If you were away for the weekend, this page that always has a chronological list of articles is a great way to browse what you missed and catch up.
After a busy three weeks capped off by an eventful Saturday, we are unfortunately nearing the doldrums of the hockey summer. But the positive for Hurricanes fans is that Francis just might have an interesting combination of needs, budget and some really high-end opportunities that could still come into play, so we have reason to stay tuned. And even if we ever don’t, we assure you that we will still find topics to bandy around in The Coffee Shop.
If you missed it over the weekend, I suggest checking in on the special Saturday Coffee Shop focused solely on Justin Williams signing.
Today’s Coffee Shop will forge forward and consider what might or might not be left on Ron Francis’ to-do list for the summer. Maybe after you vote/comment, check out also today’s Daily Cup of Joe which is a companion for the Monday Coffee Shop.
Carolina Hurricanes polls
Please remember to click ‘vote’ after each individual poll response.
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Discussion questions
1) If you could add one more player (within reason) via free agency or trade, what position and/or type of player would he be? Specifically, who would you target?
2) What are your thoughts on entering the 2017-18 season with the current roster? Has the team improved enough? What are the team’s potential Achilles’ heels?
3) Of the free agent signings and trades across the NHL, if you could steal one deal, which one would it be?
Go Canes!
1. I’d look for a 1/2C RNH stands out, and we could try Galchenyuk.
2. GMRF has made a lot of improvements on(and off) the ice, Barring ill fortune, I could see the Canes sneaking into the playoffs, even without additional players.
3. I’d steal the Marcus Johansson trade
1. A center. Duchene is acceptable, Mr. big G (though Montreal does not seem to consider him a 1C material, then again they tend to overpay for goalies, even excellent ones). I’d still give Tor a shot to see if something can be worked out in a forward for defense prospect and picks deal. They are pushing against the cap, though with LITR they seem to be able to squeeze under.
2. I agree with Matt. A little more depth on defense and one more upgrade at forward. While the Caps have regressed and the Pens have not improved, the Devils are becoming a formitable team (they under performed relative to quality of squad last year and they have made some nifty upgrades) and I thinkthe Flyers will be a force (the second pick). I think we’re still in the NHL’s most difficult division (the chance had it that the best division got the top picks last year, which is unusual and bad for the Canes). I still think we have a chance at squeaking into the playoffs.
3. Either of the Johansen or Druin deals would have been awesome. I hope RF is able to engineer one more steal of a deal.
But I am also glad RF is avoiding the gross overspending on long-term deals that we are seeing with Mtl and the Caps, especially the Caps (then again we are still paying Semin, I still fail to understand how players can get away with completely tanking and still being paid millions, I think it is one of the things I like the least about hockey).
I think that the cup cannot be won bya single superstar, no matter how good. After all they are only on the ice for no more than 20 minutes (forward,) or 30 (defenseman), and a goalie cannot stay hot forever, even Price can’t.
Yah, the Semin thing is still under my skin. I have a Semin jersey and refuse to wear it. I am waiting for somebody else to take 28 before I put duct tape over the name. That hurt the organization for years. He did not tank, he totally stopped trying. I was so frustrated seeing him stand off to the side on the ice while other players were battling. I do not get how a professional athlete can just stop giving any effort at all. Enough of the rant but he goes down as my worst ever player. No pride or effort at all.
While adding Williams bolsters our right side and top 6, I don’t believe this is enough. After all, he’s 35 and his production on a good team is material of 2nd line. JW was rightfully brought on for much needed intangibles and leadership. I’m also of the thinking GMRF is not finished. The entire division keeps improving, and prior to this we had holes to begin with. Williams alone does not close that gap completely, especially when you consider realities of some players falling below expectation (ala sophomore slumps). And while I would love to see Galchenyuk as filling long-term need, the price would be 1st/Roy and more.
That said, I see two pathways from here. Obtain a playmaking 3C or another Top 9 winger (forcing Aho, TT or Lindy to center). By now, it is clear GMRF is not willing to give up one our budding Dmen for offensive help. So if he is not willing to give quality to get quality, we then need someone to fit our needs of improving the offense short-term. My focus would be on Grigerenko (3C w/size, speed, yet reclamation project)…or trade a 2nd rounder or mid-prospect to VGN for James Neal. In the end, doesn’t matter where the goals come from. We just need more short-term weapons upfront while allowing the kids to thrive in Charlotte.
1) Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Alex Galchenyuk. Both teams could have cap issues and we would be in a position to take advantage of that. I am not sure Sakic will ever come back to reality.
2) Our current roster is good enough to make it to the playoffs this year. We may not be Stanley Cup level yet but we are ready to enter the season. We addressed everything. Our D should be great, our goal situation should improve remarkable. And do remember many of us said if we had a goalie we would have made it last year. We have that now, plus improved D. The area for improvement is on the forwards. We could be better yet but still better then last year already. Who knows we could steal a forward from a cap strapped team.
3) agree with breezy, either of the Johansen or Druin deals would have been great.
Rats, add RNH to that list.
Ignore, I thought I missed it.
I keep hoping that salary cap issues force Montreal and/or Edmonton’s hand.
Edmonton can wait until next summer if they prefer, but my hope is that a big ($10M?) Draisatl contract combined with the huge #s being mentioned for McDavid already push Chiarelli to act early.
Montreal has cap space right now, but if they get both Markov and Radulov back and at high prices, they could price themselves out of being able to fit Galchenyuk.
Either situation could see the ball come into Francis’ court with teams looking to unload a player and being okay with taking futures back plus maybe an inexpensive forward (i.e. Teravainen, Nordstrom, McGinn, maybe even Stempniak) back to fill the hole short-term.
Agreed, fingers crossed.
I will take a break from my lurking and say…..What about Marcus Kruger? Plays a shutdown role, could fit in the 3/4C and is only 27. He wont light up the scoring but he’s tough to play against and one of the best PK in the league. Would also be cheap to acquire in the grand scheme of things (if Vegas retains salary.) He’s also a Swede and has played with what feels like half of our team already, could be a good add.
Not sure if it’s going to actually happen but maybe a good call on Kruger.
I’m mixed actually lean slightly negative on him.
Positive: He is a good player, another PK option and a safe depth upgrade especially if he gets pushed down to C4 slot.
Negative: He doesn’t move the needle offensively which I still think is a need for, and I really don’t like plugging another checking line type C into the top 9 if he is targeted for C3 slot.
Shorter-C4, I’m okay with it. C3-I’m not; we need more playmaking/scoring there.
1/ I’d be calling TOR for Nylander now that they have Marleau. Galchenyuk probably stays in MTR now that Radulov left. RNH and Evander Kane are also still interesting.
2/ we are much improved and could enter the season as-is. We’re still not deep enough to weather and injury to one of our big horses, but we have depth in CLT that is more ready than ever to fill a vacancy.
3/ Drouin or Johansson deal. Surprised the return back was so low. I guess that’s what happens in a cap crunch situation. (Put that thought in the memory bank for next summer.)
What if Toronto needs to expose of TVR’s older brother (because of the PM signing)?
Some say that they need to expose JVR.
I’ve always liked JVR as a player (he’s big and he scores), but the Canes are pretty set at left wing.
Stil, putting him on a line with Jordan Staal could be interesting (leaving Skinner with Rask and JW and TT with Aho and LS).
I think we are good for this season – I expect playoffs although I don’t see as Cup contenders just yet.
I think the biggest weekend is overall NHL-ready depth. One or two injrries could be very critical to the team’s ultimate success.
Breezy, I’d do JVR in a heartbeat. I didn’t think about him above, but that might put us over the top now that both Galchenyuk and Grigerenko are off the table per say.
JVR is big (although not overly physical), can score, playoff tested and fits the bill we need more of. Plus he’d mesh well with our younger UNH guys (pun intended…:)
I’d send PDG, plus a prospect and 3rd rounder. Deal with the extension later…he may be more willing to come here to play with his brother, too.
I think we should definitely get a 2c, at least, preferably 1c.
Galchenyuk or RNH would work! I’d trade a 1st and Roy, in a heartbeat for either one.
Another dman (unless Fleury is deemed a lock for making this team) would be very wise! …a promising top6, or better…
I agree with Drouin and Johansson.
With the upgrades made in the Metropolitan Div., more has to be done to assure a playoff position, and the capspace is still available!
Puckgod may be correct that we need more, I just don’t like what it would cost. Plus we have to keep in mind we have to pay a lot of people in the next few years. I voted “other” up top because I think we are ready when you look at the cost of getting more.
1) I think breezy and live free are on the right track. CapFriendly indicates that Toronto is now over the cap. So three names jump out: JVR, Komarov, and Connor Brown. The first two would get the Leafs under the cap and are UFAs next season, so they might be cheap–in fact Komarov might be had for just a 2nd. Brown is currently an RFA, so at this point Toronto can’t really even offer him fair value. From the group, I might prefer Komarov–Center for third line who is sound on PK.
2)The team is in significantly better shape than last year. Only Achilles’ Heel would be if Darling fails to live up to expectations as starter. Otherwise, the team has improved both scoring and D.
3) Johansson, just because it seems like such a steal.