With the addition of free agent signee Chase Priskie, the group of players who could theoretically fill out the Hurricanes third defense pairing became even bigger. Today’s Daily Cup of Joe takes a shot at handicapping the roster battle set to take place during the preseason.
First, the starting point is assuming a top 4 of Jaccob Slavin, Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce and Justin Faulk.
In addition, Trevor van Riemsdyk figures to be half of the third pairing when he is healthy. After shoulder surgery to repair a playoff injury, van Riemsdyk’s timeline should be in the neighborhood of being ready for opening night, but there is a chance he is not ready for opening night.
That leaves one spot in the lineup and another spot for a healthy extra defenseman at the NHL level.
The competition for those roster spots includes Haydn Fleury, Gustav Forsling, Roland McKeown, Jake Bean and now Chase Priskie. Below is an effort to handicap what it takes for each of those five players to be in the Hurricanes lineup in October.
Haydn Fleury
Starting point: Based on his experience in that role with the Hurricanes, Fleury would figure to be a front-runner to be either the sixth or seventh defenseman at the NHL level.
What he brings: Fleury brings a big body who can skate well enough to play at the NHL level.
Weaknesses: Version 1.0 of Fleury’s game was incredibly buttoned-down and devoid of offense.
Waiver status: Fleury would need to clear waivers to return to the AHL, and as a still young player with high draft pedigree and decent physical tools, he would not clear.
What it takes to make the team: I think he is sort of an incumbent, and with his waivers situation, I think he is almost certain to stick at the NHL level. If he does not, I think he is more likely to be traded than sent across waivers.
Gustav Forsling
Starting point: Like Fleury, Forsling has a decent amount of NHL experience and has to some degree proven he is a capable third pairing NHL defenseman.
What he brings: Forsling brings above average skating ability and NHL experience to the competition.
Weaknesses: He has yet to excel at the NHL level. As such, he fits more into the category of ‘serviceable.’
Waiver status: Forsling would need to clear waivers to head to the AHL. As a player who is still young and potentially with upside, there is a decent chance that a team in need of blue line help would claim him off waivers.
What it takes to make the team: Like Fleury, Forsling is a left shot with NHL experience. To stick in the lineup, Forsling would need to outplay Fleury likely including showing that he has more offensive upside.
Roland McKeown
Starting point: McKeown has a short history of playing well in a Canes uniform in preseason and in limited regular season NHL action. He spent the entire 2018-19 season at the AHL level, so he would need to leap frog a couple players with more experience to seize a roster spot.
What he brings: McKeown brings a steady defense-first type of style and has shown an ability to rise to the challenge when given NHL ice time.
Weaknesses: He has minimal NHL experience and seemingly a fairly low ceiling.
Waiver status: McKeown will need to clear waivers to return to Charlotte. As a player who has yet to prove he belongs at the NHL level, he could clear waivers though the risk is that a rebuilding type team claims him to give him an NHL audition.
What it takes to make the team: As a right shot, like van Riemsdyk, McKeown is in a tough spot. He would need to significantly outplay the other options to seize an NHL spot.
Jake Bean
Starting point: Bean had a strong first professional season with the Checkers in 2018-19. That plus his high draft pedigree makes him a player that the Hurricanes will want to see at the NHL level sometime during the 2019-20 season.
What he brings: Bean offers the highest ceiling offensively. His skill set has the potential to produce offense both on the power play and at even strength.
Weaknesses: He has yet to prove he is ready for the NHL, and my assessment of him in preseason last year was that at the time he was not yet good enough defensively.
Waiver status: Bean does not have to clear waivers for the 2019-20 season though he will in 2020-21 which gives the team some urgency to audition him sometime during the 2019-20 season.
What it takes to make the team: At least until the logjam can be cleared a bit, Bean seems likely to at least start the season in the AHL. His path to sticking at the NHL level for opening night would require him to stake a claim to the roster by outplaying the other competitors by a sizable margin and ideally showing potential to be an offensive catalyst and power play boost.
Chase Priskie
Starting point: He will be new to the organization when he arrives at training camp, so he will be making a first impression but maybe not having NHL expectations just yet.
What he brings: Priskie brings good hockey IQ and the potential to score goals from the blue line with an accurate shot.
Weaknesses: This is to be determined in training camp, but of the group he has the least experience close to the NHL level.
Waiver status: Priskie will be waiver exempt, so like Bean he is an easy one to send to Charlotte initially to buy time to sort things out.
What it takes to make the team: Like Bean, I think Priskie will have to outplay the competition by a meaningful amount to win an opening day roster spot.
What say you Canes fans?
1) What are your general thoughts on the impending battle for the last two defense slots at the NHL level?
2) Do you think either Jake Bean or Chase Priskie could steal a spot because of their potential to boost scoring? Or do you think the Haydn Fleury and or Gustav Forsling win out with their NHL experience?
3) How do you think it all ends come opening night?
Go Canes!
What does one do with a player like our Haydn? What with all the film available in the NHL of every player as well as stats, it would be just about impossible to pull the wool over any other GM’s eyes in a trade. So what will be his fate?
Might he win out in the competition for the 6th or 7th spot? Even though the track isn’t fast, our Haydn doesn’t stand much of a chance.
Donny can try to trade him. But we will not get much for him.
We can put him on waivers, but he will wind up being a highly paid, marginal player in the AHL.
I think McKeown would be a good short term replacement for TVR, but what do we do when TVR comes back? Trade him (McKeown) ? Waive him? We might get something of value for him in a trade. He would not survive waivers.
Forsling is likely to win the 6th spot. Let’s hope he works out.
Priskie will be interesting to watch. I doubt that he will go anywhere but Charlotte.
Little Jakie Bean has my vote for the 7th spot. His lack of NHL experience makes him anything but a sure bet.
What ever happened to all that blue line depth?
My answer to question 3 is that by opening night, Roddy and Donny will be underwhelmed by the so-called competition for spots 6 and 7. So underwhelmed, that Donny will pull off a trade or FA signing. Dion Phaneuf would look great wearing a Canes sweater.
Or maybe one of the lesser lights in Charlotte?
From what I’ve heard TvR won’t be ready to play immediately, so I think Fleury is a lock. Forsling is likely to make the team as well. If Bean and/or Priskie impress and Forsling does not things could change. If things do not go well for all involved that could open the door for McKeown. They could play him until TvR returns and then deal with waivers.
Side comment…I think there will be a lot of pressure from management on the coaching staff to improve the power play. That starts at the top. Bean and/or Priskie could be favored by “the committee” over the wishes of the coaching staff. God knows the PP needs some kind of threat at the point, so it might be a good thing.
Fleury is a lock for what?
Fleury is a lock for a make or break.
Not much news on Dion (https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/players/dion-phaneuf). I JWilly resigns then the Canes are near the salary cap so they would have to make room under the cap. Lost out Cap flexiblity with the Marleau trade.
Does Dion come in on a tryout?
Worth a shot after having 1 down year. He is more intimidating than any of our guys.
I have never seen Forsling play to know of, otherwise I would say Fleury is a lock to start the season as the 3LHD. The spot will be Bean’s to challenge for sometime in the season, and I could see Fleury moving to the 7th spot rather than risking waivers.
But you can’t assess Bean based on what you saw last preseason – he had a very strong trajectory through the season.
McKeown is interesting – he remains one of two unsigned RFAs. I am not sure if there is significance in that but it does make me wonder if he is weighing his options to play elsewhere. I think McKeown, with a little seasoning could replace TvR.
The last I saw of TvR he was on a boat with his girlfriend who was sporting a new bauble on her finger -i.e., TvR is enjoying his life which makes me think he will, as DW suggested, be ready for opening night. And that has negative implications for McKeown. But I could see Fleury and McKeown both making the opening night squad with McKeown being the 7th.
Priskie will most likely start in CLT. I expect he will see NHL time – he is only on a 2-year contract and if we want to keep him in the fold we have to “audition” him as well as make sure he sees NHL ice. If he is not getting that ice time he will be gone and this signing we all like now will be forgotten.
My guesses:
1. Fleury hangs on as either 5th,6th or 7th defenseman.
2. Forsling hangs on as either 5th, 6th, or 7th defenseman.
3. Bean goes back to Charlotte until we trade Justin Faulk or TvR.
4. Priskie goes to Charlotte to start season to get some game action while Canes evaluate Fleury’s and/or Forsling’s early season. If one of them fails and Priskie is doing well at Charlotte, he comes up.
5. McKeon is traded for late round draft pick.
RR – Bean plays left and Priskie is on the right. Does that change your guesses?
That would be an exciting 3rd pair. Not sure the goalie would enjoy it so much.
McKeown’s best path to stick in Raleigh would be that TVR isn’t ready to play when the season starts, McKeown plays well as the 3rd pairing RHD, and Canes decide that TVR is expendable since they can move to a younger and more affordable option. Don’t see TVR staying with Canes beyond this season, and I would guess management has the same assessment.
Unlike some here, I’m a cautiously optimistic Fleury fan, especially given his play during Charlotte’s run to the Calder Cup finals. Numerous commentators mentioned that he was the best defender on the ice for both sides. Yes, AHL success doesn’t directly breed NHL success, but it is a fair correlative. In the end, the #6 slot is Haydn’s to lose.
Forsling is interesting as well given that he’s got some offensive chops and perhaps some upside. The ding against him is that he’s somewhat lost in his own zone, a significant hinderance for a bottom pairing guy. Still he’s a very good skater and has over 120 NHL games under his belt. When this all shakes out, I see him snagging the #7 or he gets lost to waivers when we try and send him down. It’s doubtful he’d make it through. He likely accepted his qualifying offer (2 way, $874K contract) with this thought in mind; he’d be an affordable, fairly attractive waiver wire pick up for a bottom feeding team.
Given that we won’t know if TVR is going to be ready for the season or if ready does he get back to where he was at the end of this past season, I think we have to keep McKeown in the mix (Bean too, more on that in a minute). He’s a high floor/low ceiling guy that probably slots in on a few bottom pairings across the league, given the opportunity. Personally, I don’t think he’d clear waivers, but stranger things have happened. He’ll be in the mix at the beginning of the season and may, in fact, end up pushing Forsling our of the #7 spot. I think this is why he’s not signed to a new deal.
Many have said the Bean and Priskie are essentially in the same boat. Both offensive guys and both waiver ineligible. Keep in mind that Bean played a lot on the right side while in juniors (and I believe he played a some shifts on the right side in Charlotte as well). So it wouldn’t be unheard of to see him slotting in if TVR isn’t ready. But I’m not sure Rod is going to run two youngsters on the bottom pairing….even if I do feel Fleury is ready for that challenge. But what Priskie and Bean have going for them is that they are one of three PPQB options in our system. Neither Hamilton nor Faulk are true power play quarterbacks; they’re more trigger men. Priskie and Bean have had success running a man-up offense. And that brings me two the other guy…..
Jesper Sellgren is a wild card. He came over, showed well on his ATO at the end of the season and into the playoffs. Also, he’s got a season of professional hockey against men under his belt having played, and played well, in the SHL. There was some confusion as to whether he’ll play in the AHL or go back to Sweden if he doesn’t make the Canes out of camp. I believe, however, his contract probably forces him to Charlotte if he doesn’t make the big club. Sellgren is also a true PPQB and that may factor into things come September.
One thing’s for sure, there’s going to be a battle royale coming for these last few slots….both on the blue line and up front as well. It will be great!
Your comments about Sellgren are right on point. I watched him in the AHL playoffs and he was the best defenseman on the ice for Charlotte (Bean was right there also) as far as an all around defenseman. He reminded me of Jensen (d-man who went from Detroit to either Pitt or Washington (don’t remember which).
Sellgren is exciting – he made a statement right from his first game with CLT. Early on I heard he would have to go back to Sweden if he doesn’t make the Canes but I have no idea what his contract status currently or really is.
I see him spending a full year in CLT before making the jump to the NHL – but I see him in the NHL sooner rather than later.
I am really confused. I feel like Alice must have felt trying to make sense of the Mad Hatter’s tea party.
Everyone says that our Haydn is a genuine NHL player. He has earned a spot in the defensive 6 on my beloved Canes, you say.
Yet, nobody is willing to accept my challenge. For those who don’t remember my challenge, it is, by what standards do you believe he is NHL worthy? What is he good at? I should think that with all of the fancy stats fanalysts on this site, I would be overwhelmed with stats proving his worth.
Instead, I can hear crickets chirping.
chirp
Still thinking about Dion. Dion had 289 hits over the last 2 years. He had a big drop off in blocks though.
Re: Fleury. Most of us are making our ratings and predictions given the parameters set forth by Matt. The parameters in this case are the defensemen who Matt named for us to discuss. Some of us feel Fleury is the best amongst the five or six Matt asked for our OPINIONS on. Right now I am of that persuasion based upon what I have seen of him (a lot of NHL and AHL games)versus what I have seen of all the others Matt mentioned (some I have only seen play in AHL playoff action and some I have never seen at all).
What I have seen positive from Fleury is outstanding skating ability, decent defensive play at a third pairing level, and the potential for some more offensive contribution than he has shown to date. The major negative I have seen in his game at both the NHL and AHL levels is the occasional loss of focus in his defensive play. This drop off in intensity in his NHL play is hard for me to understand for a player who plays as few minutes per game.
I have read your opening response about all of the defensemen Matt mentioned and surely don’t have any empirical evidence to dispute any of the opinions you set forth nor do I have any reason to doubt your ideas may either be more or less correct than mine or anyone else’s. Certainly not mine! Heck, my degree was in accounting and IF I have any expertise in anything, that’s where it stops.
Regarding your and others suggestions about Phaneuf. At the right price I am fairly certain he could win at least the 6th spot pitted against those defensemen that Matt mentioned. But heck, I’ve already pointed out how limited my expertise is (another way of saying “I have none”) when it comes to evaluating one hockey player versus another.
As a protection so I can feel safe in not printing anything too ridiculous I usually try to wait for dmilleravid to post his opinions as they always appear to me to be more sensical (is that a word?) than some of the tripe I had in mind to write.
Keep writing pwrlss and rest assured you can’t be wrong about hockey things more than I am. I have my written record on this site and I am sure I could get written testimony to that fact from virtually all the other contributors if needed. I have one saving grace…I have adopted a margin of error of plus or minus infinity for everything I print and that has given me the right to say “I’M NEVER COMPLETELY WRONG ABOUT ANYTHING.”
Wouldn’t he look great in a Canes sweater?
Fleury is a talented kid who just hasn’t found his confidence in the NHL. He hasn’t been horrible either. Hamilton is far worse in his own end. Fleury shows confidence in the AHL and the results are obvious. If he had a specific flaw in his game that would be one thing, but he really doesn’t. He just hasn’t put it together. This year will be sink or swim for him with the Canes for sure.
Phaneuf is a bad defenseman. There is a reason he has bounced from bad team to bad team for the past half a dozen years. He can’t skate well enough to hang in the current day NHL. If you want a physical presence find a guy who can keep up, not one that will leave his goalie out to dry over and over again.
Well-stated on all points.
The Canes just announced the roster for the prospect showcase – lots of invitees this year. Priskie and Sellgren should be seeing plenty of ice time (possibly together). That would be an interesting young pairing.
http://nhl.bamcontent.com/images/assets/binary/308593258/binary-file/file.pdf
Wow! This is great. I now have answers to my challenge.
Our Haydn:
Outstanding skating ability
Decent defensive play at a third pairing level
The potential for more offensive contribution than he has shown to date
Occasional loss of focus in his defensive play
A talented kid
Hasn’t found his confidence in the NHL
He hasn’t been horrible
No specific flaw in his game
Just hasn’t put it together
Not what I expected. But it’ll do. Thanks, Red and less than. I appreciate your taking the time and effort to answer my challenge.
I agree with a lot of what has been said and I’ll add a couple of things.
Fleury plays a physical game in his own right. He is more so at the AHL level because of his confidence down there. As most will tell you, you’ve got to be judicious about hits as it sometime, especially for defensemen can lead to being out of position. Fleury has averaged well over a hit per game as well as well over a block per game. I look for this to grow as his NHL confidence grows.
Fleury isn’t just a good skater, he’s an excellent skater. His edge work is very good and his speed, both top end and time to get to top end are outstanding. In some senses his smooth stride belies this ability. He’s a better skater than Van Riemsdyk and Faulk from a speed perspective and equivalent to TVR in his edge work. He’s a better overall skater than Faulk, period.
While still young he’s also got solid, if unspectacular possession numbers. His PDO in particular is pretty good as well.
Look, he’s no Slavin, but as he matures at the NHL level he will only get better and, personally, I believe his confidence took a huge boost with his contributions during the Calder Cup run. Only time will tell if he’s got a better game than Forsling and/or Bean.
The team probably starts with the safe bets for 6D-7D, and that is Fleury and Forsling interchangeably. But it would not surprise me to see Priskie and Sellgren in the NHL this year, more so than the rest.
I think Bean is a year away, and McKweon likely is seeking a one-way deal hence the hold up. One thing for sure, the defensive pipeline is not as bad as some suggest and more roster tweaks are inevitable.
One interesting thing about the pipeline is that we picked up a lot of blueline talent in this year’s draft. Honka is a boom or bust type of player but if he figures it out, he’ll be an outstanding pick. I wish Fensore was about 4 inches taller and 40 pounds heavier but that kid is exciting to watch, great skating, better decision-making. Finally Cade Webber has both size and skating ability. He could be a gem.
So I don’t feel as bad about our defensive depth as I did after CDH was traded.
I like your take on Webber, he has the toolsets and can see him as a hidden gem.
Honka is talented but needs to learn he has 4 other skaters on his team out there with him. Hope he does.
Webber looked very slow to me.
Fensore has to learn to play defense.