Carolina Hurricanes Free Agency: Top 5 Remaining Options for General Manager Ron Francis
Jan 8, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes forward Tlusty (19) celebrates his 2nd period goal with teammates against the Buffalo Sabres at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Hurricanes took a very conservative approach to free agency this year. They took care of in-house players first and have yet to spend any money on players outside of the organization.
With that said, it is, by no means, too late to start making moves to help bolster the team for the upcoming season and make the club more palatable.
Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis has said in the past few weeks that the team was still looking to add depth guys up front, and there are a lot of players still on the free agent market that can fit that role and excel in it.
Another thing to consider is going the Toronto Maple Leafs route. What Toronto did last year was sign players to one-year deals during free agency and let them play and excel up until the trade deadline. Then, at the trade deadline, they traded those guys on one-year deals away for draft picks and other key pieces for their future. That would be a pretty smart thing to do for the Carolina Hurricanes.
There is plenty of great talent still out there, so let’s look at some of the top options for the Carolina Hurricanes in the free agent market.
Next: Brad Boyes
Nov 16, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Florida Panthers right wing Boyes (24) celebrates with Florida Panthers defenseman
Brian Campbell(51) after a goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Florida Panthers (2014-2015). Brad Boyes. 1. player. 87. 2014-2015 Stats: 74 games, 14 goals, 24 assists, 34 points, 20 PIM, +11. LW
Somehow, former Florida Panthers forward Brad Boyes has yet to be picked up on the free agent market. The 33-year-old UFA is coming off of three consecutive 35+ point season, and one of those seasons was the lockout-shortened year in 2013.
Boyes comes in with a whole lot of positives. He is a consistent offensive contributor that has proved year after year that he is good for at least 13 or 14 goals and 30+ points if slotted in the correct role, and with the Carolina Hurricanes, he would be slotted in a top-six forward role with guys like Eric Staal, Jordan Staal, Elias Lindholm, and Jeff Skinner. He could certainly bolster the offense in the middle of the lineup and on the man advantage.
A veteran of 762 NHL games, Brad Boyes has become a legitimate, middle of the line up forward that really can contribute on offense if slotted in the correct role while also being reliable and capable in his own end.
Brad Boyes could be a great candidate for a rental player to trade away at the deadline. If he shows out in an expanded role in Carolina, he could end up being great trade bate come late February and early March, and if he plays well enough, he could even be a guy you keep for a couple more years.
Next: Eric Fehr
Feb 15, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Fehr (16) during a break in play during the second period against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Capitals (2014-2015). Eric Fehr. 2. player. 19. 2014-2015 Stats: 75 games, 19 goals, 14 assists, 33 points, 20 PIM, +8. C/RW
In terms of putting up points, Eric Fehr and Brad Boyes will likely bring similar numbers, but these two players differ in a few areas.
Eric Fehr is a big, power forward who isn’t afraid to use his body and impose his will. Fehr, a player who stands at 6’4″, 212 pounds, could fit in perfectly alongside a guy like Jordan Staal and create a dominant, physically imposing second line with a smaller and skilled player like Jeff Skinner.
Still just 29-years-old, Fehr is incredibly reliable in all areas, honing a +/- of +49 over his 454-game NHL career. Fehr also has experience playing with very good teams and very good players in Washington throughout the years.
Eric Fehr can bring a whole lot to the Carolina Hurricanes, and if the price is right, he is a guy that could stick around for a while and make the rebuild go a lot smoother.
*UPDATE: Eric Fehr has signed a three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins*
Next: Mike Santorelli
Feb 22, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Nashville Predators center Santorelli (10) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Nashville Predators (2014-2015). Mike Santorelli. 3. player. 151. 2014-2015 Stats: 79 games, 12 goals, 21 assists, 33 points, 14 PIM, Even +/-. RW/C
While not as consistent as the other guys mentioned above, Mike Santorelli is still a very creative offensive player that can help the struggling goal scoring in Carolina.
Santorelli split last year with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Nashville Predators. He blossomed and turned into a good little playmaking forward for Toronto, but his play immediately fell off after being traded to Nashville, tallying just 4 points in 22 games played with a -7 rating with the Preds. The lack of contribution lead to him not being resigned by Nashville following the season.
Mike Santorelli has been pretty inconsistent throughout his career, and he has never really established himself in one location, which makes him much more of a risk than the aforementioned forwards, but on a one-year deal, Santorelli could be a good addition and a potential trade chip in the upcoming season for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Next: Christian Ehrhoff
Jan 13, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ehrhoff (10) handles the puck against the Minnesota Wild during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
2014-2015 Stats: 49 games, 3 goals, 11 assists, 14 points, 26 PIM, +8. D. Pittsburgh Penguins (2014-2015). Christian Ehrhoff. 4. player. 92
Christian Ehrhoff could be a great, veteran addition for the Carolina Hurricanes as they look to fill in some gaps before guys like Noah Hanifin and Haydn Fleury are actually ready to take on bigger NHL roles.
At the age of 33, Ehrhoff certainly isn’t the player he once was, and he was hit hard with a season-ending injury last season, but if he is healthy, he can be a steal at this juncture for the Hurricanes.
He is an experienced and reliable offensive defenseman who can also be relied on in his own end. He could fit in perfectly in a top-four role with guys like Justin Faulk, James Wisniewski, and one of Ron Hainsey, Ryan Murphy, or one of the young guys coming in this year.
Some team is bound to get a great deal on this 741-game NHL veteran this offseason. On a one or two-ear deal, Christian Ehrhoff can step right in and help Carolina right away.
Next: Jiri Tlusty
Mar 24, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Winnipeg Jets forward Tlusty (91) skates against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
30. 2014-2015 Stats: 72 games, 14 goals, 17 assists, 31 points, 20 PIM, -18. LW/C. Winnipeg Jets (2014-2015). Jiri Tlusty. 5. player
That’s right, former Hurricanes forward Jiri Tlusty is still on the market, and he is poised to sign a cheap deal soon, why not with the Carolina Hurricanes?
Some people cringe when the idea of recycling players comes up, but in the case of Jiri Tlusty, it makes sense. He brings solid and reliable play to the forward core and can be a good secondary goal scorer if in the right situation.
Jiri Tlusty already knows the organization very well, and by all accounts, all the players and management loved him as a person and as a hockey player. He could step in right away and be accustomed to all the players and coaches of last year.
Tlusty, 27, is still young enough to include him in your future, but he is old enough to slot him into key roles on the penalty kill and powerplay right away.
This looks like a very low risk deal waiting to happen, and with so much familiarity already established between the two sides, it makes sense to bring him back and create more forward depth.