With the off-season officially here, possible ways to improve the Carolina Hurricanes has been a regular entry for the Daily Cup of Joe in different varieties.
Seeking an area where difference-making improvement is possible
While it is possible for the team to improve in pretty much any area, that task has become harder with the team improving becoming competent or better in pretty much every area.
From here, I see the path to winning a Stanley Cup as being one of two ways. First is simply making modest upgrades and more so having a ‘peak season’ and/or riding a hot streak in the playoffs mostly because the current group finds a higher gear. Second is finding a way to make a significant upgrade that significantly changes the makeup and trajectory of the team.
If I work through the Hurricanes lineup seeking such an upgrade possibility, it goes like this…
In net, I do think the potential is there for the Hurricanes to upgrade, but at the same time I do not think Mrazek/McElhinner or Mrazek/Reimer in any way held the team back. So I think it is unlikely that a change in net significantly changes things.
On defense, the blue line was at the core of the Hurricanes 2018-19 success and especially at the top of the depth chart was a strength again in 2019-20. If anything, I think the blue line represents a risk for a drop off. When a team reaches a high level, the risk of less is greater than the potential for more.
At forward, the Hurricanes FINALLY have the components for a legitimate first scoring line with Aho and Teravainen to anchor it and Svechnikov a perfect third if the team wants to go top-heavy. But with Staal being limited offensively to the point where his line is a checking line, the team has lacked a true second scoring line. Improved depth scoring has made it possible to overcome, but following a theme I have touched on in a few different ways, I really think finding a second center who can be an offensive catalyst could dramatically change things. Vincent Trocheck was acquired with that aim and could fulfill that role if can settle in and find chemistry with a line mate or two. I am on record as thinking that despite his failed start as a center that Martin Necas still represents the greatest potential for the Hurricanes to have a top-tier playmaking center. He maybe gets his next turn if Trocheck struggles and/or if an injury or two opens a center slot.
But is such a player ever available?
But is it possible that the Hurricanes could land a high-end center via trade. Often, people’s initial reaction is that this type of player is never available via trade or free agency. But recent history says that that is not true. The Predators obtained Ryan Johansen via trade, and the St. Louis Blues acquired cornerstone Ryan O’Reilly via trade as well. The recipe for players like this becoming available seems to have two key ingredients. First, the player must be playing a struggling team which has the team seeking changes. On top of that, both Johansen and O’Reilly’s unhappiness seemed to play a role.
Enter the remote but exciting possibility of Jack Eichel
Interestingly, this week’s rumors and rumblings seemed to suggest that there is at least a remote possibility that Jack Eichel could become available. Though the possibility seems remote, timing is perfect to dream a bit. I actually am probably in the minority in that I actually have mixed feelings on Eichel. He is an elite player offensively but in my opinion still falls short of being a truly great player whose defensive play also holds up. The offensive part of Eichel’s game is much more well-rounded, but I actually think he is a bit like teammate and former-Cane Jeff Skinner in that he is a bit overrated as a complete player because other areas of his game hold him back. His $10 million salary is not outlandish, but it is not really a positive either. But the huge upside is if a change of scenery and playing for a coach who gets the center position can help Eichel take the last step to being a truly elite, all-around center. At that point, the Hurricanes suddenly have a 1-2 punch that compares favorably to any in the NHL and in the form of two 23-year olds signed long-term. At that point, I think the Canes make a sizable step forward, and the team’s Cup window opens much wider.
If in fact Eichel goes the O’Reilly route and manages to grumble his way out of a tough situation in Buffalo, the challenge is figuring out what it would take to snag him. Sebastian Aho is a non-starter for me. I actually think he is as good of a player. Trading Andrei Svechnikov would seemingly fill one hole and just create another. I would not be a big fan of giving up Slavin or Pesce. Such a deal would eat up $4-5 million more salary and create a big hole in the top half of the lineup. The question is if a deal could be had with a number of pieces instead of trying to offer something closer to an equal player. If this starts Buffalo on another round of building, just maybe that is possible. The Hurricanes could offer the #13 overall pick for 2020 and Martin Necas who could theoretically grow to fill Eichel’s slot. Add in Haydn Fleury as a young, potential top 4 defenseman and Vincent Trocheck for more immediate help too. The net is two first-rounders (Necas plus the pick), a potentially top half of the roster young defenseman and a more immediate veteran replacement for Eichel. Best bet is that the Sabres would prefer something closer to an equal return in the form of a higher-end player plus adders. But if the Sabres cannot find a deal like that to their liking I would start with an offer close to above and just keep adding middle/bottom of the roster players or mid-tier prospects until Buffalo says yes.
More generally, once the 2020-21 starts I would be watching for teams that start slow and maybe look to shake things up. Neither O’Reilly or Johansen would have figured to be available at all only months before they were traded. Such deals are about being aggressively opportunistic when a big opportunity presents itself.
What say you Canes fans?
1) Aside from a offensive catalyst type second center, do you see any other areas where a single upgrade could make a sizable difference for the Hurricanes?
2) What are your thoughts on Jack Eichel? Anyone else think that the current version of him maybe is overrated just a bit because of lack of balance to his game?
3) If Eichel was in fact available, what would your maximum offer be as the Hurricanes general manager?
Go Canes!
Interesting that you offer Necas because I’ve been wondering if he might be a piece if there was a big trade.
Would you rather send Skjei or Fleury in a trade like this? I would think Canes would have to unload more salary to make it work (or that could be done in other trades).
I would pass on Eichel. The cost would be too much, whatever it is, and taking on his contract would be risky going into a season that will further strain team budgets.
I am not a fan of trading Martin Necas and would not at all be shopping him for a sideways deal. The path is uncertain, but I still think he has the potential to be a dynamic 2nd line scoring center that fills this same slot.
That said, you cannot land a player like Eichel solely with quantity of second-tier pieces. Though the official ask list would start even higher, Necas, 1st-round pick and Fleury offers 3 higher-end parts whose ages fits building a young core.
Eichel is as much the problem in Buffalo as the solution. If he is to be the player he could become he needs to go to a team with an established dominant player. The Canes don’t have that. He would continue his lazy ways on defense and the Canes would be no better as a team.
Generally agree that as talented as Eichel is that he is currently a flawed superstar more than a truly great player.
But I would be willing to place the big bet that a change of scenery to a winning culture and the guidance of Rod Brind’Amour could very quickly point him in a different direction. In addition, with the Hurricanes he can unload the burden of trying to carry an entire franchise out of the pit and just play great hockey.
As much as I love Brind’Amour I don’t think a coach can do it for Eichel. Skinner wouldn’t listen. There needs to be a player he respects. His best bet is to go home to Boston. If they could find a way to squeeze him in he could learn from Bergeron and the B’s would have a future combo of Eichel and Pastrnak.
Assuming Trocheck settles in as the second line center, I would target an experienced winger that could slot on either of the top two lines. This would allow Svechnikov to possibly move to the second line to better balance the scoring. This targeted winger (Kyle Palmieri or Brandon Saad come to mind) should be very good on the power play, be versatile enough to play either side, be good in the corners and in front of the net, be at least sound defensively, and have leadership qualities that can help fill the void of losing Justin Williams. Niederreiter could fill the role however he is frustratingly inconsistent. Nino’s ice time was reduced and he was even scratched a game during the playoffs. We’re not sure if this was due to some unknown injury or if he returned to the team in sub-par condition. I’d like to hear other opinions, because if he was in fact in RBA’s doghouse, then we either need to move him or hope that he rebounds and pulls his weight on the second line.
I would pass on Eichel. A hefty price was paid for Trocheck to be Center and it is too early to know the outcome. A deal for Eichel would likely just create more holes or weakened positions. We will need the cap space for new deals for Svech and Hamilton.
I actually think we got Trocheck for surprisingly little.
I really like the idea of Palmieri if the price is not too high.
2 things play into that…
1) I am of the mind that though the Canes are still rising, the window is open. Winning a Cup is not so much about having the best team in the NHL as it is being ‘close enough’ and then catching the lightning in a bottle. I think the Canes are there. I would NOT sell the farm to add as short-timer; good chance Palmieri would not be re-signed next summer trying to make the salary cap math work Svechnikov’s new contract kicking in. …So I am willing to spend modest futures for a higher-end full season rental.
2) Aside from difficult to do Holy Grail of adding a top-tier C2, I think adding a finishing wing is 2nd biggest possibility to move the needle. Ideal would be a power forward, but as a veteran shoot first wing, Palmieri could be a good fit.
As much as I like the creativity of this kind of deal – and I do, a lot – BUF probably now feels burned by the ROR trade: they received a 1st, a 2nd, a prospect (Tage Thompson), and two roles players. This trade looks a lot better from STL’s perspective one year later so they are going to want to be sure whatever they receive in return genuinely changes the trajectory of the team.
If I’m BUF, I’d use the Johansen-for-Jones trade as the template, so that might mean parting with Pesce (I would not trade Slavin), which I would do in a deal like this. It would cost us more than that but I’d add in the 13th pick and maybe something else to make that happen.
RBA would make Eichel a much better Centerman and we’d become a very dangerous team.
I’m on the fence about this.
The Canes traded Skinnerto Buf due to contract and at least partly character. Eichel seems to share some of those unfavorable character traits.
I definitely think the price is too high, unless the Canes can find a way to offload salary, e.g. Jordan Staal’s contract.
It’s an interesting thought experiment, but I think someone like Saad is a likelier acquisition.
Would a single player make up for the defensive-zone whoopsies that lead to so many pucks in the back of the net the past two seasons? I think not. 😀
I do think it should be relatively easy to get upgrades for McGinn and Foegele and their limited offense. I don’t think you need a name (or the salary of a name) to make a substantive change there.
Interestingly, the Canes have been more linked to Laine as a trade possibility than Eichel – even Friedman covered down on that this week.
Wow, I have a much higher opinion of Jack Eichel than others here. I would be shocked if Buf trades Capt Jack this year.
I think, ROR was seen as just a good 2nd line center(good D,55pts) when the trade happened. He does look much better out of Buffalo(great D,80pts).
According to the Hockeybuzz folks the Canes may be in on the King, since the Rangers have bought him out.
HB rumors are very reliable in reverse, if it is suggested there it typically never happens, but, still.
Also, I was looking at the Vegas wishlist.
They are high on Max Domi, and I think he could be a reasonable fit, with some risk, as a second line center, though the Canadiens are very unlikely to be trade partners after the Aho offersheet.
Also JVR as a tough wing on a tolerable contract, for netfront presence. If the Canes kept his brother there might be a trading chance, though he’s probably pretty high cost for the value he brings.
JVR has a big long contract but maybe if they take Nino.
How do we feel about Johnny Hockey? That would be interesting.