On the one hand, the preseason schedule is only half over. On the other hand, a quick burst of three games in five days starting on Wednesday will finish things up pretty quickly.
Today’s Daily Cup of Joe makes a list of work items to be completed in the remaining games.
1) Roster decisions
Defense
With improved depth and a few younger players trying to push above the NHL cut line, Rod Brind’Amour has some decisions to make in the coming week in terms of the opening day lineup. With van Riemsdyk seemingly still on the shelf, the team has room for one or even two more players past the five sure NHLers (Slavin, Pesce, Faulk, Hamilton, Gardiner). Though he could slide out of the lineup to #7, I think Fleury is a certainty to stick at the NHL level. The only way he leaves is via trade which is unlikely.
With Roland McKeown put on waivers on Monday hopefully to return to the AHL along with the group of AHL veterans, I think the players competing for the last spot that could slot at #6 or #7 is Jake Bean and Gustav Forsling. Best bet is that Forsling starts the season at the NHL level and Bean starts in the AHL to avoid having to send Forsling across waivers. But as long as Bean is in training camp, he has a chance to force the Canes brain trust to consider otherwise.
Forward
Probably the most interesting roster battle right now is for the final one or two forward slots. The Canes figure to have 11 certain NHL forwards (Aho, Niederreiter, Svechnikov, Teravainen, Staal, Dzingel, Haula, Foegele, McGinn, Wallmark, Martinook). That leaves room for one more in the lineup and possibly another as an extra. Heading into training camp, Martin Necas was the odds on favorite to win the last slot, but as of right now Julien Gauthier has played his way ahead of Necas. Clark Bishop does not have the scoring upside of the Necas or Gauthier, but he fits what Brind’Amour wants in a wing and has had a strong training camp too. If Necas comes on in the final three games, is it possible that both young guns stick at the NHL level and push a veteran into the #13 slot? Regardless, the battle for the last one or two forward slots is definitely worth watching over the final burst of three preseason games.
Goalie
The goalie situation is interesting. I believe that the team mostly entered training camp with it being a foregone conclusion that James Reimer would enter the regular season as the NHL backup but with hopes that Nedeljkovic would garner some NHL starts down the road. Reimer playing well in preseason has helped that original plan, but at the same time Anton Forsberg and Alex Nedeljkovic have both played well in training camp too. I would still be surprised to see someone other than Reimer win the #2 slot at least for the start of the season. If that proves to be true, the big question is whether anyone claim sn
2) Special teams
This latter half of training camp is the time to tighten up special teams play heading into the regular season. The penalty kill work could be challenging simply because the team is not taking many penalties to offer up work. But I think there are enough key players still in tow to build out a capable penalty kill.
The bigger issue is the power play that struggled in 2018-19 but added a good number of new options including Jake Gardiner to man the point and capable scorers Erik Haula and Ryan Dzingel. Rookies Martin Necas and/or Julien Gauthier could also add different elements if they stick at the NHL level. The power play is one thing that I think Brind’Amour will dedicate significant time to in practice and also put together specific groups for the preseason games.
3) Line combinations
Unless a young gun with higher scoring upside pushes someone out, I think the fourth line of Martinook/Wallmark/McGinn is likely to stick heading into the regular season. Who knows with the other three lines. Brind’Amour is incredibly patient with line combinations as far as NHL bench bosses go, so the current combinations could push forward into October. But if he has other options that he wants to see, he has three games to try them. As such, I will be watching the line combinations closely over the final three preseason games.
What say you Canes fans?
1) Do you have any other work items for the remaining preseason games?
2) Who do you think ultimately wins the open roster slots at forward and on defense?
3) Is there any chance we see a surprise on the opening day roster? (I would count Nedeljkovic, Forsberg, Bean or lower and any bubble forward not named Necas, Gauthier or Bishop as surprises.)
Go Canes!
One thing that Matt has forgotten? Michael Ferland’s replacement. There are those among us who would love for us to follow Kyle Dubas lead to icing a soft gritless team.
Roddy is, so far, having his way. We have several players who are capable of playing a grinding gritty game. While each has his place, they do not replace the hole left by Ferland when he left.
This brings us to a recent acquisition from the Ottawa Senators. Max McCormick. From what I have read and seen, he is capable of filling that hole.
Now, a player who plays like Ferland draws a lot of hostile attention from enemy bullies. Injuries are not uncommon for men who play the game like Ferland and McCormick. In that event we have another recent acquisition, Cedrick Lacroix.
I am certain that Tulsky is pressing hard against this. Hopefully, Roddy will prevail.
Brian Boyle is still available, as far as a Ferland replacement.
I think the coaching staff looks at practice and game prep meeting more than preseason games in making decisions.
When TVR gets back the Canes may need to make salary cap move. If Reimers is playing well then they should be able to trade all or most of his salary. That would let them keep Faulk and make a move if necessary.
Doesn’t sound like any of the guys fighting for the blueline have made a strong case like Gauthier. No way Fleury makes it through waivers, so he stays.
At this point, I’d wager Gauthier wins the fwd spot. Necas has flashes were he looking like a real star, but then also sometimes looks lost on the ice. Most concerning, he seems to avoid the front of the net even when he gets past a defender.
With TVR injured, I sure hope the Canes decide to keep Faulk around at least until they are sure TVR is healthy and can play at the same level. Gardiner is a great addition to the PP, but is not someone who kills penalties.
1. The Powerplay?
2. Gautier on the forward slot, Fleury on D.
3. Unlikely. although I’m sure Ned will be getting NHL minutes throughout the year.
Defense: Since TvR is skating he will likely be cleared for contact in a month or so barring a setback. So, I think Fleury and Forsling make it. Since Bean is only one year in as a pro he needs to prove he is better, but hasn’t done that yet. You have to figure someone gets traded at some point from this group.
Forwards: Not easy. As well as Gauthier has played, it sounds like Brind’Amour has concerns about some of his game. It will probably come down to the last couple preseason games where you see teams that look and play much more like real NHL teams. I think Necas is destined for Charlotte unless he makes a big change. I also think the “bust” tag is starting to come into play. All the tools, no tool box. Bishop is a safe pick, and for a bottom six player that seems to be Brind’Amour’s preference.
Goalie: Unless someone plays bad it’s going to be Mrazek and Reimers. Goalies need to see pucks. Ned will play a lot in Charlotte. He isn’t going to play in Carolina if Reimers is around and playing decently. Brind’Amour isn’t going to throw out an unproven goalie and risk losing points just so he gets some time. Injuries, which aren’t unlikely, will be how Ned gets games this season.
1. A new anthem singer. 😀 Only half jesting. ALD’s screeching makes my skin crawl.
2. In TvR’s absence the blue lines for the first unit looks to be Slavin-Hamilton, Gardiner-Pesce, Fleury-Faulk. If we keep 7, as I imagine we will do, the Forsling is in the mix. I think Bean’s development with ice time in CLT is more important. Bean only sticks if he could displace Fleury – he couldn’t do that this preseason.
I really think Gauthier has made his case and is making it difficult for the team to send him back and keep Necas. But Necas has been skating with the top 12. If we led off the season with a road trip, as we used to do, I wouldn’t be surprised to keep both on the roster. But that road trip isn’t until week 3. But who breaks with camp isn’t who stays with the team. And I think that is a general rule for the first 2 weeks of the season.
I was at Meet the Canes last night (I am but a lowly 11-game STM – although I go to 30+ games a year). I was chatting with Wallmark – he was set and ready to go this season; very enthusiastic about the season and his linemates. I expect that energy will translate well.
3. I don’t see any surprises. I think there will be a tell if Bishop stays and Necas and Gauthier both go to CLT about RBA’s comfort level in players and what he wants to see in a player. But I think Bishop comes up to fill i a 4th line opening due to injury only.
If you have a dark horse candidate, it has to be Kuokkanen or Lorentz. Lorentz, in particular, has had a strong preseason. I don’t think either are likely.
News tidbits:
All waivers have cleared, including McKeown.
RBA said he was told to keep Faulk off the ice for today’s scrimmage.