What a blessing to have genuine, on the ice Hurricanes hockey to talk about again!
I would like to extend a huge thank you to the core group that made the coffee shop active and fun on even the slowest up days during the offseason. During many news-less days in July and August especially, I personally looked forward to seeing others’ thoughts and opinions on our hockey team. The next leg up is to make sure we welcome newcomers as hockey season returns and hopefully the number of participating visitors increases.
Today’s Coffee Shop hones in on what we have seen so far in training camp and also looks to predict the future based on it.
Carolina Hurricanes polls
Please remember to click ‘vote’ after each individual poll response.
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Discussion questions
1) If you are new to the Coffee Shop, please consider (it is not required) briefly introducing yourself. The more the merrier here with a goal of making any and all Hurricanes fans feel comfortable chiming in on the discussion.
2) What is the biggest surprise so far in training now almost halfway through the 7-game slate and nearly a week since the first practice?
3) After seeing (or at least reading and hearing about) three preseason games, who do you like to seize a roster slot from off the depth chart, and why?
Go Canes!
1. Not exactly new here, hoping to comment more actively this season though. Welcome back everyone!
2. Biggest surprise for me has been Necas, not only how his name is pronounced but also his play.
3. Would like to see Necas make the team, if he does manage to earn a spot I think it will be earned rather than given. In the past our rookies have been rushed due to lack of options but we’re finally in a position where that’s not necessary. And that’s exciting to me!
This also sorta ties into Necas and the last voting question. It’s been mentioned by notopie here and on another board but I would tend to agree that if Necas makes the roster, he would likely bump Stempniak to the fourth line rather than take Ryan’s spot. Especially after Ryan’s strong pre season and camp so far.
1) getting older every day–a hearty welcome to all the newcomers, enjoy the best hockey site on the internet!
2) Ryan. I mentioned before that he seems to improve his scoring 20%-33% the second year he is in a league. I thought given his age and this is the NHL, that was not a given. But based on his play so far, he might be more than serviceable as 3C. Be honest, if Necas or Gauthier had 3 goals and an assist we should be calling it the next big thing. DR deserves more love. I for one think he will be key to the Canes playoff return.
3) Wallmark. I was/am a buyer on Roy. I think without the concussion he might have won a spot. But after three games, I think Wallmark has everything BP appreciates: ability to win face-offs, can fill in on PK, plays fully within the system.
1. Bill Barilko disappeared… last summer. He was on a fishing trip… (a great hockey song look it up)
2. The biggest surprise as others have hinted at is Martin Necas. Somewhere else I called him our most skilled and exciting first round draft pick since Jeff SKinner. Am I crazy to think that he at times looks even more complete than Skinner did at 18? At least in regards to his hockey IQ and speed, he isn’t as strong as Skinner was at the same age.
3. From ‘off the depth chart’ the only player I see cracking the opening night roster is actually Trevor Carrick. I agree with the above poster that Wallmark has been impressive, but as Peters said for the first time we will likely have NHL ready players starting in the AHL. Wallmark is probably one of them. McGinn seems to be auditioning for the final RW spot and based on Peters having a bit of a soft spot for him I see him winning the spot over Jooris. However, I expect Jooris to play at least 40 games this year either in a rotation or through injury replacements.
More importantly, I really enjoy how it’s actually more likely that nobody surprising wins a roster spot! Derek Ryan has been outstanding as somebody commented. He is clearly an intelligent dude (the doctor), so I think he very much understood going into this preseason he was still fighting for a job. I also bet that as one of the few players who has played all 3 preseason games that Ron Francis probably also wanted to get a handle on whether DRyan would work as a 3rd line centre, or if he would have to go outside the organization.
I am still on record saying that – The Canes middle 6 centers when we have a cup competing team will be Jordan Staal and Victor Rask, and I now see Kruger as a good fit for the 4th line center, therefore inevitably as much as Derek Ryan is a great story he will not be part of this team past this season. I hate to say it because the more I watch him the more I think he is more serviceable than I gave him credit for offensively, while he is sound defensively as well. He actually reminds me a bit of Riley Nash but with better playmaking abilities and less size.
2. Biggest surprise…Derek Ryan looking like the 1st line scoring center we have been seeking.
3. Booth or Ned as backup goalie if the job was earned based upon merit. Cam was weak in last nights game. Cam needs to be better than he showed. Two weak goals…2nd goal of the game was a floater along the ice from the wall right between his legs and the third goal was a soft shot that he didn’t even move for as it floated by him. His performance just not good enough. I want to back him, but a game like that in the season would be demoralizing to the team. Cam needs to get with it and make this team based upon winning a slot not because he’s a good team mate and been here a long time.
1) Long time reader – new user name (combination of password forgetfulness and my inability to reset it!). Will try to comment more now.
2) Necas for me too – at a #12 pick did not exect him to be so strongly in contention as an 18 year old, especially after all the talk of this year’s draft being weak.
3) Barring injuries – I just dont see Bill Peters going with anything other than the established NHL experienced guys (other than Fleury). If an opportunity arises I’d like to see Zykov get another shot – we’ve been missing that kind of net front presence player.
2/ Ryan has been very good, admittedly against weak competition in G1, and the buzz around Necas is encouraging (even if I haven’t seen him play live).
3/ I just don’t see anyone other than Fleury rising up given BP’s stated preference for “proven” NHL players. That may change over the course of the season as some players underperform. If anyone is at risk, it seems to be McGinn/PDG, but, again, going with Foegele is probably a mid-season thing.
The fact that we’re debating roster spots at all, and that all the options are generally good, is a major change from seasons past, when the competition was far weaker.
I can’t remember who said it earlier in the week, but as much as I’d love to see Necas spend October in Raleigh, getting off to a fast start is too important to run an experiment. I think by Nov 1, we’re going to know how good this team is or isn’t – it’s not an easy first 10 games – so fielding our best team is the most important thing to do to start the season.
1. I’m not new. Although I could add a new line to my resume: “Unofficial cartoonist of Canes & Coffee”
2. Biggest surprise would be Necas looking so good. 2nd biggest would be Derek Ryan being possessed by Wayne Gretzky this preseason.
3. I think the lineup is pretty well set, apart from line combinations, and line deployments. I think Necas gets 5 to 9 games before going to Europe or the OHL. I see Wallmark and Carrick being first injury call ups.
1) Dave. Grew up a Ranger fan but coverted to Caniac during 2002 Cup run.
2)Necas- not surprised by his talent but am surprised he is in the mix for a roster spot. Anticipated him going back to Europe for 1 more season. Not sure who he bumps out if he makes team but my guess would be Stempniak. Don’t see him playing center yet so replacing Stempniak seems logical. Only way I see it happening is if he proves himself responsible defensively.
3)Other than Fleury or Necas I don’t see anyone else making opening day roster due to GMRF’s off season additions. I do think Wallmark, Zykov , Saarela and Kuokkanen could see some time in Raleigh due to injuries or poor performance.
It’s exciting to have so much depth. Gone are the days of Boychuk, Bowman and Dalpe types being too prospects!!
Would also like to say this is my favorite source for Hurricane content out there. You do a great job!!
Welcome DaveJ and Alba! The regulars who open the doors and keep The Coffee Shop up and running are good people who I am certain will be welcoming as our group grows with the return of Canes hockey.
1. I discovered this blog early on and was immediately impressed by Matt’s knowledge and ability to write – definitely the best blog on the Canes with the most intelligent and well-written commenters.
2. What hasn’t me about Necas isn’t his play as such. It is how much of a look Peters and Francis are giving him. It isn’t just games played, it is situations in those games. He saw PP time, he was on the ice for the last few minutes of the game in the 6-on-4, and he led the first 3 out during Monday’s overtime. It speaks loudly to how well BP and RF view him – and they are giving him every opportunity to prove himself, and giving themselves the opportunity to fully evaluate him.
3. Last PDG played with a purpose – probably the best game I have seen him play ever. On that basis he would bounce McGinn from the 13th forward spot.
I thought Fleury was better than expected last night – nevermind his physicality which endeared him to the team and Peters. He moved the puck well, took part in the rush, wasn’t hesitant to shoot from the point, and gave up his body on the 2-on-1 to prevent both shot and pass to the trailer. I think he could have been on spacing in the D-zone, but that is going to come quickly under Smith’s tutelage. He has the leftside of the 3rd pairing claimed.
Neither of these is really off the depth chart, however. I don’t see anybody coming from there.
Maybe, if McGinn is bumped, one of Foegele or Wallmark will make the team? Though I suspect PDG is the logical one…
Foegele and Wallmark will not be on the team coming out of training camp. What happens later in the season is another question. Foegele still has to prove himself. I think Wallmark is NHL ready – I thought so at the end of last season, and really thought he was going to get a chance at taking the 4C role this season. But that before Francis and Peters made it clear they were going for “can play in the NHL” by picking up Jooris and Kruger.
1) Longtime season ticket holder who moved to the mountains and now get my hockey fix from TV and websites like this one!
2) Necas. Bigger, faster, and more skilled than expected. DR gets honorable mention. Doc is often overlooked but has been a leader everywhere he played and is taking full advantage of this opportunity. He looks ready to have a breakout year.
3) Fleury is a given. Wallmark also looks ready, but we are blessed to have NHL ready guys in Charlotte. I look forward to seeing Charlotte play this year also!
I’m relatively new to the site. I Basically can’t get enough Canes stories, so check out as many sites as I can. I like Canes and Coffee because it does offer some different opinions, but as noted in all the stories on the prospects, covers all aspect of the Canes. I have no doubt that we’ll see noted from Checkers and Juniors as they relates to Canes “property” in the future.
Necas has been a big eye-opener for me. After hearing about how this was a down draft year, I wasn’t really expect this level of talent. It seems he thinks the game well and offensively sound. I wouldn’t be shocked if he made the club this year, but I feel great that barring injury, he’s got a slot for the ’18-’19 squad locked up.
I don’t see any prior Checker forwards making the club. I think it’s between Carrick and Fleury for D#6. I expect Carrick gets time in Washington to see if he can one-up Fleury. Love seeing this type of competition. I’m already counting on Dahlberg being the extra. It’s nice to know we’ll have some real players in Charlotte that will be ready to jump in when injury strikes from Wallmark, Kuokkanen, Foegele (my fav), Zykov, Saarela, loser of the Fleury/Carrick battle, McKeown