Friday’s Daily Cup of Joe laid out a detailed case for where Victor Rask could theoretically fit into the 2018-19 lineup.
Today’s Daily Cup of Joe offers a collection of thoughts on individual players similar to the Rask article but briefer.
Martin Necas
More than any other player other than perhaps Jordan Staal who is many years established at the position, I see Martin Necas as a center. That includes over Sebastian Aho for whom I have a slight preference to play him at center but also think that he brings nearly as much playing as a wing. Based primarily on my assessment of Necas during game action in prospect camp, Traverse City and preseason, I do not think the current version of Necas’ skill set translates nearly as well to a shift to wing. He is at his best skating into the teeth of the defense with the puck on his stick, and his playmaking ability is significantly more advanced than his finishing ability at this point in his career. As such, I think he either makes the Hurricanes as a center next season or otherwise starts at the center position in the AHL.
James van Riemsdyk
I am leery of what his next contract could be and might ultimately prefer to pass if term and price get out of hand for a 29-year old player who has high-end finishing capability but also gaps in his game. But if the Hurricanes did add him, I think he is a great fit to boost the Aho/Teravainen combination to the next level. Van Riemsdyk brings size and finishing importantly in the form of a player who spends a ton of time around the net, can finish there and does not need the puck on his stick much to be an effective scorer. I think that last part is the key. Aho/Teravainen do not need another player who needs the puck to be effective. What they need is another finisher.
Jeff Skinner
More than any other skater (Scott Darling is the only potential rival), Jeff Skinner is the player that the Hurricanes’ brain trust needs to make a big decision on. As an unrestricted free agent after the 2018-19 season, the team needs to either commit long-term to Skinner or otherwise consider trading him while he still has significant value and then repurpose his share of salary budget. Does Brind’Amour see a high-end scorer with more to give if put in a favorable position? Or does Brind’Amour see the player who is a minus player with significant gaps on the defensive side of the puck?
Alex Nedeljkovic
Because of the Charlotte Checkers’ success in 2018-19, I think many overestimate Alex Nedeljkovic’s readiness of the NHL. Nedeljkovic played some of his best hockey of the season in the playoffs, but the story of the team’s regular success was much more that of offensive fire power than goaltending stinginess. No doubt, Nedeljkovic made strides after a difficult 2016-17 season, but he was more of a decent goalie on a good team than the driver of success. But without wishing injury on the Hurricanes goaltending tandem, I hope Nedeljkovic gets at least a short look at the NHL level in 2018-19. The reason is because I think he is more likely to be the type of goalie who seizes the opportunity than the type who just looks obviously ready in the AHL level. Nedeljkovic has always been a big game player, so my thinking is that he could be the type who just rises to the occasion when challenged and thrives. Here is hoping that he gets a look to see if that is the case.
What say you Canes fans?
1) What do others think about my assertion that Martin Necas is very purely a center and should not go ‘the Hurricanes’ way and start at the wing at the NHL level?
2) Do you like James van Riemsdyk? If so, at what term and annual salary? And if the Hurricanes did sign van Riemsdyk, do you see him with Aho/Teravainen or on a different line?
3) What is your personal read on Jeff Skinner, and more significantly, what do you think the read is the Hurricanes brain trust?
4) What are your thoughts on Alex Nedeljkovic and his NHL-readiness?Â
Go Canes!
1) I have a strong preference for Necas at center and believe he should develop there, at whatever level RBA thinks is best for Necas and the canes. We should have enough good wings that there is. O need to plug him in there.
2) I like JVR. He brings Jeff Skinner level point production and plays solid D. Given that Svechnikov and Foegele are also left wings, adding JVR would make all of Nordstrom, PDG, and Skinner expendable. So I think you wait until the draft to measure interest in Skinner and see if we actually get Svechnikov before moving on JVR. TD has been tight with the purse strings so far so I think I would be happy with any contract that the GM committee would agree to.
3) Skinny either has to play D or move along. It isn’t fair to other players to make them sacrifice on D while he stands around. Skinny disrespects the game and his teammates with lack of hustle, in the motivational category, it is a cancer that must be excised, either out of the player or out of the team. RBA hasn’t been completely consistent on this so I think the brain trust is carefully weighing the pluses and minuses. Is this a player who will take us to the cup?
4) Ned has a history of being a big game player, but can an 82 game regular season look like all big games? The first 10 or so would be big, and maybe the others would be also for a backup. I don’t think he is ready as a starter but I would entertain the idea of the backup role. But then again, it wouldn’t be good for his development. Perhaps he either needs to come in ready to start or needs more starts at the AHL level.
Svechnikov is a right wing. I think a TT/Aho/Svechnikov line should definitely be given a look at to start the season.
1)Agree on Necas. Would like to see him center Skinner and Svechnikov. Line might have some defensive issues but man would they be fun to watch.
2) I like JVR but am afraid he might cost too much. Hoping we could get a little discount by resigning TVR.
Also concerned about things I have read about him losing a step and being somewhat of a defensive liability. That being said, I would like to get him and play him w Aho and Teravainen.
And Svechnikov is a right wing so he doesn’t make Skinner expendable.
3)Skinner- I think it would be a mistake to trade him. I want to see what he can do playing for Brindamour with good linemates.
I admit his defense can be lacking at times, but he was 2nd in the league in takeaways last year behind only McDavid.
Better goaltending will help everyone’s plus/minus.
4)I would prefer Néd have another year in the AHL but would like to see him get some time up in the NHL- maybe he seizes the opportunity and runs with it.
davej, I think you’re right on it. I’m not sold on JVR yet. I think he wants to stay in a big market & not sure how much he has left. No long term deal from us hopefully.
I think Necas will be a good center for us but I would put him with Skinny & Williams to have a veteran beside him would help his first year development much more. I would love to see an equally exciting line of TT/Aho/Svechnikov though.
Skinner should def be given a chance to turn it around & shine under RB. Also with better goaltending I think he will be a different player next year.
Ned is def not ready for the NHL. Got crushed by the Phantoms in the last series letting in an average of 4 or 5 goals. Next year will be key into seeing what we really have in him.
Matt, you have expressed my sentiments almost exactly–perhaps I have been reading all your insights for so long that I now realize that it is folly to disagree!!
1) Yes, Necas is a center. No reason to ease him into the game when that easing might slow his development. From my perspective, it is essential that he play with a scorer. As you mention he is more of a playmaker than a scorer himself. Yet, his assists are only significantly higher than his goals in international competition when he has strong scorers on his line. While I understand the concerns about playing two rookies on one line, I really want to see Necas with Svechnikov. Which impacts 2) and 3).
2) I read somewhere that JVR was one of the few NHL players in recent years to score 30+ goals while averaging less than 15 minutes of ice time. This is impressive but also worrisome. Not to disrespect asheville–but I am pretty sure JVR is below average defensively, which is why he plays less than 15 minutes a night.
Also, Matt’s description of why he would work with Aho and Teravainen are a description of Zykov, whose defensive game improved in Charlotte this season. So given the difference in age and likely additional $5 million dollars of salary, I think JVR is at best an even-value acquisition for the first 3-4 years of his contract. For the last 2-3 years, I think his contract might be a weight on the team.
JVR only makes sense if the team decides to move on from Skinner. So . . .
3) Players who can finish in the top 10 of goal scorers are valuable. As we have all seen, Skinner can carry the team for stretches when he is hot. This past season saw his shooting % below his career average. That is the risk with 53–he is going to shoot, often from less dangerous areas of the ice–when hot he is dangerous, but when he cools down he doesn’t create extra chances for his line mates. For that reason, I don’t see him fitting on a line with Aho/TT, or a line with Necas, or a line with Svechnikov. So the question for RBA and the management is whether Skinner can produce 30 goals next season (I would think he might play with Lindholm at C and Williams at LW, though the turnovers for that line would be a concern) given that the “offense-focused” lines will include Aho and Svech.
4) Early in the year, I was convinced that Ned would be an NHL back-up at best. That still would be my bet if I had to make one. However, he improved quite a bit the second half of the season. While he was not the every game driver of success because the Checkers were a potent offense, he did provide several shutouts and generally win the few low-scoring games that occurred. So I think he has earned a preseason look.
Obviously meant Williams at RW.
CT, respectful disagreement is always welcome. It’s a little early for me this morning, I had Svechnikov playing in the wrong side and used JVRs typical plus/minus as an indicator of defensive play, however using him in a sheltered role could explain that. Thank you for the insights as always.
Necas may project as a center down the line, but there is way more to playing center than offense. I would be concerned about Necas and the defensive responsibilities he would have. Unless he has put on some significant weight and strength I think playing center in the NHL would be a tall task for him next year. Also, there is nothing about playing wing that hurts a player’s development. You want a young player to have success when he gets to the NHL and playing wing is a better way for that to happen in many cases. Still, where he fits in and if he is even ready is a question.
I don’t know enough about James Van Riemsdyk to comment, but I’ve seen the brother act here before. Pass.
When Rod Brind’Amour talked about players not being able to fool him exhibit A had to be Jeff Skinner. His game has no place on a responsible team. I feel his exposure to Semin as a young player really hurt him. I do have some sympathy for the guy. He’s had several concussions and is probably worried about his long term health. I get that, but the why he plays the way he does really doesn’t matter. Move him. Yesterday.
Hoping Ned is ready for any significant NHL action is like buying a lottery ticket. He had an OK year in Charlotte. I’m sure he will get a look in training camp, but he had better be really impressive to be considered for the big club. Hard to think the Canes won’t bring in some kind of goalie with NHL experience to compete with Darling for the #1 job. That leaves Ned with a lot to do. That said, hope he does it.
1. I got the feeling Necas won’t come in ready (and I don’t bhame him either). I think he will need at least half a season with the Checkers, playing center, to become comfortable with the position and the game. Boy, would I ever be happy if he proved me wrong, but I am more concerned about him being given the opportunity but not fading under the weight of unreal expectations (Lindholm anybody)? I”d vote for Necas as a center,, give him training camp and initial 4 or 5-game look with the Canes, but have a plan B in place and don’t hesitate to send him down to Clt for some experience if the small sample shows he needs a bit more adjustment.
2. I’ve been thinking about this and I’d go with Zykov with Aho and TT. I think JVR is a big time guy who will be entertaining a number of huge offers, including the Islanders. I think a younger player who has been playing in the shadow of a superstar and wants to break out would be a better target (yes, I am looking at RNH and Dreizeitel with the Oilers, maybe someone in Tampa if they totally blow the Capitals series, Buf and Tor also have options).
That being said, JvR on any type of reasonable (3-year 6.5 mill ish) deal is something no team would say no to, it’s JVR at an unreasonable 8-year 7 mill deal that a team should stay clear of. I’m still in the Kane camp. Big nasty player who used to play for Duddley and reportedly loved atlanta. There are character issues, and taht is a risk.
3. I can’t makeup my mind about Skinner. We know what he is capable of. He’s a first class scorer when he’s on is game, but he is also streaky and does not contribute much when he is not scoring. If we can get a big hall for him (yes, I wish we could get Hall for him, but I doubt it) e.g. from the Oilers we should entertain the trading possibilities. If not, there is a lot of talent there, it got buried somehow last year, maybe something physical, maybe something mental, but a fresh start for the team may hit Skinner’s reset button.
4. Ned really improved as the season progressed, so his numbers are a bit deceiving (this is my impression based on reading individual game summaries, not on reviewing statistics, impressions can be misleading). But he competes, he plays hard, he’s on a good trijectory. But does he need another year in Charlotte first? We have some enticing goalie prospects tha may unexpectedly rise and seize the opportunity, someone like Helvig. I think a bacup goalie should come from within the system, hopefully a third goalie can be brought in, or Darling traded for another player with high salary and the chance to reset.
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A lot of great discussion points this morning. The new leadership has much much work to do this summer. It is nice having talented young players to consider where they fit in the system.
1. I have watched Necas a little bit at the international tournament. No doubt that he is a talented center. Is he ready for prime time? I think so in the right situation. I would like to see him center Williams and McGinn. Experience and grit on his wings to help his development. This is not his future role but it may be the best way to transition to the NHL. 14 to 15 minutes a game. He has the speed and skill to play in Raleigh but a bit of protection would not hurt.
2. I am wary of big free agent signings at this time. I see the Canes window just starting to open. We are not a big signing away from a deep run. JVR would better fit on a team closer to all in. Unfortunately we are not there.
3. I really like Skinner. When that kid scores his joy lights up the arena. That said I just don’t see where he fits. He is not a fit with Aho/TT. He is not defensively responsible enough to play with the Russian. I would like to see him go to Toronto(home town team) for Kapanen and Sparks. Kapanen could play with Aho/TT and Sparks is a 24 year old AHL goalie of the year. Also an Illinois kid. He and Darling could be an interesting tandem. Plus he is cheap for a couple of years. Skinner goes home and plays with a team that might better fit his skill set.
4. I don’t know enough about the magical arts of goalie development to know if Ned is ready. We could use his scoring but perhaps he needs more time. If Darling goes all Swiss cheese again the team may have to use him- ready or not.
These decisions will greatly impact playoffs or lottery next spring. I hope the Canes make the right choices.
1/ If Necas isn’t a center or can’t play in Raleigh as a Center next year, commentators on this blog will have to adjust their line-pairings because that’s not been factoring into the equation. I’m all for giving him every chance with regular minutes and think that’s where he belongs. It’s his natural position.
2/ From his post-season press conference, TD does not think that shopping for high-profile UFA’s is a cost-effective way of improving a team so I’d be very surprised to see us give price and term to JvR. And I agree with TD on this point generally and as it relates to JvR specifically. More scoring is way more likely to come via the draft (#2 pick) and trades.
3/ Changing the core means parting ways with good players; Skinner is on that list. Skinner has the most value now that he’s probably ever going to have so I think we need to listen to offers especially since it appears lots of teams are calling. And once we figure out the players we want on other teams, we should not hesitate to include him in a fair deal. At this point in his career, he is a known quantity to us. That doesn’t mean that he won’t be even more successful or take his game to a higher level somewhere else (like Kessel has done in PIT); but that shouldn’t matter to us if we get a fair return. I think a trade would give him a fresh start which he could probably use.
4/ No idea. Finding a goalie seems like a total crapshoot. We’ll see him in camp and will know more.
1. Agree that Necas is a true Center. He needs time in Charlotte to adapt to the smaller North American rink size and physicality. You have to earn your place on the Canes, not be anointed.
2. I agree with your assessment on JVR, and there will be better value options out there for us.
3. A couple of months ago I felt Skinner had to go. Now that I’ve had time to think about it and settle down, I think we should keep him. He is an elite scorer that is hard to replace; he will be playing for a new contract; RBA can get more out of him. Skinner has a full No Movement Clause so he has total control over his fate. He deserves another chance on a top line with a legitimate 1C and maybe Svechnikov at RW. I predict Skinner will have a great bounce-back season.
4. I agree. Ned deserves a chance to compete for a Canes roster spot. Our entire goalie situation is in flux and is priority #1 to be remedied.
1. Necas is a center, pure and simple. He said last season he would play anywhere to get NHL ice time but he shouldn’t be considered at the wing. There have been a couple of really good interviews with him in the past month. He made major steps playing in the Czech league, was given greater responsibilities and was very successful.
If he is not ready to play center at the NHL level he should start in Charlotte – working with Vellucci, even for a few months, would be great for his game.
2. JVR’s contract will ultimately prove to be the type of contract you’re happy to have in the first few years and sorry to have to carry in the out years. He is going to push for term and money – this is his last big chance to settle his future. He has earned that right – and for that reason I wouldn’t pursue him except to confirm those thoughts.
3. The only questions on Skinner are: (a) on which of the other 30 teams he will be playing on; (b) what will we get for him; and (c) who else will we have to include in the trade to mitigate the contract year risk the other team will take on with Skinner.
TD has already indicated he wants to move Skinner. GMs are lining up to talk with Waddell.
And find Freidman’s 31 Thoughts articles – five of those thoughts are Canes-related with several based on an interview he had with RBA. RBA made the point in the press conference that he wanted to make existing players better. He then named names – Lindholm and Staal. No Skinner.
I believe he is on his way out and I think that is best for both parties. He needs to be on a team that will showcase his skills – he is playing for one more big contract – not on a team guessing if he can rebound from last season.
4. Ned – aka, “it was the best of times and the worst of times”. I love his desire and work ethic. But the LV series highlighted his performance, as much as he improved this past season (and he made major improvements). He allows but 2 goals in the first game, a loss, then a shutout in Game 2. But then 5 goals allowed in Game 3. Back to greatness the next night in the 5-OT loss, and then another 5 goals allowed in a must-win Game 5.
That has been the story of his season.
He is not yet ready to be relied on as an option for one of the spots.
Waddell has gone on record that they are planning to bring in a third goalie for training camp and will let 3 goalies compete for the two spots. That implies Ward stays and I think leaves out Ned for the coming season.
Circling back to (2), I have the impression that Waddell and TD will not pursue high-end/cost free agents, which would exclude JvR; trades will be in play.
If Skinner is traded the Canes need to get an excellent return for him.
He’s got a year left on a pretty budget friendly deal, so the risk to whatever team takes him is minimal )no albatross longterm contract) with a potentially huge payoff.
A low risk, high reward player is about the best deal you can get for a team like the Oilers, who are desperate to return to the playoffs next ear and may be willing to part with good players to accelerate the process. Ditto Toronto who want to take the next step deeper into the playoffs and need a replacement for JVR.
If we don’t get enough return for Skinner, he can play with the Canes until trade deadline and either be dealt or be part of a playoff run. Either way hehe’ll be playing for a contract, so he should be motivated.
I unfortunately think we are going to be disappointed in what the Canes get for Skinner. He is not a low risk player. He has to score to not be an enormous liability. His style of play isn’t conducive to other linemates and I don’t think the rest of the league doesn’t notice. That said someone will take a flyer on him. I just don’t think we are going to get some stud in return. Probably a useful player and a conditional draft pick.
Not sure where or why the whole “it hurts a centers development to play wing” gospel came from. A guy can be ready for the NHL, but not ready for the responsibility to play center. Necas is listed on hockeyDB as 6’1″ and 167lbs. That doesn’t suggest he will be very strong down low. Sounds a lot like a winger.
1. Play him at center. hope he is ready, but I haven’t seen him lately so I don’t know (of course I don’t know if me seeing him would tell me anything or not :))
2. JVR … think he has too many gaps… and TD has mentioned he doesn’t like deals like that (I personally think TD is going to be very tight on the purse strings… I think he is tapped out)
3. Skinny … I would like for him to stay. selfish, I know… he looks like the new spiderman 🙂 To me, after Eric left, Skinny stepped up, IMO, he did not get positive feedback (not the right words, but) from the coach…. I believe as time went on, Skinny is definitely one that fell out with BP (they are probably both to blame). I believe in the new situation, he can excel. I understand he has been a hard fit with linemates, however, part of that may have been the system. He has always been a leader in take aways, so that shows he has some defense. He is a player that can take over a game. I just don’t see trading him (especially for JVR who would be just like him)
4. Ned … don’t know enough to say….
I believe that Necas should play center for a season in the AHL, before being exposed to the NHL. The smaller rinks make it difficult for a European player to adjust to the incredible speed and viciousness of the North American game.
At least on the Checkers, he will have teammates who are willing to stand up for him. Ask Skinny how it feels to have a bull’s eye on your back while playing for the Candy Canes.
Watching the playoffs this post season has been instructive for me. Had we somehow backed into the playoffs, we would have been swept in 4. And we would certainly have incurred heavy casualties.
Earlier this season, a stats guru named Yost wrote an article for TSN entitled, “The Death of Heavy Hockey”.
He began his fantasy piece with the statement, “Heavy hockey is dead. ” He didn’t say that it is dying. Nor did he say that it will die sometime soon. No. He said that it is dead. As in now.
Wow!
He further fantasized, “That’s one of the critical takeaways I’ve had while watching this season develop. The teams built on size, strength and power are routinely overwhelmed [like the Jets and the Caps?]. The teams built on speed, pace, and agility are prospering [like the Canes and the Panthers?].”
Many of my fellow fans think like Mr. Yost. They refer to the “new NHL”. I prefer to think in terms of the “real NHL “.
When I see my beloved Canes on the ice with other teams, I feel like i would have felt in the seats of the old Roman Coliseum watching the lions attack and eat the Christians. I would have preferred to see someone give them a sword or a spear with which to fight back.
Hopefully the new blood in our management will see things in the perspective of the “real NHL “. We don’t need more scoring. We don’t need more two-way players. We need gritty “glue guys” who will fight for their teammates and infect their teammates with a winning team spirit (kind of like Tom Wilson and Dustin Byflugin). We don’t need just one. We need several.
Please Tom? Pretty please?
Spent most of the day in a waiting room. So besides from finding a new solution for Fermat’s Last Theorem, I spent some time thinking about my overly optimistic view of the 18-19 Canes.
Others are on to something in that Necas might need another year. Still, I think there might be four rookies. Wallmark has done about everything he can in the AHL. Necas can have that spot. Given his ability to create assists at an impressive rate in both international play and for the Checkers, I think Wallmark could work with Skinner. So the four lines that might work best:
Zykov/Aho/TT
Skinner/Wallmark/Williams
Rask/Lindholm/Svechnikov
Foegele/Staal/McGinn
Martinook as 13 and available to fill almost any role.
Each line has obvious strengths, but no line would have to be overly sheltered. Again, I don’t think the lines are numbered, more combined to give Brind’Amour options in every situation.
Skinner won’t be a Cane next, and I will be surprised if Rask is too. Think outside the box – the box is being broken up.
In short, I do not see Skinner on the team next season. I would trade him for a 2C (that can serve as a 1C short-term) until Aho and/or Necas are ready. Speaking of the Czech, too early to say he will be ready for even the NHL. At because of the unknown, I think that circles back to my first sentence.
As for JVR, I don’t think the Canes will pursue any free agents, other than a depth defenseman. I believe most of our significant additions will come in the form of trade for players with some cost controlled term (or trade-and-extend).
As for Ned, let him show what he’s got in camp and maybe he pushes for one of the two NHL spots, but I can almost bet we’ll bring in a known NHL starter and this conversation may become moot.
There’s an interesting article over on Hockeybuzz explaining why Buf may want to trade RoR.
He wants a restart, the team has excellent centers on the rise and he has a 7 mil salary apr. for 3 or 4 more years, though his actual salary is slightly lower since his contract was front loaded.
the bet is that he wants to be a true #1 center on a team, was taken over by younger centers in both Colorado and Buffalo.
My concern is that he is not high scoring enough, but he is big, fairly good, especially on the powerplay and may be worth a consideration as an upgrade.
I don’t know enough about O’Reilly’s game, but 60 ppg over 5 years isn’t bad – particularly on a lousy team. What does it to pry him free if fan-based rumors borders on reality? Note: he is still drawing $8.5M next season and $6M the following 4.
Living in Toronto I have the luxury of watching the Leafs a lot and also having plenty of friends more than willing to share their opinion on their beloved team. My read from JVR is similar to what a couple people have alluded to previously – he is an ‘elite’ specialist type winger. Very much like our own Jeff Skinner. He does certain things exceptionally well especially offensively (JVR), and he does have an element of talent that the Canes sorely lack – net front scoring ability. With that said , he is as bad if not WORSE than Skinner defensively and considering he is going to be the highest paid free agent in this class I just don’t see the organization gaining a lot of value in signing him to a 6×6 + contract.
When you think back to all the last 10 free agencies, was it the ‘top fry’ out there that actually returned the greatest value? IT almost NEVER is – i’m not saying bargain bin shopping but look at Lee Stempniak deal or Eric Staal going to Minnesota. Look at David Perron for instance – is he going to get as much as JVR ? Doubtful. But for less cap hit he will return similar value I’d be more inclined to look for a guy like that. If the team is after a ‘top fry’ free agent let it be Paul Stastny on a shorter term deal for big money.