Carolina Hurricanes: Stick or twist – UFA edition
This summer, the Carolina Hurricanes will see a couple of players become eligible for the unrestricted free agent market. This means that there are several members of the team that are going to be eligible to go elsewhere. They could lose several members of this team due to the salary cap and the fact that they don’t have a deal for next year. It’s not going to be fun, but that’s what the hard cap does.
I’m going to say this here so it is clear. When I talk about the faults that some of these players have, this is in comparison to star players. These guys are all fantastic and they’ve all had good seasons. They’re all going to be fantastic next season wherever they are playing in the NHL. Whether it is in Carolina or anywhere else, everyone has proven they belong in this league and I doubt we’ll see anyone move abroad.
Carolina will have roughly
At the time of writing this, the Canes are still in their series against the New York Rangers, and therefore, some of these stats might be a little outdated at the time of release. However, they were all correct at the time. Basically, just take these stats with a grain of salt because they might not be dead on exactly what they were when the Canes season came to its conclusion.
If you do wish to see any updated stats, I will hyperlink hockey-reference to the player names. I do this on every single post on here, but a lot of people don’t know why it is hyperlinked. It just makes it easier for you to see how they’re doing if you think the stats aren’t real. It’s just a preference thing because a lot of people like it. If you don’t like it, let me know!
Anyway, let’s get into player number one.
Nino Niederreiter
There’s no better place to start than the UFA on the Canes’ biggest line. Nino Niederreiter will be an unrestricted free agent when his contract expires. Could the Hurricanes look to bring the “Swiss missile”? Well, yes. We know that Nino has been an essential player for the Hurricanes and I think we’d all love to see him back as he has become one of the fan favorites in Raleigh.
Niederreiter has had his best season since the Hurricanes acquired the Swiss winger from the Minnesota Wild. 24 goals and 44 points while playing on the Canes’ defensive line are just some of the things Nino has done so well this season. As one of the best defensive players on the team, Niederreiter became a key cog in the Hurricanes’ forechecking machine. He’s had a fantastic season.
Niederreiter currently makes $5.25 million and is likely to have to take a pay cut to find a new home. In Raleigh, if he was to go as low as $4 million, the team could very much explore the option of bringing him back. However, nothing is done until it is done and there will be a chance for him to select his future team. We’d all love to see him back in the City of Oaks, but we know that it is his choice.
There’s no one in the system in terms of prospects that plays quite the way that Nino does. He has the ability to be both physical, and responsible, and pose a threat in the offensive zone as he can. There are not a lot of players that can do that as Nino can and he will be a wanted piece of an offense somewhere. I’d love nothing more than to see him back in Raleigh, but I don’t think it is likely.
Next, a Pittsburgh native that’s become a favorite in Raleigh.
Vincent Trocheck
On the day of the 2020 NHL trade deadline, the Canes were very active. They brought in three new pieces but none were bigger than center Vincent Trocheck. Seeing as the Canes needed a right-handed center, he had been a long-time target for the team. One of the desirable factors about Trocheck’s situation was the term left on his deal. Since moving to Raleigh, he’s been everything the team could have wanted.
He’s been a pest, a scorer, a leader, and a fan favorite. Trocheck has done everything that has been asked of him. Playing in all three situations and being a genuinely good player. A genuine second-line center, Trocheck has stepped up and played a role that the Hurricanes haven’t had in a long time. Since he’s been so solid, and I understand why everyone wants him to come back but is it possible?
Carolina obviously has guys to replace him if he does leave seeing as they just signed a young 21-year-old center to an eight-year extension. This doesn’t mean that Trocheck is not an important member of this roster. To be honest, he’s become an established part of this core. Being a right-handed center has also made him more valuable because he can take draws on the alternate dot.
Trocheck currently makes $4.75 million and he’ll be looking for a lot more. If rumors are to be believed, he’ll be looking for something like $7 million over 7 years. I personally find that too much when the Canes don’t have cap space to burn. Not to mention Trocheck has a history filled with injuries. He’s such a good player and a great guy, and I hate to say it, but I do think he moves on this summer.
Next, is the trade deadline acquisition.
Max Domi
It’s not rare to see someone that is traded at the deadline get an extension from the team that they are traded to if they play well. I think it is fair to say Max Domi has written himself into the Carolina Hurricanes history books. It was a deal that was almost not made, but the Canes felt the need to make it happen and brought in the extra forward help and he has repaid the team’s faith in a big way.
Domi has gotten better and better as his time in Raleigh has gone on, especially given his reduced role in the lineup. He’s been annoying, not taken too many penalties, and he’s done pretty well in the situation he’s been asked to play. Not to mention, he’s got five points this postseason and has been a key contributor to their offense in major moments, like game seven against Boston where he became a Canes legend.
As a primarily pass-first guy that only plays five on five, that is not too difficult to replace from within, but what he does in big moments and the way he sticks up for his teammates cannot be overstated. He’s versatile and can play anywhere in the lineup, and in any position in the lineup. He’s a nice piece to have but I don’t know if it is possible to keep him because this will very much depend on what he asks for.
If he asks for $4 million, I think there’s a deal to be made. If he wants a pay raise from his $5.3 million, I don’t have a doubt that he will be testing the free-agent market. Domi seems to like it in Raleigh and I don’t know if that’s genuine or if it’s Domi trying to get accustomed to the fan base, but either way, I’d like to see him back if there’s room. Obviously, other players are priorities, but he could be a nice depth piece.
Next up, it’s time to Step up.
Derek Stepan
We’re getting into the depth forward now and while he has been a great leader and is one of the six former Rangers on this roster, Derek Stepan will not be at the forefront of most people’s worries regarding who comes back and who doesn’t. However, that doesn’t mean that he is walking away this summer. Stepan was brought to Raleigh to be a veteran player and he’s done that.
Stepan has helped guide a young core and helped a lot of players take that next step in their development. He’s been referred to as the ultimate professional because whether he was in the lineup or not, he was able to take every decision with grace and was happy to do whatever it took to help the team. I don’t think a single fan has a bad word to say about Derek Stepan and with a good reason.
As a right-handed forward that can play on the wing and down the middle, Stepan was brought in to take that 4th line center role and help the team cope if the depth down the middle was tested. He’s been an essential asset to the Canes all season and he’s handled himself with a tremendous amount of class. I’m sure this is the kind of guy management would love to have back in Raleigh.
Stepan might not want to be though. At his age, Stepan might be more content with playing regularly than winning the championship that has illuded him for the duration of his career. However, if he is willing to come back at a discount, I don’t think there’s a question. He’s not put a foot wrong since coming into this organization and everyone appreciates what he does both on and off the ice.
Next up, is the most unlikely overtime hero.
Ian Cole
Carolina’s blueline has been one of their big strengths and one of the reasons it has been so strong is Ian Cole. Not a household name, Ian Cole has made himself some fans with what he has done off the ice in Raleigh, and he’s not done an extraordinary amount wrong on the ice. He’s done everything he’s been asked and he’s done it well. He’s an ideal third-pairing defenseman.
Physical and strong, Cole’s issue has always been his speed and his decision-making. He’s a great player for a physical game and has been a good addition for the team to finally overcome the Bruins. Making friends with children off the ice and just being an all-around good guy. He has had his struggles but at no point was he ever a liability for the team. He’s always contributed in some form.
A lot of people were not surprised when the Hurricanes added Cole because he has been someone who embodies everything the Canes wanted to be about. He’s big and physical, but he’s also so polite, kind and he’s really funny in interviews. He’s been what the organization wants to be and he’s not diverted from that all year long. Just a stand-up guy, and he brought that cup-winning experience with him to Raleigh.
For Cole to come back, he would need to be willing to take a pay cut, and not by a small amount. If you slash his paycheck in half, it is still not certain if the team could afford him. There are guys in Chicago that could come up and fill his shoes if the worst happens, but that doesn’t make it ideal. Anytime you can retain the services of a guy like Cole, you should. However, that doesn’t mean it is always a possibility.
Finally, the spare defenseman.
Brendan Smith
Lastly, it is another of the former Rangers on this roster. He’s not always found himself in the lineup, but when he has been, he’s given everything. As a player that committed himself to helping the organization by aiding the development of some of the younger guys on the roster, Brendan Smith has done most of his good work in practices and in the locker room, but his on-ice product hasn’t been too bad.
Smith was originally attracted to Carolina via the pull of Carolina’s illustrious head coach and working for one of the best man managers in the hockey world. Smith has taken steps towards becoming a coach this season and he’s been good. He might not be ready to call it quits on his NHL career and his playing career in general just yet, but he’s done himself no disservice this season.
I’m going to make this simple. If Smith signs a one or two-year extension at the same average annual value that he is on right now, it is a no-risk signing and I would thoroughly enjoy it. Smith isn’t someone that is going to play night in and night out anymore. He’s just not fast enough. He’s got a place in select games where it is more of a physical matchup, certainly. We know Smith is willing to give up the body for his team and do whatever he can to help.
So, that is it for this one. Of this group of six, who would you bring back and who would you let walk away? Is there anyone you want to see back right now regardless of their cap hit? I know that this isn’t something anyone wants to talk about at this moment in time, but it’s been nice to step away from the playoffs for a second and think about the future.
Next. . dark