Around the League Thread | The Conference Finals Begin!

[Attack Vector]

37 year old Brad Marchand still putting up an incredible playoff performance. Thanks to more advanced sports training and nutrition, a lot of players don’t decline like we expect them to in their mid 30s.

 

[Frostage]

37 year old Brad Marchand still putting up an incredible playoff performance. Thanks to more advanced sports training and nutrition, a lot of players don’t decline like we expect them to in their mid 30s.

And whatever Ekblad popped for.


He's probably the only one though

 

[tradervik]

When did the bunch of jerks become the bunch of p***y cats?

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

Ekholm could be back today while Hintz may be out.

 

[andora]

Nikishin and morrow definitely look promising for D outlook however

 

[BenningHurtsMySoul]

Carolina needs to make serious changes. think they would make an excellent trade target.

 

[Jerry the great]

Carolina just seems like such a stubborn organization and they recently (2024) extended RBA for 5 years. Same voice, same game plan, same style.

some personnel changes coming for sure though

 

[Flik]

I feel bad for Carolina's 17 fans, they must be tired of all these conference finals no shows.

 

[mriswith]

Carolina needs to make serious changes. think they would make an excellent trade target.

Best they can do is Kotka + 2nd for Hughes, as long as we retain, after the requisite two months of getting strung along

 

[Jerry the great]

I feel bad for Carolina's 17 fans, they must be tired of all these conference finals no shows.

0-11 is pretty ugly

 

[StreetHawk]

Carolina just seems like such a stubborn organization and they recently (2024) extended RBA for 5 years. Same voice, same game plan, same style.

some personnel changes coming for sure though

Carolina only takes limited risks. With Guentzal, they gave up prospects that were 20-22 years old that they drafted from like rd 3 onwards. With Rant, they gave up a year of Necas (ufa in 2026) and youngster Drury who is 25 this year.
Couldn't extend Rantanen so flipped him for Stank and 2 firsts.

they deal for value, but that typically keeps them from being elite. Didn't push as hard when they have guys like Pesce and Skjei on D. Nikishin and Morrow look promising, but Slavin is 31 this year. How quickly will these 2 get up to speed to get to a level like the other 2 before Slavin declines?

But, for their market, they'd rather no have any real lulls like back in the Karmanos days. If that is what the ownership to management level prefer, so be it.

 

[theguardianII]

Having a good forecheck isn't the same as dump and chase.

 

[theguardianII]

Carolina needs to make serious changes. think they would make an excellent trade target.

They wanted EP40 before maybe now with the likelihood/chance of Hughes leaving makes Nishkin a good trade target along with a pick and prospect.

Carolina may want Joshua or maybe even Sherwood and some other hitter.

 

[Jerry the great]

Carolina only takes limited risks. With Guentzal, they gave up prospects that were 20-22 years old that they drafted from like rd 3 onwards. With Rant, they gave up a year of Necas (ufa in 2026) and youngster Drury who is 25 this year.
Couldn't extend Rantanen so flipped him for Stank and 2 firsts.

they deal for value, but that typically keeps them from being elite. Didn't push as hard when they have guys like Pesce and Skjei on D. Nikishin and Morrow look promising, but Slavin is 31 this year. How quickly will these 2 get up to speed to get to a level like the other 2 before Slavin declines?

But, for their market, they'd rather no have any real lulls like back in the Karmanos days. If that is what the ownership to management level prefer, so be it.

Playing not to lose is no way to win IMO.

But I also hate "small ball" and find it the most appropriately named strategy in sports.....when you add an "s"

 

[StreetHawk]

Playing not to lose is no way to win IMO.

But I also hate "small ball" and find it the most appropriately named strategy in sports.....when you add an "s"

Small ball is understandable in MLB due to no cap and the vast differences in spending between the top and bottom clubs. Plus, the unique difference in their game (no time, just outs).

But, in the NFL, NHL, NBA with some type of salary cap, no reason to adopt that strategy when all clubs can spend basically the same amount.

There isn't a $200 mill vs a $50 mill roster in these 3 sports.

 

[andora]

Carolina needs to add an impact 2nd center - it would change it dramatically

 

[Ernie]

Carolina needs to add an impact 2nd center - it would change it dramatically

They have a lack of gamebreaking skill, which they are well aware of, but have not been able to fix because the players they trade for do not want to stick around.

 

[andora]

They have a lack of gamebreaking skill, which they are well aware of, but have not been able to fix because the players they trade for do not want to stick around.

Well they added a lot of skill in stankhoven

And skill with him jarvis and svech (if he can get his head out of his ass) is good

Aho a little more leash but he NEEDS a C behind him

 

[Ernie]

Well they added a lot of skill in stankhoven

And skill with him jarvis and svech (if he can get his head out of his ass) is good

Aho a little more leash but he NEEDS a C behind him

Necas -> Stank is actually a pretty big downgrade.

Stank may pay off down the road and is a lot of talent for his salary but it's supposed to be the Canes' window now. Meanwhile the Canes have $30m in cap space and nobody to spend it on.

 

[andora]

Necas -> Stank is actually a pretty big downgrade.

Stank may pay off down the road and is a lot of talent for his salary but it's supposed to be the Canes' window now. Meanwhile the Canes have $30m in cap space and nobody to spend it on.

Necas hasnt done anything to warrant that in the post season imo

Stank has shown more core value impact this year than necas has imo

 

[Ernie]

Necas hasnt done anything to warrant that in the post season imo

Stank has shown more core value impact this year than necas has imo

That's arguable but even if true Stank isn't moving the needle in the way the Canes need right now.

 

[andora]

That's arguable but even if true Stank isn't moving the needle in the way the Canes need right now.

Agreed - which is where i return to their need for a 2C to run with Aho

Their game needs impact centers and their centers do A LOT.. its a three headed monster on D as man on man and its a 3 headed monster on O with rotation and shots

They need another Aho desperately

 

[StreetHawk]

They have a lack of gamebreaking skill, which they are well aware of, but have not been able to fix because the players they trade for do not want to stick around.

Welcome to most of the nhl. Carolina has most of what the no state income tax teams have to offer but with some state income tax. If players opt not to sign there that’s the same situation as most other nhl teams.

 

[Zanon]

Ahem… Screw this greaseball.

 

[Ozone]

Ahhhhh, afternoon hockey. Pass the milk bones.