What about after the Playoffs?
There will be plenty of movement with this team once the playoffs come to an end and the July 1 deadline for players to become free agents comes around, the Carolina Hurricanes will have more than a few players to deal with as Steve Stouthamer points out:
As I understand it, the Canes will have to deal with Aho, Ferland, Mrazek and McElhinney as free agents in the off-season. First, are any other player contracts up and second, what do you think the impact of having to open the bank for Aho will have on the others? #cardiacmail
— Steve Stouthamer (@Stouthamer17) March 18, 2019
Sebastian Aho, Micheal Ferland, Petr Mrazek, and Curtis McElhinney are not the only big name free agents this summer. Saku Maenalanen, Greg McKegg, Haydn Fleury and the Captain, Justin Williams are also either restricted or unrestricted free agents come summertime. The Carolina Hurricanes will have a lot of decisions to make with them.
Down in Charlotte another big name in net will also need to signed. Alex Nedeljkovic also will be an unrestricted free agent come July 1st. I believe that he is ready for the NHL. He probably believes that he is as well. If the Carolina Hurricanes want to resign him, they will probably need to ensure that there is a spot for him.
If you had to choose between Mrazek and McElhinney, the most likely choice to keep would be Mrazek, he is younger and has made a slightly bigger impact on the Carolina Hurricanes this season. He has enough experience to lead a young Ned in the crease. The only issue I can see is the style of play that Alex Nedeljkovic plays with, which brings us to the next question from Alex Gilbert:
how would you compare Ned’s style of play in goal to recent/current Canes goaltenders? #CardiacMail
— Alex Gilbert (@AG_ringchaser84) March 19, 2019
Ned plays like he is on fire. And it works. Not much unlike Petr Mrazek and his patented “poke cezhk “, Ned is not afraid to leave his net to make a play. He challenges attackers with a ferocity and his unpredictability leaves players hesitant to try any power moves on him lest they find themselves upended by the six foot netminder. But can Carolina afford to have two such players?
Currently the “song of ice and fire” coupling of Mrazek and McElhinney has given opponents frustrations before they take on the Carolina Hurricanes as they have to prepare to take on both netminders and their separate styles. It has lent itself to much of the success this season. Can that same success be replicated if both netminders are fueled by fire?
I would say yes. This roster is young. It will get younger as guys like Williams and McElhinney slowly leave for what may possibly be positions behind the bench instead of sitting on it, and young talent from Charlotte comes up. This young talent plays better in front of a netminder with a personality like ned. Do not forget the progress of our other standout netminder in the pipeline; Callum Booth.