Yesterday, I wrote about a couple interesting developments during training camp that I am tracking.
In addition to that, there is still work to be completed to build the opening day roster. And heading into a quick run of the final 3 preseason games in 4 days, the cuts should be fast and furious during the second half of this week once the Hurricanes return to Raleigh. The process of figuring out who will play with whom should also be expedited.
Today’s Daily Cup of Joe is the coffee shop version. You get to write it in the polls and in the comments, and I will sip coffee and take notes. It is your chance to play Coach Bill Peters just in advance of watching it all unfold with a few polls followed by a few similar questions.
Carolina Hurricanes forwards
Loading ...
Carolina Hurricane defense pairings
On the blue line, this set of polls starts from the position that left shots Ron Hainsey, Jaccob Slavin and Noah Hanifin will all make the team and be paired with a right shot. Note that this is not a certainty. Jaccob Slavin and Ron Hainsey played a decent chunk of the 2015-16 season on their off side. This is simply the easiest way to put together a simple set of polls, and it probably actually is the most likely scenario if everyone is healthy.
Loading ...
Loading ...
Loading ...Most likely dark horses to make the Carolina Hurricanes opening day roster
Especially at forward, there is a need for more scoring and a couple slots that could be open which could make for an opportunity or 2 for someone off the depth chart to rise up and win a roster slot in true try out form.
Loading ...
Other Hurricanes roster discussion questions
–How many players do you think will still be on the roster after the set of back-to-back games on Tuesday and Wednesday and the return back to Raleigh?
–Is there any chance at all that 1 of the AHL goalies pushes for an NHL slot, or is it a forgone conclusion that it will be Cam Ward and Eddie Lack (if they are healthy) in net?
–What else?
The coffee shop is open. Go!
Go Canes!
If I was GMRF ,I’d waive McClement, make Ryan my 4th center, and have Bickell ,PDG, and McGinn battle for the last spot. And if Brock can stick with the team, I’m buying a #23 black jersey. #Brocktober
There are way too many players in camp for any cohesiveness to be developed amongst the 23 or 24 that have any chance of starting the season in Raleigh. 20 cuts on Thursday wouldn’t be enough to suit me. Peters delay in getting to Raleigh is making this preseason much less of an effective filtering process than it should have been. There is no chance, barring injury, that anyone other than Ward and Lack are in Raleigh for the entire season.
Every preseason I feel like the volume of players is too high for too long, but the Hurricanes cut schedule lines up pretty closely with just about every other team in the league.
For me it is not so much about the volume of players. You kind of need them with the busy schedule and back-to-backs. It is more about the random combinations that see NHL players with AHLers rather than using as much ice time as possible to figure out what works for NHLers.
I think your first poll question is flawed by assuming McClement is a lock as one of the 13 forwards. He didn’t look good last year, has not looked great in preseason this year, and is very cheap. He could easily be waived. Given Peters desire for a speed game, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him waived and Bickell as the 13th with a more Penguins like fourth line built around guys with high energy and more of a scoring touch. Something like: PDG/Walmark/Stalberg. Jay’s roll on the PK would need to be filled, but I think we have the guys on the team to do that.
I wrote about this twice in the last few days. First, I suggested possibility of trying Lindholm and Teravainen separate to balance 4 lines. Separately, I noted Nordstrom at center and minus JStaal of course as another possible angle to building a 4th line minus McClement. The next 2 preseason game days should say a lot about whether Peters is also of this mindset.
http://section328.com/puck-talk/jay-mcclement-why/ If you had questions before you will really scratch your head after reading this.
Also, Cane vs. Buffalo is on real tv tonight, NBCSN.
Yeah, I saw that. The numbers confirm the eye test in my opinion. With the embracing of analytics the team is giving lip service to, as well as the speed is key mantra peters espouses, it is a wonder Jay is still tracking to be on the team.
I haven’t seen enough to make a reasoned decision. On paper, it was easy to pick the top 18-20, but several guys have been less than awesome, and a few have surprised, or shown some promise…
The coachs probably have made up their minds on nearly all the roster, but my gut says we will see a few BIG surprises…
..Tolchy, Brown, Leighten??
I agree with puckgod. I think we have to ask ourselves this question. Have we really seen one of these kids truly stand out from one another? The answer to that usually begins with “if so-and-so puts it all together”…but at this point it’s all “ifs”. And as GMRF classically stated last season, if its and buts were candy and nuts we’d all have a Merry Christmas.
That said, I think many of the kids will start in Charlotte regardless of a good pre-season game. Aho, PDG, Bickell and Gauthier will likely start on the big club. One of those guys falters, including the above mentioned J-Mac, the guys in Charlotte will be ready. Initially I thought Fleury would make it, but the injury set him back enough that he may be better served playing top minutes in Charlotte anyway.
Keep an eye on Chelios. Two solid games at even +/-. Not saying he’s top 6, but if we make a trade to bring in more offense he may be the beneficiary.