Stumpy

Sometimes it's nice to get an outside perspective on things we are emotionally invested in. NYT/Athletic did a midway breakdown of every teams' biggest offseason acquisitions. Here's our part: Notable additions: Nikolaj Ehlers ($8.5 million x six years), K’Andre Miller (acquired in exchange for a conditional 2026 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick and Scott Morrow) Early return: It took the Hurricanes some time to find Ehlers’ ideal lineup fit. He began the season on a line with Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, but that combination didn’t really click, with their marquee signing registering just four points in his first 11 games. Since then, though, Ehlers has settled in and found his groove. The dynamic, speedy Danish winger has scored 27 points in his last 31 games. He initially built chemistry with Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake, but with Jarvis’ injury, he’s been bumped back up to the top line with Aho and Andrei Svechnikov, with this new-look trio clicking impressively. Ehlers’ game-breaking puck-carrying ability has added an exciting new dimension to Carolina’s rush attack. He’s been a consistently dangerous play-driver (Carolina’s controlled 60 percent of scoring chances during his five-on-five shifts) and I’d argue his point production has actually undersold his impact on Carolina’s offense. Ehlers has collected a point on just 52 percent of the five-on-five goals he’s been on the ice for — he’s been snakebitten and has deserved to pick up a few more assists. I’m also still a fan of Carolina’s expensive bet on Miller. Yes, he’s made occasional mistakes and has been narrowly outscored during his five-on-five minutes despite his strong underlying metrics, but context is important. Miller was supposed to lead Carolina’s second pair, but Jaccob Slavin’s injuries (he’s only played five games this season) have forced him to take on a larger top-pair role. That’s meant eating a career-high 22:35 per game and handling some of the toughest matchups of all NHL defensemen. Miller has held his own in this daunting role, and I’d expect his performance to level up once Slavin’s return allows him to settle into the second-pair slot he was actually acquired to fill.

Seth "Mutha Fukking" Jarvis!!!

Now, not only is he sucking on the ice, he is threatening to steal all our fans' hats!

The WORST player on our team!!!

Good on Philp standing up for his goalie!

Whatever happened behind the scenes, he was a net negative for us on the ice. That doesn't happen with a player of his caliber by accident.

Ehlers

Back, but stuck back on the Dad line... Tonight's Projected Lineup Forwards Ehlers - Aho - Svechnikov Hall - Stankoven - Blake Martinook - Staal - Jarvis Carrier - Philp - Robinson Defense Gostisbehere - Walker Miller - Chatfield Nikishin - Nystrom Starting Goaltender Bussi --- Injuries Pyotr Kochetkov (Hip Surgery | "Likely Out For The Year" as of Dec. 29) Charles Alexis Legault (Hand Injury | Out 3-4 Months From Nov. 11) Jaccob Slavin (Upper-Body Injury | Week-to-Week as of Dec. 22; Returned To Practice Jan. 6) Scratches Mark Jankowski Jesperi Kotkaniemi Mike Reilly --- PP1: Aho, Ehlers (Staal), Jarvis, and Svechnikov with Gostisbehere PP2: Blake, Hall, and Stankoven with Miller and Nikishin

Idk who, but... I'd like to imagine that at least one pending free agent was so glad the season was over Saturday night and couldn't wait to tell their teammates all the poo they've wanted to say all season... Then saw David Tepper's fat ass waddling his way into the locker room... And then the Falcons won... Now they gotta show up for workouts today like...

Hall said, "Remember me? The former league MVP?!?"

Stanky!!!

Kirk Cousins did far more to get this team to the playoffs than Bryce did... lol

Svech

Tonight was, apparently, our first regulation loss in the Whalers sweaters...

Ouch... lol

I get that it is frustrating as fug watching this team right now. But, we just went toe to toe, for most of the game, against the best professional hockey team in recent memory without our 2 best players. Also, we currently have the 6th best record in the league despite having 141 (80+ on defense alone) man games lost to injury this season. When you add in all the issues with our netminders, it's damn near a miracle we're still holding down a playoff spot. I don't think Rod is untouchable, like many in our fan base. Even the best coach's messages get stale after a while. However, I don't think we are at that point yet. I would like to see some changes to his staff, though. (cough cough Jeff Daniel's cough cough) But, this ain't the year to be calling for Brind'amour's head.

It only makes sense if you plan to use those contracts as trade assets. But, those players have to outperform those deals to make it work. Blake already has. Stank's deal looked like a bargain before the move to center. Hopefully, the switch hasn't hindered his development too much.

Whoever hired Aho a nanny is da real MVP!

Ditto

Wtf

Svech