2nd pairing spot on the right side. Heck the guy was a pretty fine #1 dman when he was with Sekera not THAT long ago.
To me the difference between Faulk and Pesce as players RIGHT NOW is not actually THAT massive a difference certainly not enough to sell absurdly low on faulk while not even considering trading Pesce because we are so rose colored glasses and love him. I mean I hate to break it to you but some of my Toronto maple leaf fan friends don’t even know who Brett Pesce is. I do agree he’s a great top 4 dman even at a young age – but his career baseline certainly isn’t even close to that of Justin Faulk’s and points and goals get paid in this league much more so than defensive dmen.
Don’t get me wrong I love Pesce way more than Faulk and PEsce’s game is what the Canes need more than Faulk’s – but if the perceived value in the league between them is SO far apart that Faulk can’t even start a conversation with Saad (who cmon is good but really point wise is he THAT much better than Faulk in his good seasons?) then forget trading the guy. KEep him – or explore ALL Your options which includes looking at trading Pesce.
This is pro sports nobody can be untouchable – I’m not looking for Pesce to go but if Pesce got the Canes a sure-fire 55+ point forward who is young on the upswing I honestly would not hesitate for too long.
Does a right side of Hamilton, Faulk and TVR really look that bad? I think that’s a LOT better a right side than most teams could offer. You also say that only 1 weak link in the top 4 is all that was needed – so two season ago when arguably our top 4 was OK was Faulk or Hainsey that weaklink? Can we not agree that CDeHaan at this stage in his career could be one of the best full time partners Faulk has ever had in his career other than Sekera? And if de haan and hamilton played together as everyone loves then wouldn’t Faulk and Slavin together be a pretty good 1/2nd pairing as we’ve SEEN them before and they’ve been alright! Even Faulk in down seasons has played pretty fine on a pairing with Slavin.
“To me the difference between Faulk and Pesce as players RIGHT NOW is not actually THAT massive a difference certainly not enough to sell absurdly low on faulk while not even considering trading Pesce because we are so rose colored glasses and love him.”
I think this is where my opinion diverges from the consensus by a wide margin.
I actually think there is a massive difference between Pesce and Faulk as measured by play in 2017-18.
I still think a centerman is much more important than “scoring.” The Canes are woefully thin at center. There is Staal. Rask is a marginal NHLer, but his faceoff abilities should lock him in with the Canes this season. Hopefully he takes a step forward. Aho has played all of about 12 games at center. The jury is still out on that one. Writing him in with pen as a #1 centerman is a bit premature. It may happen, but it may not as well. Necas is a rookie. The Canes need a centerman.
Anisimov isn’t worth it. He’s not a good faceoff man, nor does he produce a lot of points. No wonder Chicago is willing to let him go. Good centers are hard to find. Why do you think teams line up to sign Matt Cullen at 42?
Chicago probably had interest in Faulk, but once Saad was tossed in, that killed the discussion. Anisimov probably would be included, and would be the Lindholm replacement, but at a much older age. 42 and 45 pints playing with Kane and Panarin and probably would be the same with Aho/TT. It’s the age thing here. If he was 27 instead of 30, maybe this is more interesting. I believe Faulk will be moved, but it will be when Canes management has a right deal and most likely after the Karlsson shake-up, if that happens at all.
It would be nice to lock-up TT and Aho long term this summer, and I’m sure once Faulk is resolved, there will be more earnest discussions.
I would love to see Hossa/Saad for Faulk, but it does seem like they’re at an impasse. At least until Karlsson is off the market. With Lindholm gone I think the middle looks promising, but thin. If the plan is to start Zykov/Aho/TT AND ???/Necas/Svech they’re going to need a solid two way guy there. Necas is already listed on the official Canes roster so Faulk or Skinner needs to return someone who ticks both decent scoring vet and defensively sound.
The smart move would be to lock Aho up at a fair price for as long as possible. 7×7 sounds good to me for a third year guy who has a solid floor and has yet to find his ceiling.
“…they’re going to need a solid two way guy there.”
And the answer is Ferland. Veteran presence. Solid defensively. Plays north-south. Likes to hit (clean hits). Soft hands around the net for rebounds and to collect passes.
Ferland is a nice two-way player, but not a centerman.
I was responding to this comment which references a left wing for Necas and Svech:
“…???/Necas/Svech they’re going to need a solid two way guy there. Necas is already listed on the official Canes roster so Faulk or Skinner needs to return someone who ticks both decent scoring vet and defensively sound.”
Gotcha….agree that Ferland is that guy.
I’ve heard that Ferland is NOT the definition of a two way player. I think people are quick to jump to the assumption that just because a guy hits means they are a two way player. The reports were pretty clear out of Calgary that he did NOT penalty kill and nor was an option there. I think ANY forward that isn’t a penalty kill option has to be second guessed as a two way forward. From my understanding Ferland is the first man in on the forecheck and hits hard but usually the first guy into the zone is one of the last forwards back and that wouldn’t surprise me with Ferland.
Defensively i’m not sure he’s better than McGinn and McGinn is passable on that end. I think Ferland’s two big strengths are offense (shooting and net front) and hitting. From what I understand he doesn’t HAVE any other strengths I mean he is a role player suited for the bottom 6…
Good point. I feel like I’ve seen some gripes about defensive acumen (take that with as many grains of salt as you will), but that may not be an issue if Necas’ puck possession translates to the NHL.
My approach to the question of potential trade objects for Faull is to first identify teams that would have a need for Faulk. Once I have done this, then I would look at each of these teams to see if they have a player that we could use to 1) bolster our forward scoring talent and 2) be a first line center. Number 1 is a “must” for us to make the deal and number 2 is a “would like” but not absolutely necessary to make the deal.
I believe you and others are correct in identifying Chicago as a team that could use Faulk now and you are right in identifying Saad as an excellent prospect to get in return. Since IMO we need Saad now I would be willing to give up Faulk plus some pot sweeteners (prospect and/or draft pick) to make the deal. In other words, we should be aggressive in trying to come to an acceptable deal with us satisfying an immediate need to make us a real playoff and Cup contender (assuming the goaltending is a little better than average).
Other than Chicago other teams I would be looking at would be:
Vancouver: Bo Horvat to us…Faulk + Wallmark + Another Prospect + Draft Pick(s). Aggressively use our prospect depth to make a deal they can’t refuse they being in a rebuild mode. Horvat will be an old man with them by the time they rebuild. We speed up their rebuild and get immediate help we need.
Edmonton: Draisaitl or Ryan Nugent Hopkins to us…Read Vancouver above. Same idea.
Anaheim: Kesler plus to us plus a prospect forward or a second or third round draft pick…Faulk to them. Need to insure Kesler is healthy.
Colorado: Kerfoot plus draft pick(s) to us…Faulk to them. This deal only if we just have to have a center now, i.e.; Necas or Rask, etc. aren’t going to cut it at center this year.
Regarding Aho…sign hi as soon as you can. History has proved that locking young players up early ends up in lower costs versus the cap in the future.
Sounds great, but who gives up a #1 centerman for a lower pairing defenseman who runs a powerplay? Who gives up #1 centerman period, unless they are getting too old and/or injured?
The Canes need to be realistic when dealing Faulk. A quality #3 centerman would be good. Someone who plays the kill and wins faceoffs. Guys like that are pretty valuable. Look what Calgary is paying Ryan! I would call him a limited #3 centerman.
No one gives up a #1 centerman for a lower pairing defenseman who runs a powerplay. Who gives up one for any reason. You seem to miss my point. My point is we have needs if we are going to trade someone and Matt has defined the centerpiece (Faulk) we are trying to use to satisfy our need(s). Matt and virtually all of the contributors seem to have identified our need(s) as a scoring forward and/or a number 1 centerman. The question is, as proposed by Matt, can we use Faulk to do this.
I tried to identify possible situations where we MIGHT accomplish our needs giving up Faulk as the centerpiece on our part. I concentrated on the Western Conference because it is less likely an Eastern Conference foe will make a good trading partner IMO. As you can see (I hope) from my examples, there IMO are not too many opportunities by trading Faulk by himself to accomplish getting EITHER a scoring forward (of any type) and less so a number 1 center.
If you are willing to give up Faulk for an IMO unneeded third line center (what you call a quality #3, like who?) fine. I happen to have a different opinion. I’m in no rush to trade Faulk for essentially IMO a useless addition. We have enough quality #3 centermen (using Ryan as your example) right now IMO. But, if you insist on such a deal, what is wrong with the Kesler trade from Anaheim that I suggested as a possiblility. Look at Anaheim’s roster and Kesler easily qualifies as a number 3 centermanin the context of their roster. IMO his value to Anaheim has fallen as much or in an equivalent manner as that of Faulk has to the Canes. All of what I have said I have carefully identified clearly as being my opinion.
To start…all of this is just our opinions. I don’t see the need to point that out. I get that.
A quality #3? Kadri. Cullen. Frankly, Jordan Staal. Who is the Canes #3? Rask? Ugh… I consider a #3 guy a guy who is defensively reliable, wins draws, and can chip in some offense. That rules out rookies and guys that haven’t played the position. They need someone reliable.
I liked Kesler a lot more a few years ago. Guy is fading, IMO. He makes $6.8M for the next four years. A bit rich for a guy heading the wrong way.
The reason I point out that my comments are my opinion is because I want readers to understand I am not discounting or try to negate any comments they are making or have made. All of the contributors have their own ideas and I am not trying to refute any of them. I am trying to add ideas to what you and others have had to say.
My listing of what I WOULD CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES to accomplishing getting 1) a scoring forward or 2) a first line center involving western conference teams is to reiterate I would not trade Faulk for anything other than an asset the Canes need. I use the players from other teams to illustrate 1) how limited these opportunities are as you also have pointed out, and 2) to reiterate the quality of player the Canes should be looking for. The short and sweet of it all is, if no team will give up what we need, we should not just force a deal for what we don’t need more of. I really think we agree. Take Kesler you correctly point out his contract length and amount and that he is not in his prime. I raised his name in the context of would he provide scoring and/or be a decent center for this year’s Canes team. if he would, then what do we give up to get him. Obviously, because of the things you pointed out,if we gave up Faulk in a trade for him, based upon your AND my appraisal of Kesler we need to get more than Kesler from Anaheim in the deal. Again, I don’t think we disagree on that. But if we do, remember no one has said I was the Nostradamus of Hockey. Keep writing.
Would you be interested in a guy who is 6’2”, about 200 lbs?He had a 54.9% FO win percentage last year. He is reliable defensively. He averages 47 points a season when healthy. He has played well with Williams. I have just the guy.
I would say a third line with McGinn, Rask, and Williams is solid. This difference is we won’t have a normal 4th line. Ferland, Necas, and Svech will be the fourth line in minutes played probably but not in the traditional energy sense. Good problem to have. Staal will center a second line. Aho will center a scoring line. I am all about getting some wingers to fill out those two lines. Faulk and skinner if traded will probably help with that.
The only of the three forwards on that list that is deserving of Faulk plus plus is Draistle. For Nugent Hopkins or Horvat if the Canes were throwing in a solid prospect like Wallmark AND picks I’d actually throw up if those trades were made – in my eyes seeing what you typed looks like MASSIVE overpays. Sometimes we have to stop as Canes fans and really look hard at the assets you have in ISOLATION of the team situation – when looking at Faulk from that lens rather than a biased Canes personal lens I don’t think you would consider trading Faulk + a B+ prospect + a pick for a 1/2 line center (Nuge or Horvat). The Canes didn’t even pay that big a price to get Jordan Staal who was a surefire top 6 centerman even at that time he had a larger offensive ceiling than he does now.
Steve Smith just resigned as assistant coach. No reason given. No comments from anyone.
So freaking weird. Hoping it isn’t serious personal or health related. If it is in fact, hockey related, basic initial research shows Washington and the Islanders as possible openings, though BP’s staff in Calgary is newly full.
Try as I might, I can’t come up with a positive spin on this. He was in charge of defensemen. And the penalty kill. These are areas we have revamped totally.
It was sudden. There are no comments other than they are immediately searching for his replacement.
What’s this all about, I wonder?
Definitely not a good thing, but they have a couple months to find someone. They won’t be implementing anything until camp.
Still haven’t gotten over the Larrson for Hall deal. I want something very similar for the Canes. Nuge?
Nugent-Hopkins appears to be popular in Edmonton. Hall was not. Those kind of opportunities don’t come by very often.
Here’s a theory on Steve Smith: something he didn’t agree with just happened or is about to happen.
They are trading Pesce instead of Faulk. I’m kidding- I hope.?
According to Waddell now, Smith approached them and said he had been here 4 years and it was time to look for something else. There may not be something specific as a catalyst but if DW’s comments are accurate it sounds like he has been considering this for a while – he was dissatisfied with what he is seeing. Alternately DW was speaking partial truths only and he was under pressure to leave.
Hahahahhahahaha nice. Maybe he wanted a raise?
It’s very, very unusual for a coach under contract to walk away. Red flags for sure.
On the other hand, if you don’t want to be here don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Chip Alexander just said this: Canes general manager Don Waddell called the parting amicable, saying, “He talked to us and said he had been here four years and was looking at other things.”
My suggested translation, he’s going to Washington.
If he is LEAVING the Canes for greener pastures then 1. it shows how pathetic the Canes are that we are the jumping ground for coaches not the place coaches want to be
2. It will make me feel a little better if he leaves for greener pastures because that means something isn’t necessarily HORRIBLY wrong behind the scenes. But if he resigned because something is wrong then it is pretty concerning what is going on with Carolina right now – from face value I do like what Tom Dundon and Don Waddell are saying for the most part but there’s no denying this resignation is going to send shockwaves across the hockey landscape and more “the canes are a complete tire fire” conversation will begin.
It does hurt my feelings that the franchise I am utterly in love with since I am a child – who I have watched win a cup and be in two cup finals are the utter donkey joke of the league… It’s frustrating because some of it is perception based and possibly untrue but a lot of it has based reasons and it’s just sad to be a fan of a team that is such a notorious joke. I assume a large part of it has to do with the pathetic salaries that this team offers its staff members – HOW can Tom Dundon not sit there with his money and new team and sink ABSURD amounts of new capital into it?
Money wins in this game – not necessarily money spent on salary but 100% money spent on organization staff and other resources is a huge factor in success and an organization that either DOESNT have the money to spend or is TOO CHEAP to spend it will never EVER be a consistent contender in this league. We are stuck praying for the next blip in the radar of mediocrity that will be a playoff birth or cup run probably followed by more sucking.
Whoa, whoa, whoa friend, there are plenty of assistant coaching fish in the NHL sea. We’re going to be okay.
It has nothing to do with the individual event – more the alarming trend that people don’t seem to want to be in this organization. To me that is incredibly a cause for concern not just something to be brushed aside – how can the Canes expect to be the best if they can’t hire the best? Not saying Steve Smith is EVEN the best – but if a guy like HIM wanted to leave how can the Canes expect to do better?
Calvin de Haan.
Paying an individual player is one thing. I think 50 is referring to how Dundon has treated the coaching staff and the employees of the Hurricanes.
The more I think about it Dundon really does leave a bad taste in my mouth. He apparently plans to run the Canes like he does his other businesses. People seem to be a commodity to him. Hire ’em cheap and replace them if they complain. Doesn’t sound like a place where people will want to stay.
Like someone already suggested, we do have Gleason as a possible solution! I’m not concerned about finding a coach…there are people who have a lot of experience available…eh?
What experience does Gleason have?
So Steve Smith leaving is Tom Dundon’s fault? Anybody got a source on this assumption? Please post so the others here can take a look. If automatically blaming Dundon makes you feel better- have a good time. He is an assistant coach who had some successes (Slavin & Pesce) and some failures. If by September there is no one to prepare the defense for the season, maybe an issue. Right now it is an opportunity to get a new coach. BTW anybody check capfriendly lately? Anyone remember the canes being that high in payroll? I wish Steve Smith well, but his leaving is not like Tavares heading to Toronto. It will be fine.
I don’t know if you can blame Dundon directly for Smith’s resignation. Smith could have a problem with Waddell, Brind’Amour, or who knows who.
The fact that an NHL assistant coach wants out with time left on his contract is a very odd thing. There are plenty of stories coming out of the Hurricanes that coaches and staff are being lowballed on salaries. That’s the stuff that bothers me. I measure guys at the top by how they treat the guys at the bottom. That may have nothing to do with Smith, but it still bugs me.
Maybe he does not have a problem with anyone. He stayed on though the prospect camp and now is stepping aside. People leave jobs on good terms all the time. Maybe he has another opportunity somewhere else. Who knows?
That is generally not how it works when you are under contract. Another team would have to get permission to talk to Smith. If Smith were to be hired tomorrow by another NHL team there would be some ‘splaining to do….
Could be totally off with this one, but does anyone think the reason Smith is leaving is because maybe he wanted to be considered for the HC job & wasn’t. Maybe he has a plan to get closer to becoming a HC with another organization. I think if this is part of the reason, he probably didn’t feel right or want to work as Brindy’s asst when they were just on the same level with each other as coaches & now Brindy is his boss. He just didn’t like the situation he was in at this point & wanted a change; hence , the DW statement about parting amicably.
Just a thought.