Today we sit right in the middle of the slowest day of the hockey year. In true ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ form, the Monday Coffee Shop will mostly be taken over by the patients today (and that is meant in the nicest possible way).
Following the theme from today’s Daily Cup of Joe, the game is for readers to put forward an “I think…” statement on Hurricanes hockey to be considered. Cool would be if we could get an ‘agree’ and/or ‘disagree’ comment on each one. Critical here is obviously to maintain the friendly coffee shop atmosphere that is respectful and considerate in disagreement.
Without further ado, a couple quick polls to officially meet the regular Coffee Shop format, then the floor is open.
Carolina Hurricanes polls
Please remember to click ‘vote’ after each individual poll response.
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Discussion questions
So here is how this works…I encourage everyone to post their own “I think…” comment on anything Hurricanes hockey. Then it would be really cool if people could also comment on 1-2 other “I think…” entries such that each can become its own mini-discussion.
I feel like I do not need to say this but in the name of being safe rather than sorry and also vigilant about maintaining a great “coffee shop” atmosphere at Canes and Coffee, please BE RESPECTFUL. Disagreement is perfectly fine, but there is a right way and a wrong way to disagree with someone else’s comment.
Go Canes!
I think the Canes end up with at least five players with 50 points this year: Skinner, Aho, Lindholm, Risk, Teravainen are the most likely, but Faulk, Williams, and Staal could surprise.
I think the only rookie on opening night is Fleury.
I think the Checkers set franchise records for wins and goals.
I think GMRF might be (whether consciously or not) modeling the organization on Detroit. I recently heard on NHL radio that the Red Wings had not made a player-for-player trade in a decade. Of course, the Red Wings also had 25 years of making the playoffs. So a good model to follow.
I hope the first one (5X50) comes true. If the teams gets that kind of scoring and even average goaltending, we will finally see a playoff return.
Agree on the possibility of those players getting 50+ points they should all be pretty close and definitely should get 45+.
I agree Fleury should be the only rookie to make the team as a matter of making the other prospects ripen in Charlotte rather than making it now which would be a little early. I would have no problem with them playing later in the year as injury call ups once they’ve proven they are ready in Charlotte.
I also agree that Charlotte should be amazing this year. They will be absolutely stacked and barring significant and unexpected struggles by our top prospects they should be a very very good team this year. I mean we are going to have some pretty good prospects pushed down to Florida/ECHL this year because that’s how many good players we are going to have in Charlotte this year.
I think this is the year that the defense gets regular recognition around the league about its ability. We could have at least 2 pairs of defenders with 50 Corsi for and goals percentages this year. Could be 60% with strong goalie play.
I think this is our evaluation year. GMRF will look at evaluating:
Aho at center
Rask and Staal’s play, coupled with Aho’s, and Roy’s development to see who is our centers of the future.
Fleury vs Hanifin can we afford both? Could one be moved for a top end forward?
I think the franchise should flex its muscle on the media to get more coverage. Really need to up the TV coverage to show how good we should be (more fans in the seat) and written media to improve saturation of exposure.
On the exposure/marketing front, it would take a little time (since 2017-18 stuff is already long in the works), but I think new ownership in the form of a long-time sports professional with a fan leaning will make some changes and be interesting to watch.
I think we can afford both Fleury and Hanifin – we won’t have to pay Fleury big money for a few years – and I think the top-end Forward is already in our organization. This is the year when we start to realize how much offensive upside we have in the system already.
It’s more about the long term affordability of both. We have to re-sign Hanifin this offseason and the Fluery the next.
Potentially we could sign both to 2-3 year bridge deals and keep the gang together for 4 years. Then what happens with Bean and who do we afford after that?
I don’t think affording them will prove to be an issue. If it is, it won’t be for a few years and Fleury will have to dramatically out perform expectations to demand the type of money that would cause an issue. I think the best case scenario for the team is if Fleury develops into a top tier #5 guy that can play higher as needed.
Perhaps I’m too high on Hanifin but to me, he’s untouchable until we figure out where his ceiling is. He could still be an elite #1 guy, capable of carrying and distributing the puck at a level I don’t think any of our other players can match(maybe Bean in a few years?).
I think this is the year we get off to a faster start, and that includes Faulk, Hanifin, and Lindholm. The first 10 games are 5 home / 5 away against 7 playoff teams (from last year), with 4 of the 5 home games against playoff teams (the 5th is Tampa). That’s a tough stretch, but this is going to be our year. We should have a sense of how strong our team really is by November 1.
I think the fans return this season to fill up more of the building more regularly creating a much bigger home-ice advantage.
I agree with ctcaniac and think this is the year we’re going to score enough goals. We might even start to talk about our young Forwards like we now talk about our young Blue Liners.
I think someone other than Justin Faulk is going to represent us at the All-Star game this year. We may even have two players there.
I think Lindholm needs another shot at center. After his second half of the season which saw him killing it as a primary assist maker, he needs to be given the chance at his natural position.
I think we will see an opportunistic trade before training camp. With our cap space and defensive prospects being stocked, I think we will move one of Bean, Fleury or McKeown for a top six forward. It wouldn’t shock me if it was Nyquist from Detroit given their cap situation.
I think it is possible that Lindholm could play center, but if he continues on the same track as last year playing with a physical edge, I think he is more valuable at right wing. That continues to be the position where team is lightest long-term.
I think I am with Matt on this one. RW is the one weak spot. Especially if the team wants right shot RWs. That is not essential so TT could move to RW or Ryan. Still I think Aho is the future 1C and Lindholm is an all-star at RW.
I don’t think having enough right wings will be an issue considering one of Teravainen or Stempniak will probably be playing their offside instead of right wing this year. Putting Lindholm at center would allow them to both play right wing and push Ryan out of the lineup or down to the fourth line. But then you’re looking to fill a top 9 left wing spot. Probably with Mcginn, PDG, a UFA/trade acquisition, or a prospect (I’d rather the prospects play in Charlotte, but Zykov or Saarela might be ready). Going forward I also think we’ll have enough right wings to where it won’t be an issue.
I’m with minjaben I think Lindholm should get another shot at center. I want to see whether he has more upside at center or wing.
I don’t think we need to trade for a forward though because we have plenty of high the forwards we need the system and don’t need to trade assets to get one. We need to see how the prospects we have develop before we trade anyone. I think our current and future forwards will be exactly what we need. In fact I think in a few years we will be struggling to decide who to keep between our roster forwards and prospect forwards.
“we will be struggling to decide who to keep …”: couldn’t agree more.
Exciting right? It’s a good problem to have, but I will be sad to see guys go. I’m way too attached to this team.
I think we see Bill Peters and Ron Francis finally get the recognition they deserve as two of the best in the league with a Jack Adam’s and GM of the Year nomination. Also, Staal for Selke.
I think Noah Hanifin puts it all together and takes the biggest jump forward of our young players.
I think our playoff hopes hinge on Hanifin’s performance more than perhaps any of our other young skaters. If he’s nearing his potential, we have a top 3 or 5 D corps in the league but if he isn’t excelling in the Top 4, our only other options are Fleury or TVR and I’d consider them both to be big question marks in that role.
I completely agree on Hanifin. My biggest watch points early in 2017-18 are Darling getting his feet under him in net and Hanifin/Faulk being at least decent especially on the road.
Agree on the necessity of Hanifin doing well. This is why I hope we can get an insurance Dman in case of injuries, regression, or Hanifin isn’t ready for the top 4 role defensively.
Based on last year (and my poor memory of it), plus guess-work…I THINK…The centers will be Staal, Rask, Ryan, Kruger. (To begin)
Aho/ Willy Lindy/ TT Skins/ Stempniak Nordy/ McGinn on the corresponding lines.
#13 Jooris
Of course this is just my opinion, sooooo half of it is probably wrong!
Aho, Lindy, and Jooris could (and likely will) play some center so… good luck guessing the line – combinations!
Puckgod…I agree those are the 4 entering training camp and the best bet to exit training camp. I have Ryan’s spot (see tomorrow’s DCoJ) as 1 of 3 slots that could be in play in training camp if a rookie rises up.
I think if the Canes are even just average in games decided by one goal, they make the playoffs. I believe the Canes are 26th. over the last six years in won/loss records for games decided by a goal. I also believe (stats guys….help!) they have the worst overtime/shootout record in the league over the same time period. For the one goal differential games, Darling should make a demonstrable difference in the results. Same with overtime/shootouts but combined with the increased skill level of the forwards, we should see positive results in the win column for a change.
I think, and this is not a new post by me, that the Canes have to give serious consideration to upgrading the fan experience, including a change in music. For the love of God, please ditch the 80’s music for something at least slightly less annoying.
Here I am
Rock you like a hurricane (Are you ready, baby?)
Here I am
Rock you like a hurricane…
Ughhhhhhhhh. Honestly, it screams irrelevance.
Darling will definitely be key. How he plays will probably determine whether or not we make the playoffs.
I think Williams’ biggest impact will be on Power Play. Carolina has struggled for several years. Now both units will have multiple threats. Something like: Aho, TT, Staal, Williams, Faulk on first unit and Skinner, Rask, Lindholm, Ryan, Hanifin on second.
Good points, both units should look pretty good on paper at least.
I think this will be the first year in a long time where we will be able to slot players into slots where they are most capable and not in slots to fill voids. For example, Lindholm, Staal, McGinn, Hanifin, etc. will be in roles where they will be an above average or better players. No longer will we have natural centers playing wings, 3rd and 4th line players playing top line minutes.
I think the team should change the in arena experience for the fans by upgrading the music. No more chug-a-chug chug-a-chug and let’s get back to inspiring type stuff like “The Rising” that carried us to the Cup.
I think Canes & Coffee will really be a dynamic hockey site this season with more and more contributors. I don’t think anyone will be able to beat ctcaniac to the punch on any regular basis unless they work the night shift. I think dmilleravid will continue to write things that I wish I had come up with and expressing them better than I could. I think puckgod will have a tougher time finding things that need improving, but will never give up striving for the perfection all of us want for the team. I KNOW that C&C will be my first read every morning because of Matt and all the contributors.
I think Peters should try pairing Slavin and Faulk as first line dmen and Hanifin and Pesce as second line dmen. I feel like no one really talks about this possible combination because no one wants to break up Slavin and Pesce. This is understandable, but I think having Slavin paired with Faulk could help Faulk return to the form he played with when he was paired with Sekera a few years back. Pairing Hanifin with Pesce I think would provide the overall defensive stability that Hanifin needs in a line mate, to excel and take his game to the next level.
Will be interesting to see what Peters does. The one thing we know from last season (mainly tough stretch from mid-Nov – late Jan) is that it is impossible to survive on the road without 2 good D pairings.
It’s an article for another day, but I actually think the path could end up being different strategies at home vs. the road with strength on strength (Slavin/Pesce) at home where Peters can control the match ups and balance (Slavin/Faulk & Hanifin/Pesce) on the road where the other coach can more so drive match ups.
I think going forward one thing that will be interesting is balancing which forwards we want to keep from the current roster versus the upcoming prospects because we will have a lot of good players to choose from depending on how the players develop. Will we keep Staal, Rask, Teravainen or Roy, Gauthier, Necas, Foegele, Kuokkanen, Saarela, Zykov? It will obviously depend on performance. The point is we won’t have spots for everyone and we can’t keep the prospects in Charlotte forever so it will be interesting to see who stays and who gets traded.
We’ll probably be moving on from Williams, Ryan, and Stempniak in the next year or two which would open up three spots. And I would assume Mcginn and PDG aren’t going to stick around long unless it’s on the fourth line so that could potentially open up another two spots. Anyways I think it’s something interesting to consider even if it’s a future issue.
If the Canes are going to make the playoffs, who do they knock out from this year’s group that made it in: Washington, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Montreal, Ottawa, Boston, Rangers, Leafs. Can they stay ahead of those who didn’t make it last season; Flyers, Bolts, Panthers, Red Wings, Sabres, Devils? No matter how much better the Canes should be, they’ll have to be consistently good to make it into the playoffs. Lots of good teams to beat to get in. Just saying (not to be negative, just realistic). I think Ottawa, Blue Jackets and even Rangers could fall, with the Bolts and Panthers moving up along with the Canes to fight it out.
Tampa Bay played the entire year without one of the best players in the league (Stamkos) and they missed the playoffs by 1 point. Hard to see how they aren’t better. Agree: it will be a dogfight; I just like our dog.
From the farm on up…
I think (and agree with ct) that Charlotte is a force this season and goes deep, VERY deep, in the Calder.
I think Callum Booth is in the NHL next year.
I think Lindy nets 25 goals and continues his second half of last season by making our top line a force to be reckoned with.
I think Fleury gets ‘rookie of the year’ consideration, not the prize, but certainly noticed. I also could see Kuokkanen and Goat Man getting their chances in the rookie spotlight.
I think JStaal shows more emotion and outwardly believes in what GMRF has built so far (he’s not the heart on the sleeve type, I get that, but I think this is the year we see him be more outspoken in the right ways). If not, I think this may be his last year with the team. I hope for the former.
That said, I think Roy is being groomed in the pipeline to take JStaal’s spot in two years.
I think we land 3rd in the Metro, behind CBJ and PIT with a push from the younger teams leaping up the ranks, including PHI. The NY teams and WAS begin their descend.
I think there is one more trade to be made, whether this summer or in camp that could help us upfront and include a defenseman going the other way NOT named Slavin or Pesce. I also think (and have always agreed with Matt) we need an extra depth defenseman to step into top 4 minutes if needed.
Lastly, I agree with RedRyder and CT…in that I think we are able to slot our lines accordingly and have enough scoring balance across the lineup making us a legit playoff contender.
In an effort to keep things going on this thread: I am concerned.
I am concerned that the Canes will have cap issues by 2020.
I am concerned although the organization has made a commitment to analytics, it is natural in an organization to ignore some data-driven changes because they conflict with “common sense.”
I am concerned that the division doesn’t have three or four teams that are obviously at the bottom.
I think the Canes’ 2017-18 playoff hopes will be severely challenged with one or more significant injuries, particularly if BP focuses on “can play in the NHL” (McGinn, PDG?) rather than our prospect depth in Charlotte.
I think the critical part of the schedule will be the road-heavy” December.
I think minus-injuries, the Canes will surprise on the high-side.