On Wednesday, the Carolina Hurricanes announced the roster that would compete in the 2018 Traverse City prospects tourney in September. The full roster can be found HERE.
The missing
The first thing that jumps out when looking at the roster is how many players are not actually Carolina Hurricanes prospects. Nine of the 21 players who will put on a Hurricanes uniform are not actually drafted prospects. That is because so many of the Hurricanes prospects are playing either in the NCAA or Europe and therefore unable to participate. Both groups are already starting their respective seasons. From the past two drafts (the primary age range for this tourney), the Hurricanes have five draftees who will be starting up in Europe in September and three more who will be starting classes in the NCAA ranks. That does not even count Martin Necas and Andrei Svechnikov who will be playing.
In addition, the Hurricanes also have three NCAA draftees from the 2016 draft class and two more from the 2015 draft class who might also participate if able.
A strong forward group
The result is a top-heavy roster. Maybe only because the team is short on players, Nicolas Roy, Janne Kuokkanen, Aleksi Saarela and Julien Gauthier who played in the AHL last year are returning. Combined with Andrei Svechnikov and Martin Necas, that gives the team a ton of fire power to build out a couple of scoring lines. Kuokannen/Roy/Gauthier saw some time together in the AHL and could be reunited. Saarela could be a good fit with Necas and Svechnikov. That still leaves Morgan Geekie, Stelio Mattheos, Cliff Pu and Luke Henman from the Hurricanes prospect pool.
At least on paper, the Hurricanes should be able to score in bunches.
A depleted blue line
With the Hurricanes lighter on the blue line and missing Adam Fox and Luke Martin who are playing college hockey and also Ville Rasanen and Jesper Sellgren who are in Europe, the blue line features only three prospects to go with four invitees.
Jake Bean figures to lead the group and quite possibly be paired with prospect newcomer Michael Fora.
In goal
Jeremy Helvig should be the work horse aiming to use the tourney as a spring board into the beginning of his professional career after closing out his junior career in strong fashion in 2017-18.
What I will be watching
A level above
Martin Necas and Andrei Svechnikov —Â If the duo are NHL-ready are expected, they should dominate in this tourney against a younger group, many of whom will never play in the NHL.
Jake Bean — As a first-rounder making his third appearance in this tournament on the way to being a rookie in the AHL, Bean is another who should hopefully rise above this level of competition.
First impressions
Michael Fora —Â The tournament will also offer an early look on a couple new prospects. As a slightly older prospect signed as a free agent and with international experience, it will be interesting to see if Fora plays his way above this group.
Cliff Pu — As the newest to join the Hurricanes’ prospect ranks, Traverse City will offer the first look at Pu in a Canes sweater.
Luke Henman — Finally, playing against real competition will offer an interesting look at 2018 draftee Henman. He will need to add weight to his 150-pound frame on his potential path to the NHL, but obviously the team liked his potential when it drafted him in the third round.
A chance to impress
Because the Hurricanes are so light on prospects who can play in Traverse City, there will be plenty of ice time for the invitees. For them, this tournament represents a chance to impress the Hurricanes organization or others and win an NHL or at least an AHL contract down the road.
What say you Canes fans?
1) Aside from headliner Andrei Svechnikov, which newcomer are you most looking forward to seeing out of Fora, Pu, and Henman?
2) Of the players returning to Traverse City, who do you think has the most to gain from a strong tourney?
Go Canes!
1. Most definitely Pu. This kid will be unfairly scrutinized his time here. A strong showing will really go a long way to help the fan base warm up to the guy. I think he is better than his draft ranking and could be a great addition for us. A poor showing will unfairly validate all the naysayers about the trade.
2. Well we have one roster spot so Gauthier, Kuok, and Saarela have a lot to gain by having a strong showing.
I’d like to see on game
Pu-Necasnichov
Saarela-Kuok-Mattheos
Geekie-Roy-Gauthier (talk about a hard time taking that puck away)
Another game
The lines you mentioned
One game where we break up necasnichov
Pu-Necas-Gauthier
Saarela-Kuok-Svech
Geekie-Roy-Mattheos
1) Does Fora look more like a finished product than the rest of the defensemen? Does he look close to NHL ready? I know nothing about Pu other than what I’ve read. Does he look like a big, strong, smart centerman that you could build a line around? How does he skate?
2) I am hoping Bean looks like a NHL defenseman instead of a kid trying too hard to make it happen.
This should be the Necas-Svech show. It will give them a great opportunity to build on the apparent chemistry at DevCamp by playing competitive hockey together. This will (probably) also be the one time they can learn from Vellucci.
Kuokk-Roy-Gauthier know each and know Vellucci. With a year, each, of professional experience they should be on a totally different level than the opposition (as should Saarela).
I am curious how hungry Gauthier is when he shows up. He is no longer the young prospect – he has struggled with energy and drive. I think this is the season that he needs to show he knows that and knows what he has to do and how he has to play each shift on the ice. His shelf-life as an NHL prospect in general is nearing it’s expiration date. It is really all on him and Traverse City is where it starts. So that is the answer to (2).
Geekie, Mattheos and Pu are the true “prospects” who interest me – Geekie looks like he has made great strides this past season.
I agree wholeheartedly with your assessments tj. Also agree with ct in that I want to see how Fora plays at the tournament.
100% though I want to see the Canes top 2 lines at this event:
(Exactly as Matt said and I suggested yesterday)
Saarela-Necas-Svechnikov
Kuokkanen-Roy-Gauthier
As you rightly stated tj, both of these lines should theoretically own all the other prospect teams. While I expect to see some rookie moments from the younger guys I want to see Necas and Svech flash next level skills, and see if Saarela looks like a pro beside them. I want to see mini-Staal second line impose their will on both sides of the ice.
Further, and Matt alluded to this, Jake Bean really needs to take a step up and lead a less than stellar defensive group. He and Fora will be the biggest factors for team success, as far as turning shootouts into blowouts. Assuming our offense is transcendant, of course, which is a big assumption, but you know me. I’m way hyped on these guys.
1. Pu is the one I am most interested in. I have to believe the team must have scouted and researched on him before trading for him and saw something beyond an everyday bottom six forward.
2. Other things I am looking for:
a) Necas and Svechnikov: Should really standout.
b) Gauthier: He should really be a horse scoring from in close.
c) Saarela: I think this is the player who could vault himself into coming into camp as a real legitimate prospect to make the Canes this year or be the first callup among the forwards. He needs to show an all around game to go with his scoring ability.
d) Fora: Does he standout and look like he is a bonafide prospect.
1. Fora. If he is a legitimate NHL right-hand D, then the Hurricanes have really valuable assets. The consensus is that right-shot defensemen are second only to top centers when it comes to trade value. Carolina will have Pesce, Hamilton, and TVR on the big team (even with a Faulk tade) with Fox, Martin, and Fora ready to push for playing time. Those will be some serious bargaining chips.
2. Roy. He was a close second to Necas as the most impressive prospect at last year’s tournament. Then he got a concussion and it seemed to slow his progress. Roy obviously has been passed by Necas, Svech, Foegele, Wallmark. But I think you all know that I am hoping for a Foegele/Staal/Roy line next season. If he can dominate defensively and in the face-off circle, then his stock could start rising again.
1. Pu is the most logical choice for me! The reason? Good forwards
who are ready (or at least close) for the SHOW…The Canes most pressing need (other than GOALIES of course)!
2. Helvig…a good showing could vault him into a full time gig in the AHL /NHL?
…obviously Darling and Mrazek will (or should be) on a short leash! Soooo Ned or Helvig could be the beneficiary, eh?
Don’t forget Booth, puckgod. We got three pro goalie prospects now 🙂
Booth is my favorite of the 3. Time will tell how things work out.
1) I am most curious about Pu, for obvious reasons. I know nothing about him and would like to change that.
2) Kuokkanen has the most to gain. He made the team out of camp last year, and if he shows chemistry with Necas and Svechnikov, it could get some wheels turning. Besides Janne, Geekie and Matthios have the most to gain as they have not had a year in the AHL to show what they can do against professional level competition.
Now everyone has me excited. Will Saarela shine, or maybe Gauthier will look like he is living up to his first-round potential, or Pu will make us all feel much better about trade, then again Kuokkanen might force himself into the discussion for a spot on the Canes.
Realistically, I can’t see any of these players with Necas/Svechnikov in Raleigh. In fact, I think a line with two rookies (even two extremely talented rookies) is a gamble.
However, it is also realistic to think that next year or in 2020-21 the Canes will truly have three scoring lines and one disruption line. At some point I could see:
Zykov/Aho/Teravainen
Saarela/Necas/Svechnikov
McGinn/Pu/Kuokkanen
Foegele/Staal/Roy (y’all knew I was going there)
Of course it might be Maenalanen instead of Saarela, or Geekie/Mattheos instead of Kuokkanen, or Luostarinen instead of Pu. Yeah–the cupboards are full. It might just be time for a Canes and Coffee food/grocery store analogy!!
We have an absolutely wonderful Canes hockey/grocery store analogy buried somewhere in the site history.
And it’s mid-August…Maybe time for another one.
Exciting indeed. Thinking about Kuokkanen with Necas and Svechnikov may be more interesting than a first glance would yield.
Last year when Kuokkanen made the team out of camp, BP said “European players love to play their offside” and played Kuokkanen on the left wing.
If I am not mistaken, both Turbo and Svechnikov are left shots that play on the right. Playing on the goody side may explain a lot of things.
For one, I’ve been puzzled about what is different about the play of some European players, particularly in the o zone, including our Finns. It may simply be that their play on the boards is “mirrored” when playing on the off side.
It may disruptive to play at least one line with wings both playing on the goofy side, e.g. Kuokkanen/Necas/Svechnikov.
The defensive adjustments required may make a team difficult to play against.
Is anyone aware of other teams who used the European alignment up front in a North American League?
When we talk about the forwards this coming year I’m surprised that noone, besides me, mentions Wallmark?!! Doesn’t leading the team in
scoring (Charlotte) mean anything to ya’all? And he did it in only 45 gms! Zykov 63 gms Foegele 73 gms! Yet, everyone seems to LOVE those two…?
I’m puzzled!
I like Wallmark and so do the Canes. He will have a one way contract for ’19-’20. He looked solid in his brief auditions with the Canes last season. If Rask gets hurt or falters we could see a lot of Wallmark this season.
On the other hand leading an AHL team in scoring doesn’t really mean that much. Ask Zack Boychuck.
Boychuk was a sniper – AHL snipers don’t seem to translate well a the AHL level. This is one caution point for me when it comes to Saarela.
Throw in the fact that the rest of Boychuck’s game was garbage and there you have it. Honestly, there are a lot of scorers in the AHL that don’t translate to the NHL. We’re going to find out if Zykov is one of them.
The team is not big on high scoring forwards, just ask Skinner. *grin*
1. Pu is the one I want to see. For obvious reasons. Fora is a close second, it will be interesting to see how ready he is.
2. I think several guys have a shot at a roster spot, so several have a lot to gain. The one with the most to gain is Gauthier IMO. A first round pick who is running out of time. He really needs to show up and dominate or he may fade away.