Before the offseason kicks into full frenzy mode next week leading up to the 2018 NHL Draft weekend, today’s Daily Cup of Joe offers a short round of Canes catch up that has a collection of thoughts not yet covered (or covered in detail) in other articles.
Jeff Daniels named assistant coach
Last week, the Carolina Hurricanes announced that Jeff Daniels was named as an assistant coach to fill the gap left by Rod Brind’Amour’s promotion to head coach.
To be honest, I am not thrilled with the move. This is less an assessment of Daniels and more my opinion on the run of transactions filling out the management and coaching staff. I had hoped for someone with more head coaching experience, ideally at the NHL level, for Rod Brind’Amour to be able to lean on during ups and downs of a long NHL season. Instead, the Hurricanes again stayed internal and went with a coach who had a ‘meh’ run at the AHL level and is inexperienced at the NHL level.
More significant to me is missing another opportunity to inject new blood into an organization that has not been successful in some time. The team has now passed on opportunities to add from outside the organization for a general manager, head coach and assistant coach.
The preseason schedule
The team also announced its 2018-19 preseason schedule which you can find HERE.
The schedule is somewhat similar to years past with home and away sets with the Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals.
The Canes play the usual quick burst of three games on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday shortly after training camp opens. Those three games are the opportunity for players who are off the radar to make strong impressions and jump into the mix as roster cuts are made.
After that burst of three games, a significant round of cuts would be expected before the team takes to the road for its next two preseason games the following week. The second of those games which is on Friday is then followed by another on Sunday. That set represents what are usually tune up games for the regular season.
What say you Canes fans?
1) What are your thoughts on Jeff Daniels as the choice to fill the open assistant coach role?
2) Who has other Canes catch worth discussing before all of the fun starts next week?
3) Who is ready for what could be a busy week culminating with the 2018 NHL Draft weekend?
Go Canes!
I disagree with Matt on the selection of Jeff Daniels to fill the assistant coach position. While it is certainly possible that management chose to promote from within to fill the slot, thus passing on the opportunity to bring in “new blood”.
Don Waddell and Rick Dudley are new to their jobs. Yes, Waddell has been in the organization since 2014, but he hasn’t been involved in the hockey operations until now. Dudley is new. Francis is gone. His track record demonstrates that his way of doing things is substantially different from Waddell’s and Dudley’s.
Bill Peters came from the outside. His way of doing things was very different from what we can expect from Roddy.
It only makes sense that a head coach gets to pick his assistants. Roddy has said that he will be relying on Peter Laviolette and Gerard Gallant for advice. As head coach he must be the man. His coaching staff must work to present a united front to the players, the press, and the fans. Daniels is perfect. He has always been a “team” guy. The players will need unity in order to establish a positive and winning culture.
I don’t understand why anyone would want anything else.
Has anyone noticed that Brady Tkachuk’s profile is now prominently displayed on the Canes’ website? He is, after all, Roddy’s kind of player. Hmmm!
He’s my kind of player too.
I like the hire of Daniels. I’m not buying in to all this head coaching experience stuff. I don’t think Rod Brind’Amour needs any help getting through the hard times. No one is more focused than Brind’Amour. He won’t deviate. An outside perspective could be useful, but not at the expense of unity. The assistant is there to implement the head coach’s plan. Daniels knows what he is there to do as he has done it before. Won a cup. His AHL record was pretty solid considering what he had to work with. I think we can all agree that the talent there is much better now, and some consider Vellucci a NHL head coaching candidate after one year of coaching professional hockey when his team finished in third place. Don’t get that.
Powerless, I wouldn’t get too excited about what’s on the Canes website. Svechnikov was up a day or two ago. I’m a big Tkachuk fan too, but looks like Svechnikov will be the pick. Probably the right pick as well.
1) the Hurricanes leadership takes recycling very seriously.
I will wait and see before deciding. My initial reaction was not positive, but we did win a Stanley Cup with Daniels behind the bench.
2) The Fora signing is interesting
3) can’t wait!
1. I’ve got to agree with powerless on Daniels. At the very least we know that our coaching staff will all be on the same page this year; I’m cautiously optimistic.
2. I saw this morning that the Canes signed a 2 year, two-way contract with Swiss RHD Michael Fora. He’s listed as 6’4″ and 214 lbs and played in a top-pairing shut-down role for the silver medal winning Switzerland team at the 2018 WHC. I highly doubt he is NHL ready right now but could be a great add to bolster our depth on the right side. I would venture to say that’s another hint that Faulk will be moved in the next week.
3. I’m ready to see some trade action!
Oh…forgot to add this comment.
There is a reason all these hires are in house. $$$$$$$! Dundon isn’t paying anything! The stories continue to come out that Dundon is offering league low salaries. No one is moving here for that unless they are desperate for the job. If you are already here, well…..
My favorite line about TD – “deep pockets…short arms…” 😀
1) Ambivalent.
2) Really like the Fora and Maenalanen signings. Both should be decent AHL adds and have the upside of adding size and decent skill at the NHL if they develop a little more.
3) OK–I will be the one to ask. Is C&C (basically are you willing to burden yourself with tons extra work) going to have another offseason prediction/draft contest? Because I am ready.
I agree with you in general, Matt, on the Daniels hiring. But at this stage in the process it is almost expected. The change in ownership has really reshuffled the deck chairs on the hockey side of the business.
There has been no real change – it is clear that both Faulk and Skinner are being shopped but I am thinking we are trying to make deals from a position of weakness which is hurting the chances for roster changes.
Right now we are saying we are going to be better because: (1) RBA is not BP; and (2) We have the second draft pick. To me that is not enough.
Speaking of other changes, I am not sure I saw you mention it here yet (you may have and I don’t recall it) but that is now the second jersey hanging in PNC that is no longer here – with Glen Wesley’s contract not being renewed.
I am looking forward to catching the energy of the draft party for sure!
I am less than impressed with the JD signing, but at least ya’ll’s have convinced me to give it a chance.
I don’t like the penny pinching messages coming from the new ownership and the wild conspiracy theories about the owner wanting to run the team into the ground and sell it are only mildly wild by now. TD has done nothing to impress me, quite the opposite.
But the most important test of the TD ear, the on ice product has yet to tak shape. I’d be more than happyto have to swallow my pessimism with a suitable beverage.
1) I feel the same as CT, ambivalent. The assistant coach does not set the trend, he executes the trend. Daniels did well in the AHL with not so good talent.
2) When TD bought the team he wanted to win and had deep pockets. The word is, he is cheap. We do not need another PK. There is a flip side to this, is he going to spend his money where it matters, the players. It will be interesting to see what unfolds. The guy really wanted to win, so it is hard to believe he will not make some waves. I can see trading Faulk (with good return) and somehow getting an additional goalie.
Making the experience enjoyable will help but a winning team is what sells tickets. I think he knows that.
3) The 2018 NHL Draft weekend will be exciting. I have paid little attention to what happens after the top 10 picks.
So Tom Dundon is cheap? Or is that just the rumor? Let’s say that it is true. Let’s also say that he is convinced that we need a strong d-man who plays with a snarl. He is also convinced that we need a scoring catalyst.
After being frustrated with his inability to make a trade because of players unwilling to play here. And after getting sticker shock at some players we might want here because Roddy says we need them.
Tom decides to move up Trevor Carrick to be our d-man with an edge. Fora replaces him. Knowing that we need a scoring catalyst, and listening to Roddy talk about how the Senators messed it up with Matt Duchene, Tom makes a decision. It isn’t enough to just draft a scoring forward. We need a catalyst. We need someone who will be nasty in the boards as well as behind the net. We need someone who will create chaos in front of the enemy net. One who is not shy about dropping the gloves for his teammates. A leader who will make his teammates feel inspired and free to score.
So while another scoring forward might make the red light go on and the horn to blow a few times per game, that likely won’t bring out the crowds.
Tom wants cheeks in the seats. But does he want to embrace Lucic’s $6 million contract for the next 5 years or does he want to use the No. 2 pick for a scorer, playmaker, and agitator/enforcer? Enter one Brady Tkachuk.
Do you think hard hits, fights, and scoring are not the thing that excites crowds? Do you think that if our team is no longer too soft to make the playoffs, that season ticket sales won’t go through the roof?
You’re right. It’s probably nothing.
But what if the fact that Tkachuk’s profile is prominently displayed on the Canes site is something?
Now that’s exciting.
Oh well. Now they have Zadina up.
Powerless…. are you GrizzlyBear on another site 🙂 You sound like this other poster on another site that just love Brady!
Just kidding… your secret is safe with me!
#1 – I think Daniels was a solid choice. Sure, it’s not the splashy pick with prior NHL head coaching experience, but you also don’t want a guy hovering to step in once Rod hits a slump (and he will at times). The team has a say but it’s Rod’s decision on who he can trust and instill his game plan with. Daniels is a class act guy who has experience working with young guys and he carries weight with the veterans having played in the NHL for a long time. And he’s proven to do so as a player and assistant at the NHL level…hard to argue this.
#2 and #3 – Ready to draft Svech and see how many of our mock trades come true, or don’t 🙂
As for Daniels, it’s RBA’s team and he gets to pick his assts. That’s enough for me. For now.
As for all this TD stuff, I tend to focus on the bigger picture: he closed on buying the team Jan 11 and by Mar 7, not even 60 days later, he removed Ron Francis as GM. He wants change and is not afraid of making bold decisions to get it. This next 3-4 week period is the first real chance to be bold with the roster and that’s what I’m expecting.
I’m not expecting to like every move made but I’m ready for change.
I hope you are right but to me the changes just haven’t been the types of changes I would have wanted to see. I am on the fence – the correctness of the path needs to be proven to me.
And here is an interesting take on why one change hasn’t happened yet from Pierre Lebrun:
“A Jeff Skinner trade out of Carolina is probably being held up to some degree by the Ilya Kovalchuk free-agent situation. My understanding is that some of the same teams that have interest in Kovalchuk have also talked to Carolina about Skinner. Both the Kings and Sharks would be examples of that, I believe. So, it’s very possible Skinner isn’t dealt until Kovalchuk makes up his mind.”
https://theathletic.com/393972/2018/06/15/lebrun-notebook-belief-is-tavares-leaning-toward-staying-put-change-of-scenery-for-lucic-and-the-goalie-market/
Ptblespaul. No. I am not posting anywhere but here. But I do like the handle “Grizzlybear”. Sorry I didn’t think of it.
Well… isn’t that what you would say 🙂 wink…. just messing with you.
On BT, I’ve heard a lot of talk about him being someone you want on your team… especially when he fills out more. He seems to have the frame and nastiness for it.
Domi for Galchenyuk? Let the games begin.
Too early to assess, but seems an awkward trade for MTL. A team semi-desperate for a center trades what should be a center in Chucky for another spark plug type player in Domi. Guessing they will overpay for their center whomever that may be.
A lot of supposed Car-related gossip in today’s Hockeybuzz update from Eklund:
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/Rumors-A-PlentyOn-Who-Likes-Skinner-Hawks-Carolina-Blues-in-Net/1/93403
Montreal trying to get Skinner but Alex was supposed to be part of that deal. Calgary supposedly in the lead (but I do not see Skinner playing for BP again).
Chicago trying to make a Canes deal, Canes having been fleeced by the Blackhawks in the past (Matt wrote a great post that essentially concluded the same, TT was the only good player we got out of those deals, granted if he keeps improving the Canes may actually come out on top).
Car with interest in Hutton.
to a great pickup). I don’t know why RF had this love affair with the Blackhawks.
On an unrelated notes, congratulations to my country’s national team for earning a tie against Argentina at the soccer world cup. The grit, determimation and playing for each other spirit plus incredible goaltending turned an 80/20% advantage for Argentina into a tie, and Iceland could have won. This is the type of grit and team belief that the canes need.
Glad to see some other moves being made. It should get our front office and other front offices eager to move so they don’t get left out.
As far as Galchenyuk for Domi, I think it works out well for both teams. The one thing it does emphasize is that Montreal is going to need centers.
On other sites there have been numerous romors surrounding Canes moves. I still really like getting Saad from Chicago for Faulk (with the Darling and Hossa contracts possibly involved). That would allow trading Skinner for a d-man who could play the right side. Either Martinez or Muzzin from LA (not sure if Muzzin can play RHD) or Braun from SJ. My preference might actually be Braun as he would be a good stay-at-home partner for Hanifin this year and perhaps Bean next.
I think the bottom line is that the Canes front office should do everything possible to find roster players for both Faulk and Skinner.
I would explore a trade of Hanifin for Ristolainen straight up. Both are young players with promise and potentially needing a change. I like Risto because he has size and is right handed (assuming he can play right side), allowing us to trade Faulk for possibly forward/goaltending help. Then if you can flip Skinner for a Muzzin type who can play the left side, our defense could be greatly improved while adding some physicality.
Slavin/Pesce
Fleury/Risto
Muzzin/McKweon or TVR
The Buffalo blogger on Hockeybuzz has an aggressively low opinion of Risto’s dedication and scoring (his 5 on 5 points are actually extremely bad), so I think a straight up swap would be in Buf’s favor. If they throw in Justin Falk to help with the bottom pairing that is a possibility.
The Tampa Bay blogger on Hockeybuzz is suggesting the team is hitting a serious cap crunch situation and may be forced to deal Stralman, who is a good solid defenseman. I’d be interested in having the Canes go down that route.
I wonder if some sort of a swap of e.g. Rask, Lindholm or even Walmark to Mtl + a second round pick for MP is possible, or Skinner + Walmark for MP.
I think MP fits the Canes lineup better for the next season and Skinny might be interested in playing closer to home.
But the goaltending is the most important piece. Hopefully the Canes front office will do something to address that.
In all respect, who cares about the Buffalo blogger (his opinion is as good as ours). I’d take a big Finnish defenseman with skill and size to play the right side in our top 4. Hanifin gives me the vibe he’s too cocky (he’d fit in well with his Boston buddies in Eichel, and his former agent called him delusional) besides what has he proven that yields a big pay day anyway? His all-star appearance was a sham in that the new format seeks guys who “wheel and deal”. But in both reality and during the regular season, Hanifin has never progressed beyond a 3rd pairing defensemen. This is the time to shake things up…not hold onto what ifs.
Correction, former agent of Hanifin called him disillusioned (not delusional). In any case, something tells me Hanifin isn’t agreeing with the reality of where he is at production-wise and I’d rather we have someone come in who at least is within the reality of their scope. Besides, another Finn with talent hasn’t hurt us so far.
If Hanifin has an attitude like Eichel the Canes should move him now.
I’m only pointing out what the blogger most familiar with this player thinks about him. Neither am I saying he is ddestenned to be a dudd(Ley), only that the canes could try to hold out for another potentially useful bonus player, a defense man with size, grit and at least a third pairing potential.
Some airline should be considering direct flights to Helsinki from Raleigh by now (not a bad choice, I’ve been there multiple times and it’s a pretty fun city, except in winter).
Ivan Nalimov might have done us a favor. Us as well as Scotty Darling.
Ivan is reported to be what the Chicago Blackhawks had hoped to be their next backup goalkeeper(according to Fansided). He has been playing in the KHL and has just notified the Hawks that he no longer wants to be a part of their organization.
Chicago, while flush with alternatives, has tried them all and found them to be inadequate.
Darling is the devil they know, versus all of the devils they don’t know. The situation is full of promise, for us.
Now, I have read much on this site where fans feel as if the Hawks took advantage of Ronnie on previous deals, including the one that brought Scotty here.
I have looked back on those deals. I can see where the more jaded of us might think that. To be sure, I wondered if the Hawks might have known about Bickell’s MS. But overall, I think the deals look to be kosher. Especially if you believe as I do that the deal for TVR was arranged for us by Stan Bowman with Vegas. It looks even better if you believe as I do that Kruger was playing with the injury at Peters’ demand. And even better if you believe, as I do that Scotty is much better than he has shown us so far.
If I am right, and if the reports about Ivan Nalimov are accurate, we might be able to deal from strength.
I won’t speculate on who we might be able to pry loose from Stan. But it could be exciting.
Interesting. The comments from Hawks fans on one of the Hockeybuzz articles were in the “we got nothing for TT and Darling.”
As far as Darling goes, he knew Chicago wouldn’t be signing him. They are, and have been, up against the cap. No money there for him. Also, you would think Darling would want the chance to be a #1. That wasn’t happening in Chicago either. If Darling was/is angry he truly is living in la-la land.
Good point. And if we think about it. I don’t think Chicago has any Canes players on their roster right now, the Canes top line winger came from the Hawks plus a reliable third paring defenseman.
The Darling saga was a disaster last season, but I don’t think anybody, including the Hawks predicted that. Maybe Darling really did not want to move and was mad at Chicago for dealing him away, though one would have hoped he’d be motivated to prove them wrong, there goes that damn human factor again.
I haven’t looked at the Blackhawks roster to see if they have anyone the Canes would be interested in honestly, but it’s quite possible.
If Chicago proposes a trade of Darling for Hossa retains 20% of Hossa’s salary and throws in a sweetener it is a deal worth considering.
Anisimov or Murphy? They might be interesting. Draft picks?
Eklund’s latest rumor claims Detroit is in on Hannifin. Granted Eklund’s rumors are usually just names picked out of a hat.
I see nothing that Detroit has to offer that the Canes might be interested in other than a #6 pick in the draft, and a team in full rebuild mode would be crazy to trade their top 6 pick away.
If Detroit is so high on Hanifin I would take Larkin straight up and run.