Carolina Hurricanes All-Star Break Report Cards: Defense and Goalies

Steady Eddy and Haydn Fleury

Joel Edmundson – (B) – He’s been exactly as advertised and has had himself a nice season so far for the Carolina Hurricanes. I enjoy the grit he brings to the blue line, for it allows some of the other guys to play looser. “Steady Eddy” had that run from November 11 – November 23 in which he accrued 8 points (2 g 6 a) in 6 games.

That run resulted in him being over-slotted as a top-4 guy for a while, but that’s fine. He was playing at that level so we may as well call it what it was, even if it was temporary.

Edmundson has been an ideal 3rd pair guy with his size and defense-first mindset. He might be third in shorthanded TOI among Canes’ defensemen (2:45), but it always seems his penalty kill minutes are heavy. He looks heroic out there most of the time. If he stays healthy, he’s on pace for 134 hits, which would be his highest since his rookie season in St. Louis.

Edmundson is actually the only skater on the Canes that has a CF% below 50% (49.8%). But you can’t really blame him for it since he starts in the defensive zone 57% of the time. Whether or not he’s in a Canes jersey next season is anyone’s guess, but he’s done well for himself. Mostly…

https://twitter.com/Canes/status/1220144364095180802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Haydn Fleury – (B) – The reason I can’t justify giving Fleury a higher grade is that his sample size is half that of the aforementioned defenders. He’s also been swirling in trade rumors at times this season. It’s not his fault, though. Well, it might be?

I can’t read minds, but I tell you what, I see a lot of positives in Fleury’s game and don’t get why he’s not a regular. I think my only suggestion for him would be to play mean. He was doing much better with that prior to the All-Star Break. But, it’ll need to be reinforced.

Though it took him awhile, he’s managed the first two goals of his NHL career. He’s only taken 4 minor penalties in 27 games. That level of responsibility should translate to more ice time, but it hasn’t. It’s been the opposite. For his career, he averages 14:47 per game.

This season it’s down to 11:29. Nevertheless, Fleury is making those minutes count. Despite also seeing fewer offensive zone draws this season, his CF% at even strength has continued to climb to a career best (54.3%).

If you can think back to Martin Necas’ goal in Winnipeg before the break, that play doesn’t happen without Fleury’s presence of mind. He stretched the neutral zone with a beautiful seam pass off a friendly stick, and that put Necas into space. He earned the secondary assist on that play. Fleury is a capable defender that will succeed here or elsewhere.