Yesterday, I wrote about the tricky transition ahead for Ron Francis and the team as he tries to transition to the next wave of youth on defense without rushing things.
Below is a more random set of quick hitters player by player:
Klas Dahlbeck
I still would like to see him get a look on his natural left side next to Matt Tennyson. Of the myriad of combinations we have seen for the third pairing, I am pretty sure Peters has not tried that yet.
Ryan Murphy
I have a half-written longer post about this somewhere and alluded to it in a poll about Noah Hanifin in Bill Peters’ system, but what actually concerns me most about Ryan Murphy is not the fact that he struggles defensively (that is not new news) but rather the fact that the puck-carrying part of his game (which was a natural strength even 3 years ago) has completely disappeared. Is it possible that Peters’ structured style of play that moves the puck forward just does not suit skating, freelancing defensemen? If so, what does that mean for Noah Hanifin who has this as arguably his most natural skill set and part of his path to being elite? As recently as the start of the season, I was optimistic that he could at least be a skating new NHL third pairing defenseman, but I have officially reached the point where I think both Murphy and the team would be better off if he was traded to get a fresh start elsewhere ideally in return for a comparable ‘restart’ kind of player.
Noah Hanifin
Following the Murphy comments, I am at the point where more than anything else I want to see him channel his inner Joni Pitkanen and attempt to use his skating ability to attack in transition offensively. Important to note is that I am also willing to live with some mistakes if they happen (because they will). I am becoming increasingly concerned that Hanifin is gradually making his way onto a path to growing gradually into a decent but not great vanilla #4 defenseman instead of aiming for Erik Karlsson.
Justin Faulk
I am still waiting for Justin Faulk to play at the level that he has proven he can (back in the Andrej Sekera time frame). As I watch and think about his struggles, I he is a step or 2 short on quickness to close and acceleration. It shows in all facets of his game. Trying to move the puck from his own end, some of his turnovers are because he does not get moving quickly enough and results in him making long passes from deep in his own end. Defending in his own end, he just does not have the same closing ability as Slavin and Pesce in terms of closing on shooters, winning short sprints to loose pucks or recovering to defend an open opponent. I wonder if some combination of a short summer and maybe even lingering effects from his injury last winter are a factor. Sticking with my post from December 13, I continue to think that a second half surge from Justin Faulk is a critical component to any Hurricanes’ playoff push.
Ron Hainsey
I like him as a leader and for the right contract and willingness to take a lesser role, I could see re-signing him for 2017-18 (sort of like the old Glen Wesley year to year role for a reasonable price), but I think his days as a top 4 defenseman are quickly coming to an end.
Matt Tennyson
After a tough start that saw him cut from the NHL roster and headed to Charlotte ahead of schedule, he has really done about what could have been reasonably hoped from his as a mostly solid #6/#7 depth defenseman.
Brett Pesce
I was high on him after last fall’s training camp before he even stepped into the NHL. And like everyone else, I was thrilled with his 2015-16 season. But he has exceeded my expectations for 2016-17 in terms of taking another step up. Right now, he has as much of a case as anyone for being the Hurricanes’ best defenseman this season.
Jaccob Slavin
He would be another candidate for the blue line MVP thus far. I continue to watch him anxiously to see if with growing comfort in his top pairing role he can find a higher gear offensively. He has the quickness, acceleration and shifty skating ability to do much more in terms of rushing the puck when the opening presents itself. The key is the decision-making part of it. Can he learn to quickly assess situations both before and after retrieving pucks in his own end to figure out when and where he can get 2 quick strides moving north-south? And after that does he have or can he develop the ability to see/read the situation in front of him and use his skating ability to create skating lanes for himself and passing lanes to team mates at top speed?
Go Canes!
I think just perusing the list of names in your article highlights the real issue, lack of overall talent and specifically lack of a true #1 defenseman. The top guys are Slavin/Pence but they will never be considered game changer type of players. They’re both very good, especially when you factor in their youth and relative inexperience. I’ve said it before and I truly believe Faulk is at best a #3. Too many deficiencies that don’t make up for his offensive abilities. Hanafin is too young to judge harshly but the bottom line is he is a starter so he has to be compared with similar players on competing teams. Not good. Also agree on the need to be freed up to take advantage of his skill set. Murphy, Dahlbach, Tennyson – if they’re any better than 6 or 7 it’s trouble. Hainsey is what he is, one of those veterans you need to provide stability and leadership and I would actually prefer him staying on than getting traded for yet another third or fourth round draft pick that will take 2-3 years (at best) to get to Raleigh and contribute. The Canes play hard, have a good coach and system and can be competitive on most nights. But when the rubber hits the road against the top teams it will always be a struggle because talent usually wins out vs. systems play. I think they have a decent shot to get into the playoffs but really since the Canes last won the prize, only those talent-rich teams ever have a serious shot at winning the Cup.
I think you are undervaluing the value Hainsey would have at the trade deadline.
Lack of talent? I don’t know that I could disagree more. Granted we’re in a bit of a slump right now, but both Pesce and Slavin are having better seasons than, say, Adam Larsson (the guy who was traded for Taylor Hall.
Hainsey is an amazing stabilizing presence, but he has lost about three steps. He or Tennyson should be our #7 defensemen.
Finally, I still claim that the doubts around Hanifin are pretty strange. First, it is a true statement that he’s having a worse year than last year. Second, that’s also so common in professional sports that they made up a freaking cliche about it. Third, so many top defensemen have taken years to develop. Look at Jay Bouwmeester (3rd overall pick, 2002). He was godawful, to the tune of -41 plus/minus his first two years. Two seasons later he was an All-Star.
Sure we live in a ‘What Have You Done For Me Lately?’ type atmosphere, but it is still shocking how many fans are completely eschewing the player development process, when it is by far and away the best method to build sustained success over the long haul.
Fogger – Maybe I should have made my point clearer. Talent as it exists right now – not potential. I’m not arguing for getting rid of Hanifan or Hainsey or anyone for that matter. It is just clear that at this time, the talent level (or current skill level if you will) is sub par to the top teams. Not even close in my book. Not an indictment of the re-building process or need to stay patient. Just a real-time assessment of the team.