Today’s Daily Cup of Joe offers a short set of quick hitters.
Micheal Ferland
I completely understand the potential trade value of Micheal Ferland and am even on record as being okay with the team trading Ferland at the trade deadline if the return is high enough. But at the same time, he continues to impress. Ferland started fast with Aho/Teravainen and admittedly has not been as impressive since his short layoff with a concussion. But he possesses a unique/difficult to find skill set. He plays an old school, heavy game but importantly does it in the form of a player who can skate the pace of today’s NHL game, and he does it in the form of a player who has enough skill to be a strong complementary scorer on a first or second line. Finally, when appropriate he brings a nastiness and ability to stand up for team mates that still has a small but important place in today’s NHL. By no means is Ferland irreplaceable, but it would literally take a couple different players each filling pieces of Ferland’s role to do so. It will be interesting to see how his contract situation works out. I still do not like the risk/return metrics for a long-term deal for maximum dollar for Ferland, but increasingly I hope that the Hurricanes and Ferland can find some middle ground and keep him in the fold.
Dougie Hamilton
His scoring run that has him in double digits for goals has coincided with the Hurricanes starting to win more games. What stands out about Hamilton is how much he can be a scoring catalyst. He is not a player who just lives off of a booming shot or who skates well enough to joint the rush and benefit from it occasionally nor is he a defenseman who just collects a bunch of points by touching the puck a bunch on the power play. Rather, Hamilton is very much a play maker who can create chances for both himself and team mates. That skill set is still difficult to find even though its importance is growing in today’s NHL.
Curtis McElhinney
Enough cannot be sad about McElhinney’s role in keeping the Hurricanes in the hunt into February. At a time when the Canes were down a goalie with Darling out, the potential seemed to exist for the team to just completely implode. Instead, McElhinney arrived out of nowhere and stabilized things. Now again with the season hanging in the balance, McElhinney is shining. The question is how long he can keep it up and if he can be an X factor into March.
What say you Canes fans?
Who has quick hitters on other Canes players?
Go Canes!
All 3 players have been phenominal lately, I’d like to keep ’em.
WE know that picks, not even first round picks, do not necessarily work out, rather stick with the known quantity that works for the team.
I share Matt’s points of view about long term injury concerns and maximum dollar, but this is a risk business and I think ferland is wel worth some degree of risk.
Nino has been another key to the impressive record. That was a highway robbery type of trade with the canes management being the vilains, thumbs up.
I hope Svech can find a higher gear. He is doing a lot of things right but is hitting a bit of a wall and is still finding his way in this league, for an 18 year old kid that is no cause for concern, but if he can find his touch and start clicking that’s yet another offensive threat.
Watching last night, my intention was to follow Duchene, Stone and Dzingel whenever they were on the ice. However, Brady Tkachuk was the player who I had trouble keeping out of focus. While Mr. Dundon might be construed by some to be cheap, Mr. Melnyk is setting a standard for cheapness TD doesn’t approach. Hopefully the “committee” can exploit that characteristic of the Ottawa owner.
Also, Turbo. This from Adam Gold: “Teravainen has 13 points (7 goals, 6 assists) in 10 games since signing his 5-year contract extension. He’s also a plus-7 in that span and is a team-high +21 on the year.” Can’t overstate the importance of TT scoring points on a line that does not include Aho. Dramatically improves this team.
I feel like Svech has generated a lot of high danger scoring chances recently – I think he’s close to a burst of goals.
Curtis McElhinney: just love this dude. I did not realize that the injury that he was dealing with earlier this year was something that’s been a problem for a couple years (I think I heard this on Canescast podcast). So I totally understand then that they have to keep his games played to a reasonable number. Tempting to give him something like 2 of 3 starts in push for playoffs.
Isn’t there something about Hamilton in that he has always played his best hockey after January? Might also be teammates learning how to play with a D who is aggressive and likes to jump into the rush.
The more I watch Hamilton the more I think he is part of the fabric of this team. I’m certainly not privy to info but I get a sense he’s integrated himself and is well liked by his teammates. His offensive plays from the blueline are unique from the rest. So I think if there is a deal to be made regarding our surplus of D, it’s surrounding either Faulk or TVR.
It’s fast approaching decision time for management. I think we may be one key offensive player away (I also get the feeling the team is not sold on Mrazek and may want to shore up goaltending if they are serious about making a run). Ferland had a gem of a game after some quiet ones, and we are a point back in the race (could easily be 2-4 pts back based on game sin hand by PIT and CBJ). Handing out extensions at this time can also be a trap. That said, I could see a mid-sized deal or two, perhaps Ferland, Faulk or TVR for offensive punch and goalie depth. Roll the dice.
I would offer Ferland 5-6 mil over 3 yrs (15-18 mil neighborhood).
If he says no trade him. We need to look toward future not just this year. Can’t let him just walk.
McGinn, Walmark and Foegle may not get much attention but all 3 make us a tough team to play against. Plus all 3 have a bigger upside than they are showing. I hope none of these 3 are traded.
Trade> prospects an picks for a scorer (Anyone but Martin N and Janni K)
Trade> TVR (3-4th rd pick) get Adam fox signed
The arrival of Nino and the improved play of Turbo and Hamilton have been the critical individual differences. In fact, Turbo is playing as though his new contract is underpayment!
Ferland got his goal on the limited re-appearance of the FAT line at the start of the third – there is a top scoring line when scoring is needed.
I think it is okay to let Ferland go at the end of the season for “nothing” – as long as “nothing” includes a run into the playoffs. Short of an astonishing return (which I don’t see happening) viewing him as a self-rental is completely legitimate. Waddell has said if we do trade him we will backfill with a rental – which places a legitimate value on whether or not to do a trade – is the loss of Ferland and a 2nd round pick worth the gain of a rental and a 1st round pick??
Justin Williams deserves honorable mention. Just when I think he is too slow or has too many turnovers, he scores a game-winning goal by displaying savvy and determination. I also give him some credit for the successful transition Niedereiter has made. He’s a great captain and his positive influence can’t be overstated.