Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

'Canes sign center Stephane Yelle

ItsNotGonnaBeAlright

By ItsNotGonnaBeAlright,
in Carolina Hurricanes

Recommended Posts

ItsNotGonnaBeAlright Newbie

ItsNotGonnaBeAlright

Posted
Posted

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2009-08-19-1805136141_x.htm

The Hurricanes said Wednesday that the 14-year pro has agreed to a one-year deal worth $550,000.

The 35-year-old had seven goals and 11 assists with Boston, and has won the Stanley Cup twice with Colorado.

Not sure how much ice time he and Ward saw together in Boston. Definately makes things interesting though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Vagrant Explorer

Vagrant

Posted
Posted

Yelle is a piece that is sorely missing from Carolina. He is an elite faceoff man and elite penalty killer. The point totals tell nothing of his effectiveness. Plus, he's gritty and dirty. Along with Walker and Kostopoulos on our 4th line, it's going to be insane to play against. All three of those guys can make life really hard on the opposition and all are defensively responsible to say the very least.

We needed a player to take some of the penalty killing load away from Rod Brind'Amour, who is 39 years old and slowing down, and be able to step up and take some of those important draws in the defensive zone with seconds remaining. We haven't had the option of anybody taking those draws since Francis and Brind'Amour were first and second in the league in terms of faceoff acumen.

Brind'Amour - Larose

Pitkanen - Ward

Yelle - Kostopoulos

Alberts - Gleason

Those will likely be our penalty killing lines. Just insanely good.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Vagrant Explorer

Vagrant

Posted
Posted

He is one of the league's best in terms of penalty killing to be honest. The problem with him has always been his limited offensive ability and teams are always chasing that dream of having a 4th line that can score as well as keep from being scored on. However, with Carolina having three solid lines full of scoring forwards, it made sense to get bigger and stronger on the 4th line to match up against other teams best scorers.

The NHL desperately needs a website that keeps track of scouting reports of players and offers a brief view into what a player does, because if Yelle had come from the Western Conference then it would have been harder for me to really diagnose his role without having seen him play a lot.

Yelle has been around a long time. All the way back to those Colorado Avalanche teams where Sakic and Forsberg were dominating and winning the Cup in the 90's. He was a first unit penalty killer there, too.

Players like Yelle are having an increasingly hard time finding work. Blair Betts, who is younger and better by most accounts, is still without a contract. He does have a lingering injury to worry about, but it's still no excuse.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ItsNotGonnaBeAlright Newbie

ItsNotGonnaBeAlright

Posted
  • Author
Posted

The NHL desperately needs a website that keeps track of scouting reports of players and offers a brief view into what a player does, because if Yelle had come from the Western Conference then it would have been harder for me to really diagnose his role without having seen him play a lot.

That I will definately agree with. It's so hard to find what a new player will mean to a team unless you have followed that players carreer in some way. If that sort of thing were more easily discussed, I'm sure I'd be much more of a hockey nerd than I am. As it is, I've learned more from you here in two posts than I had from an hour of trying to look him up.

Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
17+89=6 Newbie

17+89=6

Posted
Posted

I also think Yelle is a perfect fit for us. Another defensive-minded forward who can block shots and kill penalties. We need any defensive help we can get, and I think he also played D in Calgary when they had defenseman hurt. If that is the case, then that add's depth two potentially 2 positions for us. I'm glad we are starting to sure up our defense, even if it's not with pure defenseman.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • jfra78
      Post Draft Luke and JJ Podcast

      By jfra78 · Posted

      Thank you
    • GamecockSmitty4
      Post Draft Luke and JJ Podcast

      By GamecockSmitty4 · Posted

      Here’s a summary of the JJ and Luke podcast transcript. Opening / Bryce Young Fifth-Year Option     •    JJ: Breaking news — Panthers picked up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option at $25.9M, guaranteed, coming in 2027. Combined with his 2025 salary of ~$6M, that’s $31M over two years — called it a “no-brainer.”     •    Luke: Enthusiastic about the move. Highlighted Bryce’s improving TD/INT ratios (11/10 → 15/9 → 23/11) and the value of entering year three with Dave Canales. Noted $25M is a bargain relative to the $60M top of market. Luke’s Personal Update — Charlotte Christian Football     •    Luke: Working with Charlotte Christian school football program, which hired a new head coach. Coaches include Greg Olsen, Luke, and Greg’s dad Chris Olsen (a New Jersey State coaching Hall of Famer).     •    JJ: Jokingly quipped that Charlotte Christian’s coaching staff is “the world’s greatest” — a Fox analyst, a Hall of Famer, and the best Panthers RB ever — all coaching middle school football.     •    Luke: Praised Chris Olsen’s deep football knowledge spanning decades and his ability to connect with kids. Round 1, Pick 19 — Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia     •    JJ: Panthers were on the clock and submitted their pick almost immediately — a sign of confidence and preparation. Freeling is 6’7”, 320 lbs, played in the SEC in a pro-style system.     •    Luke: Loved the pick. Emphasized you can never have too many quality offensive linemen. Noted Freeling’s size, athleticism, and arm length as key traits. Said the pick also reflects team’s philosophy of drafting great people, not just great players.     •    JJ: Noted reporter Darren Gantt compared Freeling favorably to Jordan Gross — bigger, heavier, and faster — as a potential franchise left tackle.     •    Luke: Pointed out that young players like Freeling still have physical development ahead of them, comparing the trajectory to Christian McCaffrey’s growth from age 20 onward. Round 2, Pick 49 — Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech     •    JJ: Panthers traded up from 51 to 49 (pick swap with Minnesota) to grab Hunter. Played audio from Panthers area scout Kaden McLuhan, who scouted Hunter.     •    Scout Kaden McLuhan (audio): Said Hunter’s size is immediately striking, and that everyone around him spoke glowingly about his character, energy, and love for the game.     •    Luke: Praised Hunter as a massive (6’3”, 320 lbs, ~34” arms) two-gap nose tackle who fits perfectly in the Evero defense. Compared his prospect profile to Akiem Hicks. Said having Derek Brown, Bobby Brown, Derrick Brown, Terson Wharton, and now Hunter creates varied body types that stress offensive linemen.     •    JJ: Noted Hunter ranked third among all prospects in run-stuff rate and sixth in interior pass-rush win rate — addressing a perception that he couldn’t rush the passer. Rounds 3–7 Highlights     •    Luke: Highlighted WR Brazle (3rd round, 6’4”, 437 speed, 1,000+ yards at Tennessee) as the vertical threat the offense needed. Also praised OL Sam Heck (5th round) as a technically sound player whose “short arms” caused him to fall but who has proven himself.     •    Luke: Mentioned CB Will Lee (6’1”, 33” arms) fits the Panthers’ DB prototype — big, long corners.     •    Luke: Praised S/LB hybrid Zaki Wheatley (5th round, 6’3”) as a big nickel similar to Trayvon Merek.     •    Luke: Excited about the linebacker competition between Devin Lloyd, Trevvin Wallace, and Claudin Cherless.     •    JJ: Noted Panthers had the #1 “steal/overreach” rating in the entire draft — drafting players lower than consensus big boards projected. Around the League     •    Luke: Admitted being “a little jealous” that the Miami Dolphins drafted LB Jacob Rodriguez (Luke’s favorite LB in the draft). Has personal connections to Miami’s coaching staff (Jeff Hafley, DC Shawn Dugen — a childhood teammate).     •    Luke: Also noted Miami’s selection of OT/G Kaden Proctor out of Alabama, who will likely move to guard. League Trends — Bigger Tight Ends / 12 & 13 Personnel     •    JJ: Observed the NFL saw its highest run rate in ~11 years (~52%) and a notable pivot toward big blocking tight ends in this draft.     •    Luke: Explained the cyclical nature of NFL offense/defense evolution — as defenses get smaller to match spread offenses, teams counter with bigger personnel (12/13 formations), which then forces defenses to get bigger at the nickel/“big nickel” spot. Called it an ongoing arms race.
    • hepcat
      NHL 2026 Playoff Thread

      By hepcat · Posted

      Dan Vladar is their best player and that is going to be the difference in the series 
×
×
  • Create New...