After yet another ‘that can’t be topped’ loss that seems to follow a run of weekly one-upmanship that seems to just continuously find new lows, the #CanesCoaster is either at or very close to their low point for an up and down 2017-18 season.
I am on record as believing the issue(s) right now run deeper than simple personnel, roster or tactics changes. But if the team either finally believes me and gives in to Jofa helmets or otherwise figures out how to rid the demons, break the voodoo curse or otherwise address whatever is ailing it, there are a decent number of building blocks in place such that the light at the end of the tunnel might not be as far away as it seems right now.
Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen
Amidst another otherwise tough season for the Carolina Hurricanes scoring-wise, Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen have emerged as a great scoring duo with the potential to be two-thirds of a legitimate top scoring line. On pace for 65 points each, they are likely only a line mate away from being point per game players. Playing much of the season centering the duo on the TSA line, Jordan Staal has a total of 5 primary assists on the combined 46 goals that Aho and Teravainen have scored this season. To be clear, Jordan Staal is a good player who has a role on a good hockey team, but that role is not to center a scoring line. He just does not have enough playmaking or finishing in his ability to maximize the scoring and as such is holding Aho and Teravainen back offensively.
Jordan Staal
Jordan Staal is a strong centerpiece for a good match up-focused second line if you can first build a true top scoring line to complement it. The issue with Jordan Staal being light on scoring for a top 6 forward is more a matter of not having enough pure offense to balance things out.
When I slotted the current Hurricanes’ forward group for a winning team in my Daily Cup of Joe on March 6, the team was not that short in terms of sheer volume of players. The challenge is that the team is not just seeking any serviceable, complementary player to fill out the group. Rather, the Hurricanes need to add at least one higher-forward with a specific skill set to achieve the needed balance in the top 6.
Young legs on the blue line
With the offensive part of their games not yet at the level of their defensive play, it is fair to debate whether Jaccob Slavin and Brett Pesce are legitimate #1 or #2 defenders on a good team, but there is no doubt they are good enough to be part of a solid top 4. In addition, the strides that Noah Hanifin has taken offensively this season, he has grown into the role of an offensive #5 defenseman with upside from there. The development maybe slowed a bit this season, but the team is still positioned well with a young core of Jaccob Slavin (23 years old), Brett Pesce (23), Noah Hanifin (21) and Haydn Fleury (21) all growing on the job at the NHL level. Who will fill a defensively solid, legitimate second top 4 defense pairing remains an open question as of right now, but the potential of the young group remains intact even if still not fully tapped.
System depth
At a time when everything is a struggle, even the positive story of strong play at the AHL level has generated angst as fans clamor for players to be called up to replace underperforming veterans. But while there is a question on timing and the challenge of figuring out how to work young players into the mix and giving them the best chance to succeed at the NHL level, the volume and quantity of players who have the potential to be at least NHL depth continues to grow. If the Hurricanes can find a star or two in addition to serviceable depth, it could play a significant role in finally climbing up into the playoffs.
New ownership
Tumultuous has become one of my favorite words to describe both some of the changes that have occurred already with new owner Tom Dundon at the helm and also what I expect lies ahead especially when the offseason arrives and provides a chance for a fresh start in many areas. And no doubt, the transition seems destined to have its share of growing pains because that is what happens when you try to make significant changes to something. But for whatever risks and even some missteps that lie ahead, the fact that the team has a new owner who is actively trying to change things for the better is 10 times better than the malaise-ridden limbo that the team had mostly been living in for a couple years prior.
What say you Caniacs?
1) What other positive building blocks would you add to the list?
2) Despite the current struggles, do you think it is possible that if the team can solve whatever curse or issue it has that perhaps the group personnel-wise is not as far off as it feels right now?
Go Canes!
1.
Cap space (at least for this next season)
A bunch of contract space created this off season. 17 could come off the books this off season. Of course Hanifin, Lindholm, and about 4 others are for sure keepers.
A decent pick in the upcoming draft.
2. Based on Williams post game, it seems that the a lot of the other players dont understand the situation.
1. The combination of depth and youth provides trade chips for upgrades – I think that is one element that was missed in your discussion of each individually. And I expect that will happen with the new GM whoever he is.
2. When I see the team play dominantly, as I have seen a lot – even for 50 minutes against the Bruins, I have to conclude that we are not that far off with the personnel we have to not just be playoff material but to be a threat in the playoffs. I don’t believe in “curses” – except for those expressed Tuesday night! 😀
Our players not numbered 11, 20, 22, 74, and 86 are replaceable with comparable pieces either in our system or obtainable elsewhere. With that being the case I expect we will see several deals this summer in which we package NHL players as well as prospects for upgraded talent and then fill in the gaps those trades create with prospects and lower-level UFA signings. RF was vert careful with this trade chips – I don’t expect a new GM will be the same.
I like this, but I’d add #28 to the list. Maybe I’m just a fanboy, but I think he’s worth building around. And keep him at Center.
I was actually torn on including 28. I am a fan of his, but ultimately I view him in that “replaceable” category – we can find another Lindy but not another version of the other 5.
I think, if looking solely at offensive statistics, it’s easy to underrate Lindholm. The fact of the matter is however, he’s very good at defense, very good at faceoffs, and his offensive game, while still inconsistent, is exhibiting a lot of positive signs. In fact Lindholm is second, only behind Jordan, in Canes fowards average time on ice.
The biggest value that Lindholm brings though, in my opinion, is the versatility. Lindy can and has played all three forward positions and played reasonably well. There aren’t a whole lot of people that can do that, and still be serviceable defensively at each slot. He may be a better winger than a center, but that versatility is something that every NHL team can use.
I would absolutely include #28 on that list, but again, that is my opinion
Lindholm is a nice to have player. He is solid defensively, but offers little offense. As long as his pay is reasonable he should be kept. Other players like him are around, but they are often older and more likely to be injured. Not untouchable, but nice to have. All the same, quite the disappointment for the #5 pick of the draft.
I wouldn’t call consistent 40 point scorer light. Not elite or 1st line, but definitely good depth scoring, and his ceiling could easily still be higher. The kid just turned 23. Still a lot of upside for Lindholm. He may not be Monahan, but if for every Slavin and Aho type pick, we get a Lindholm, I’m cool with that. Besides the ‘what ifs’ only drive the insanity.
Suffice it to say I disagree, I’m quite content with Lindholm.
1. These are all good building blocks. I would add that our salary cap space is another strong point and potentially positions us well for next season.
– I agree Aho and TT are two-thirds of a top line. The question is who do we get to complete this line. I vote to move Aho to 1C and bring in Evander Kane as a UFA. Yes, he is risky with his mercurial background, but the reward could be very good. Kane is a physical power forward, will PROTECT his line-mates, is good along the boards and at the net, and skates very well.
– Yes, Jordan Staal anchors our second line. Again the question is who best fits with him. Lindholm at RW makes sense. James van Riemsdyk (UFA) at LW could be an attractive option.
2. Young legs on the blue-line are certainly a strength, but as we’ve seen this year it can also be a negative when trying to limit major “oopses” and maintain leads. Ideally Pesce and Slavin are the #3 & #4 defensemen. Could Hanifin be on the top line if he was paired with Shea Weber? Weber is older, injured and has an expensive long-term contract, but he could be the ideal physical veteran to provide leadership and stability to our young D group. I’d love to see a blockbuster trade with Montreal for Weber and Pacioretti for Skinner, Faulk and whatever else it takes. Trevor van Riemsdyk, Fleury, and Dahlbeck make follow at #5, #6,and #7.
3. I think it could be argued that our system depth is only average or a little above. Yes, compared to prior years it is a strength. It seems we have many very good players but possibly no top NHL players at the forward position. A successful organization promotes from within and rewards the best players. Wallmark, Foegele and Zykov deserve opportunities based on their play with the Checkers. It should be noted again how effective defensemen McKeown and Samuelsson have been on the Checkers; they are tied for #2 in the entire AHL for plus/minus at a whopping +33 each! How do you not reward that?
4. The new GM will of course be critically important in determining the makeup of the restructured team. You can bet the team next season will be a much more exciting group to watch, with a better BALANCE of skill, veterans, leadership, grit and physicality. There will be a lot for us to talk about this summer. Let’s hope TD substantially increases our salary budget next season to at least $70M.
Maybe we should take a shot at John Carlson as a stabilizing offense-leaning and veteran top-pairing d-man instead of your suggested trade. The kind of expensive foray into the UFA market we’ve been unwilling to make recently.
No way on Evander Kane. This locker room already has big problems without bringing in that ego. He is in a great place for him at San Jose with a room full of vets.
I think Slavin & Pesce are a #1-2 shutdown pair, but somehow they have both tried to get more offensive this season. Their point totals aren’t improved, but their number of screw ups is way up. Stick to what you do well boys. Defense. That said, I agree they need a veteran D to show the way. It doesn’t have to be a #1 or #2 kind of guy. Just a solid vet that can lead. Like Williams role with the forwards.
There is dept in Charlotte, but only a few prospects. The reality is if a player is over 23 and hasn’t sniffed the NHL, they are depth, not a prospect. Foegele, Roy, McKeown and (ugh)Gauthier qualify. I guess Zykov does, but guy can’t skate. Rest are depth. I expect Foegele to be penciled in for a LW spot in Raleigh next season, which means someone has to go. Not a bad thing.
The tough thing for the Canes is free agency. Why would any free agent want to come to Carolina? The front office is a mess. The team is a mess, and they haven’t made the playoffs since ’09. Only players you get are those no one else really wants or if you significantly overpay. Neither are good things. Best bet is for trades and a good draft day (for a change).
First and foremost, I would recognize that Haydn Fleury is not an NHL calibre player. Send him somewhere. Anywhere. But not here.
Is Dahlbeck a good partner for Faulk? I say yes. But let’s see. Our D needs a snarling, big, strong stay at home guy. Is that guy our Klas? Maybe.
Maybe we need a Darnell Nurse or a Conor Murphy.
Up front we need someone who can make the goons look over their shoulders before they even think of laying out Skinny, Fishy, or the Turbo. Can Phil or Brock or Elias rise to the occasion? Or do we need to find a Darren Archibald or Patrick Maroon or Milan Lucic or Tommy Wingles?
Do our answers presently toil in our farm system? Wouldn’t that be nice?
It doesn’t matter how many slick-skating players we put on the ice. If they are unprotected by some players who are dedicated to to distracting any and all hostile attention away from our scorers and to themselves, we will always be in search of the holy grail of just one more scoring catalyst. We have an impressive lineup of scoring talent. We must free them from worry about being nailed by some cheap shot artist.
Why doesn’t anyone in the present lineup step up?
Well, it looked for a while as if we did. However, nobody but Dahlbeck seems willing. And I don’t understand why Fleury keeps getting ice time and Dahly doesn’t.
But with Milan Lucic out there intimidating everyone who isn’t a Cane, Brock and Phil and Elias won’t be nearly as shy as they have been. I am sure that Willie will gladly surrender his claim to the title of “enforcer ” for the Canes.
But there is something more. There is a struggle going on between forces behind the scenes. The struggle is demoralizing the team. It is keeping the team members from consistently cohering. What is it? Why is it happening?
Mr. D must know what it is. Willie knows. He says, “it stinks!”
It’s like a cancer. I believe it’s the same cancer that struck the Florida Panthers last season. It’s the same that has the Oilers playing like men who need, in the words of retired Oiler Georges Larocque, “heart transplants.”
At this point, we can only speculate, and watch as the solution to the mystery is revealed.
I don’t know why you keep singling poor Fleury out *grin*, I think he has actually done fairly well considering that this is his first year.
That being said, I like the fact we all have our own opinions but ultimately the same goal, that’s what makes it fun.
I agree we need some grits, I keep advocating for Kane, I think Lucic is too old, too slow and the Oilers really regret signing him, but he was a beast back in his day and definitely a key component of the Bruins cup run. It looks like the Goat is slowly improving down in Charlotte, he might just be a late bloomer.
I like the idea of Kane and Max up front, Kane on the first line with Aho at center and Max on the second line with Jordan Staal and Lindholm. Keep JW and Mcginn together and add Necas to the mix on a third line, build out a 4th line with Rask and some AHL call ups or try to trade Rask and have Walmark take his spot.
That group of forwards would get me excited about next season.
We’d have to give up Skinner I think, but you got to give to get and I think it would be worth it.
I agree with you Breezy, that it is fun to speculate about what’s going on and what’s the best way for the Canes to progress to the Cup.
To me, Fleury is uninspired as well as clueless. Have you looked at who went in the 2014 draft AFTER he was picked? Groan!
I agree that Lucic is old and slow. Too old and too slow to skate first line hours while trying to keep up with the fastest man in the NHL. But skating third line minutes with Rask and Skinner might see him being much more effective.
I agree that Kane and Max is a great fantasy. All we have to do is pay Kane a ton of money and throw a bunch of draft picks, prospects, and a couple of roster players (Fleury?) at the Habs.
Maybe….
I don’t want to lose Skinny.