Carolina Hurricanes: 5 potential free agent targets this off-season
Scouting Report. 27-years-old. 3. player. 106. Pick Analysis. Defense. Calvin de Haan
Most of the players on this list are big fish for the Canes to pursue, and would take a significant monetary commitment. However, the reliable Isles defenseman Calvin de Haan does not fit into either of those categories.
He might carry a somewhat significant price tag, but he’s a top four defender that is solid on both ends of the ice. If the Canes are looking to add a steadying force to the mix, and continue to add to the depth along the blue line, then de Haan is a great option.
Reaching the level that Carolina’s captain defenseman Justin Faulk did offensively in year’s past is not a likely result to get out of a player like de Haan. His skill is more neutral, and he’s probably more useful in the defensive zone than in the offensive.
The area where de Haan would bring the most value is in pairing with a player like Noah Hanifin or Haydn Fleury. Carolina has a ton of youth on the blue line. And, we saw a defender that Francis brought in like Trevor van Riemsdyk, that is a bit more conservative, pairs well with a young talent like Hanifin. Even pairing de Haan with Faulk could work out well.