Shortly after the one-week anniversary of the start of training camp, the Hurricanes made two rounds of cuts to significantly decrease the number of players still in training camp. With three preseason games to go, the roster currently sits at 33 players. The current group is on the road in Western Canada on for Monday and Wednesday games which could present the chance for those still in camp to grab more attention.
Off the ice, the Hurricanes signed Erik Cole to a one-day contract, so he could retire as a Hurricane. He then joined the team as an ambassador.
Today’s Coffee Shop polls take a trip down memory lane with Erik Cole and then hop right back into the present day and what is left to finalize the 2017-18 opening day roster.
Carolina Hurricanes polls
Please remember to click ‘vote’ after each individual poll response.
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Discussion questions
1) What are you watching most closely as training camp pushes into its second week?
2) Which, if any, of the cuts or stays over the weekend surprised you?
3) Who has a favorite Erik Cole story/memory?
4) Anyone new? Please say ‘hey’ and introduce yourself briefly if you wish.
Go Canes!
I think Fleury ultimately wins the #6 slot on D. Protecting Ryan quickly and instinctively sealed the deal (and maybe gave the rest of the D-core something to think about, since I can’t remember having seen any of them initiate a “disturbance” like that.)
I also think that Necas is going to be on the NHL roster for up to 9 games, and depending on how it goes, maybe even longer, for two reasons: first, because he has shown the offensive playmaking we need; and second, because Stempniak is injured and will need some time to get his game ready (btw, it’s kind of curious that the team hasn’t mentioned much if anything about what his issue is or when he’ll be ready; maybe it’s more serious than we’ve been led to believe). Necas’s point totals aren’t there primarily because his grade-A chances aren’t being finished, but that will be less true when the finishers are Skinner and Ryan. He is simply a dynamic player that is going to be hard to send down.
I’d like to add one more angle to the discussion regarding cuts and who’s left on the roster. There is still an outside chance that GMRF makes another move before October 7, and all this excitement around Carrick and talk by BP about him could be part of some devious plot to give him more exposure to raise his value as he’s dangled in a trade. You could make a similar case for some of the players on offense (though less so). Just a loose theory that’s weak at best, but still possibly what’s going on behind closed doors.
I hope you’re right about Carrick. Some package involving him,
A high pick and a b grade forward prospect is definitely something I could get behind if the return is Duchene.
That would likely bump Necas back to Europe or the ahl assuming his contract will slide(apparently BUF did this with Nylander last year). The forward we send to COL would clear room for Necas to get prime minutes in Charlotte.
Can’t wait for pre season to end so I can finally stop speculating on trades that aren’t going to happen
1. A couple of things stand out for me. The role(s) that Necas is given. I think BP really wants to give him every chance to make the team. Will he end centering a line with NHLers on his wing for one preseason game? – John Forslund indicated that was the plan during the Caniac Carnival. Will he play one game on the wing with Ryan and Skinner?
I don’t he will get a “tryout” – too important to get a strong start. But if Stempniak is not ready, then it is a less tryout and more a replacement – he is a stronger option than McGinn or PDG, I think.
And that leads me to another issue I am following – what is up with Stempniak? The symptoms being described for him do not sound promising.
I like dmilleravid’s project that the success of Carrick this preseason makes the notion of expanded trade possibilities more interesting.
But that said, BP has been icing various permutations of TvR, Fleury, Carrick, and Dahlbeck – I am interested in what he starts to settle with as the end of preseason arrives.
2. In terms of leaves, I am not that surprised at any of them. For personal reasons I would have liked to see Poturalski getting a little more time in Raleigh. And it was hard to see Tolchinsky sent back down. He was quite the sensation two years – but it now looks like he has been passed. I expect that he will find his success in another organization.
An interesting stay is Zykov – most of his experience/talent peers have been returned to Charlotte. It may be because he missed the early part of preseason because of injury, but it suggests that BP wants to see more of him.
The remaining prospect forwards, with the exception of Necas, have to be viewed as those most likely to be called up in case of injury. What will be interesting to see in the season is if they replace/supplant McGinn or PDG.
3. Eric Cole is before my time as a Canes fan or follower of hockey in general. I remember he was playing in the first Canes game I attended in late 2006-7 or 2007-8 season. So the most memorable moment is the organization bringing him back for a day so he can retire as a Cane – it speaks volumes of the Hurricanes organization.
At least in tonight’s game Necas will be centering AHLers again – although topline AHLers Saarela and Kuokkanen. Wallmark centering NHLers (Nordstrom and Jooris) on the 4th line. Necas’ linemates makes me wonder – as much as I hate speculation – if they are trying him out for the AHL this season.
And Bean draws 3rd pairing left with TvR.
I have always admired Erik’s power move down the right side and then swing in in front of the goal. When it didn’t work it still meant two defenders were going to have to cover him leaving options open for others. When it did work it was highlight reel stuff for me and impressive. It seemed that even though everyone and their brothers knew the path he was taking, no single player could defend it.
I have two lasting visual images of Erik Cole who is every bit an all-time Canes player being one of only 3 players (with Brind’Amour and Wallin) to play in all 3 deep playoff runs.
The first image is the one mentioned by Caniac97 which is him skating to just inside the top of the face-off circle with the puck on the right side and then driving to the net at a 30-degree angle with a defenseman draped over him. To this day, I am convinced that the combination of the angle his body with the speed and with a defender draped on him is just not physically possible. And the best ‘hold your breath’ result was the one where he made it all the way to the net with the puck and the potential for a massive train wreck that inevitably left bodies in shambles and the puck lying in the crease for a team mate to tap in.
My other visual of Erik Cole was him lining up across from maniacal Gary Roberts shift after shift in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2002. The fact that I cover the team in my free time mostly from 11pm-1am at night keeps me from doing much or anything in terms of interviews and stuff around the rink, but if I ever find time, one of the things on my list is to try to get an interview with Erik Cole specifically about that series and match up.
I remember those Cole-Clashes-Crashes…and it’s amazing how the defenders didn’t get killed??
I’m surprised that no one has noticeably tried to duplicate that move… guess the combination of size, speed, and balls is RARE!
1. What am I watching for? I want to see how much more exposure Fleury, Carrick, and Dahlback get. Got to believe that RF is showcasing here looking to make a deal involving one or two of them. If not, I am interested in which one or two of these make our roster to start the season.
2. No cuts surprised me. Necas and Walmark seem to me to have put themselves in the best position to make the opening season roster. Necas needs to put the puck in the net over the remaining preseason games or he won’t make the opening day roster.
3. Erik Cole memory. Him skating like a bat out of hell down the right wing, cutting in on the goal and letting loose with that lethal snap shot into the net. He panicked opposing defensemen, opened up the ice for his teammates, and excited the crowd.
4. I’m Red Ryder. To you newer contributors you will learn: 1) that I am wrong more than right, but at least I am good at something (being wrong), 2) my margin of error is plus or minus infinity, 3) I don’t accept responsibility for my errors in facts or opinions since they are all caused by RF’s and BP’s refusal to always do things my way.
1) I’m watching the Fleury/Carrick competition for the 6th D spot as well as Necas- him Kuokkanen and Saarela should be a fun line to watch.
2) Surprised Foegle didn’t stay for another game. Thought he had a chance to steal a 4th line role if he showed more offensive upside than Nordstrom or Jooris.
3) Favorite Cole moment was him coming back for game 7 in 2006. Thought it gave team a lift after the awful game 6 performance.
3) It was a game against the Bruins in 2006. He went down, and blocked a shot. Hopped up, got the puck first, then blew by two bruins to score. It was a comical display of speed that he could go from down on the ice to the puck faster than two guys upright and closer to the puck.
1) Kuokkanen for me is the guy to watch. He’s done a lot of good things this offseason. I don’t think any rookies are going to win a top 9 spot out of camp, but I think if Stempniak can’t go, he’s looking good to grab the spot rather than bumping up a 4th liner or going with a safer depth guy like PDG/McGinn.