A SERIOUS DISCUSSION: Alex Nedeljkovic

[Svechhammer]

Anyone know where that number stands currently?

I think he still needs 5 starts

 

[Chrispy]

I think he still needs 5 starts

I haven't seen any ruling that the Group 6 requirements are reduced based on the shortened 19-20 and 20-21 regular seasons. If there is one, that's major news about Nedeljkovic.

So far, Ned has 21 career games, with one just below the 30 minute threshold. So he has 20 qualifying games and needs at least 28 games to avoid being a Group 6 UFA. I believe postseason games also count, but I'm not 100% certain about that.

So at most, Ned needs to start 8 of the remaining 17 (+ minimum 4 playoff) games to avoid Group 6 UFA. Again, that could be reduced due to the shortened seasons but I haven't seen anything about that yet.

 

[A Star is Burns]

If they intend to keep him, just try to sign him. Don't worry about forcing how many games he plays. If he wants something insane, it isn't worth it. This team can likely win with many different goalie options.

 

[MinJaBen]

If they intend to keep him, just try to sign him.

They want the leverage. You've seen the negotiations this team has conducted to date, right?

 

[A Star is Burns]

They want the leverage. You've seen the negotiations this team has conducted to date, right?

Again, to me, the leverage is that while his numbers are great and he's played well, our hockey lives don't depend on him. We can pull goalies off the scrap heap and they do just fine.

 

[Lempo]

I haven't seen any ruling that the Group 6 requirements are reduced based on the shortened 19-20 and 20-21 regular seasons. If there is one, that's major news about Nedeljkovic.

There was, when CapFriendly informed us on twitter who are pending Group 6's. I think the word pro-rated might've been used but anyway the numbers and games still needed were altered to fit the shortened season.

 

[MinJaBen]

Again, to me, the leverage is that while his numbers are great and he's played well, our hockey lives don't depend on him. We can pull goalies off the scrap heap and they do just fine.

Sure that is some leverage. This front office will use as much as they can get. Especially the leverage that makes it harder for a player to actually go to another team.

 

[Chrispy]

There was, when CapFriendly informed us on twitter who are pending Group 6's. I think the word pro-rated might've been used but anyway the numbers and games still needed were altered to fit the shortened season.

Thanks, here it is:



Looks like Capfriendly says the career games dropped from 28 to 26, so Ned would need only 6 more games in that case.

 

[A Star is Burns]

Sure that is some leverage. This front office will use as much as they can get. Especially the leverage that makes it harder for a player to actually go to another team.

I agree, but I don't know if they are going to force X number of starts to get it. If they really feel the need to, so be it. I personally wouldn't, but I trust their judgment mostly.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Thanks, here it is:



Looks like Capfriendly says the career games dropped from 28 to 26, so Ned would need only 6 more games in that case.

Landon Bow wrecking the market right now

 

[MinJaBen]

I agree, but I don't know if they are going to force X number of starts to get it. If they really feel the need to, so be it. I personally wouldn't, but I trust their judgment mostly.

Oh, I agree with you in that I don't see them forcing any games. They will let Rod play the guys as he sees fit. That said, I don't think you are forcing anything by starting a kid with three shuts this year.

 

[emptyNedder]

Again, to me, the leverage is that while his numbers are great and he's played well, our hockey lives don't depend on him. We can pull goalies off the scrap heap and they do just fine.

Before the season most here (not saying you specifically) were concerned that when the Canes returned to the Metro division they would be at a distinct disadvantage to several teams that had a bona-fide #1 goalie (Shesterkin, Hart, Sorokin, Samsonov). So the scrap heap was a concern prior to Ned but now that he is excelling the scrap heap is a reasonable solution?

 

[A Star is Burns]

Oh, I agree with you in that I don't see them forcing any games. They will let Rod play the guys as he sees fit. That said, I don't think you are forcing anything by starting a kid with three shuts this year.

Yeah, but I'd like to get Petr a fair amount of starts without running him into the ground of course. Just to really get him ready for the postseason. If we hang onto Reimer, I'd probably want him to get a couple of starts in case we do reach a point where we need to rely on him. Again, none of this is about Ned's play, he's been fine to great. It's just about how I'd want to dole out starts the rest of the way. Unless Ned goes all Cam Ward or Binnington on us, he shouldn't have earned that crazy of a raise, so that's why I'd just shoot to sign him if they want him here next year.

 

[A Star is Burns]

Before the season most here (not saying you specifically) were concerned that when the Canes returned to the Metro division they would be at a distinct disadvantage to several teams that had a bona-fide #1 goalie (Shesterkin, Hart, Sorokin, Samsonov). So the scrap heap was a concern prior to Ned but now that he is excelling the scrap heap is a reasonable solution?

Oh, I still want an upgrade in goal if possible. I'd take one over every goalie we have. But I know they are hard to acquire and we have proven that the goalie can be somewhat interchangeable here the last few years.

 

[Chrispy]

Oh, I still want an upgrade in goal if possible. I'd take one over every goalie we have. But I know they are hard to acquire and we have proven that the goalie can be somewhat interchangeable here the last few years.

And goalie acquisitions do not necessarily translate their performance from one team/system to the next.

TLDR: Voodoo

 

[emptyNedder]

And goalie acquisitions do not necessarily translate their performance from one team/system to the next.

TLDR: Voodoo

More importantly—goalie acquisitions have rarely translated into a Cup in the past 20 years.

 

[Lempo]

I wonder if Ned is tempted to cough a little so he can enter the protocol, miss out enough games and go UFA.

 

[NotOpie]

Anyone know where that number stands currently?

There was a Twitter interaction between Sara and Adam Gold yesterday and she said the team confirmed to her that prior to last night's start, Ned only needed 7 more (now 6) games.

 

[Tryamw]

Damn, I’m good.

No...you are very good.

 

[Lempo]

If we be patient he walks UFA. You're a fool, tarheel.

 

[The Stranger]

Guess I have more faith in him than you all do. Which is fair, I guess. I just don't see him as being a risky investment as a platoon/backup guy. Yes, goalies are volatile, but he's got a pretty high floor to make up for his relatively low ceiling.

This has been the age of signing longer than comfortable to keep the cost low. It’s not the worst idea, Ned tracks generally as a winner. I’m kinda with them that four is pretty risky though. Being tied to a backup for four years really locks us in to a position than generally is more flexible. I think I’d do two or three.

All depends on cost of course. If he signs for four and it’s dirt cheap then it makes more sense.

Responding back here for Ned specific discussion.

@Roboturner913 and others as well...what are thoughts on Ned's ceiling? Why would you say he has a relatively low ceiling? Is it unreasonable at this point to say his ceiling is a high-end starter?

@bleedgreen - if you were Ned and believed in your ability to succeed in the league, would you sign a dirt cheap contract with 4 years of term? I know you know the answer.

 

[bleedgreen]

Responding back here for Ned specific discussion.

@Roboturner913 and others as well...what are thoughts on Ned's ceiling? Why would you say he has a relatively low ceiling? Is it unreasonable at this point to say his ceiling is a high-end starter?

@bleedgreen - if you were Ned and believed in your ability to succeed in the league, would you sign a dirt cheap contract with 4 years of term? I know you know the answer.

I didn’t say I thought it was happening! I said it was the one way I’d feel more comfortable signing him for four years. I don’t see it being the case either.

 

[wingsfan17]

I wonder if Ned is tempted to cough a little so he can enter the protocol, miss out enough games and go UFA.

Honestly? If I'm Ned, screw canes' management. They've stunted this growth and I would totally do this. What happens if you become a RFA? You sign a cheap, short term contract and HOPE the canes play you enough that you can raise the value of your next contract. Screw that, even with the short sample size he'd get a decent contract as an UFA.

Cam Ward leaves, hey maybe Ned gets a decent chance at the NHL? Nope, maybe next year kid. Wow, I just won AHL goalie of the year and lead my team to the championship, surely they'll make room for me next year? Haha, actually we're going to re-sign UFA Mrazek and trade for Reimer just so there ISN'T room for you. And let's waive you next year just for good measure.

If the Canes don't re-sign him very soon, I wouldn't blame Ned for trying to have job security, especially with his history.

 

[Lempo]

Honestly? If I'm Ned, screw canes' management. They've stunted this growth and I would totally do this. What happens if you become a RFA? You sign a cheap, short term contract and HOPE the canes play you enough that you can raise the value of your next contract. Screw that, even with the short sample size he'd get a decent contract as an UFA.

Cam Ward leaves, hey maybe Ned gets a decent chance at the NHL? Nope, maybe next year kid. Wow, I just won AHL goalie of the year and lead my team to the championship, surely they'll make room for me next year? Haha, actually we're going to re-sign UFA Mrazek and trade for Reimer just so there ISN'T room for you. And let's waive you next year just for good measure.

If the Canes don't re-sign him very soon, I wouldn't blame Ned for trying to have job security, especially with his history.

This is one view, which prompted me to ponder the question.

The counter-point would be his contract: signed in June 2019 for 2019-2021, with first year two-way with $125k quaranteed salary and second year one-way. It looks like the agreed-on schedule always was that 2020-2021 would be in NHL or the very least with NHL salary.

One could argue his development was done exactly right because he seems to have been ready when the call-up came. If he was brought up in 2019-20 it might've been too early and he might've blown his chance then, with career repercussions.

The fact that he cleared the waivers kind of shows that 30 teams didn't want him for league minimum salary on January 13th, 2021, or, three months ago.

 

[geehaad]

we're going to re-sign UFA Mrazek and trade for Reimer just so there ISN'T room for you.

Three things:

1. Ned wasn't going to be the #1 two years ago, so yes, Mrazek.
2. Could he have been the backup? Maybe, but trading for Reimer was just as much about dealing away Darling as it was about obtaining a backup. If Reimer hadn't been good, Ned would likely have gotten the call-up.
3. When you wander onto another team's board, you probably shouldn't introduce yourself by trashing that team's organization.