The Hurricanes started preseason by sending a hungry bunch of overmatched kids up against most of the Tampa Bay Lightning juggernaut. The result was a tone-setting effort driven in which the Canes forwards dictated play, tilted the ice and won convincingly. The next two games at home featured increasingly more NHL talent with equally impressive results. Tuesday’s game in Nashville featured a return to the first verse with a lineup filled with Canes kids putting up another impressive win against a Nashville lineup that was pretty close to their NHL squad.
The overarching theme through all of this continues to be the same. The pace, pressure and intensity of the Hurricanes forwards continues to dictate both play and results. Warren Foegele continued his preseason surge when he combined with Clark Bishop for a goal in the first period. He also assisted on the Hurricanes second goal when he fed Brett Pesce for a point shot through traffic that beat Pekka Rinne in the second period. The Hurricanes piled it on in the third period when Trevor van Riemsdyk shot through screens by Valentin Zykov and Julien Gauthier and then when Zykov factored in again on a Brock McGinn goal from in close. Nashville did get on the scoreboard late, but by that point the game was decided.
Player notes
Scott Darling
In the win, Scott Darling continued his run of strong play in preseason. At the midway point of the game, I was not enamored with Darling’s play despite the fact that he had a shutout. His quickness and athleticism was on display in a positive way, but he was also noisy in the sense that he was a bit all over the place and played wide of the net on a few occasions. Though the results were good, the visual felt like a harbinger of bad things to come. But Darling battled his way through the second period with a shutout in hand, and when Head Coach Rod Brind’Amour left him in for the third period, he had his best period yet. Defending a lead, the Hurricanes defense was sloppy in the third period and yielded a good size batch of high-quality scoring chances. But Darling had his best period of the game, allowed only a single goal and emerged with an impressive win.
I am on record as saying before preseason started that virtually nothing could be read into preseason goaltending results, and I mostly stand by that assertion. But that said, because of the season that Darling had in 2017-18, a strong preseason could prove meaningful in terms of building a small foundation of confidence and comfort heading into the regular season.
Before training camp started, I declared Scott Darling and the Hurricanes goaltending situation to be a dice roll. I still think that is the case, but even if only by a small amount Darling’s preseason play increases the odds by as much as is possible in September.
Valentin Zykov
I wish I had an official tally of goals that Valentin Zykov has been a big part of working from his cubicle at the top of the crease. He factored directly in two more goals with his net front presence and helped create at least one other good scoring chance. Both in his short 10-game NHL audition last spring and his preseason play, his game has been a model of consistency. Whenever given the chance Zykov heads straight to work at his cubicle at the top of the crease, and he continues to be effective converting that into offense. His game is a simple one but also an incredibly significant one and something that the Hurricanes have lacked in recent years. He has clearly earned a power play slot and ice time when the team needs a goal.
Warren Foegele
Warren Foegele’s surge continued. He did not raise as much ire as in his masterpiece against the Capitals on Friday, but he still brought the same pace and intensity and chipped in even more on the score sheet. He scored the all-important first goal from in close and also assisted on Brett Pesce’s goal. I was early among those covering the team in saying that he had more or less locked up an NHL roster spot, but that is starting to become the consensus.
Quieter nights
Right now, the Canes forwards pretty much to a man are all chipping in on the forecheck and aggressive style of play. So even the players not on the score sheet are contributing which is significant. But on Tuesday a few of the bigger names were a bit quieter.
By no means was he bad but Janne Kuokkanen was not a clear difference-maker as he has been in previous games.
Andrei Svechnikov was stoned on consecutive point blank chances in the middle of the game. As I commented on Twitter, I think Rinne had his number on both. On the first play, Svechnikov delayed and delayed more to freeze the goalie before pulling to his backhand to shoot. Anything above pad level probably beats a goalie in most leagues, but Rinne read it and made the save look easy. The second attempt saw Svechnikov receive and shoot, but he was a tiny bit slow releasing and Rinne had him covered. Part of Svechnikov’s learning process as a sniper/scorer is becoming just a tiny bit faster and more precise again NHL goalies.
Lucas Wallmark
Lucas Wallmark continues to impress me in a Victor Rask kind of way as a center whose decision-making and positioning is consistently solid. His game was not nearly as impressive offensively, but with Jordan Staal out of the lineup, Brind’Amour gave Wallmark’s line a run in a role similar to Staal’s, and he held up well. I increasingly see Wallmark centering a line that sits behind Staal’s to take some of the tough assignments and defensive zone draws. That is a tall order for a player with 19 games of NHL experience, but based on preseason play, it is not inconceivable that it works.
Clark Bishop
Clark Bishop is a great story of how young players can improve. This time last year, I grouped him with the set players who needed to find a higher level to earn another contract. He seems to be doing just that. After being a fringe player the season before, he had a strong 2017-18 AHL campaign on a checking line with Warren Foegele. He did the same in yesterday’s contest and picked up an assist in the process. He is almost certainly headed for the AHL as early as tomorrow but definitely by the end of the week. But had a preseason that boosted his standing in the organization and increased his chances of winning a next contract.
The Hurricanes do not really have anything left to prove in preseason, but maintaining momentum would be ideal.
The team will try to do that in its final two preseason games on Friday in Washington, D.C. against the Capitals and then at home against the Predators.
Go Canes!
I start by admitting I was wrong. RBA was not my choice to coach the Canes–I thought the power play the last two seasons was sub par and that was his responsibility. Even if the regular season is more of the same, it is clear to me from this preseason that the coach understands his players’ talents and styles so that he is getting them, almost to a man, to perform near their peak. The first couple of games could have been typical preseason noise, but after four similar performances I admit that coach Brand’Amour is doing a great job.
The players you highlight Zykov, Foegele, Wallmark, Bishop all deserve the recognition. Against what was close to a regular season lineup, every Cane with the exception of Bean, looked ready to play in the NHL this season. The battle for the forward spots continues to be intense. But last night also upped the ante for the final D spots. Without a trade the Canes have seven defensemen capable of being on the ice. I don’t know how the staff will decide to deploy the pairings, but both Fleury and van Riemsdyk have earned ice time. McKewon continues to play better than a”career AHLer.” On top of that, I like what Cajkovsky adds. Having more players than available positions is a great problem to have, just not one I thought would exist at both forward and defense for the Canes.
With all the excitement about Dougie Hamilton and Calvin de Haan, I am still predicting that Pesce is the blueliner who makes the biggest difference this season. His shot has improved and it fits nicely with the increased net-front presence the team is committed to providing.
I think you are right, Pesce is very solid. Bean is not NHL ready, it was pretty clear last night. I hope Cajkovsky gets a contract and goes with the checkers. With Fleury and van Riemsdyk, I do not know who is 6 or 7. McKewon is probably ready, just no openings right now, same with Carrick. We have so much D depth.
Maybe this opens up for some trades but there is no point in picking up a 4th line player. It would have to be top 6 or no point.
Update: Great call on Cajkovsky, he got a contract.
https://twitter.com/NHLCanes/status/1045391667942043648
Another fine outing for the youngsters for the Canes. Lots to be pleased about and a few things that weren’t so hot.
Darling: I liked his game. Yes, he isn’t smooth, but he’s big and somewhat athletic. That can work. What I loved is Darling made the big saves when the Canes broke down defensively. That is what has been missing for this team for a long time. When there was a defensive breakdown you knew it was going to be in the back of the net. Darling v2.0 may be the man to stop that trend. BTW…anyone notice that Ward was lit up in Chicago last night…
Cajkovsky: I like this guy. He has a presence on the blueline. He isn’t going to make the team, but he is a maybe for the future. He looks better than some of the guys the Canes have rolled out there over the past decade.
Bean: Umm…no. Looked totally out of his league in all situations. He has a long way to go.
Roy: I wasn’t impressed. He is going to have to play a lot faster if he wants to be in the NHL.
Zykov: putting the POWER back in the power play
Copyright 2018.
I’ll take a XXL in black please!
I won’t disagree on any of this.
Zykov certainly did again what he does best. RBA mentioned that the other – he likes what Z does, and Z does it every game.
As for Cajkovsky – there was a time when we thought Faulk would be traded that we thought Carrick could be 7D. I think that is a role Cajkovsky could play even better. I think he has earned a contract even if he ends up in Charlotte to start the season.
Foegele is going to be much more than a 4th line fill-in. He plays hard and fast and he’s got a hard, quick shot too. You can see how he scored so many shorthanded goals in Charlotte. No matter what line he’s on, he’s going to score in the NHL.
Zykov has a quick, hard wrist shot and is great at going to the net, but he also is great at winning puck battles behind the net and making an accurate pass to keep plays alive. He digs out the puck, passes it to a teammate and then goes to the front of the net. Nobody can move him away from the crease. He can’t do everything but he can do several important things very well.
I hope Bean had nerves last night. He looked bad.
It is spectacular news that Darling got shelled by the Preds’ top players in the 3rd period and passed the test.
And yes, Brind’Amour has worked some kind of motivational magic. There’s no guarantee of anything in the regular season but Brind’Amour has led the cultural change that the Canes were looking for. A game is no longer just a question of whether the Canes can hold down the other team’s scoring and squeak through with a 3-2 or 2-1 win. The Canes can set the tone and dictate the style of play. They are no longer just taking punches and trying to avoid getting knocked out. The additions of Hamilton, impressive young players like Svechnikov, Foegele and Necas and big aggressive players like Ferland and Martinook are important but there’s another big positive factor at work – the whole team is on the attack.
Now we get to see what the Canes’ best line combinations and pairings can do. I hope the lines start with Aho-Teravainen-Zykov.
All hail the forgotten son that, directly or indirectly, brought all this talent to us. We will never forget you, GMRF!!
Here!here!
I thought you meant Cam Ward at first.
Fogger. I agree. The talent has been developing in Charlotte while many of us wanted call ups or trades. Yet RF did trade for Teravainen and Zykov. The foundation was built by RF. Of course he also hired Peters—it is becoming more obvious his system didn’t work for the Canes.
It’s starting to look like Carolina might be contenders soon.
Dead right.
RF built the foundation but I also credit DW for building on it. The trade for Hamilton, Ferland and Fox was great. Kruger for Martinook looks good. Recent signees and tryout players look good – Manalaenen, Fora, Cajkovsky.
The return for Skinner was disappointing but can you see Skinner playing the way RBA wants? After this preseason, I feel pretty sure Skinner would do more harm bogging a line down than good scoring goals. I liked Skinner and was mostly sorry to see him go but now I think it was the right move at the right time.
You could be right svech. I was very unhappy with the return we got for the skinner trade but I suspect the brain trust knew what they wanted and how he would not fit.
He did OK. Much better than JR, but he also brought us the two first round picks of Bean and Gauthier. As mentioned, he also hired Peters. He gets a C+ from me.
Haven’t seen other teams lining up to hire RF either.
Bean and Gauthier are both 20. I’m gonna hold off on the bust label there for a few more years. I’m seeing a lot of long-term payoff, and nobody is going to ever be perfect.
Yes, thank you for this. I agree that neither one is ready yet, but I believe both have a ton of long term potential. Before training camp a lot of people were saying Fleury was a bust, now he’s looking to be at least a solid 7th, and again, he still has a lot of room to grow and improve.
Sorry, folks…I disagree. Yes, they are 20, but have been very disappointing in my eyes. They are first round picks and should be better than that. As a GM if you have two first rounders and they both look shaky as 20 year olds, that’s not good.
Some were cracking on Fleury, but I didn’t agree with them. He was OK last year. Not good, but fine for a rookie. He lost some weight and looks even better. Probably not having Bill Peters on his a** every day helps too.
Cajkovsky could be the Canes best under-the-radar offseason find in years, give the man a contract.
I’m looking forward to admitting I was totally wrong by being so down on the coach and team in the offseason if we see this effort last well into the season, this is a fun team to watch! I don’t expect the results to be this good in the regular season, it’s a fact this team has a lot of starters and kids figuring it out, they are not likely to beat the superstars first go, but the attitude is right, the talent is there and if the team plays this hard playoffs are very much a possibility.
I wonder if they can possiby pawn JB plus a forward who is deserving but falls victims to the numbers game off on another team for a little extra help at center. Throw in an extra couple of picks if necessary.
Without a doubt, a contract should be given.
I mentioned on the other thread today that Bishop did look good last night… with Foegele playing beside him. Just as Martinook looked good previously with Foegele playing beside him.
The common thread is Foegele – his leadership by example brings out the best in his line mates. He plays the game the way RBA did – all out every shift. I love it!
Al Davis quote- Just win, baby.
Scott Darling was great against a barrage of shots last night. The guy owns Nashville in playoffs and preseason.
The front office deserves a shout out. They took a vision of what they wanted the team to be and went with it. They did not let the media, old school hockey people or long time relationships get in the way. I don’t know how good Carolina will be this year in wins and losses but they will sure be fun to watch.
The kids are pretty good. Zykov looks like he could be a heavyweight Olympic wrestling champion. Foegele is to me what athletics are all about. Never quit, give everything you have and try your best to win. I would suit up Cujosky(sp) against teams with goons. Tom Wilson wouldn’t pull his shenanigans if he knew that guy was roaming around.
All good in the preseason, I know real hockey starts next week but this is the kind of team I’ve been hoping for since 2009.
Another slight negative for me was Gauthier. I did not really notice him much in the game, other than a few shots on goal.
He needs more AHL play and he needs to play hard this year, with an NHL career potentially on the line. The kid has the physical attributes, he just needs to work a bit harder.
The team scounts are really good at picking in lower rounds, but have managed to miss pretty badly in the first rounds.
Foegele has become the new standard for judging forward prospects. Gauthier has promise but he’s nowhere close to Foegele.
Valentin Zykov and Warren Foegele have both been impressive. Both should make the big club. Foegele is always causing issues for the opposition and we have needed Zykov’s net front presence forever. I do not care if he is not capable of speed skating.
Walmark, done deal, he is in.
Darling was big time solid, especially during the 3rd. Many great saves. Both goalies have been pretty good. I hope that continues as it is/was our biggest issue.
Svech, not concerned. He went up against a vezina caliber goalie. I do not see many goalies stopping those. Maybe he learns from that but not much wrong.
Bishop did impress, so has McKegg.
Kuokkanen is on that cut line. Not sure if he will make it or not. What I have not investigated yet is which players, if sent down, are vulnerable to waiver and could get stolen from us?
Just informational. I looked at which players would need to clear waivers if sent down:
Trevor Carrick – somebody could grab him as we just sent him down.
Greg McKegg – has been impressive but would probably clear waivers.
Lucas Wallmark – no way, he is on the Canes.
Patrick Brown – would probably clear waivers.
Michal Cajkovsky – no contract but if we sign him (we should) he could get stolen.