Carolina Hurricanes Morning News: Carl Hagelin, Sergei Gonchar, and the Florida Panthers
By Brett Finger
For it being half way through the month of August, there’s still a bunch of loose ends that have yet to be tied up across the NHL.
More From Cardiac Cane – Hurricanes Players with the Most to Prove
Yesterday, the Anaheim Ducks finally inked their new forward Carl Hagelin to a deal, the Pittsburgh Penguins are giving Sergei Gonchar a shot, and are the Florida Panthers a playoff team?
Let’s take a look at today’s news.
Hurricanes Links
- Is Brock McGinn ready to seize a role with the Carolina Hurricanes? We previewed his 2015-2016 season yesterday. (Cardiac Cane)
- Should the Carolina Hurricanes sign veteran winger Erik Cole? Yesterday, Charles Taylor discussed why the answer is yes. (Cardiac Cane)
- Victor Rask had a great rookie season, but what should we expect from him next season? Kyle Morton took a look at what we could see from the young Swede in 2015-2016. (Canes Country)
- Carolina Hurricanes GM Ron Francis has played his cards close to the vest over the past year. Matt Karash discusses the pro’s and con’s of being open with things like prospects and rumors. (Canes and Coffee)
Ducks Ink Carl Hagelin – Ducks.NHL.com
The Anaheim Ducks acquired speedster Carl Hagelin from the New York Rangers back on draft day in June, but it wasn’t until now that the club had him locked up long term.
Yesterday, the Ducks announced that they have signed Hagelin to a four-year deal reportedly worth $16 million. The deal will carry an average annual value of $4 million.
More from Cardiac Cane
- 2023 Southeast Rookie Showcase: Takeaways from the Canes’ Strong Showing in Florida
- Week Two Coverage Of College Hockey In NC
- Derek Stepan Ends His On Ice Career As A Hurricane
- The Southeast Rookie Showcase Will Be a Good Look at Carolina’s Future
- Noesen Ready To Provide Depth For Canes
The 26-year-old Swede is known for his speed and explosive play, but his offensive output has never been a big plus for him. He posted a career-high 24 assists and 38 points in his rookie year in 2011-2012 with the New York Rangers. Since then, Hagelin has yet to reach that point total again, but he has consistently tallied 30+ points for the Rangers. He has also never had a negative plus/minus in a season.
You know what you’re going to get with a guy like Carl Hagelin, and the Anaheim Ducks must be pretty happy with what they’ve seen from him in his still very young NHL career.
He also comes with a wealth of playoff experience being with the Rangers over the past 4 seasons. He has skated in 73 playoff games before his 27th birthday, which is nothing to scoff at.
Hagelin says he is excited to play with the Ducks, and why wouldn’t here? The team has a lot of talent at every position.
"“I’m really excited to be a part of the Ducks organization for four years. It’s an exciting time. You look at the roster we have, and there are so many good players. There is a great opportunity to do some big things on this team. I’m extremely motivated. I’m ready to head over there now. I just want to leave right now. I feel like I can start playing hockey.There will always be pressure in this league. It doesn’t matter what your contract is. As a player, you put a lot of pressure on yourself to do well. I’ve been doing that my whole career. I always put pressure on myself. That’s just the way it is. If you can’t handle pressure, you can’t play in the NHL. I’m extremely excited to get over there and get to know the guys.I’m a player who tries to bring it every night. That’s going to be the main thing. You’re going to see me doing everything it takes for the team.” – Carl Hagelin"
The Anaheim Ducks were one of the league’s best teams last season, and they will look to compete for a Stanley Cup this season.
Penguins Sign Sergei Gonchar to Tryout – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
We are halfway through the month of August, and there are still plenty of good free agents on the market. Veteran blue liner Sergei Gonchar was among that group of players until yesterday.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed Gonchar to a professional tryout contract, a deal that ensures the player several preseason games in order to determine if he is a good fit for the club.
"“I’m going to the camp to prove that I can play,” said Gonchar. “It’s special for me obviously. I was playing there for a while and still have a lot of friends on the team and a lot of friends in that town. It’s going to be something special.”"
Gonchar, 41, played with the Pens from 2005-2010 and was a member of the 2009 Stanley Cup winning club.
"“I know this is a determined man that still wants to play and still feels he can contribute,” said Penguins GM Jim Rutherford. “He’s in very good shape, and we want to see how he plays and fits in.”"
A veteran of 1,301 NHL games, Sergei Gonchar has been through it all, and he could provide a lot of stability to a rather shallow and young Pittsburgh blue line.
If he performs well in preseason and earns a spot on the team, he could be a top-four defenseman and powerplay quarterback for a very talented offensive team in the Steel City.
Hopefully this deal will get the ball rolling for other players and teams. We have seen very little action on the free agent market lately, but there’s still a lot of good players out there.
Luongo Thinks the Panthers are Playoff Bound – NHL.com
The Florida Panthers have a very unique mix of youngsters and veterans, but with aging players like Jaromir Jagr and Roberto Luongo on the last legs of their career, the Panthers have a win now attitude.
The Cats re-signed Jagr over the offseason, and Luongo feels like that was a major move for the club.
"“He played unreal,” Luongo told the team website. “The whole first line played really well together as a three-man unit. If we can get that kind of production every night for the upcoming season, I think we’re in pretty good shape.”"
Florida finished with 91 points in the Eastern Conference standing last season, 7 points out of a playoff spot, and the Panthers goalie thinks it’s playoffs or bust this season.
"“Last year we weren’t quite sure what we were going to get; we had a lot of new faces and a new coaching staff,” he said. “This year it’s time to take that next step. It’s really all about the playoffs for our team; nothing beneath that will be acceptable. I think as a group we realize that and demand that of ourselves."
The Panthers certainly have the talent to make a playoff push in 2015-2016. Up-and-coming stars like Aaron Ekblad, Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Nick Bjugstad, accompanied by veterans Jaromir Jagr, Jussi Jokinen, and Roberto Luongo should be able to bring a lot to the fans in South Florida, assuming people actually show up to the games.