NHL Free Agency Grades 2014: Carolina Hurricanes Free Agent Signings
C/LW. Colorado Avalanche (2013-2014). Brad Malone. 1. player. 103. <strong>2013-2014 Regular Season Stats: </strong>32 games played, 3 goals, 2 assists, 5 points, -4, 23 PIM<br /> <strong>Term: </strong>2 years, $1.3 million
The Carolina Hurricanes started their free agent signings with the addition of former Colorado Avalanche forward Brad Malone.
Coming off his 3rd full season in the Colorado Avalanche organization, Brad Malone put up career highs in games played, goals, assists, points, and penalty minutes. He also suited up in 6 of Colorado’s 7 playoff games.
At 6’2″, 207 lbs, Brad Malone brings a big, physical presence to the Carolina Hurricanes’ bottom-six.
Brad Malone will be brought in as a fourth liner for the Carolina Hurricanes who could see time with the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL.
It was believed that he would be the Carolina Hurricanes’ fourth-line center before the team brought in Jay McClement, a player that is much better suited for that role.
This was a good depth signing for the Carolina Hurricanes, but it will be nothing more than that.
Grade: B-
April 23, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center
Jiri Tlusty(19) carries the puck against the New York Islanders at the PNC center. The Hurricanes defeated the Islanders 4-3 in a shoot out. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
LW. Carolina Hurricanes. Jiri Tlusty. 2. player. 109. <strong>2013-2014 Regular Season Stats: </strong>68 games played, 16 goals, 14 assists, 30 points, +2, 22PIM<br /> <strong>Term: </strong>1 year, $2.95 million
Jiri Tlusty was re-signed by the Carolina Hurricanes on the first day of free agency. The restricted free agent likely would have received plenty of interest from other NHL teams if the Canes didn’t bring him back.
The 26-year-old Czech forward is one year removed from a 23-goal campaign in the 2013 shortened season. He played in 48 games for the Hurricanes.
He, Eric Staal, and Alexander Semin formed a lethal first line as they all went on to have incredible years in 2013.
Since then, the play of all of them has dropped. Jiri Tlusty struggled through much of the 2013-2014 season as he tried to find a place in the lineup to stick.
After have an emergency appendectomy in late December, Jiri Tlusty came back and played a lot better with Jordan Staal on the team’s second line.
He finished the year with a very respectable 16 goals and 30 points. His defensive acumen and offensive flair makes him valuable, and the Carolina Hurricanes were able to get him signed to a one-year deal that is very reasonable for both parties.
Grade: B+
Sep 16, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward
Greg McKegg(39) and goaltender
Drew MacIntyre(35) make a save on a Philadelphia Flyers shot during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Hurricanes helped their goalie depth with the signings of Drew MacIntyre, former goalie with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
MacIntyre spent almost all of last year in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He posted an impressive 29-15-3 record with the Marlies.
In 2 NHL games last season, Drew MacIntyre went 0-1-0 with a .922 save percentage and a 2.53 goals against average.
Drew MacIntyre will come in and be the third goalie with the Carolina Hurricanes. He will likely be the starting goalie of the Charlotte Checkers at the beginning of the 2014-2015 season.
This is a good depth goalie signing by the Carolina Hurricanes, and MacIntyre could end up seeing some action with the Canes next season.
Grade: B-
Mar 16, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Jay McClement (11) skates in warm-ups prior to the game against Washington Capitals at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Hurricanes added to their bottom-six depth with yet another former Toronto Maple Leafs. Jay McClement, former alternate captain with the Toronto Maple Leafs, signed a one-year deal on July 2.
Jay McClement was a common fixture on the Leafs’ penalty kill over the past few years. McClement is an excellent faceoff taker. He won 53.6% of his draws last season.
Jay McClement is younger than former fourth-line center Manny Malhotra. McClement is also better offensively and defensively. Malhotra was pretty one-dimensional, but McClement is a better all-around player.
The 31-year-old centerman will be a great piece for the Carolina Hurricanes’ fourth-line and penalty kill.
Grade: A-
Apr 5, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman
Tim Gleason(8) shoots the puck against the Winnipeg Jets at the Air Canada Centre. Winnipeg defeated Toronto 4-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Hurricanes brought back a familiar face on July 3 with the signing of Tim Gleason. Gleason split last season with the Carolina Hurricanes and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After dealing with concussion issues and a broken foot, Tim Gleason will look to get back to his old form next year in a diminished role with a team that he is very used to.
This was a very good signing by the Carolina Hurricanes. Tim Gleason is a guy that leads by example, and hi tough, defensive game should be terrific in a bottom-pairing role.
Tim Gleason’s return to Raleigh is good for the Hurricanes. He will be put in a depth role to start the season, and he will be able to relax and play his game.
Grade: B
http://www.spokeo.com/Ben+Holmstrom+1
68. <strong>2013-2014 Regular Season Stats (AHL): </strong>75 games played, 13 goals, 19 assists, 32 points, -12, 146 PIM<br /> <strong>Term: </strong>1 year, $600,000. C. Philadelphia Flyers (2013-2014). Ben Holmstrom. 6. player
The Carolina Hurricanes let Brett Sutter go to free agency this summer, but they brought in a very similar player in Ben Holmstrom.
Ben Holmstrom, former captain of the Adirondack Phantoms of the AHL, is a gritty forward who is not afraid to get under the skin of opponents and drop the gloves.
Since joining the Adirondack Phantoms in the 2009-2010 season, Ben Holmstrom has tallied 122 points (49 goals, 73 assists) in 256 AHL regular season games. He is a -38 with 393 penalty minutes in that time.
Ben Holmstrom is very similar to former Hurricane Brett Sutter, and it appears that he will fill Sutter’s role as a gritty forward who could see time with the Carolina Hurricanes in case of injury. Holmstrom hasn’t played in the NHL since the 2011-2012 season.
Grade: C
AHL RFAs
Jan 9, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes forward
Zach Boychuk(32) celebrates his 1st period goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
109. <strong>2013-2014 Regular Season Stats (AHL): </strong>69 games played, 36 goals, 38 assists, 74 points, -7, 55 PIM<br /> <strong>Term: </strong>1 year, $600,000. LW. Carolina Hurricanes (2013-2014). Zach Boychuk. 7. player
After finishing first in the AHL last season in goals and power play goals, Zach Boychuk seems poised to make a big impact on the Carolina Hurricanes next season.
Zach Boychuk was seemingly cast out by Jim Rutherford, Kirk Muller, and his coaching staff. With Ron Francis as the new GM and Bill Peters as the new head coach, Zach Boychuk has a clean slate, and he should finally brake into the NHL for real next season.
Grade: A
109. <strong>2013-2014 Regular Season Stats (AHL): </strong>46 games played, 8 goals, 12 assists, 20 points, +9, 13 PIM<br /> <strong>Term: </strong>1 year, $600,000. RW. Carolina Hurricanes (2013-2014). Greg Nemsiz. 8. player
The Carolina Hurricanes brought back Greg Nemisz, a player who had an injury laden 2013-2014 season with the Calgary Flames organization and Carolina Hurricanes organization. Nemisz has a shot at making the Canes on a checking role, but it is more likely that he plays in the AHL next season with the Checkers.
Grade: C-
D. Carolina Hurricanes (2013-2014). Michal Jordan. 9. player. 109. <strong>2013-2014 Regular Season Stats (AHL): </strong>70 games played, 4 goals, 21 assists, 25 points, -12, 20 PIM<br /> <strong>Term: </strong>1 year, $550,000
Michal Jordan had a very strong season with the Charlotte Checkers last season, and he was rewarded with a one-year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes. He will likely be the best defenseman on the Checkers next season, and he will likely see tim in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes next season.
Grade: B-
10. player. 109. <strong>2013-2014 Regular Season Stats (AHL): </strong>50 games played, 2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points, -2, 23 PIM<br /> <strong>Term: </strong>1 year, $550,000. RW. Carolina Hurricanes (2013-2014). Jared Staal
Jared Staal has been in the AHL for years now, and at this point, it is apparent that his last name is the lone reason he is still in the organization. He is a minor league checking forward, and he is far from NHL caliber at this point.
Grade: D-