A huge part of improving is recognizing weaknesses that represent areas for improvement instead of candy-coating things and suggesting that a slightly improved version of the status quo will be enough next time.
Coming at the upcoming offseason, today’s Daily Cup of Joe which is not for the faint of heart offers a handful of harsh realities that must be considered as the 2018-19 roster is built.
1) The team currently does not have a starting goalie in either Cam Ward or Scott Darling who is capable of being even neutral in terms of winning in a starting role over a full 82-game season. Scott Darling was nothing close in 2017-18 and at this point is a very risky dice roll for 2018-19. Cam Ward performed admirably in a backup role, and I actually think he fits very well in that role for 2018-19. But when he was pressed into more regular duty, his game became worse not better suggesting that a backup role is the right one for him at age 34.
2) Though the potential is clearly still there, Noah Hanifin is not a top 4 defenseman right now, and there are no guarantees that he will get there. I rank a decision on Noah Hanifin second only to Jeff Skinner for potentially defining the new management regime’s ability to build a winner. If a bridge deal can be reached for Hanifin at a reasonable price for a couple years to give him more time to figure it out, I lean toward patience. But the decision becomes really difficult if his agent pushes hard for term and salary based on his All-Star appearance, improved point total or whatever else. The fact of the matter is that Noah Hanifin is currently #5/#6 defenseman with significant upside. I think signing a #5 defenseman to a pricey contract north of $4 million per year is incredibly risky and maybe enough to make me want to collect value and move on. I think some fans believe it is a foregone conclusion that Hanifin will eventually round out his game and be a legitimate top of the roster player, but high draftees very regularly just do not reach what is initially thought to be their potential ceiling. I think what to do with Noah Hanifin this summer is a make or break decision for management. And I think the 2018-19 season is also a critical one for Hanifin who was initial passed by fellow 2015 draftees Zach Werenski and Ivan Provorov and more recently by 2016 draftees Charlie McAvoy, Jakob Chychrun and Mikhail Sergachev.
3) Justin Faulk has not been a solid defensive top 4 defenseman since Andrej Sekera departed. Faulk’s development path has been an odd one. As a rookie who arrived ahead of schedule, he projected to be a pretty good, physical stay-home defenseman who maybe would be light offensively. Then he suddenly reached that level early defensively playing with Sekera and even started to build the offensive part of his game. And then a couple huge years offensively overshadowed a gradul defensive decline with scoring headlines. But starting roughly with the departure of Sekera, Faulk’s defensive play has declined fairly steadily. More started chirping about Faulk’s intermittent lapses in 2017-18, but I think the issues arrived fully in 2016-17 when Hainsey/Faul was preyed on by opposing coaches in road games. I think the harsh reality for Faulk is that either because of the recurring lower body injury a few years back or from filling out his frame, I think he is now a step or two slow in terms of acceleration and winning short races in today’s NHL that gets faster by the year. He is not the case of a player who has yet to reach a high level defensively. But as time passes without a rebound, it is fair to wonder if the higher level will ever return.
4) The 2017-18 version of Jeff Skinner is not hard to replace and improve. No doubt, Jeff Skinner is either at or near the elite level in terms of raw goal scoring ability. Even a down year netted 24 goals in 2017-18. But many of the Caniac faithful take a leap from there to great scorer=great player. And the two simply are not one and the same. With debates about the long-term of Jeff Skinner raging right now and rumors running rampant, those who vote ‘stay’ on Skinner invariably want to pull up some statistics about his scoring and offense. But nowhere to be found is analysis on the other side of the ledger for Skinner. The team bled goals with him on the ice in 2017-18 as he regressed back to ‘score at any cost and regardless of if trying to do so is the right decision’ at times in 2017-18 after a 2016-17 season that showed marked improvement in this regard. The result was a team low in plus/minus that matched the eye test that saw him regularly gambling for goals at both blue lines and resorting to his sometimes successful ‘swipe and go’ play defensively instead of playing through a body. A common argument for the keeping Jeff Skinner is that the team will not be able to replace his scoring. Winning hockey games is not about scoring. Winning hockey games is about scoring more goals than you give up. In that regard, the 2017-18 Carolina Hurricanes would have been better off with a 15-18-goal scorer who was at least average defensively. The question is whether some combination of a rebound and a coaching change can help Skinner re-find the high end of his goal scoring that is rare but also re-lose the lack of sound hockey play that too often overtakes the offensive positives.
5) Icing four or more rookies in the 2018-19 opening day lineup will lead to a good amount of growing pains. I am a fan of going young in depth roles at forward. And I think the path to the next good or hopefully even great Carolina Hurricanes team includes at least a few more players from the next wave of young players. But that is not to say that it is a sure route to instant success. Lost in the potential upside is that for as accelerated as Sebastian Aho’s game is offensively, his defensive play especially at the center position is not nearly as advanced. Possibly harkening back to bigger rinks in Europe, his defensive play as the second or third forward back still sees him too much defending a general area versus identifying and marking a specific player. And his transition to center also showed room for improvement. Aho is a smart player who will learn quickly and get there, but I also think he will still be learning on the job a bit in 2018-19 on the defensive side of puck. Martin Necas is similar except even greener. Defensively in transition, he looked comfortable in the role of the first forechecker hounding the puck. But in a more typical center role, he played what I termed a ‘squishy’ game in the neutral zone generally being in the right general place but not being very crisp in terms of understanding how to play angles to limit an opposing rush and not always knowing when he needed to challenge the puck versus retreat to support the defensemen behind him. Similarly, Andrei Svechnikov will add yet another high ceiling player but also one who has not played at the NHL level. Warren Foegele is another who is likely to see NHL ice time in 2018-19 but also face some growing pains. I am fully on board with icing a young roster for the 2018-19 season. But I am also cautious in terms of what to expect out of the gate for what could be a very young group.
6) As good as Jordan Staal is, he really only fits well in a winning lineup that has a complementary scoring line play alongside his. I am on record as not being overly concerned about what Staal’s point totals are as long as he continues to perform in his shutdown role and hold opposing scoring lines in check. But this model only works if there is another top line that leans offense. Trying to grind out enough scoring without a real scoring first line is just too hard in today’s NHL. Canes fans should know after witnessing nearly a full decade of trying to score enough with balance alone. Fortunately in this regard, help might finally be arriving. Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen’s mid-60s point totals for 2017-18 are right on the cusp of finally adding a complementary scoring line that makes the math worth. I continue to hope that the Hurricanes can somehow add a single higher-end veteran scorer to round Aho’s line and support Aho in his transition to center.
7) Elias Lindholm is a great depth forward, but unless he finds a higher gear scoring-wise, I think ‘depth forward’ is an apt description for his game right now. I do think Lindholm is capable of playing in the top 6 even as is without a scoring boost. And I also think he is a valuable player whose versatility and well-rounded play fit on a winner. But as long as his scoring ceiling is mid-40s, he is still a depth forward even if a good one. On a more positive note, I rate Lindholm at or near the top of the list of players that I think new head coach Rod Brind’Amour could impact. During his run of about 40 games in the second half of the 2016-17 season, Lindholm found and maintained a significantly higher gear in term of intensity and compete level. Most telling for me was how regularly opposing players wanted a piece of him after the whistle. He had become a pain in the butt to play against, finally finding some of the inner Peter Forsberg that was part of his description when he was drafted. So I do think there is room to grow if he can re-find that element of his game but more significantly if he can find a higher level offensively.
Some might think that these assessments are unduly harsh. But the fact of the matter is that the 2017-18 (and also other recent) version of the Carolina Hurricanes was not good enough. Sure, we can pin part of that on the coach which is convenient since he is gone and now officially a bad guy for many. And no doubt, we can pin part of the blame on the lack of production from depth forwards like Derek Ryan, Marcus Kruger, Josh Jooris, Joakim Nordstrom and others. There is room for improvement in this regard too. But at the end of the day, success and failure in the NHL is largely driven by the performance of the leaders of a team. So as convenient as it is to blame coaching, depth players and maybe management too, the fact of the matter is that a huge part of the Hurricanes’ lack of success in recent years is due to the top half of the roster not matching up to that of playoff-caliber teams.
What say you Canes fans?
1) Which if any of these harsh realities is either unduly harsh or just plain wrong?
2) Do you have any other harsh realities that should be put on the table as the team begins the process to build a winner for the 2018-19 season?
3) Of the many situations above that seem to have an equally possible positive and negative next step, which ones do you see as most likely to be resolved positively?
Go Canes!
1) Numbers 5, 6, and 7 are too harsh.
5–I am on record (actually sounding like a stuck record for those old enough to remember) believing that Svechnikov, Foegele, and Zykov should open the season. Where I most disagree with your points is the need for a veteran with Aho at C. I have been re-watching a few of the games with the TAZ line. They dictated play–this is not to say Aho won’t make some defensive mistakes, but it will still net out as highly positive. In the last 12 games when Aho was playing C he was +7. I also think your desire for a veteran in place of Zykov is misguided. In re-watching those games one thing I noticed is that Zykov is almost as good at getting defensive position in front of the net as he is at getting offensive position. While he is not the quickest skater, he uses his strength to force his way between an opposing player and where the player with the puck is located. As far as negatives, Zykov was rushed into bad passing decisions in his own zone on three occasions in the two games I watched–so I am not saying everything will be flawless. I would much rather have a veteran with Lindholm/Svechnikov on the other scoring line.
6–The Canes will have two lines that can score–TAZ and a line with Svechnikov and Skinner (or Skinner’s replacement). So Staal can be the centerpiece (PI) of a line that makes life miserable for the opposition. My preference is Foegele/Staal/Martinook (or McGinn).
7–Lindholm started to find his late 16-17 production. In the last 13 games, which pretty much corresponded with playing C, he produced 8 points. So just above a 50-point pace. If he centers a line with two scoring wingers, 55-60 points are highly likely and 65 not out of the question. Just the addition of Svechnikov and Zykov to the power play should add some points for all the top forwards.
2) The way d-men (especially Slavin) block shots. I thought I noticed a habit of dropping to one knee on the ice during the season. In re-watching games it was confirmed. When it works, it is a good play. But too often the puck makes it past the defender and the maneuver acts as a screen for the goalie. The other problem is that the d-man often is then out of the play–think about the end of the first game against Minnesota when Slavin is on the ice as the puck is just beyond him for an easy tap in. The unit needs to work of blocking shots upright.
3) I said the goalie situation would be better last year–so not going there again. I think Hanifin will benefit from RBA’s system. He is as good as the players you mentioned having moved past him, his talents need to be integrated into how the Canes play. If he is traded, then I think the same logic applies to Faulk make improvement.
1. #5, 6, and 7 and maybe #4. The problem I have with all of this is we are evaluating everything based upon a season past where IMO the team was leaderless in the head coaching position which directly affected the on-ice performance of every player on the team. There play was also possible negatively affected by Ron Francis’ performance as GM. Every player on the team from the start of the season MIGHT have recognized that RF was not that concerned the results in 2017-18 and was focused more on 2018-19 as a year for making the playoffs, etc. A lot of us fans thought that, why not believe that at least some of the players bought into it also.
We appear to be falling into the trap if just unloading players regardless of value to be received in return. If you are going to give up on #1-#4, how can I know if it is a good idea just in the abstract (we trade them for something). If we are going to intelligently go about forming an opinion of whether we should trade any of them, we need specific trade proposals, i.e.; something like Skinner to LA for Toffoli and Muzzin.
2. You have enough mentioned already. My one caution is about how many are writing in Necas as a sure thing for making the team. I am not sold on that. If he replicates Barzal (Islanders), then we have something. If he replicates Lindholm, we have a duplicate of what we already have in proven 3rd line forwards.
3. If you don’t solve number 1, don’t worry about the rest of them. Carter Hutton and Saros are the two top free agent goalies out there. Sparks is the #1 goalie in the AHL (Toronto Marlies). If you can solve number 1 by utilizing some of your #2, #3, #4, #5 or #7, then we are talking about getting two or your things accomplished at the same time. Whaever is leftover from solving #1 then will be of some importance. But don’t solve #1, find something else to do come April 2019 other than counting on watching any further Canes hockey for the coming year.
Agreed RR. #1 is the absolute necessity. I went back and re-read the post when I seen your disagree with #5, 6, and 7 and maybe #4. I messed up. I agree with you.
Good news out of Raleigh yesterday as Dundon and Waddell confirm the Russian is at the top of the list for the second pick. Friday morning and looking forward to the weekend, then Matt drops the hammer. Thanks for the big helping of sunshine and rainbows.
Seriously, the analysis is fair. Hanifin, Faulk, and Skinner may have more value to other teams than the canes. The goaltending is a train wreck that I want to turn away from but I have to look. Staal is absolutely a defense first guy who had to play in an offensive role. You may have been a bit harsh on Lindholm. He is a top six forward in my opinion. At 23, his role on the team should be clearly defined and stuck with for the season.
I would rather see rookies come in and work hard and play with hunger. It is better than years of fourth and third lines made up of low ceiling veterans. Mistakes can be learned from. Higher ceiling rookies playing with passion is worth some mistakes. They can score to make up for lapses.
On the bright side, the Russian is coming. Aho was named the best forward at the international tournament. Third jerseys will be back. Management seems committed to moving guys who have been here too long without success. Stormy has worked hard in the offseason. I hope we revisit this article in mid-July.
Wow! That is such a dismal outlook for the team I love. Maybe each player you mentioned should save us all a lot of time and energy by just going out and shooting themselves in the head.
I have a much different view of things. First, while each of us wants to sound as if we have information that others do not, we don’t. We draw our conclusions based upon rumors and guesswork, filtered through our individual prisms of bias. We evaluate player performance with statistics that are based upon questionable data gathering methods.
It all reminds me of the story of the three blind men who encounter an elephant. The first grabs the tail and proclaims that the elephant is a rope. The second grabs the trunk and concludes that the elephant is a snake. The third grabs a leg and concludes that the elephant is a pillar.
Each is accurate. Each is wrong.
I prefer to go with 2 things I know to be true;
1) Our undersized and highly talented players had no one to protect them from the bullies on other teams. Our guys got pushed around in every game.
2) For whatever reason, we did not play as a team last year.
I believe that our new management team recognizes the problems of last season and are making moves to correct them. I believe this because it is what the new management team says and appears to be doing.
So I am going to do my best to keep a positive mind set. I will have faith that management knows what they are doing and that nobody sneaked in at the middle of the night and sucked the talent out of our players, leaving them useless to us.
I look forward to this coming season.
I’m bounce between Matt and powerless. On the surface, I agree with these statements (though I have a soft-spot for Lindholm and think he’s about to pull a Couturier). Having said that, this is mostly the same group that looked much closer to getting over the hump in March 2017 so there is more in the locker room than what we saw last season.
Again, I think leadership is really important. Figuring out how to play as a team isn’t easy and apparently wasn’t something the team itself thought it did for much of last season. I think most of us had much higher hopes last August until the dual-captaincy was announced, when I for one felt like I had been thrown into a cold shower and questioned the decision-making and leadership inside the locker room. (For the record, I was against two captains, not necessarily against who was named, though many were against that part of it, too.)
Training camp will be competitive, and I think – I hope – we’re going to see a greater willingness to tap into our NHL-ready depth in CLT much sooner should any player fail to hustle, compete, or perform poorly. There is no motivation quite like the prospect of losing your job.
Trades are going to be how much of this is resolved. Completing one major trade of a “core” player near the draft along with not resigning some depth players is probably the most we can hope for but is likely enough to change the mojo. It almost doesn’t matter which player it is; I just hope it’s the one delivering us the best return.
I felt the same way on the dual captaincy. It made me believe that RF was trying to be nice to everyone and was afraid to make decision. Some things with bringing up the rookies. Way to conservative. I did loose some confidence with that move.
Are we sure it was RF’s decision? I’m not sure whether anyone claimed ownership of it. An unsolved mystery as far as I’m concerned.
I think all of this is very fair.
I’ve been surprised at how many people seem comfortable having Darling back. I understand because of his contract that’s maybe inevitable, but I’m not even sure if the team can afford him as the backup.
I honestly don’t know what to think of Hanifin. I totally agree team needs a 2-3 bridge contract to see what’s the next step for him.
It’s fun to think about a bunch a rookies starting on this team, but absolutely agree that people forget how hard that transition is, especially over a long season. We’re already one of the youngest teams in NHL, is getting even younger better? Maybe, but I feel like this team needs more vets in the room. I think Svech takes a spot that Necas would have held, pushing him down to AHL for a season. Foegle and Zykov certainly made their cases at the end of the season.
Lindholm seems similar to Hanifin. High draft pedigree, flashes of incredible talent, but also leaves you wanting more. Lindholm could thrive on a top line of Aho-Lindy-TT or on a line with Svech. He could also be a third-fourth line depth forward. I’d like to see a reasonable contract for him and give him a shot with talented line-mates (maybe with Svech). I’ve seen some crazy predictions for his contract number, and that worries me.
When Skinner is dialed in and playing well, it’s a blast. But totally agree that you have to account for his liabilities at some point. He plays as a lone wolf, doesn’t make his line-mates better, style does not translate to 3-3 overtime, and has never been strong in shoot out. Honestly, he’s probably going to hit 35 goals on another team, but I still think it’s time for Skinner and Canes to part ways.
I am for 3 goalies because we cannot trust Darling. I know people say you cannot pin the season on one guy, but to me, he destroyed our season. Many goalies have bad defenses in front of them (the excuse) but they are not the worst goalie in the NHL. I am for sending him to the AHL if he shows the same form. Very short leash. It’s either that or we cut our loses and buy him out or get lucky and Chicago wants him back.
I think the AHL has just as long of a season as the NHL. IMO we should bring the young guys up which we have been holding back. Yes, mistakes, but also energy and a desire to succeed.
The problem is, Skinner has a no trade clause. He has to be okay with any trade. This is clearly a tradeoff, great goal scoring and fun to watch but you have to be accountable defensively as well. I do not disagree with matt in that a lessor goal scorer with better defense may be a better solution. The problem is, no trade clause.
I get the sense that Skinner wants to go. But yes, he can veto being moved somewhere he doesn’t want to live. It seems inevitable that he’s moved one way or another.
No question you can blame a lot of this past season on Scott Darling’s failings. Both his play and then also the way the energy must have been completely drained from the locker room when everyone can see that he’s out of shape and night after night making huge mistakes.
As for Skinner, I think he may have wanted to be traded at his exit interviews but that was when BP was still here. Now that Brindy has taken over, Skinny may have a new attitude and want to stay to prove his worth.
Also, if he does want a change of scenery it is up to him where it would be since he has the NMC. May be wrong, but I have a gut feeling that he might waive it for Buffalo if we wanted ROR. I know it sounds crazy but hear me out. Skinny is from around Toronto which is just right up the road so he would be near home & family again. Also Buff having the #1 OA with Eichel or budding prospect Middlestadt to center him should be appealing not to mention that Buff would probably give him a bloated contract if he has a good season.
I know it sounds crazy but stranger things have happened.
I think the trickle down effect starts with Skinner. Of course nobody will be able to predict the exact returns, but I’d almost suggest Skinner and Booth to COL for their 1st (16 OA) and rights to Bernier (Skinner might waive his NMC to play with former OHL teammate Landeskog). Then sign Bernier to a modest deal to stabilize the goaltending.
We can then use the (COL 1st – 16 OA) in addition to Faulk-or-Hanifin to net a solid top 4D with size and even beef up the top 9 forwards (keeping in mind we will need to protect what looks to be several rookies). The possibilities with the tossed in pick would be enriched.
I think Hanifin is a top 4 d-man IF he is paired with an experienced partner that compliments his style. It doesn’t seem to be Faulk.
Faulk is an enigma. When he is at his best his play is physical and seamless; at his worst he is hesitant and error-prone in his decision making. Yes, his recent decline could be because he is a step slower, but it could have been psychological partly due to the increased pressure by wearing the C and the high expectation for his offensive production.
I disagree with the Staal assessment. With all due respect for McGinn, don’t you think Staal’s offensive stats would be quite a bit higher with Pacioretty on his left wing?
Another big harsh reality is that our current team has been “soft”, light-hitting and wilted under pressure. I expect this to be corrected by the up-coming trades and personnel moves.
Hey gang!
The Hockey news online features an article by Jared Clinton on Jeff Skinner and why every NHL team should consider him as a trade option. Great reading for those of us with open minds.
I am pro Skinny and I learned things.
Read the article. Sounded a lot like his agent wrote it. Not one mention of defensive responsibility or advanced statistics. Just points and points per minute. I think it’s a real possibility that his new agent is fanning the flames of these trade rumors.
I think there will be trades, perhaps outside the box in the manner suggested by lfd, that make 2-4 irrelevant.
1) I think the only questions is who will be the new goalie brought in to challenge Darling and do we re-sign Ward for a 3-headed monster. In limited use Ward provides solid goaltending – plus leadership and a calmness on the ice/bench that has value.
5) I would rather have “growing pains” than more of the “same old/same old” of the past couple of seasons. The hit on PHI going into last season was they were going young and relying “too much” on youth. Indeed growing pains early and I wrote them off – too young to figure it out. Well, they proved me – amongst others – wrong. We just need a couple of true veterans in addition to Staal and Williams to provide stability and veteran leadership.
6, 7) I am grouping 6 and 7 together because RBA has already gone on record with these two as being players he specifically wants to help improve.
For Staal, RBA wants to improve his scoring – which means taking him out of the possession game that BP had him slotted for. The notion of Staal bringing the puck across the blue line with two offensive-minded forwards on his wings with Staal moving to the net with all 3 looking to score – this could be Staal’s breakout season as a Cane.
For Lindholm, we saw in the second half of the season two years ago that he plays his best when he plays with an edge. He wasn’t scoring goals so much but his primary assists were through the roof and he was making solid legal hits to open up the ice. I have to think that RBA knows that is what Lindy needs to get back to, and with on-ice support from Williams and Staal I can definitely see that happening. But I think this is Lindy’s year to bring it be passed by or moved on.
No mention of Rask? Did I miss it?
To me it is hard to evaluate any player from last season. I truly believe the dual captaincy shocked the team as much as the fans.
So I feel like the whole team grew into a funk because of leadership, coaching, and other causes we will really never know. They quit playing as a team.
As for Skinny, (of course this is my uninformed opinion) I think the Captaincy hurt him. He came on strong after Eric left and showed some leadership. I think this season he tried to do to much, not trusting the other players. That could be said for other players as well. I would not trade him yet. Let’s see what happens.
As for Hanny, I think we have seen what we have… of course as I type this I realize I am contradicting myself and basing my opinion on last season.
So bottom line, I don’t think it is really telling grading players on what we saw last year.
Or… (dagonit, here I go again) maybe we did see the true colors of our players…. showing they did not have the strength to overcome these issues….
I had Rask on my list and missed him. I guess the short version on him is that he is actually a good all-around hockey player who is easily above average defensively and especially in terms of sorting out responsibilities, angles and everything else under the broad umbrella of decision-making. The question is what level he can play at offensively. For his 2017-18 season, Rask would have been a tremendous fourth-line center or a good but scoring-lite third-line center. That’s a depth forward and also one who generally garners $1-2 million in salary not $4 million. So I think he slots fine in the bottom 6 but not at a $4 million salary which suggests he is either significantly overpaid for an appropriate role or needs to find a higher gear offensively.
1) I do not view anything stated as harsh. I believe it was all spot on.
2) The other hard reality is Rask. He is not a bad player but we are paying him way too much for what he brings. Unfortunately any trade basically brings back what you gave up. So if we can move him to create space for the new guys. It may be something to consider. I do not see any magical fixes here unless Rask preforms up to his pay grade.
3) For Skinner, I totally understand that even if he score 40 goals but causes 50 it is not a good result. Skinner has a no trade clause, so he determines if he can get traded. I have never seen anything that says he wishes to leave. My hope is the RBA gets him back on track with the defensive side of the game. I do not see him allowing a trade which is why I see a low probability of moving Skinner. Personally, I would like to see him get recharged now that BP is gone and RBA is running things. I do not want to see him go. Give him some real line mates and see what happens.
Hannifin is still young but like a lot of our top draft picks has not been near the level of what he is supposed to be. I thought him going to the all star game was a joke. We had much better guys for that. The NHL wanted a young scoring D apparently. If he pushes for big dollars I would say get a return. He simply has not earned a big contract.
We cannot trust Darling. I wish him well and hope he has a turnaround BUT we absolutely need to get a goalie, maybe Grubauer as some sites are suggesting. This is priority one for the team. We can have the best guys in the world at every other position but without a goalie the team does not get very far.
I believe moving Faulk is the highest probability. We do have extra D and we could always bring in a veteran. His defense has really gone downhill. It is another case like skinner, if he scores 20 goals but causes 30 that does not solve any problems.
IMO, ice the rookies. Other teams do and have success. We never do, we just keep them in the AHL and never give them a chance. Certainly not all will work, but some will. I believe we have several guys more then ready.
I have to make a correction now that I re-read the post. I responded to quick
4) I do not think skinner will agree to a trade.
5) I am okay with icing the rookies. In fact, I want that.
6) Staal is great, you do not trade him. We will be that winning lineup.
7) I think Lindholm will get better.
I latched up on the first 3 agreeing with them and should have taken more time on the later comments.
Icecobra, you are correct about Skinner having the final say on any trade. Yet I don’t see it as a hurdle. If a team comes calling that looks good for the playoffs next year or has a dynamic playmaker (Edmonton), I think he would approve a trade. I don’t think Buffalo or Arizona are options but lots of other teams might appeal to him.
My totally unreal crystal ball leads me to think he may end up in Colorado or Edmonton.
It could happen JM. I see all this commentary, not just here, where people have already traded Skinner and they miss the key point that he has a no trade clause. I have not seen anything where he seemed unhappy in Carolina. I clearly see Matts point that a guy with less scoring but better defense could be a better situation for the team. I think Skinner was a one man show because he had no high level guys on his line.
I was only making the point he has a no trade clause, so he actually says if a trade can happen or not. You could be right but it take Skinner to say okay. Its not a done deal like the media makes it out to be. Its going to be very interesting over the next few weeks. You could be right, I am not discounting that.
In all fairness I feel bad for Skinner. He was a bright spot on really bad teams for years. He elevated his game when Staal left and then he got a raw deal in the captain debacle last year. I really think a trade would be good for him.
I hope he goes out west and lights it up. He only has two bad games a year against the Canes. He needs to play with veteran guys who don’t mind riding shotgun while he fires away.
Matt, I think all your points are spot on.
Point 1 needs no further discussion. We can’t depend on Darling. Its speaks to some significant issues that he came to camp overweight and out of shape. Those kind of players you don’t win with.
Hanifin is certainly not a Top 4 D. While we have seen some progression in his game, a guy with that draft pedigree should be progressing much more quickly. Not sure he will get there. Management will have to decide if there were system issues or personal issues that prevent his progression. IF the former, you keep him. The latter, you move him. We certainly have the pieces to get a top 4 Dman. Hanifin is one of those pieces.
I completely agree with your assessment of Faulk and have suggested the same thing here in the past. He has gotten a relative step slower, but hasn’t adjusted his decision making process to account for that. There has been concern about his conditioning in the past. If he won’t commit to remedying that, its time to move him. He is like Skinner in that you can’t be blinded by his goal scoring ability and need to take the whole picture into account.
Skinner is who he is. He will never be a great defensive player and that’s a problem in today’s NHL. It also leads to morale problems if you don’t have someone buying into the whole system of play. No room for lone wolves regardless of how many goals they score.
Icing that many rookies means we are in rebuild mode for another year. I’m personally OK with that as I think we will be good for many years. However, if the playoffs are an imperative this year, then we need more vets. Eventually we have to go through the growing pains with these young guys – maybe better to get on with it this year and solidify the foundation for the future.
Staal is an elite defensive forward. We criticize him for not being a scorer, but that’s not what his game, or his value, is about. He doesn’t have the hands to be a great scorer and he won’t develop them. With complementary scoring lines, his value skyrockets. Vegas could have used him in the 3rd period last night. I agree with you about not worrying about his point totals. He is Skinner in reverse. If he puts up 40-50 points, but prevents other teams top lines from scoring that is incredibly valuable.
Lindholm is the enigma to me. Not sure what he really is and can be. Depth forward or valuable top 6/PP center. My feeling is that RBA can make the most impact on him.
Spot on. Hanifin, Faulk, and Skinny were bottom on the team in +/-, at -20, -26, and -27. Yes it isn’t the only statistic one should look at, but the fact is, it is difficult to win if the other team scores more goals when you are on the ice. Generally the team that scores the most goals wins.
It is bizarre that the canes play it conservatively with young forwards but throw Hanifin and Fleury right into it. Conventional wisdom is to do the opposite – bring in experienced veterans on the back end and youth up front. Perhaps it was because of drafting defenseman with top picks that we did the opposite of what experience would say is best.
I am a Jordan Staal fan as a player and give him a pass for any playing issues last season. Hopefully his family has recovered and he can focus on hockey again this season.
That seems a very modest return for Skinner, a mid-round pick and the rights to a journeyman goalie that has never really risen above a backup slot.
If that is the best the Canes can get for Skinner, it would be a harsh reality.
Elsewhere I proposed trading Hannifin to Tor for Sparks and either Kapanen or Brown, feels like a balanced trade, then hopefully trade Skinny to LA for Mussin or Skinny and a prospect to LA for Mussin and Tfoli.
I’d be happy with the team after those two trades plus rising “AHL ers and maybe one UFA signing.