Sebastian Aho has been so lights out offensively, that his defensive play (which has been fine) rarely makes it into conversation about him. Jordan Staal continues to do his thing as the best money can buy for a checking line center. The complementary one-two punch down the middle is eating up 39 minutes of ice time per game. But that still leaves the Hurricanes needing about 21 minutes from the bottom two centers. That part of the lineup is a bit of a work in process and also a game of musical chairs so far.
Lucas Wallmark as a ‘serviceable’ #3
Lucas Wallmark has been a mainstay in the lineup initially as the fourth center but more likely really more in the third line shot. He has been a serviceable all-around center thus far but has yet to really find it offensively at the NHL level. Wallmark posted great offensive numbers at the AHL level in 2017-18 but only a single goal and no assists in 11 games at the NHL level in 2017-18. Thus far in 2018-19, he again has a single goal and no assists. That production is light even for an old school checking line center, but more significantly, it just will not cut it in today’s NHL that requires production 12 players deep. Wallmark’s scoring pace is no better than Kruger, Nordstrom and Jooris from last season who were jettisoned because of it. My starting point for any center at the NHL level in today’s NHL is whether they have at least some playmaking ability. Without that, the result is almost always a checking line that will struggle to score. For now, the Hurricanes are light on options and Wallmark has been capable defensively, so he will continue to hold his spot, but the burning question long-term is whether he can find a higher gear offensively once he acclimates to the NHL.
Musical chairs at #4 — Martin Necas, Clark Bishop and Nicolas Roy
The other center slot has more or less become an open try out. During the summer, the hope was that Martin Necas was ready to parachute into the NHL and be ready. He was not. Four or five games into his NHL trial, it became clear to me that he just was not ready yet and would be better-served playing a ton of minutes at the AHL level. That happened which paved the way for Clark Bishop to make his NHL debut. He was not bad but was nowhere close to noticeable in his first game, but Bishop and his line were better, especially early, in his second game. Then this week the team announced that it had sent Clark Bishop back to the AHL and had recalled Nicolas Roy. So only ten games into the 2018-19 season, the team will try its third player in the open center slot that theoretically was Victor Rask’s before his hand injury.
Let’s consider what each brings to the table…
Martin Necas
At least in terms of projections, Necas brings speed and playmaking to the lineup. The issue was that Necas just was not able to deliver. Not surprisingly, Necas’ game is a bit raw defensively. But what jumped out me during his audition was the fact that the playmaking and offense that project to be his strengths was equally unrefined. As such, it is uncertain right now if or when he is part of the NHL equation for the 2018-19 season. As a young talented player, he could make rapid strides and be a going concern at the NHL level when the calendar turns, or he could spend the entire season in the AHL working to hone his offensive craft and round out his two-way play. More succinctly, Necas is an unknown for the 2018-19 season.
Clark Bishop
Bishop brings speed and capable two-way play. His pace also fits well with how Brind’Amour wants to play. But even the good version of Bishop figures to be limited offensively. His skill set is more that of a checking line forward. He was not a point per game player in the high scoring QMJHL and put up only 28 points in 68 games in 2017-18. Put simply, his strength is not offense.
I talked about this in some detail in my crystal ball-ish Daily Cup of Joe for Tuesday that discussed the limitations with Bishop and the possibility of seeing Roy.
I am torn on Clark Bishop centering what I am calling the fourth line right now. On the one hand, I voted multiple times to get Martin Necas more ice time in Charlotte. He just was not ready for the NHL yet which is not a big deal considering he is 19 years old and in his first professional season. And I think Brind’Amour’s decision to go with Clark Bishop hinged on just being something sound and stable for the short-term. There is merit in going that route short-term, but I continue to believe that the path forward is to be four lines deep with scoring ability, and I think that is tough to do with a center who is limited offensively (reference Marcus Kruger in 2017-18). So as the 2018-19 season plays out, it will be interesting see which direction this goes. Janne Kuokkanen is arguably the most NHL-ready player in Charlotte right now and was drafted as a center, but for whatever reason the Hurricanes organization seems to have him pegged as a wing. Nicolas Roy is the other option who is off to a fast start. He would not classify as a pure playmaking center, but his offensive ceiling is probably higher than Bishop’s. Victor Rask theoretically adds another center, but his time line seems to be a ways off. Is it out of the question that the Hurricanes add via trade now that the probability of Necas being the answer in 2018-19 is reduced? Regardless, what the team does with this center slot is worth watching as the season rolls on.
Nicolas Roy
Enter Nicolas Roy who will likely make his 2018-19 NHL debut and play in his second overall NHL game on Friday. Roy is a bit like Bishop in that he is a solid two-way player. One of the things that has jumped out about Roy’s game playing at a prospect level over the past couple years is how mature his game is. He is not dynamic nor does he necessarily excel at anything specific, but he is pretty well-rounded for his age. Roy should be fine in the face-off circle and capable defensively somewhat like Lucas Wallmark. But two questions will define his try out. First is whether he can match NHL pace and do more than keep up in the process. Roy has made gradual progress which is encouraging, but his starting point as a prospect was needing to make significant gains skating-wise. He has made strides, but the question is whether it is enough. Second is whether he can contribute offensively. As far as AHL play goes, he projects to be a step up from Bishop, but at the same time he would be a step down from Wallmark who has yet to figure it out offensively. So Roy offensively is more of a dice roll that could work than a sure thing.
So based on that, my watch points for Roy’s audition are twofold. Can he match NHL pace or does he look to be in over his head in transition events? Can he bring something offensively to help his line contribute something for depth scoring?
With Necas still projected to be the answer down the road and Victor Rask hopefully helping later in the season, the team is unlikely to get desperate in the trade market. So at least short-term, the Hurricanes will continue to explore internal options.
What say you Canes fans?
1) What were your impressions of Clark Bishop’s two-game audition? Do you think he could be the answer at least short-term in the fourth center slot?
2) What are you expecting/hoping for from Nicolas Roy likely starting on Friday?
3) How long would you hold out hope that Lucas Wallmark is just acclimating gradually and is due to break out offensively at any time now?
Go Canes!
1) Bishop was solid–and he really only had a one game audition in that it was 16 minutes played in two contests. If used properly Bishop would be a player like Kruger, who already has 2 goals and is +3 on the young season.
2) I am hoping RBA changes things up and uses either Wallmark or Roy on the power play. Both have had success in Charlotte: Wallmark as a deadly passer and Roy getting in front of the net and creating havoc with his length and quick hands. Having two defenders (unless they are Subban and Ellis or Burns and Karlsson) on the power play is not effective.
Roy’s strength is that he is big and effectively uses his size to obstruct traffic on defense; he also uses it to maintain possession on offense. I hope he gets enough ice time to establish himself down low in both zones.
3) As far as Wallmark, he has not hurt the team. Remember for four games the 5-on-5 offense has been Aho’s magic except for the three rookies combining to get Necas his first goal. If the Canes get back to averaging 3 goals a game and Wallmark isn’t scoring, then I would be concerned. But I would argue that you can’t really judge Wallmark as unproductive since the entire team has apparently succumbed to some combination of poor puck luck (they have been getting quality shots on goal) and coaching hesitancy. I am reluctant to be too concerned with RBA’s decision-making (other than his obstinacy about 2 defenders on the power play), but we have all thought at some point in the past 4 games that seeing 40 shots and one goal meant the Canes were playing Bill Peters’ hockey. My guess is that once the goals start going in again Wallmark will get his share–likely an 10-12 goal pace.
Certainly looks like open tryouts for the fourth center position. I have no beef with Bishop over the past couple games. He didn’t do anything awful that I witnessed, but he was just a guy. So, enter Roy. He’ll get another chance to impress. I felt he was a step slow in the preseason games. He’s going to have to play harder and faster if he wants to stick in the NHL.
Wallmark has been doing OK. He is only 8 games in as an actual NHL player, so I think folks should be patient before wringing their hands that he has no offensive abilities at this level.
As far as the PP and two defensemen, well that depends upon the skill levels of the defensemen. The problem the Canes have is they only have two d-men that have ever really been PP guys in Faulk and Hamilton. Brind’Amour has been using a forward in a D position the past couple games. Saturday is was Teravainen and Monday Williams assumed that position. TT at the point is scary as all get out. Not scoring on the PP is bad enough, but giving up shorthanded goals is worse. Turbo’s strength is not skating backwards nor is he physical enough to stop players from going right through him. Williams is more physical, but his skating is no better. Risk/reward I suppose.
We are likely seeing some combination of open tryouts for the fourth center and/or a trade bait parade. Other teams usually want to see prospects at the NHL level prior to a trade.
Matt, I think your assessment of the centers is fair. Necas can benefit from acclimation to thevNorth American ice and game. Bishop is solid and clearly brings the work ethic that the team wants. Roy has size and has started the season very strong.
One thing about the Roy and Bishop call ups that encourages me. The canes are becoming a meritocracy. You earn your time with hard work and results. The team spoke about this through the summer and seem to be following through on this plan. Draft position and time in league are not automatic qualifiers for playing time.
A word of caution in considering Wallmark and the other young centers getting time with the team. We as fans expect results right away. Sometimes that happens and sometimes it doesn’t. I thought Necas would come in and do well after the summer prospects camp. It will take a little longer. Wallmark has been solid but not a Calder candidate.
It is important to remember this is the best hockey league in the world. It is rare that 18 year olds step in and dominate, especially at center. I see a lot of fans assert that the canes need a top line or top six center in a trade. The canes have a top line center in Aho, a dominant defensive center in Staal, a future top six center in Necas. Rask, Roy and Wallmark to fill out the center position in the bottom six. If we the fans can trust the leadership and players we will see center as a strength in the not too distant future.
Good solid reasoning and writeup in my opinion. I agree with your views on this entirely.
It’s odd, but I’m not too worried. I liked Bishop in the 2 games. It will be interesting to see what Roy can bring with the same crew as Bishop had. While Roy was certainly a big scorer in the Q, at least part of the success in the NHL level of a center has to do with On-ice vision. Can he find the open guy, get open himself without the puck, do what needs doing.
I’m not worried as the guys “filling in” have held their own, even Necas. I believe once Rask can get back, he’ll bump Wallmark down a line (if you will) and we should be able to generate more offense, if we’re still struggling.
I like what CT points out about PP time with Wallmark/Roy. Could be a way to jump start Wallmark. I’m sure he feels he’s playing a “role” instead of playing. Maybe some PP time would help remind him that he’s not just there for a role but to play his game.
I agree, it is a bit harsh to slap a Kruger label on Walmark or Nicas/Bishop after 10 games.
These are all rookies, not brought in for experience and goal scoring but as young guys with future upside.
Aho didn’t score his first until I think November and ended up with 20+ goals.
Skinner did not score until November or December when he was a rookie and ended up with 30 goals.
I am not predicting those types of numbers for either Walmark or whoever end up as the 4th pivot this year, but I think they all have considerably higher upside than Kruger, even for this season, and they are coming in at a much lower price point so they can be traded, demoted or their contracts not renewed if things don’t work out.
Necas could be the center of the future, the kid needs time. Walmark has a goal and has played solid in his stint so far.
I commented how unnoticeable Bishop was in his first audition, and I was surprised he was given the call before Kuek or Roy, but he played a much more noticeable game in against the Deep dishes. I am actually surprised that he is not given at least 3 games to establish a message given his positive trajectory from game 1 to game 2.
1. Fifteen seconds into his first shift in his first game Bishop made a solid hit (he looked pleased that a fan had noticed that when I met him at “Meet the Canes” on Sunday. Although he didn’t do much that game he was much stronger in the second. Like Breezy, I don’t know why he was sent down without a third game – he was proving himself. I think he showed he has the potential to play a bottom six role in the NHL during his time here.
2. Roy opened with a couple of excellent games in the AHL, but he was less than impressive – I thought – during the preseason. He was an early send-back too. I do think this an audition phase for 4th line center and that O/M/C will choose – after a few games each who gets that spot. They might even bring Brown up who is probably the best choice in the AHL in terms of talent to play a 4th line center role. All of this is preliminary to Rask’s return – and then I think, minus Necas, Rask moves into 3rd line center and Wallmark slides to 4th.
3. I think it is way too early to even think about writing off Wallmark based on limited goals. Referring again to breezy – a lot of players have taken a while to score on first getting to the NHL. And Svech hasn’t scored in 5 games – are we going to worry about him (I imagine Svech goals will increase Wallmark’s assist rate going forward).
The big question offensively for Wallmark is whether he is playing the right way in the offensive zone, contributing in a way that can lead to goals. If he is doing so – by my view he is – then the goals will come. Again, with Svech not scoring and Martinook not an offensive driver I am not surprised at limited scoring so far. That will change – now, if it doesn’t change by December or if his play deteriorates in the O zone then I will change my assessment.
Great article on Aho at the Athletic if you are a subscriber. It has some quotes from Dundon. His priority is to get Aho signed. Very encouraging for the future of the team.
I’m sure Dundon is in a hurry to sign Aho. With Aho’s fast start I doubt his agent is in any hurry to sign a contract. His number goes up every week he keeps playing like this. His price is $8M and rising.