Hurricanes: Looking Forward (Re-Signing, Free Agency, Draft)

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Well as everyone knows by now, the Carolina Hurricanes will not be making a trip to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the second straight year. However, the Canes did have an impressive season and even though they did not exceed the expectations from the Hurricanes fans point of view; they sure exceeded the expectations of the experts and analysis that cover the sport of hockey.

The Canes are in position to make a good run at the Stanley Cup Trophy next year with the returning of their top three point leaders in Eric Staal, Jeff Skinner, and Tuomo Ruutu.

However, the Canes also have quite a bit of core players that are a part of the nucleus of the team that will be hitting the free agency market this year. I would like to discuss these guys’ futures and the futures of other free agents that the Canes may take a look at this offseason. I would also like to discuss guys that you may see make the jump into the NHL next year with the Carolina Hurricanes.

So with out further a due, let’s get started!!!

Center/Right Wing, Chad LaRose (Age: 28) (2010-2011: 16 goals, 15 assists, 31 points)

Chad LaRose had his second best season in his NHL with the Hurricanes this year. He was a big part of the teams’ success, and he is always there to crack a joke or get a grin out of the team when they are down. On the ice, LaRose does not have a problem working on the third or fourth line with some of the younger guys because he loves the game, and every team needs a guy like that. LaRose also is the “toughest little” guy in the NHL and can goad just about anyone into taking a stupid penalty. LaRose has played all six of his NHL seasons with the Canes and it doesn’t look like that will change anytime soon. The Canes will look to get him back under contract pretty quick.

Chances of Re-Signing- 85%

Left Wing, Cory Stillman (Age: 37) (2010-2011: 12 goals, 27 assists, 39 points)

Cory Stillman was acquired through a trade with Florida with about three fourths of the season remaining. Stillman was brought in to provide a veteran instinct and calmness to the Canes as they tried to prepare for the ferocious playoff run this season. However, it did not turn out as the Canes had hoped. Stillman had an impressive season for the Panthers/Canes but he may not have much left in the tank. Cory has been a great player and an outstanding individual. The Canes may choose to resign him for a veteran minimum, however if they do not, Cory may look to retirement as an option which very well may be the case as the Canes are in a youth movement as of right now.

Chances of Re-Signing- 45%

Left Wing/Right Wing, Erik Cole (Age: 32) (2010-2011: 26 goals, 26 points, 52 points)

When ever the Canes needed a big goal or a big play this man was there. Erik Cole had a phenomenal season with the Canes this year scoring the third most goals on the team. Cole was finally able to complete a full year of hockey and he feels like he can do it again. Recently Cole stated that he would love to return to the Hurricanes and that he knows that he has more left in the take which includes a thirty goal season. At thirty-two Cole probably has five to six more good seasons in him and they will in all likelihood be with the Canes.

Chances of Re-Signing- 100%

Left Wing/ Right Wing, Jussi Jokinen (Age: 28) (2010-2011: 19 goals, 33 assists, 52 points)

“The Juice” as he is known by the fans, is a crowd favorite and a very likeable teammate. Unfortunately, this year was not a great year in the aspect of play because he was injured for eleven of the Hurricanes games this year, which was most likely the sole reason of Jokinen not reaching the sixty point mark for back to back seasons for the first time in his NHL career. However, Jokinen is still under the age of thirty and has no where to go but up. The Canes will most likely re-sign Jokinen and lock him up in a Hurricanes uniform for quite some time. (Also to note, Karmanos really likes his Finnish boys).

Chances of Re-Signing- 95%

Right Wing/ Center, Patrick Dwyer (Age: 27) (2010-2011: 8 goals, 10 assists, 18 points)

Pat Dwyer had a decent year in his first full year with the Hurricanes and much like Jokinen, he really has no where to go but up. Dwyer was the man source of scoring on the fourth line this year as he had as many points as Jiri Tlusty, Jerome Samson, and Troy Bodie combined. I would expect to see Dwyer’s role increased next year unless for some odd reason the Canes decide not to bring him back.

Chances of Re-Signing- 90%

Defenseman, Joni Pitkanen (Age: 27) (2010-2011: 5 goals, 30 assists, 35 points)

Pitkanen is like the Boris Diaw of the Carolina Hurricanes, you can tell when they are both underachieving and due to their body size it’s hard to criticize them sometimes; however, at other times they both make you want to poke your eyes out. Pitkanen started off fast then tailed off and during the end of the season he picked up his play again. However, the Hurricanes need a consistent defense as Cam Ward cannot be asked to save over 2,000 shots every year of his career. Pitkanen has done some good things in Carolina and at only twenty-seven, the Canes may decide to bring him back; but with the up and coming young defensemen on the Checkers and in the college hockey scene, don’t be surprised if you see Pitkanen in a different uniform next year.

Chances of Re-Signing- 55%

Defenseman, Jay Harrison (Age: 28) (2010-2011: 3 goals, 7 assists, 10 points)

It’s a real shame that Harrison got injured at the end of the year because his performance was earning him a position of the roster for next year. However, with the Canes having some other guys in the mix to make the jump from the Checkers or from college the re-signing of Harrison may not be as easy as it seems. Nonetheless, Harrison did play well and he is one of the few big bodies that Canes have. He has a pretty decent shot at being re-signed by the Canes this offseason.

Chances of Re-Signing- 70%

Prospects you may see next year

When it comes to drafting players and trading for young players, the Canes are one of the best and due to the abundance of players that have performed very well at the minor levels, the Canes may decide to reward them next year. Here are the guys you need to look at for…

Mississauga St. Michael's Majors- Justin Shugg (Left Wing): 43 goals, 49 assists, 92 points

Charlotte Checkers- Zach Boychuk (Center): 22 goals, 42 assists, 64 points

Charlotte Checkers- Chris Terry (Left Wing): 33 goals, 30 assists, 63 points

Charlotte Checkers- Zac Dalpe (Center): 22 goals, 33 assists, 55 points

Charlotte Checkers- Bryan Rodney (Defense): 9 goals, 38 assists, 47 points

University of Minnesota @ Duluth- Justin Faulk (Defense): 8 goals, 25 assists, 33 points

Boston College- Brian Dumoulin (Defense): 3 goals, 30 assists, 33 points

Harvard University- Danny Biega (Defense): 11 goals, 19 assists, 30 points

These eight guys are the main targets that the Canes may look to add to the final roster next year. Shugg, Faulk, Dumoulin, and Biega may all decide to stay in school; however, Shugg and Faulk are the two that would most likely make the jump out of the four. As for the four individuals from the Checkers, Dalpe, Rodney, and Boychuk have all seen time with the Canes before and all have played well in their time with the Canes. Terry has recently stepped up and may get the opportunity to play at the next level as well. Don’t be surprised to see at least one of these eight individuals in a Hurricanes jersey next year.

Free Agents, Canes may take a chance

The Carolina Hurricanes and Peter Karmanos are not known for their work in free agency as they rarely sign a big name free agent or any free agent for that matter. However, with the Canes coming so close to making the playoffs this year; he may take a chance and try to persuade a free agent to come to the great city of Raleigh. The free agents that the Canes will look at will most likely be under thirty, decently cheap, and huge contributors, Karmanos tends to do well in the draft and in trades; so why not give free agency a shot. Look out for the following guys…

Center, Tomas Kopecky (Age: 28) (2010-2011: 15 goals, 27 assists, 42 points) Salary: $1,200,000

Left Wing/Right Wing, Curtis Glencross (Age: 27) (2010-2011: 24 goals, 19 assists, 43 points) Salary: $1,200,000

Left Wing, Ville Leino (Age: 26) (2010-2011: 19 goals, 34 assists, 53 points) Salary: $800,000

Defenseman, Anton Babchuk (Age: 26) (2010-2011: 11 goals, 24 assists, 35 points) Salary: $1,400,000

2011 Draft Prospects

Saint John Sea Dogs- Defenseman, Nathan Beaulieu (2010-2011: 12 goals, 33 assists, 45 points)

Saginaw Spirit- Left Wing, Brandon Saad (2010-2011: 28 goals, 34 assists, 62 points)

Saskatoon Blades- Defenseman, Duncan Siemens (2010-2011: 6 goals, 41 assists, 47 points

Assat Pori- Right Wing, Joel Armia (2010-2011: 18 goals, 11 assists, 29 points)

Prince Albert Raiders- Center, Mark McNeill (2010-2011: 34 goals, 52 assists, 86 points

Let me know what you guys think!!!

[KillerKat]

Dont resign Stillman and Pitkanen. Keep Boychuk on the Hurricane roster and sign some wingers that can get the puck in the net. Sign a couple punishing defensemen and a better backup goalie that can replace Ward when its time to move on.

And oh yea, get some better coaches.