Cardiac Cane
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Carolina Hurricanes: Stay or Go; UFA Edition

By Alex Ohari

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 08: Trevor van Riemsdyk #57 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on January 08, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Hurricanes defeated the Islanders 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 08: Trevor van Riemsdyk #57 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on January 08, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Hurricanes defeated the Islanders 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 08: Trevor van Riemsdyk #57 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on February 08, 2019 in New York City. The Hurricanes shut-out the Rangers 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 08: Trevor van Riemsdyk #57 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on February 08, 2019 in New York City. The Hurricanes shut-out the Rangers 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Trevor van Riemsdyk

On the surface, the Trevor van Riemsdyk seems like an easy one for the Canes, but I’m actually not convinced that it’s a sure bet to let him walk.

Let’s be honest, TvR has not had a great season. He’s been driving play with a 54.7 Corsi rate, but the Canes have been out-scored 32-23 with him on the ice at even-strength. Simply put, he hasn’t been the same since his season-ending shoulder injury in the playoffs last season.

Though TvR has been put in some situations to fail, which aren’t his fault (such as playing on the top defensive pairing), it’s been a disappointing season for TvR overall, who’s served as a healthy extra at times. He was unspectacular albeit quite solid in his first two seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, and a perfect 5/6 defenseman.

At this point, I’m not sure. He isn’t dynamic in any way, and at times this season he looks like he’s lost the sense of composure that made him a steady presence on the Canes blueline in previous years. He’s not overly physical, he’s not much of an offensive creator, and his defensive-zone awareness has been questioned this season. It seems like an easy decision to move on.

But. Hear me out. If other teams have been watching closely, I can’t see TvR getting a raise on his current $2.3 million AAV on the open market, despite him being a highly coveted right-shot D. Because of that, is it possible that he could re-sign with the Canes?

It could potentially be an option, for sure. The Hurricanes have dealt with significant injuries on defense this year, and TvR could serve as a perfect 7th-defenseman who could easily slot in the lineup should an injury occur. The coaching staff trusts him, and he’s usually solid enough when deployed correctly on the 3rd pairing.

Of course, that depends on whether TvR can get a better opportunity elsewhere, and, given the value of right-shot D in the NHL, I envision that being the case. Because of that, I’ll say TvR should go, but I would definitely be open to him returning as the 7th D, if the price makes sense.

Stay or Go: Go.

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