Today’s Daily Cup of Joe has a quick batch of Canes odds and ends.
Afternoon hockey
Each of the Hurricanes’ first two playoff games are 12pm starts. The wild cards are many with the odd situation, but if the Canes or Rangers struggle with the odd start time, that would almost be enough to decide the series.
The Hurricanes suffered a wild and abysmal 8-6 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in an afternoon game, but in total the Hurricanes were an impressive 6-1-1 in afternoon games during the regular season. Four of those eight games went to overtime, so the Canes were maybe not as dominant as the 6-1-1 record might suggest, but the regular season results still look positive in terms of afternoon games.
James Reimer
From the point when James Reimer was acquired in a deal with a primary benefit of unloading Scott Darling’s contract instead of having to buy him, I suggested that the best outcome would be a decent or better season in 2019-20 to pave the way for a trade before the 2020-21 season. With Alex Nedeljkovic due to get a real shot at the NHL level, such an outcome would have netted productivity from Reimer for a season and paved a way to cut costs at the position going forward. But two things have happened since then. First, James Reimer has played well. Second and maybe more importantly, the odd timing of the season means that the Hurricanes will have paid the majority of Reimer’s 2020-21 cost before being able to shop him on the trade market. Of Reimer’s $3.1 million salary (cap hit is $3.4 million), $2.25 million is in the form of a signing bonus. Those are most commonly due in July. If that is the case for Reimer, the Canes will have pay Reimer only $850,000 of out of pocket during the 2020-21 season. At that price, I would consider keeping Reimer for another season even with Nedeljkovic on the way up. The cost is minimal, and Nedeljkovic is unproven at the NHL. Though financially it could make sense, the challenge is the balancing act with three goalies.
Former Canes prospects
The match up with the Rangers could see the Hurricanes play against not one but two recent higher-end Canes prospects. Defenseman Adam Fox will most definitely play a role in the outcome of the series. Julien Gauthier would not figure to be in the lineup for game one of the series, but he is on the New York’s roster and could draw into the series with injuries or players testing positive for COVID-19. The potential for those two players to factor in the series just adds another level of drama.
What say you Canes fans?
1) Do you see the Canes success in daytime hockey as meaningful for the Rangers’ series, or do you think it is randomness over a small sample size?
2) With the majority of James Reimer’s 2020-21 pay already taken care of, would you consider keeping him as a third goaltender even if the intent is to give Alex Nedeljkovic a chance in 2020-21?
3) Who has other topics to bandy around today as The Coffee Shop members trickle back in?
Go Canes!
1. Time of day doesn’t matter that much, I think. Everything is different now, post Covid-19 and the break, I think we got absolutely no idea what’s going to happen (which can be good or bad).
2. The fox and the Goat will be a dynamic duo, the Goat definitely has a bee in his bonnet and would like to take a shot at the Canes (or rather at the Canes goal) to prove that letting him go was a bad decision (can’t say I disagree with that point of view though I hope he won’t prove the point during the series).
What about the John Forslund situation? It probably warrants its own topic.
I still don’t know if he will be calling the games. If not, it’s going to be super weird to watch.
1) I would imagine like everything else related to COVID it is a new reality, so past success/struggles won’t make much difference.
2) I like keeping Reimer. Though I think if the Canes don’t give Ned at least 12 starts next season, they are mishandling the situation. Ned has won at every level.
3) Given the unprecedented situation, if the Canes don’t make the finals, does Williams want one more season? Will management offer him a decent contract? I still believe that Williams would have played the entire season, but the salary offer on the table made a mid-season decision the better route.
1) I do not see how it will matter. There is no rhythm at this point.
2) I believe Reimer was our best goalie. I would not be moving him. Ned needs to get the chance he has never received. The team was really turned upside down when he came in. New D, new forward. He did not look good the first attempt but things were not running well at that time. I believe if we were going to move a goalie, Mrazek should be in that discussion also. IMO, things are not broke, keep all 3.
3) any feeling on if we see Pesce? We would have to advance but curious if we think we could see him.
2) IC not only was the D in flux, Slavin made several of his worst plays of the season leading to goals against Ned. In the Dallas game, Slavin moved away from the goal to become a passing option—it was the correct play in almost every situation, but Skjei was new to the system. Seguin read it as an opportunity and Slavin let Seguin go to the front of the net unattended, when Skjei did misplay the puck Seguin got a free shot, which Ned stopped. However, the rebound went directly back to Seguin and Slavin was still not available to contest it. In the Philly game, Slavin stopped skating allowing another two uncontested shots on Ned. In Pittsburgh, Slavin and Edmundson allowed Marleau an uncontested shot.
3) I think everyone knows I think Pesce is significantly under-appreciated. But I hope he doesn’t return—let him heal another 4 months. Also, I don’t think he can play under COVID rules, the man spits constantly on the bench.
Oh duh, I wasn’t paying attention to my questions.
Yes, Reimer is a good bet. I say we keep him. Trade Mrazek for the right deal, at least based on salary.
Maybe keep all 3 for the next season.