Anybodyhome

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.

Supposedly, Staal's people have given the Canes a list of teams he'd accept a trade to. Just one small issue- why would anyone trade for him when he'll become a UFA in about a week? I can't see the Canes letting Jordo walk out the door. That might be a PR nightmare the Canes will regret and Waddell might not survive.

Yes, I'm very aware of Cap Friendly and, if you've red any of my posts, you'd recognize this is one of my main resources. And, you're missing my point entirely. I'm also very aware of Kochetkov's contract status as well as the fact he will be the backup for the foreseeable future. That's not a point of contention with me, I get it. The thread and discussion is about which of the 2, Freddie or Raanta, would/should/will keep and what's your basis for that decision? Andersen's AAV is $4.5M before UFA; Raanta's is $2M (the same as Kochetkov right now). Could Raanta be a Hurricane for about what Freddie was getting the last 2 seasons? If not, a decent UFA or trade acquisition starting goalie will cost in the neighborhood of $6-7.5M.

Freddie is only a year younger and has an injury history much more significant than Anti Raanta. I don't mind that Kochetkov will be the backup. I just fear the 10-15 game stretch when Freddie or Raanta goes down with an injury and Pyotr is a regular. 2021-2022 he played 5 games with a 2.42 GAA and a .902 SV. 2022-2023 he played 24 games with a 2.44 GAA and a .909 SV. I think he was 12-7-5 in those 24 games. Points notwithstanding, that's .500 hockey guys. But the playoffs.... ugh..... 2021-2022: 4 GP, 3.88 GAA and a .869 SV. 2022-2023: 1 GP, 6.18 GAA, .818 SV.

Both Freddie and Raanta had very good years heading into UFA status. There's no way the team can afford to keep both- one of them is going to get paid elsewhere and the other is going to get paid by Waddell. The question is whether or not Kochetkov is ready to be a regular backup behind whomever stays, Freddie or Anti.

I'm right there with ya. He came on like gangbusters, but fell back to earth pretty quickly and, right now, he's not even a viable option as a backup, especially if Freddie remains the starter. We all know Andersen will miss significant time due to injury at some point and having to rely on Kochetkov for a stretch of 10-15 games would be a disaster.

Both Freddie Andersen and Anti Raanta are unrestricted free agents. Who does Waddell and RBA decide to keep? Tough one here. Andersen is a very good goalie, but will be injured and miss 10-15 games per season hurt. And, I think the post season gets in his head. Meanwhile, Raanta is a guy who gives up a head-scratcher every game, it seems, and he has never shown he can go a 10-15 game stretch and not lose some of his focus. Yeah, he was pretty outstanding last season when Freddie went down, but he had a lot of help in front of him and the team was rolling.

Pesce, Drury and a conditional 2nd for Hellebuyck or Saros. And I addressed the Hellebuyck possibility in my "Don't Look Now" thread a couple days ago.

Cap Friendly SUMMARY▴ Brent Burns' salary is $5,000,000 and his cap hit is $8,000,000 for the 2023-24 season. His salary is comprised of $2,000,000 in signing bonuses and $3,000,000 in base salary. He is a 38 year old defense who was born on Mar. 9, 1985. He was drafted 20th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 1st round of the 2003 entry draft. He has signed 4 contracts worth a total value of $108,650,000. Over a career that spans 19 seasons (with at least 1 NHL GP), he has a total 838 Pts in 1333 GP, and 71 playoffs Pts in 109 GP. He will be a UFA at the end of the 2024-25 season when he is 40 years old.

Burns signed a $5.28M contract last year which is good for another 2 seasons. I can't see the Canes signing Pesce for more than Burns salary, let alone Slavin's salary. I'd be willing to bet that's where the disconnect is. If so, I'd look at trading him while he's got some value. Connor Clifton, Scott Mayfield, Travis Hamonic.... all suitable replacement UFAs and cheaper.

The top 2 blue-liners on the team make $1M more than Pesce, and he's at the upper end of the salary range for a 2nd pair, right-handed d-man at $4.025M. Brent Burns, the top pair righty, makes $5M. I can't see Pesce getting much more than $4.2 - $4.5M.

Saw a 2023-2024 way too early NHL power ranking which listed the Canes at #7. And all of it was predicated on not having another scorer and 2 free agent goalies. I submit to you that Connor Hellebuyck might be the answer. The former Vezina winner is reportedly available, but the downside is his rumored asking price- around the $10M mark. But, if the Jets are also marketing Mark Scheifele and Pierre-Luc Dubois, perhaps this is a spot to move Jack Drury? There are but 11 days left before the start of free agency and there is no news out of Raleigh with respect to any of Carolina's UFAs. UFAs can be signed at any point before the start of free agency. Seems to me those who want to stay with the Canes wouldn't be waiting to see what free agency will bring them and would go on and sign a new deal. Just a recap of the UFAs: Forwards: Defense: Goalies: Injured:

That's because he won't have any trade value as a UFA. Just extend the guy. He's making $4M. One of the premier blue-liners in the league, Jacob Slavin, is making $5.3M. An extension for Pesce shouldn't be anymore than $500k per year AAV. Here are all the righty defensemen who are UFAs right now. Pesce had more points this season than all but 1 of these guys:

TNT, TBS, Tru TV. But it was a single broadcast team simulcast and they were fugging horrible each and every game. It was a broadcasting sh!tshow from top to bottom. Gretzky is the GOAT, but he is fugging terrible at the intermission desk. Who wants to hear the announcers telling us the betting lines at the beginning of each period? Who wants to hear Keith Jones slobbering over the Panthers, cameras missing plays, replays few and far between, missed calls, terrible officiating, etc. 1. Cap needs to remain as is, but does need to be increased to about $90M. 2. Overtime hockey rules need to be consistent from the regular season thru the playoffs. 3. Network TV deal for the finals (at least). 4. Listen to RBA's recommendations for officiating. It's horrible and needs a complete overhaul.

We had an in-ground 16x32 pool when we lived in Greensboro. The shallow end had steps across the entire end and both our dogs enjoyed any time access. They'd walk down the steps, do a lap and get out. What a life.

As the saying goes, "You f*** with the bull, you'll get the horns." I said in my earlier post, Vegas in game 1 was like, "You guys sure you want to play this way? 'Cuz, if you do, we'll be more than happy to oblige." Florida tapped out.