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2024-25 Canes Miscellaneous Thread

It’s just November, but this is not a good situation at all. Concussions usually breed concussions, especially with PK’s aggressive play style. And Freddie is made of wet paper. They needed to look for something now…. Panic mode or not, it’s ugly
 
In addition to the hot offensive start that many of our top players are enjoying, here is another big reason for our success so far through 21 games.

Faceoff Win%:

Staal 206/376 54.8%
Aho 168/294 57.1%
Drury 128/224 57.1%
KK 89/199 49.3%

That definitely helps!
 
No big surprises here, but The Sporting News is speculating on Nedeljkovic, Blackwood, and Vanecek as possible trade options...

Ugh. Ned. I could see that, because at least he's got experience playing behind the system. He's got another year on his deal, but at least it's a fairly cheap contract. But if he did well, he's guaranteed to pull another diva act.

Vanececk and Blackwood have the advantage of being on one year contracts. Vanecek might actually be a good fit, honestly ... mostly because he's rarely terrible and that's what Carolina looks for in depth goalies. Blackwood is actually playing better this season but I don't trust that guy not to get himself into a big game and then promptly barf all over his skates.
 
And yes ... I do think the Canes will make a move for an NHL caliber depth goalie. I think they have to. We talked a lot last season and in the summer about the need for 3 NHL options so long as Freddie was going to be in the mix. And that was before Kochetkov's second concussion. So if Kooch's health is going to be an issue as well, then yeah. You can't contend with Martin starting for any length of time and Perets is a cipher. Chuck another backup in the mix.
 
Canes are practicing this morning. Stillman is skating as an extra dman. Kochetkov is at practice again but not skating.

Jarvis - Aho - Roslovic
Svechnikov - Drury - Necas
Martinook - Staal - Carrier
Robinson - Kotkaniemi - Blake
 
Canes are practicing this morning. Stillman is skating as an extra dman. Kochetkov is at practice again but not skating.

Jarvis - Aho - Roslovic
Svechnikov - Drury - Necas
Martinook - Staal - Carrier
Robinson - Kotkaniemi - Blake

Beer vendor Otis Redfern in net
 
Elliotte Friedman is reporting that Koochie is day-to-day and could return as soon as this weekend.
If Koochie was to play this weekend he either has a head made of concrete or the Canes Doctor is Jack Kevorkian. After seeing that close up clip late Saturday night that was not a day to day type of concussion.
 
If Koochie was to play this weekend he either has a head made of concrete or the Canes Doctor is Jack Kevorkian. After seeing that close up clip late Saturday night that was not a day to day type of concussion.
He’s been at practice both days, so he’s not photosensitive or have a problem with noise. So it must be a “mild” concussion, or at least as mild as a concussion can be. But they‘re cumulative so…
 
Yeah, the only predictable thing with concussions is that there's nothing predictable about concussions. That's why they have the benchmark protocols in place to help take away the guesswork. Carolina's medical staff have never been particularly reckless ... unlike some other clubs (Bruins, Dolphins, etc) ... so I'm comfortable giving them the benefit of the doubt.
 
BTW, even if Kochetkov is cleared fairly quickly I'd expect Carolina to continue their due diligence on goaltenders. That injury exposed a real weakness in the organizational structure and I suspect they'd prefer a keeper they could platoon with Kooch in that 2nd slot. If the acquisition cost is reasonable, that is.
 
While he's not playing poorly, he's certainly not the Svech we love - and need. I think he needs to clear his mind and just react - maybe his natural instincts and skills can come through.
 
The best thing I like about this year’s Canes team is the balance across the roster without as much dependency on one line or a couple guys scoring nightly. It might be Roslovic or Blake or Jarvy or Nachos or Aho or Svech but the pressure on some of these top 2-3 guys to carry the load has not been as focused as some past years. 26 goals alone already from Blake, Martinook and Roslovic really is a shot in the arm.
 
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