The Hurricanes 2018-19 lineup with inevitably have a healthy sprinkling of rookies at the forward position. Rookie forwards are often able to contribute in today’s NHL but also often exhibit inconsistency. In addition, the Hurricanes have some older veterans who are reasonably set in terms of what to expect for production.
But the group of players in the middle could prove to be the most interesting. The Hurricanes have a number of players who are now a couple years deep in terms of NHL experience and have just settled into NHL roles. Could some of those players be ready to find a higher gear after settling in and in the process boost the entire team?
Today’s Daily Cup of Joe takes a look at four players who have accumulated a decent amount of NHL experience in three seasons in the NHL but are still young enough such that perhaps they still have untapped potential.
Phil Di Giuseppe
Di Giuseppe’s development path has been an interesting one. He arrived as a player with more of a skill leaning but along the way has developed into more of a physical forechecker and power forward. Along the way his offense evaporated. But Di Giuseppe had one quick scoring outburst late in 2017-18. Could that be a sign that at 24 years old Di Giuseppe was ready to put it all together and find a higher gear?
Brock McGinn
McGinn is one of a few entering his fourth season in the NHL. He broke out a bit in 2017-18 with 16 goals. Perhaps that was McGinn hitting his ceiling, but the next level would be McGinn boosting his scoring in total and possibly reaching 20 goals.
Brett Pesce
Brett Pesce, like his defense partner Jaccob Slavin, is only entering his fourth season in the NHL. At 23 years old, there is still the potential for upside from Pesce primarily on the offensive side of the puck. I do not see him becoming a regular on the power play, but I do think he has the potential to score more at even strength.
Jaccob Slavin
Despite being a veteran already, Slavin is only 24 years old and just entering his fourth season in the NHL. The potential upside for Slavin lies in his offensive play. He is not a pure back end play maker, but he skates well enough that perhaps he can still take a jump in terms of driving play up the ice to attack off the rush.
What say you Canes fans?
1) Which if any of these fourth year players will see a sizable boost in 2018-19 after settling in as an NHLer?
2) Do you see any other young players who could potentially see a sudden rise in 2018-19?
Go Canes!
1) McGinn and Pesce. I can see both getting 40 points this season. Personally, I can see Pesce on the 2nd PP if Faulk gets moved. In fact, he and McGinn were on for one of the best power play goals of last season. If you have games recorded or have access to NHL center ice, go back and watch the first goal of the Tampa game on January 9. McGinn makes two really nice plays. Pesce and Slavin (I understand the advantages of four forwards, but maybe having these two together even helps the power play) keep the puck in and move it to the right spot for more than minute.
2)No. Unfortunately, I don’t see Phil D staying in Raleigh.
I’m doubtful on PDG and my guess is he serves as the 13th forward for much of the year, but he’s playing for his career at this point so he’ll be motivated and could surprise us.
McGinn is the guy I’m most intrigued by. I thought he looked consistently good throughout the year and he could have easily had 20 goals.
I don’t see the offensive upside to Pesce. He can definitely improve a little, but I just don’t see a lot of points coming from him. I think Slavin has the better offensive potential.
Actually this question may be putting the cart before the horse.
I believe the dearth of playmaking centers on the team has been the biggest problem with the wings (in particular) scoring and the team as a whole.
McGinn seems to have the knack (and occasional chemistry with his center) to get the puck to the net…OR at least the pipes LOL!
If the Canes find two decent centers who have this skill, then, we could have more scoring.
My guess Necas and Wallmark are the most likely to fill this role, as Staal doesn’t supply too many assists, and Rask has yet to be concistant enough to be counted on, IMO!
Of course if Aho plays center (my hope), that would be a good start in fixing the problem.
Now if we could only trade Faulk for a playmaking center…eh?
I know…wishful thinking…
Puckgod, you raise a point about centers and gocanes0506 makes a similar point below about McGinn looking better if he is with Staal. Di Giuseppe seems likely to be passed by the next wave of prospects. But a few years ago Di Giuseppe had seven goals and 10 assists in about 40 games playing with Rask and Skinner. He also had a lot of hits. At that point, Rask was healthy and Di G was looking better than McGinn. It seems as though the Canes have had line combinations that worked at times but the coaches failed to notice and just kept shuffling the deck. Brind’amour and his management of lines is a big unknown, not just who plays with whom but whether there is any consistency. That will affect opportunities for a lot of the Canes’ young players and may determine who grows and who doesn’t.
I think Slavin and Pesce should see a rise. It isnt completely on their shoulders to be a decent defensive pair.
McGinn could see a boost if he is with Staal again.
I doubt PDG does much than ride the pine unless Foegele isnt ready.
Brock Monster!!!! Making pipes ring across North America. If I owned a jersey it would be 23. Every epic NC athlete wears that number. I expect 20 goals plus if he gets time with Necas.
If every cane brings it every game like Brock McGinn the playoffs are a certainty. His points will climb but his heart and motor are invaluable to the team.
1. I like McGinn to continue step up. He has steadily improved each of his years and he showed last season with 10 post hits (as opposed to goals) that he is not done yet. He was also consistent throughout the year. I don’t think 25 goals is out of the question for him – although it will depend on the role RBA gives him.
PDG got his contract before we got Ferland, Martinook and Maenalanum (sp?)- I think PDG was signed for grit and energy but I don’t see as much need for what he brings now.
2. Rask is still young – I would love to see a serious rebound from him. He is another player who knows he has to prove himself – regardless of the term/dollars in his contract.
There is consensus for McGinn to produce. I hope he is deployed on the second power play unit.
Pesce was showing more offensive potential before he was shut down. He had 9 points in his last 19 games. Since it is August and hockey activities are nonexistent I have been rewatching some games. The first two games in March might be the best back to back games the team played. Pesce was really involved offensively. He recorded a primary assist in both. The plays were similar. Excellent shots from the point that were in good places for deflection. The Canes have not had many of those goals. While Slavin is good at producing chances with skating, he doesn’t have a good point shot. Defensemen who record lots of assists have this ability. If Pesce can do it on a regular basis I can see him getting 30 assists. Especially with Zykov and Svechnikov joining Williams in front of the net.
The thing with players who are signed to longterm deals with good money, they do not *have to* show up and prove themselves, not if they are satisfied with the money they are receiving. I’m not even sure they have to show up to practice or games. They are guaranteed at least 2/3 of their salary (or 1/3 or whatever it is if teams buy them out) which is usually a pretty handsome amount, just imagine what Semin has bought himself with the money the Canes gave him, and are still giving him.
Of course we operate on the principle that hockey players who play in the NHL are super competitive super humans who live for the game of hockey and do everything to win. That’s how they got here, and it is a reasonable assumption in the vast majority of cases.
But it keeps perplexing me how teanms have essentially no option to hold players acountable once the dotted line has been signed, other than limiting their ice time (and if they don’t want to play hockey that’s no problem).
On the topic, I was of the opinion that Skinner/Rask/PDG would make for a fantastic opportunistic scoring line, it had have considerable chemistry but was not allowed to stay together consistently. Now we have no Skinner, all Pu, so that ship has sailed, and I think PDG is looking for a liferaft as we speak.
I have high hopes for Mcginn, he is just an awesome player, the grit, the determination, a lot like Chad Larose used to be (maybe with a little bit less sense of humor).
The only player in this grouping I see with significant scoring upside is McGinn. Could bust the 20 goal mark with a little luck. He led the team in hitting pipes last season.
I am of the opinion that DiGuiseppe and Martinook are competing for a roster spot. Martinook would seem to be the favorite, but if DiGuiseppe shows the same offensive spark he did at the end of the season I could see the Canes releasing Martinook. Outside of physical play he does not impress me.
Pesce and Slavin are shutdown defenders IMO. I see little offensive smarts or skills from either. I think all the jumping into the play from Slavin actually hurt his game last year.