With June officially here, the time has come to launch into an extended series of articles focused around building the 2018-19 Carolina Hurricanes hopefully for a return to the playoffs. Over the course of the summer, the team will need to make many decisions big and small that impact both the short-term and the long-term for the franchise.
Today’s Daily Cup of Joe kicks off the series by identifying the four biggest decisions that the team must make this offseason:
1) A decision on Bill Peters and the coaching role going forward
This was already decided already when the team won a game of chicken that saw Peters opt out of the last year of his contract to flee to Calgary. Shortly thereafter, Rod Brind’Amour was named the team’s new head coach. I think how well Brind’Amour adapts to his new role is critical for the 2018-19 season. There is room to improve roster-wise, but the biggest gains to be had are from a change in attitude, mentality and all of the fuzzy things. Rod Brind’Amour was a strong leader as a player. If he can get that to translate to a coach’s suit, it could be exactly what it takes to return to the playoffs. If he instead struggles as an inexperienced first year head coach, the 2018-19 season could be written off to his trial.
2) A decision on Jeff Skinner long-term
I think the second biggest decision to be made this summer is Jeff Skinner. His contract is up at the end of the 2018-19 season, so the timing is right for management to decide right now if he is part of the long-term plan and act accordingly by inking him to an extension this summer rather than risking his departure with no return. If he is not part of the long-term plan, then the time is now to act accordingly and trade him to collect as much return as possible. In that regard, the situation is a tricky one since Skinner possesses a no-trade clause that requires his approval to be dealt.
Justin Faulk is in a somewhat similar situation coming off a sub-par 2017-18 campaign and with a big contract and impending free agency approaching. However, Faulk is signed for two more years which offers more time to resolve the situation possibly after seeing how Faulk fares under Brind’Amour.
3) Resolving the goalie situation
Somehow, some way, someday…The Hurricanes need to get league average goaltending. Very likely this occurrence will coincide with a long-awaited return to the playoffs. In what has become an annual tradition at this point, the Carolina Hurricanes will enter the offseason looking to improve upon sub-par goaltending. The situation is a complicated one because Scott Darling still has an expensive three years at $4.1 million (salary cap hit) remaining on his contract. As such, the obvious solution of replacing him is at a minimum costly and at a maximum just not viable. Word from 1400 Edwards Mill Road and Don Waddell’s office is that the team might retain Darling and actually go with three goalies (which would suggest Cam Ward stays too). Simple options are not really available, but going with three goalies has to be near peak for choosing a convoluted and unconventional solution to having sub-par goaltending. Regardless, how this situation gets resolved and its level of success will play a significant role in the 2018-19 season.
4) Deciding the mix between leaving room for rising rookies versus adding proven NHL upgrades
When one does the math on the current roster, the potential is there for the opening night lineup to have four or five rookies in it. As the Hurricanes are not (intentionally) in rebuilding mode, that number on the surface seems high. The challenge for management is to figure out how to leave room for youth that can make a difference but also not be so thin in terms of proven players that players are forced to the NHL even if they do not prove to be ready. The risk on one side is filling too many slots with ‘meh’veterans and therefore tamping down any upside just like in 2017-18. The risk on the other side is turning the 2018-19 season into a ‘learning on the job’ season for too many players who just are not ready therefore causing the 2018-19 season to morph into an unplanned rebuilding year.
What say you Canes fans?
1) Which of my four biggest decisions would you rank highest?
2) If you had to add a fifth biggest decision, what would it be?
Go Canes!
The biggest decision facing the canes this summer is what to do about the goalie situation. I have written on numerous occasions that this is the most difficult choice and will ultimately determine what the canes are doing next April. The team and the fans hope to enjoy playoff hockey for the first time in a decade.
I suggest the team has three options from what I have heard and read. It seems Scott Darling will be back, so who is the other goalie?
1. Sign a free agent. Hutton has been mentioned and perhaps he would be a strong candidate to challenge Darling in a 1a and 1b role. Other free agents will be available but no one jumps out as the guy who could help the team turn the corner.
2. Trade for a veteran starter such as Jake Allen, Corey Crawford, or someone along those lines. I am not saying these two are available but just examples of goalies who have demonstrated they can handle the starting role. The challenge here is the cost to obtain in trade and total contract cost for Darling and the new goalie. I don’t think the team wants 8-10 million invested in the goalie tandem.
3. The third option is obtain a young goalie who is blocked from being a starter on another team. Someone like Sparks for Toronto or Dell in San Jose. The team did this last summer in obtaining Darling. It didn’t work out as planned. Lack did not work out either in trying to elevate a backup to a starter. Perhaps third time is the charm.
The decision on the goalies for next year is both the most difficult and important for the team’s overall success. I was thrilled when the Canes acquired Darling. I genuinely hope he can have a bounce back year . Yet the team has to have a plan B.
Another important decision that needs to be made is the final assistant for Coach Rod. Someone with the abilities and expertise to help him be successful. I am interested in who the hire will be and think it will have an impact on team success.
The goalie situation is the number one priority. Darling came to camp last season at least 15 lbs over his playing weight in Chicago and clearly out of shape. If the culture is truly going to be changed than we should start right here; the message needs to be loud and clear that this is unacceptable. The right play here is to trade Darling (with some retained salary) back to Chicago for Forsberg. Forsberg goes to Charlotte as cheap insurance to be called up in case of injury. Re-sign Cam Ward short-term to share net duties with a PROVEN UFA goalie (Lehtonen, Bernier, etc.). This is the least risky approach and should be affordable from a salary stand-point.
I’d like to see us balance our youth with some key veteran players. We all have different opinions on who these difference-maker players should be, but most agree on this strategy.
Another big decision-making process will be how to address the current log-jam of young players in the system that have earned and deserve NHL opportunities.
1. Goaltending.
I think the 3 goalie solution is a less-than-smart decision. I’d explore the possibility of trading darling back to Chicago in return for taking on Hossa’s 5 mill 3 year cap hit (actual salary of oly 1 mill). Chicago could get their goalie back where he clearly wants to be and the Canes can clear the slate for a fresh approach at a cost of $1 mill per year for 3 years. I don’t think the Canes will be handicapped by the cap hit and Hossa has publically declared he is not going to play again.
Then the canes can sign Hutton and find another promising young goalie like Alex from the Phantoms to be a backup. As much as I like and respect Ward I think it is time to move on from him, though if he agrees to come back at a true backup goalie salary, like 1.5 mill or less, it is an option, but it depends on the readiness of the Canes’ own prospects.
2. Skinner. There is a third possibility for the team, to have him play the regular season in a canes uniform, giving him a chance to rejuvenate under Rbm but promise to trade him to a cup contending team if the Canes are yet again out of the playoff picture in February. I think the return could be almost as good as if he were traded now and this gives him a chance to explore the Canes under a new coaching. If he finds his mojo in Raleigh again, which we all hope, another contract can be negotiated with him, if not he has an out and the team has a pretty guaranteed decent return. Just look at what Boston gave up for Nash.
3. the coaching decision has been bade. The question is can the team find an experienced systems coach who is willing to play second fiddle to a newbie coach. Given the rumors TD is probably willing to pay up to $11 an hour.
4. This is perhaps the biggest decision but I’d rather consider it baesd on position and eed over experience. Veteran players should not be brought in to provide a safe and sound backup for the 4th line, I think high end veteran help is needed in the form of a scoring winger, a center and a top 4 defensemen (plus the goalie, of course). Bringing in guys that make difference, not another Nordstrom/Juras combo. I’d rather see a rebuild season with young players than a sucky season with cheap veterans and no auditions. I prefer to see winning season with the right mix of youth and experience that truly rewards effort.
I’m also in the camp that says solving the goalie situation is the most important decision. Like drafting a QB early in Rd 1, it’s a crapshoot. It might not be resolved until Ned or someone rises through the ranks.
I’d add a fifth that I’d put almost equal to the goalie situation: compare our prior “core” with our go-forward “core” and trade anyone who was on the first list that isn’t on the second. A change of attitude is going to come from RBA as coach, but it has to start from within the players themselves. Some of the players are for whatever reason emitting the wrong vibe that’s infecting too many others. This issue – creating a winning attitude inside the locker room – cannot fester into next season. That’s going to require player turnover. And more than most of us are expecting.
Having said that – turnover more than most of us are expecting – I have seen plenty of occasions where all the angst is the cause of one person and maybe that’s the case here. If we can pinpoint the issue (and then mask it to a trade-partner), there may not have to be all that much turnover. Realistically, though, it’s probably more than one person.
I totally agree with your statement on core(s) and the need to move some “core” for culture and attitude. Management and ownership is talking that way, and an off-season change in coach is not the fix for a number of these players.
I am worried that management will do the same job with player management that they did with management management.
I still don’t see how promoting and hiring the duo that sunk the Thrashers sends a positive message to the fans and hiring a coach with no experience from within is the great new coaching regime (though he is a great guy and I support him 100%).
If management decisions are translated to players it’s a bit like trading for the rights to resign Semin and Scotty Gomez.
To me the absolute most important “question” concerns head coaching and the approach RBA takes relative to BP. He is going to coach differently. Much emphasis in discussions about him discuss fitness and work ethic, as well as accountability. All that is part of “culture” on a team – and there is more to “culture” than just those 3 of course. To me the most important aspect of the coaching change is the change in culture that will come with it.
That is why I agree with dmilleravid about the need to move core players for culture. We don’t need to be entertaining scenarios like “let’s see how PlayerA does with RBA”. Haven’t our last N season been driven by sentences starting with the three words, “Let’s see how..”? This is the time for the “Big Change”. Let’s not do it halfway and say “Let’s see how..”. If RBA doesn’t know the players and the locker room and the culture by now there is a problem. If he doesn’t have TD’s ear, then all indications are off.
One thing I found interesting was a comment that RBA made the other dayabout VGK.
“They’re having success and it’s no secret. They’re not overthinking it, not bogging guys down with video. They’re teaching and then they’re letting them play.”
First, there is a little twist towards BP. BP’s major use of video must have chafed RBA.
“Letting them play” is the perspective of a former player-now-coach – remember Muller? Those were words I really didn’t want to hear from RBA. That said, I am not surprised to hear them from him. That perspective works for a team of experienced players – Vegas – with a player-friendly (yet not too friendly) coach like Gallant. But we will have a young team – regardless of the rookie count – and “letting ’em play” is a recipe for boys going against men with the expected result.
As an aside, this is one of the reasons I preferred someone like Vellucci over RBA but those are bygones. And time will tell.
But coaching/culture/leadership is more important than any individual player’s disposition.
1) I actually think 4) is the biggest decision. The team needs better talent several places in the lineup. Prospects provide some great opportunities. I did a quick check of the rosters for NJ and Philadelphia.
NJ had three rookies (Bratt, Butcher, Hischier) and two second-year players (Woods and Noesen). Philly had two rookies (Patrick and Hagg) plus three players who were actually or equivalently second year (Provorov, Konecny, Laughton).
It would seem five younger players is compatible with success. So I am in agreement with the others that it makes sense to give the high-ceiling prospects a try instead of bringing in reliable but low ceiling vets.
2) Committing to Aho and Lindholm at center. This signals a culture shift while giving both the best chance to reach their potential.
I just want to put this out there Matt. I totally called the three goalie scenario. 100%. It still seems like the best way to go, in my opinion, conventionality be damned. I know you want both average goalie play and financial responsibility but in this situation we clearly can’t have our cake and eat it too. Bring back Ward, get Darling in shape and bring in a third vet to fight for the role (Pickard? Halak?)
2. Also the biggest decision is the vets vs. the rookies. I feel like that would kind of shape an entire offseason strategy through that decision
Just another thought on the 3 goalie plan. I have a hard time seeing a potential 1A UFA wanting to sign here knowing they might end up #3 on the depth chart. Unlikely but possible and I’d imagine all of those guys are looking to jump into a starters role same as Darling was going into last year.
If we’re trading for someone that’s not a concern though. The goalie situation is what has me most apprehensive about next season; I fear we could easily end up with the same tandem again…
If we need a stopgap to the young guys, we need a stopgap to the young guys. I don’t see how it’s that much worse to put your faith in a combination of 6 guys, (Darling, Ward, Vet1, Ned, Booth and Helvig) than 1 guy that you have to pay draft picks for (e.g. Grubauer, Subban) It’s a dice roll either way.
There are plenty of vets available on the market that are just looking for an opportunity, like a Pickard, that could come in and compete. Its more of a shotgun approach, but picking our targets hasn’t exactly worked for us, so….
I don’t disagree with you at all and maybe I worded it poorly but wasn’t advocating that we need to trade for a goalie.
My only concern with the 3 goalie plan is that a guy like Hutton, Khudobin, or Bernier are going to look at our situation and see they may have to compete with 3-4 other guys and not want to come here. This may be completely wrong and they could see us as an opportunity to get significant play time. I don’t know, I was just thinking through it.
We’re not left with much choice here barring Darling being bought out which I think has pretty much been ruled out or a trade; which would be incredibly unlikely, except maybe to Chicago, unless we send valuable pieces and retention with him.
If we can grab a “proven” UFA guy like Hutton, Khudobin, or Bernier I would almost rather let Ward walk unless he is willing to sign a 1 year deal around $1.5m. Let Darling, new guy, and Ned compete for the spots in camp.
Absolutely true, but in the FA market we have goalies available like Pickard, Halak, Lehtonen, Hammond, Pavelec, Hutchinson, Sateri and Johnson all available in addition to Ward, and all will need places to play. Could work, could not work, but either way, I think this could easily work, both on the ice and off, given the right competitive environment
A couple of months ago Waddell said he could see going into TC with 3 goalies competing for 2 spots and suggested Darling could start the season in Charlotte. Waddell restated that yesterday when he said that Darling has to prove himself and won’t be given anything. Apparently Darling played “heavy” all season. He is returning to Raleigh next week and has committed to a program with the S&C coach for the remainder of the summer. He will probably be in the best shape of his life come September.
There are a couple of goalies available as FAs this summer who have mostly been backups but have shown the ability to be starters over the past season. Interestingly one of them has the name Khudobin (the other is Bernier). They can probably be had cheaper than others and know they have a chance to play significant minutes here – particularly if Ward is not re-signed (even if he is, I suppose). A 3-headed goalie (with Ward and K/B on short contracts) may not be a bad idea given the history of the past 1-3 years.
I hadn’t seen that but that is very reassuring from Waddell.
I believe our number one issue is goaltending. With average goaltending I believe we would have been in the playoffs. Cam did very well, Darling was almost a guaranteed loss.
I don’t know what the solution is. It is a roll of the dice if Darling can come back prepared. If he mentality is I have a contract and do not have to put the effort in then the season will be a bust. I do not see a high probability of us being able to trade him. Maybe Chicago as some has suggested. He could come back prepared and be the goalie we expected to have. It is a real big risk to assume he can come back. I believe the best may be to have 3 goalies. If Darling is not any better I see no reason not to put him in the AHL. It is not like somebody will claim him on waivers with 4M salary. I do not believe we will be able to move him. Its either move him or buy him out or he somehow comes back with a different attitude. I do not know the answer and I usually have an opinion. On this one I hope the brain trust comes up with the answer. This is why it is the number one issue, I am not sure what the answer is.
Skinner had a bad season, and that was 24 goals. Plus he has a no trade cause. IMO it is not time to trade him. He can comeback blazing again. He is a very skilled player and many teams would want him. Even with the plus/minus (which has a lot to do with the players BP put him with) I do not see an equivalent return. I would be willing to give him the year and if his level does not improve (I think it will) then get a return at the trade deadline. Given the situation I do not see a reason to decide a contract during this off season.
What other issue, defense, do we move a D for a forward. We have a lot of quality guys.
Justin Faulk – should not be a C
Noah Hanifin – high ceiling but struggling defensively
Brett Pesce – do not trade
Jaccob Slavin – do not trade
Trevor van Riemsdyk – resign and do not trade
Trevor Carrick
Roland McKeown
Haydn Fleury
These are all NHL level D. 8 total. Faulk is the one who concerns me as he has been steadily declining, but players have bad seasons.
I do not believe we need massive changes, particularly with what we have coming. Maybe we move a D for a high end forward. Give us good goal tending and we are not that far away. Just one opinion.
1) One of the contributors here quoted Roddy as saying that, like Gallant, he is going to not burden his players with DVDs and analytics and the attendant browbeating. Yay! Let’s hope that he is as anti-analytics as Gallant is. “Let ’em play!” I love it.
His new assistant coach must be the same. Heavy emphasis on conditioning and strength training. Establishing a new, winning culture.
2) Jeff Skinner will make at least part of that decision for us, if he doesn’t want to be traded. But even if he does agree to go, will he agree to go where the best deal for the team is?
We should “let him play” and give him some playmates. Wow! Won’t it be great to see him soar higher than before? 40 to 50 goals?
3) The goalie situation? What is the goalie situation? Can Scotty play better than he has been playing? Is Cam ready to retire? Of all the trade or free agent candidates, which one will want to come here? Which of them, if any, will play well for us? With a team in front of him can Scotty find his mojo? If we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that we have no idea. I am glad that better hockey minds than I will have to decide.
4) I think we all got to see what can happen when you load up a defense with inexperienced personnel. “Consistently inconsistent “, as Peter’s was fond of saying. Our defense should have pairings of one offense minded d-man and one stay-at-home guy. Mix in some experience with inexperience. That’s the only way it works. We lost our only d-man with grit, so I am hopeful that Carrick makes the team. If he does, we will need one more; Darnell Nurse, Jamie Olecksiak, or Justin Falk, or the like.
5) The “C” goes to Willy. An “A” goes to Brady Tkachuk. All indications are that he will provide leadership along with his aggressive play long after Willy hangs ’em up.
Well I’m just going to say this powerless, at least you won’t have nearly as much competition on your Tkachuk love affair as I will with my Svechnikov one. I likely have to bring diamonds on the first date just to get his attention.
1. Goaltending. If the three headed goalie monster Waddell wants gets us average goaltENding, we might just make the playoffs.
2. DRAFT SVECHNIKOV OR WE RIOT!
2A. Skinner has a NTC ,so he can only go where he wants this season. Let’s hope a head coaching change gets him back on track.
Fogger. Wouldn’t it be something if Buffalo picks Tkachuk?
See…we shouldn’t even be playing with fire like that, because that just toys with so many emotions.
That would actually be the best of all worlds. We could then trade down to three with Montreal for a sizable return and still draft the best player–Svechnikov.
Dogbutler’s proclamation; “…OR WE RIOT.” Reminds me of a time in my history as a sports fan.
In 1999, the NFL draft was held in Philadelphia. I have been a long suffering Eagles fan (until last year). In 1999, we had the second pick, right behind another perennial loser, the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns selected Tim Couch, a QB from U. Of Kentucky. My beloved Iggles were going to select running back Ricky Williams. Everybody knew that Williams was to be our salvation. All the experts knew that Williams was a franchise player. Williams, from the U. Of Texas, was a winner of the Heisman trophy.
When the Eagles used the No. 2 pick to select QB Donovan McNabb instead of Williams, the room (crowded with Eagles fans) was rumbling with Boos. Threats of riots and death threats were reported. Eagles management was fearful (we Philadelphia sports fans are notorious for our negative passions).
McNabb went on to an 11 year career with us. He won us 5 NFC east championships and a trip to the Super Bowl. He went to the Pro bowl 6 times.
Ricky Williams? It turns out that the Eagles management discovered that he had a problem with marijuana. He was selected by the New Orleans saints with their No. 5 pick. He bounced around the NFL and the CFL. He never stayed with any team long enough to take them anywhere.
Tim Couch? A bust.
In the 2000 NFL draft, the New England Patriots used their No. 199 pick to select QB Tom Brady. At the time, nobody had heard of him and nobody cared.
You can’t make this stuff up, gang!
Be prepared to be surprised. All surprises aren’t fun. Brace for impact!