Yesterday, it was announced that the Hurricanes had re-signed Brock McGinn (who had been qualified on Monday) to a two-year, one-way contract averaging $887,500 per year.
The team also announced the re-signing of veteran AHL defenseman Philip Samuelsson to a one-year, two-way contract. Samuelsson was part of the veteran group that solidified the Checkers in the second half of the season and pushed the team up into the playoffs.
Brock McGinn
The signing of McGinn was mostly a formality with the only real questions being how many years and for how much money (though the salary range was pretty narrow too).
The contract: The price is right for McGinn to fill a fourth line role which lines up with the level that he played at in 2016-17. The two-year term gives the Hurricanes a little bit of potential upside if McGinn surges offensively and is then locked in for another year at a bargain price.
Though there is always some value in having players on two-way contracts, that was not reasonable nor would it it really buy much anyway for McGinn. After playing 57 games at the NHL level in 2016-17, he had a legitimate claim to a one-way deal. And with his experience level, he is not waivers exempt, so putting him on waivers to try to get him to Charlotte on an AHL contract would likely just be the equivalent of giving him away to a waivers claim anyway.
His role and upside: He was serviceable and incredibly consistent in terms of energy level but not able to contribute much offensively except for one impressive but short-lived scoring burst. He slots into a fourth line role and needs to find a much higher gear than his 16 points in 57 games to rise above the fourth line on a forward depth chart that is gradually improving. The potential upside for McGinn would be increasing his finishing and goal scoring such that his production starts to look more like a third-liner at a fourth line price.
Philip Samuelsson
The son of coach Ulf Samuelsson was acquired mid-season in a swap of veteran AHLers. Samuelsson along with others were part of a veteran group that played a large role in the Checkers’ late-season surge. At 25 years old, I see Samuelsson much more as a solid AHL veteran than an NHL prospect, but especially with two young goalies slotted for Charlotte next season, it is not surprising that Francis is keeping the veteran Checkers’ blue line mostly intact.
What’s next?
The two moves push the Hurricanes two 43 contracts. There is still room at the NHL roster has about enough on defense (7) and more than enough at goalie (3) but still needs three more forwards to reach 13. Di Giuseppe is almost 100 percent certain to be one of those three, but there is still room for an addition or two that could be an AHLer or prospect moving up and/or that one big addition from outside the organization via trade or free agency.
Di Giuseppe is a near certainty to be signed. Past that Francis still has a couple decisions to make on unrestricted free agent AHL veterans Brendan Woods and Danny Kristo at forward and Dennis Robertson on defense.
The rosters are slowly taking shape, but the highly anticipated move to add a top 6 forward still waits in the wings.
Go Canes!
You write that PDG is “almost certain” to be on the NHL roster this season. I went into last season thinking the same, but he was really unimpressive last season on NHL ice, as strong as he was in Charlotte. As an aside, one thing I observed at the Checkers’ games I went to last season – even a marginal NHL-level player who has had time at the NHL level is going to stand heads and shoulders above the other players in the AHL. I am not sure that PDG has earned a one-way contract – but also not sure, though, if he is still waiver-exempt.
The AHL roster looks close to complete, including the names I think may end up on the NHL roster.
About Brock McGinn. IMO if he can bring his offensive game closer to the net, he will increase his goal scoring by two fold. Last year he spent most of his time in the offensive zone outside the circles (not only far from the net, but at poor angles relative to the net). He has to emulate Guentzel and Sheary of the Penguins and get down below the circles. If he does, his excellent hands will take care of the goal scoring IMO.
Great re-signing! Ginner has “game” and can bring physicality and tenacity. Can’t complain about term or price. He knows his role and every team need guys like this.
This move helps towards solidifying 3rd/4th line roles and certainly is no small feat in today’s big league business. While it may seem to many folks we are focusing on the minor details rather than making BIG splashes, this move seems to fall into GMRF’s plans.
Lastly, I’m a 1st time commenter/long time reader. Grew up in New England and was a childhood fan of the Whaler days. While some Caniacs would prefer to turn a blind eye to that sort of connection…I’m proud to have attended the last Whalers game in history (the last time I cried) while also attending the 7th game of the 2006 Stanley Cup (the last time I ran up and down the 300 section). In between attending various ‘Canes home games such as Francis/Brind’Amour banner nights, but mainly road games in Boston/Montreal/Buffalo by waving the sightless eye in hostile territories.
Proud to be a Caniac…and what a great site this is!
Live free–glad to have you. I grew up in Raleigh but took a promotion three months after the Canes brought home the Cup. So now I am a New Englander. Though the Canes are the only team (only hockey team and only pro sports team) I follow. My son and I went to Philly last year (bummer of a game as we jumped out 2-0 and then fell apart) and found C&C shortly thereafter. You have found some really smart Caniacs–I just plagiarize a lot of people who actually know what they are talking about.
Just saw that Canes were able to trade Lack and Murphy. I predict that Lack will return to his Van level of play and will help Calgary quite a bit.
Thanks ct!