Don Waddell helped form a formidable squad for the Carolina Hurricanes this season. A heavy load of young talent should be the focal point in the roster next season.
The Carolina Hurricanes had a season this past year that surprised many. For the first time in 10 years, the organization made the playoffs and went as far as making the eastern conference finals and defeating the defending Stanley Cup Champions (Washington Capitals).
The Canes were a relentless, young, high-energy group that kept on setting new expectations throughout the season. However, they couldn’t get past a very good Boston Bruins team.
The Charlotte Checkers as of right now are still competing in the playoffs as they are currently up 3-2 on the Toronto Marlies. Both the Checkers and the Canes hold an abundance of talent and it bodes well for the future of both organizations.
The Hurricanes also have a lot of big pending moves in this offseason. Debate on whether to sign Petr Mrazek and/or Curtis McElhinney is still in discussion. Justin Williams contract is up and he may be contemplating retirement after a prestigious career. Sebastian Aho has a big contract looming and the Canes MUST sign him.
Michael Ferland is also set to test free agency. The Canes acquired him in a trade earlier this year, and he was a vital part of the Canes success reaching the playoffs. Haydn Fleury, a young and relatively good \ potential defensemen is also slated to hit the free agent market. Players such as Brock Mcginn, Greg McKegg, Saku Maenalanen, Andrew Poturalski, and Clark Bishop are all players of importance that are set to test the free agent waters as well.
With that being said lets take a look at how each position group should look next year:
Forwards
1st line: Niederreiter Aho Teravainen
2nd line: Williams Staal Svechnikov
3rd line: Ferland Wallmark Foegele
4th line: Martinook Necas/Poturalski Mcginn
Aho will likely receive a contract north of 6.5 million a season and Waddell will not hesitate to give him the money. He will hold down the first line for years to come with Finnish line-mate Tuevo Teravainen and star of the midseason trade Nino Niederreiter.
I believe that Justin Williams will sign a 1-2 year deal to retire as a Hurricane with intention of getting this team a Stanley Cup. If the Canes can get Ferland to re-sign for a reasonable price say 4-5 million a year, then Waddell should pull the trigger as Ferland has been an enforcer this team has desperately needed. If Ferland demands more than that, then the team should let him walk and let a player like Clark Bishop or Saku Maenalanen embrace a new role as the teams enforcer.
Martin Necas will be a member of the Carolina Hurricanes Organization next season. Necas has been a stud in Charlotte this year with 52 points and is a lock to make the Hurricanes roster next year. However the Canes have a surplus of talented young forwards waiting in the wings in Charlotte. Andrew Poturalski put up 70 points in the regular season and is a player who I can see being a healthy scratch and called upon for any injury. I believe the Canes will resign Mcginn as he is an integral member to the team and provides physical play.
Martinook is the heart of the team and he’s also a “glue guy”, so the Canes will continue to keep his high-intensity in the bottom 6.
Other forwards that will be given a chance that are not in the project line-up: Clark Bishop, Saku Maenalanen, Greg Mckegg, Aleksi Saarela, Morgan Geekie, Julien Gauthier, potential free agent signing.
Defense
1st line: Slavin Hamilton*
2nd line: Pesce Faulk
3rd line: De haan Van Reimsdyk/Bean
Jaccob Slavin showed that he is by far the Canes best defender and will be the teams number one defender for years to come. *Dougie Hamilton had a phenomenal season with the Carolina Hurricanes. However, at times I believe that Dougie was being targeted due to his soft-play. Especially during the Washington series, Alex Ovechkin went after Dougie and won multiple times.
Hamilton also was relatively silent during the Boston series, and didn’t do much in the Islander series either. It would be smart for the Canes to try and trade Hamilton for some draft picks, and consider going after a player like Erik Karlsson. Karlsson seems to say goodbye to the San Jose sharks organization in the tweet below.
Thank you to the entire @SanJoseSharks organization, fans, and especially teammates. It was a great run that ended too early. But lots of great memories where created. The entire Bay Area has been nothing but classy and respectful to me and my family. Thank you.
— Erik Karlsson (@ErikKarlsson65) May 24, 2019
Karlsson put up 45 points this season and would easily replace Dougie Hamilton’s point production. Karlsson may not be noted as the best defender but at least he plays physical which is what the Canes need more of.
Jake Bean is also a defender in which I believe deserves a chance at the roster. If a Hamilton trade or Karlsson signing does not work, then adding Jake Bean could be the next best thing. Jake Bean has been phenomenal for the Charlotte Checkers this year with 44 points in 70 games played. Bean has high potential and could see a lot of action on the Hurricanes this year.
With Trevor van Reimsdyk having a good year, Haydn Fleury looks to be the odd man out. I like Haydn Fleury and hope the organization re-signs him, however he may be the player left out in a very talented defenseman group.
Goaltenders
Starter: Mrazek
Backup: McElhinney/Nedeljkovic
I believe that the organization will sign both goalies with intention of only playing one of them on the NHL level. Mrazek will likely receive a a multiyear contract for north of at least 3 million a year. McElhinney who is a bit older could receive a 2 way offer. The Canes must maximize on Alex Nedeljkovic’s potential next season.
Nedeljkovic was the best goalie in the AHL this year with 4 shutouts, a 2.26 GAA, a .916 save percentage and 34 wins this past season. He should get brought up by the organization with intention of being backup but to eventually take over as the number 1 goalie.
Question for CC Readers: Who do you think should make the lineups next season?