Days after the Hurricanes fell to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Finals, long after the emotions of the loss worked their way through the fan base's system. A single diagnosis bobbled to the top. It wasn't new. In fact, Carolina's front office was facing the same challenge it had for the last few off-seasons. They needed to find a bonified scorer. Someone who won't just create scoring opportunities - Something Carolina leads the NHL at. - But, that can also convert the opportunity into actual goals. Projected goals are nice. Although, they only make you an analytical darling, rather than a Stanley Cup Champion.
With a goalie of the future already locked down and eager veterans looking to return in Antti Raanta and Fredrick Andersen there was no need to stress over who would stand in the blue paint come October. Similarly, the Hurricanes' defensive core wasn't at the top of any outsider's priority list. Since Rod Brind'Amour took control of the coaching staff his team has proven itself as the hardest team to score against in the NHL. Only in his first season 2018-19, has the team ranked lower than fourth place in goals against.
Only one regular member of Carolina's blueline wasn't under contract entering the offseason. Calvin De Haan wasn't expected to return after the Hurricanes traded for Shayne Gostisbehere before the trade deadline in March. Gostisbehere himself was known to be a rare rental for the organization. He was also not expected to return.
From three thousand feet in the air Carolina's options seemed simple to fill the role. Either let Dylan Coghlan fight for a role in camp with other defensive prospects. Or, find a cheap option in free agency or via a trade to skate alongside Jalen Chatfield on the third pairing.
It appeared like the team chose option two when reports surfaced that Carolina's front office was working on a deal to bring back Tony DeAngelo from the Flyers. Less than a year after trading him to the city of brotherly love. Maybe that could have been the end of it. Carolina brings DeAngelo back into the fold to help their continuously stagnant power play. You pencil him in for the third line and refocus your efforts on improving the team's top-six forward group.
We will never know if Carolina would have stopped at DeAngelo. Sadly, the NHL
Commissioner's office in New York barred the trade from happening. Worried about the two organizations trying to circumvent the league's salary cap they informed both teams that the deal would have to be put on ice until at least the anniversary of the original trade from the year prior. In the meantime, Carolina would look elsewhere for their sixth defenseman.
If you live on reports from NHL insiders you'll believe, just like I do, that the Hurricanes kick the tires on every major deal in the league before it's final. This year that meant having a lot of conversations about defending Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson in San Jose. Unless someone has a wiretap in Hurricanes GM Don Waddell's office that they would like to share it's impossible to truly know who and or what was packaged together to keep the Canes in the conversation for Karlsson until the very end.
It wouldn't be official until months later, but Karlsson would join an aging Pittsburgh Penguins roster in a deal I'm happy Carolina didn't match.
Less than an hour and a half into free agency Elliotte Friedman was the first to report that Dmitry Orlov would sign with Carolina on a two-year $7.75 million per season deal.
Orlov isn't a power-play quarterback and the deal pays out slightly higher than fair market value. Yet, you won't see any Canes fans complaining. Dmitry Orlov was at the top of the majority of hockey fans' wish lists in the offseason. His player-friendly contract was a trade-off for the short length of the deal. Some have pointed to Orlov's age as the reason behind the two-year deal. He turned thirty-two a few weeks after signing.
In reality the deal's expiration lines up with Carolina's long-term planning perfectly. No defenseman, including franchise cornerstone Jaccob Slavin is signed past 2025. The Hurricanes have bent over backward to remain flexible when it comes to player contracts. The season after Orlov's deal ends Hurricanes defensive prospect Alexander Nikishin will also no longer be under contract in the KHL and be able to make his long-awaited Hurricanes debut. A coincidence? I think not.
Now we get into a frenzy. Four days after signing Orlov they extended restricted free agent Dylan Coghlan for another season. Following a month of speculation and Philly buying him out. Tony DeAngelo rejoined the team on a one-year $1.67 million deal. At this point in the timeline, Karlsson was officially traded to Pittsburgh. Early last month they signed Caleb Jones to a one-year league minimum contract. Less than two weeks after that, they committed NHL stalwart Nathan Beaulieu to a PTO (Professional Tryout).
(Not included in this mess was the off-season speculation about potential trades involving Brett Pesce or Brady Skjei. I'm saving that for another story.)
Many Hurricanes fans have wondered, "Why so many defensemen?" On paper, the Hurricanes have nine NHL defensemen under contract. That's not including Beaulieu who could theoretically earn a contract during training camp. So, what's the plan? Why did the Canes put pen to paper with so many defenders?
"At the deadline, you're always talking about adding depth defensemen and adding guys who can play in the league," Don Waddell said while a guest on Ovies + Giglio last month. "Right now it doesn't cost us assets it costs us cash. Obviously, if one or two guys end up in the minors for a short period of time or even a long period of time it's a safety valve for us."
What was the plan? The Hurricanes organization has never loved adding at the trade deadline. Prices are high and nothing is granted. In the past team owner Tom Dundon, Waddell, and the head coach Rod Brind'Amour have spoken about the team's ideology of doing the bulk of their business before opening night. So, if you take Waddell at his word, the team is just getting their all-star break homework done now.
Why did the Canes put pen to paper with so many defenders? If you're planning to sign a handful of third-string NHL defensemen to fill out your depth you better create an insurance policy. Jalen Chatfield, Tony DeAngelo, Caleb Jones, and Dylan Coghlan all have to clear waivers before playing in the AHL. A likelihood for at least two members of the group.
Barring any roster moves before the start of the season. - Which isn't a guarantee. - There's only one spot left on the third defensive pairing. Assuming Carolina carries a seventh defenseman during the regular season there are only two roster spots available for the four players under contract and Beaulieu to fight for.
Locked In *For Now
Slavin - Burns
Orlov - Pesce
Skjei - ???
7th D - ??
From the time they arrive at Raleigh-Durham International until the Canes coaching staff makes their final decisions, all five players will be fighting to prove they belong in the locker room. Those who don't will have to clear waivers and ride the roller coaster that is Carolina's minor league situation. If they don't clear, and get claimed by another team the Hurricanes front office won't lose sleep over it. Why would they? They have another guy who cleared the same day. - In simpler terms. The Hurricanes signed extra guys knowing they're likely to lose one to another franchise via waivers.
Thirteen hundred words into this article and you should have an understanding of what has happened with Carolina's blueline so far this off-season. But, don't be fooled. Waddell's work isn't done yet. Expect to see another article about potential trades in the next few days.
ความคิดเห็น