Hurricanes 2024-25 Post Mortem and Off Season Stuff
- Thread starter jeffbear
- Start date
I'd say there are some players that are effectively untouchable less because of their contract and value and more because of how well they fit Carolina's specific system. But, even then the list is pretty short.
I took a look at a few of the defense options that Carolina has been linked with during lunch, and you guys aren't gonna like my conclusion. Namely that Erik Karlsson might actually make sense for the Canes ... so long as they're moving on from Burns.
First of all, let's talk Rasmus Andersson. I honestly don't get the elevation in his status that I'm seeing from the hockey press. Perfectly decent second pair RD, and paid about what you'd expect for that. But the guy barely moves the game impact needle at all. He's basically a replacement level player offensively and a net negative defensively. I get that he skates well and might be a much better fit in Carolina's setup ... as is true for anyone you contemplate parking next to Slavin ... but he's just so meh. I do not get it at all.
Karlsson on the other hand, was a terrible fit in Pittsburgh. They over-used him, and never really did bother to even try to find a partner that suited his game. Even so, he still moves the needle on offense to the point that he's a net positive player. He's never going to be some sort of defensive stopper or anything but he can still run a power play like nobody's business and his skating is still excellent. He'd immediately be Carolina's best breakout organizer, which is something the Canes have really, really lacked on D since Hamilton left. Forget the Pens, since that was just a mess that never should have happened. Instead remember his play in the 4 Nations tournament when he was excellent when paired with competent partners. If Carolina could figure out the salary stuff, avoiding over-paying to get Pittsburgh to retain enough to make the math work, then he's a two season stop-gap while you get Nikishin ramped up at worst and maybe has one more solid run in the tank.
I looked at UFAs too, but other than Gavrikov ... who I think will re-sign in LA ... and maybe Provorov ... who I've never really liked, to be honest ... you're kind of stuck with Ekbald. Who is another guy I see sticking with his current team.
First of all, let's talk Rasmus Andersson. I honestly don't get the elevation in his status that I'm seeing from the hockey press. Perfectly decent second pair RD, and paid about what you'd expect for that. But the guy barely moves the game impact needle at all. He's basically a replacement level player offensively and a net negative defensively. I get that he skates well and might be a much better fit in Carolina's setup ... as is true for anyone you contemplate parking next to Slavin ... but he's just so meh. I do not get it at all.
Karlsson on the other hand, was a terrible fit in Pittsburgh. They over-used him, and never really did bother to even try to find a partner that suited his game. Even so, he still moves the needle on offense to the point that he's a net positive player. He's never going to be some sort of defensive stopper or anything but he can still run a power play like nobody's business and his skating is still excellent. He'd immediately be Carolina's best breakout organizer, which is something the Canes have really, really lacked on D since Hamilton left. Forget the Pens, since that was just a mess that never should have happened. Instead remember his play in the 4 Nations tournament when he was excellent when paired with competent partners. If Carolina could figure out the salary stuff, avoiding over-paying to get Pittsburgh to retain enough to make the math work, then he's a two season stop-gap while you get Nikishin ramped up at worst and maybe has one more solid run in the tank.
I looked at UFAs too, but other than Gavrikov ... who I think will re-sign in LA ... and maybe Provorov ... who I've never really liked, to be honest ... you're kind of stuck with Ekbald. Who is another guy I see sticking with his current team.
CanadaCanes
Well-known member
The 4Nations stuff was a shorty tournament and I have read the pumped tires stuff on Karlsson from that short body of work but boy oh boy he has been really bad the past couple of years in Pittsburgh and I cannot imagine and even older version of him here the next two years being much better. I get where you are going JB on the skating and offense but if he's eating big minutes in Carolina and you still are deploying Ghost too in the top 6 that is just a bit scary to me on the defensive side of the puck.
cmaleski2
Well-known member
Could I stomach Erik Karlsson in the Canes lineup? Sure.
Do I want to trade much of anything to acquire him? Not much unless Pittsburgh is retaining 50%. Even then, still not very much.
If the Pens are willing to trade us Erik Karlsson for a mid round pick and a couple of our Russian prospects and retain 50% I could be convinced that Karlsson might make our PP more dynamic. If you make that trade, do we really need Gostisbehere on the roster?
Do I want to trade much of anything to acquire him? Not much unless Pittsburgh is retaining 50%. Even then, still not very much.
If the Pens are willing to trade us Erik Karlsson for a mid round pick and a couple of our Russian prospects and retain 50% I could be convinced that Karlsson might make our PP more dynamic. If you make that trade, do we really need Gostisbehere on the roster?
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Christer
Well-known member
Absolutely not. But EK is a better version of Ghost so he is not needed in that case.
cmaleski2
Well-known member
The one wrinkle to Karlsson's contract of course is that it's mostly signing bonuses. So Pittsburgh is already posturing that if they have to make the $5 million signing bonus payment for this season (really $4.35 million for them, SJ pays the other $650k) , it's going to take a lot more for another team to acquire him via a trade. His actual salary is $4 million this season (next season it's a $6 million signing bonus and only $1.5 million in salary).
Trade to Canes? Possible? Sure. Likely? I would think no.
Trade to Canes? Possible? Sure. Likely? I would think no.
Understand that I'm not advocating for any specific player here. I'm just making a judgement on whether or not stuff being presented as possible by media types is even plausible and/or likely. In the case of the D market, I'm more convinced of the fit for Karlsson than I am of most of the rest of the known list of available options.
And if Pittsburgh thinks there's a big enough line out their door to grab Karlsson out of the shop window that they can bully somebody into giving up a 1st because they paid a bonus, then they need to check their heads. So far as I can tell, there's roughly zero interest across the league in paying full market value for that freaking contract. The fact that they only got $1.5 million retention of out the Sharks is ridiculously poor management, and a problem they'll have to shoulder on their own.
And if Pittsburgh thinks there's a big enough line out their door to grab Karlsson out of the shop window that they can bully somebody into giving up a 1st because they paid a bonus, then they need to check their heads. So far as I can tell, there's roughly zero interest across the league in paying full market value for that freaking contract. The fact that they only got $1.5 million retention of out the Sharks is ridiculously poor management, and a problem they'll have to shoulder on their own.
CanadaCanes
Well-known member
Cory Lavalette had a pretty good article on The Athletic this morning tempering expectations in Canesland in regards to free agency and summer upgrades. Mentioned the market demand far exceeds the players available and the drastic overpays coming from mid-level talent after the first few big names are gone tomorrow. Sounds like the Canes may end up with far more cap space entering training camp than most fans expected...
As always with Corey, I'm not sure how much of that position comes from reporting and how much comes from his own opinion. If Carolina strikes out on a couple of their targets in free agency, I could see them taking a pass on expensive players who don't really change the mix on the roster and then looking to use their Cap space in the secondary market as other teams look to clear out contracts. Either way, if the Canes wanted to just stand pat and go to camp with the guys they already have under contract, then they're still almost certainly a playoff team anyway. So ... yeah. You don't want to do anything stupid.
CanadaCanes
Well-known member
I actually like that if true, how about a $3 million base with some bonus incentives pushed to next year if he meets them!
ThinIce
Well-known member
I read Cory's article in The Athletic today and though I hate to admit it, he's probably right. However, patience is not part of a typical fan's DNA.
CanadaCanes
Well-known member
So what’s everyone’s realistic wish list items today based on what’s left in the scrap heap and the trade front? Ehlers and something else via trade?
My best guess, one big ticket item like Ehlers and one or two minor additions on D and forward to address some holes. The thin market is going to have Tulsky preaching patience.
My best guess, one big ticket item like Ehlers and one or two minor additions on D and forward to address some holes. The thin market is going to have Tulsky preaching patience.
cmaleski2
Well-known member
Am I the only one who really doesn't want to spend $8-9 million AAV on Nik Ehlers? To me he is a lesser version of Tuevo Teravainen.
Never scored 30 goals.
Has never killed penalties
6' 172, so not a big guy
Career playoff numbers are bad (45 Games 9 Goals 12 Assists)
He's a slight winger who will show some flash offensively and is ok defensively. I honestly would much rather us swing a trade to get Teuvo back instead and utilize the cap savings between those 2 players in other more productive ways.
Never scored 30 goals.
Has never killed penalties
6' 172, so not a big guy
Career playoff numbers are bad (45 Games 9 Goals 12 Assists)
He's a slight winger who will show some flash offensively and is ok defensively. I honestly would much rather us swing a trade to get Teuvo back instead and utilize the cap savings between those 2 players in other more productive ways.
Ehlers is an effective trigger man and the kind of guy who's good at breaking traps and getting you out on the rush. He's not perfect, but he's a dimension this roster lacks. Yeah, he's a Teravainen kind of player, but honestly this team missed Teravainen ... the 2018-2022 version of him at least. Not a guy I'd be happy over-paying but not a guy that I'd be sad to acquire either. I suspect the first part of that sentence will end up meaning that Ehlers plays for somebody else.
BTW, not sure where it should be mentioned but I like the move for Cayden Primeau last night. He's REALLY close to being NHL ready and was an absolute beast in the A last season and has shown flashes in his prior NHL stints. He's basically replacing Martin in the goalie ladder and is still on the upside of his development instead of the downside. That's a solid move.