Anybodyhome

It's a valid point. Our defense wasn't the issue last year, so why fix something that isn't broken. Sure, there are future cap considerations and trying to wrangle a couple extensions this season to avoid the pitfalls of trying to find money to sign Aho, Noesen, Tuevo, Martinook (all UFAs) and Necas, Drury, Jarvis, Suzuki and Rees (all RFAs), but still... Ghost is out, TDA will be in; from an offensive standpoint, it's a Canes win. Defensively, not so much. DeHaan is out, Orlov is in; huge Canes win. Max Patch, Stastny, Stepan are out, Bunting is in. Another big win for the Canes. Now, find a way to get DeBrincat, Arvidsson, Kempe... and not have to break the bank that Karlsson is wanting.

Sorry, but I think a move for Karlsson is nowhere near as important as adding a wing scoring threat. And I think the Karlsson deal prevents the team from pursuing its real need.

My opinion is, if they're set on bringing back TDA, then let the Karlsson thing go. If a deal can't be done with Pesce, trade him and get a winger. Slavin-Burns Skjei/Orlov-Chatty Orlov/Skjei-TDA Coghlan Which brings me to my next point- a winger. I already listed Bunting some time back as a likely target, but let's look at a couple other possibilities: Troy Terry (Ducks) UFA: 67 and 61 points the last 2 seasons, and he's only 25. Could fit under the cap with not too much effort and send the Ducks Pesce. Alex DeBrincat (Sens) RFA: 187 G, 186 A (373 points) in 450 games during his 6 years in the league. Also only 25 years old. Would need Ottawa to retain some, give them Pesce and a prospect, I'm sure. Viktor Arvidsson or Adrian Kempe (Kings): Will be a UFA after next season and the Kings have no defense and bad goalies. Offer up Pesce and I'll take the 45 points Viktor will put up or the 50 Kempe will get.

That's what I think as well, but Skjei has a no trade clause and he's under contract. You gonna bump him down to the 3rd line after having a career year as a top 4? The Canes problem with defense right now is they don't think it's good enough. My opinion is, if they're set on bringing back TDA, then let the Karlsson thing go. If a deal can't be done with Pesce, trade him and get a winger. Slavin-Burns Skjei/Orlov-Chatty Orlov/Skjei-TDA Coghlan Which brings me to my next point- a winger. I already listed Bunting some time back as a likely target, but let's look at a couple other possibilities: Troy Terry (Ducks) UFA: 67 and 61 points the last 2 seasons, and he's only 25. Could fit under the cap with not too much effort and send the Ducks Pesce. Alex DeBrincat (Sens) RFA: 187 G, 186 A (373 points) in 450 games during his 6 years in the league. Also only 25 years old. Would need Ottawa to retain some, give them Pesce and a prospect, I'm sure. Viktor Arvidsson or Adrian Kempe (Kings): Will be a UFA after next season and the Kings have no defense and bad goalies. Offer up Pesce and I'll take the 45 points Viktor will put up or the 50 Kempe will get.

I'm not a fan of the Karlsson move, if it is indeed in the works. I'd rather keep Skjei, and if a deal can't get done to keep Pesce, he's a good trade option a lot of teams would want. Still need a winger.

3rd D right now, based on who the team has as right and left-handers will be Orlov and Chatfield. Slavin-Burns Skjei-Pesce Orlov- Chatfield Coghlan Bring in TDA (confirmed by Waddell) and you have another right handed blue-liner, making Pesce trade bait for a winger. Bring in Karlsson (strong rumors) and you have yet another right handed blue-liner. The only d-man the Canes have who has played on his off-side is Chatty, who is right-handed but has played left.

You don't think what, exactly? The Canes will have to clear cap space to acquire Karlsson and the likely candidate to trade is Pesce, since it seems an extension is proving somewhat problematic. Then look at the right and left handers and tell me how you plan on pairing them up?

Pesce or Skjei will be traded, TDA will be fit in to the top 6. Don't forget the Canes made a qualifying offer to retain Dylan Coghlan- he's the #7. If Karlsson is indeed brought in, we have likely seen the last of both Skjei and Pesce.

Not to mention how many D-men do you want on the roster?

Orlov is too much money for a 3rd pair. Skjei, let's not forget, has a no-trade clause.

Orlov will be 2nd pair, TDA 3rd pair. Pesce or Skjei gets traded and Coghlan is the #7 D-man.

If so, the D is set and Karlsson is an unnecessary expense. Trading Pesce (preferrably) for a winger and keep Skjei.

Nevermind, I'm on the beach and trying to catch up on all the news....

Canes still need a goalie or 2, am I right?

I'm not a fan of adding both Orlov and Karlsson. I think Skjei has grown into his role and developed a lot more than Pesce. I believe Skjei is a legitimate threat as a scoring blueliner and his confidence is high after the season he had, while Pesce is a consistent defender. My opinion: keep Skjei, trade Pesce, got Orlov, get TDA and the D is set.

I mentioned Bunting as a likely possible several weeks ago, fwiw.

If Coghlan got a QO from Carolina, the team is feeling vulnerable on the blue line. Maybe issues with the TDA deal or...? Otherwise I don't see a need for Coghlan. But it's only about $814k...

I have to agree. The Canes are too often the schoolkid getting his lunch money taken. And while we all complain every time it happens, the truth is those incidents are less frequent when you have a TDA It all comes down to timing, eye for an eye and knowing who the refs are. Svech hasn't learned that aspect of the game yet. I only wish Burns would impose and intimidate a little more.

Within days of acquiring Ghost he scored on a couple PPs right out of the gate. I thought- could be wrong- he was paired with Burns on those. Then he got moved to the 2nd unit. I'll try to find it.

Funny how "cap circumvention" is a thing in the off-season, but no big deal when it comes to the last 4 consecutive Cup winners and several contenders.

I haven't looked, but wasn't Torts the HC for the Rags when TDA was there?

TDA was a league worst -15.1 defensive goals above replacement in Philly last year. For all intent & purpose, a skating slalom. Imagine what Aho did to him last season and add 10 more of those. That's how bad he was. Think of the money Chatfield will get if he survives a season covering TDA fug-ups. Oh, and I'm in the camp this has nothing to do with Pesce. It's to fill the spot Ghost is leaving.

2 right-handers on the third pair? I thought it might be a move to plug the Ghost hole, but it also means you only have 2 left-hands on the blue line.

It's a deal that almost guarantees he retires a Cane and also provides him a nice parachute when he does.

And AAV is the number used when considering salary cap.