Monday’s Daily Cup of Joe was the sixth and final article evaluating and even taking a shot at ranking the Hurricanes’ promising prospect pool.
The Monday Coffee Shop is the companion for that article. The prospects have been discussed along the way with the series, but especially with the dog days of August upon us, another round of bandying around something so promising seems like a great way to spend a Monday.
Carolina Hurricanes polls
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Discussion questions
Which prospects will play a role in the Hurricanes 2017-18 season either right out of the gate or possibly as injuries create opportunities later in the season?
Of the prospects ranked below the top 10 or not ranked at all, who do you really like to move up the rankings and one day be a difference-maker at the NHL level?
If you had to place a bet on only one current Canes prospect becoming an NHL star, who would it be?
Go Canes!
I got to see about three periods of the junior showcase. So very limited observations:
1) Kuokkanen seems to be playing at a level above all but the elite juniors.
2) Martin looked solid–while I understand the concerns were skating and offensive skills, he looked comfortable moving the puck and played behind the opposition goal on one occasion. So I think against competition his age he is solid if not spectacular with the puck.
3) Bean was fine, but didn’t wow me the one period I saw of Canada.
Prospects making it out of camp:
It’s widely speculated that Fleury will get the nod on the 3rd line. Unless he craps the bed, he’ll be there.
We could have one forward make the team if they outperform Ryan and McGinn. GMRF has mentioned Saarela by name so the staff has their eye out for him. Also with our need for another center Roy and Kuokkanen have a shot. Although, GMRF wants Bean, Roy, and Gauthier to have at least one season in the AHL.
Injury replacements would be similar to last year Zykov and Wallmark to replace 4th liners that move up.
Bean is only 19, so I don’t think the AHL is an option for him this year. He either needs to make the Canes (unlikely) or he will be playing another season in Canada. I agree that Roy and Kuokkanen have a shot, but I think it is more likely they would be injury replacements.
That is correct on Bean. Per NHL/CHL rules, if he does not stick at the NHL level, he would need to be returned to juniors for the 2017-18 season.
According to my whiteboard mockup of our lines in my kitchen, we still have one slot that could easily be grabbed. Currently our last third line spot occupied by Derek Ryan, this is the spot that every one of those rookies will be gunning for.
While the camp battle is going to be absolutely epic, it all depends on how Ron and Bill want to use that spot. If they go scoring, than likely only Gauthier, Kuokkanen and Saarela have a legit shot to unseat Ryan. If, however, they’re looking for more a jack of all trades, then Foegele and Roy have a better shot.
Finally, I think we’ll all be somewhat disappointed if Dahlbeck is the #6 D-man over Fleury or McKeown.
Still, the fact that we have to handicap the roster spot battle over prospect skillset is an incredible testament to the depth in our system, as Matt ably called attention to. I’m still calling Foegele as my dark horse. Two months from today folks!
I think it will be very hard to “unseat” Ryan coming out of training camp – Peters knows him and wants “can play in the NHL” vs. “Maybe can play…”. That said, I do think this is Ryan’s last season with the Canes and he may be in the press box before it’s done if someone on the AHL can break out and/or take advantage of an injury replacement opportunity. I think most likely it will be Kuokkanen (I think Gautier is a winger, BTW) – but I expect even Janne will see most of the season in Charlotte.
I agree with tj below that Ryan is highly likely to start the season. The salary he received also shows some level of commitment.
That is not as true for fourth liners–Jooris, McGinn. I think one spot may be open. Also, Peters mentioned wanting all groups to be in top 10 this year. The PP needs one more scoring threat in my opinion (by the way I would love to see who you have on white board). I think both Foegele and Roy can fit in with Kruger and add something on PP that the other “8th” forwards don’t. So I think that might be the most interesting battle in camp.
I’ve been wondering how much battle there will be. I really suspect there may be 5 days when the whole gang is together, then it’s going to be pared down rather quickly. Peters knows most of these guys now and I suspect they’ll be wanting to really have a competition among the few who really stand a chance. So I could see Fleury,McKeown, Carrick sticking around to figure out Dman #7 (and that’s only a number, not they would be #7), maybe Wallmark and Kuokkanen at center; Zykov, Saarela, Foegele, Gauthier extra look at wingers.
I’d suspect we’ll see more time with the guys on the team playing more together, both here and in Charlotte to build that right line chemistry. I really think a lot of the rough start last year was not enough time for the main lines to jell before the start of the season. This is what I really think will change this year.
On my whiteboard in the kitchen, I have … wait, I don’t have a whiteboard in my kitchen.
I think Saarela is going to crush it eventually. Finns are good at playing hockey.
🙂
And there it is…As soon as we have the requisite Canes and Coffee coffee cups (which is actually going to FINALLY happen fairly soon, so save your money), I think our the site’s second product will be Canes and Coffee logo-ed whiteboards for everyone’s kitchen.
Thank you Cory and David for this unusual but very appropriate merchandise suggestion. 🙂
And here I thought whiteboards were only necessary to figure out coding logic and to track my dating life! LOL!
Now you are just bragging!