Confirmed with Link: Canes Sign Defenseman Jake Gardiner to 4 Year Contract

[backwards motion]

Not to write the history... because I don't know it that much.

That being said, how on earth did we go from "zero" to hero so fast? I mean I love it. Even last season was a WOW. And now this all that's happening. I'm gonna lose sleep because of it. In form of I might have to catch a game so early or late that it's gonna hurt since I don't live there.

But surely this team had me at A...ho. And naturally all the Turbo and Haula addition and such. I will lose sleep, but it's gonna be worth it.

Insane depth with more experienced players with so great youth core. Can't wait enough to the season to start.

 

[Roboturner913]

That is 100 percent false. There may not be two defensemen in the league that mirror each other more than Gardiner and Faulk. Gardiner is a left-handed Faulk and vice versa. Faulk even comes up on Gardiner's similarity score on Hockey Reference, which takes into account every player who has ever played in the NHL:

You're talking about stats. I'm talking about skillset and style of play. They're not remotely the same. I don't watch a whole ton of Leaf games but from what I have seen, the suggestion that Gardiner and Faulk are similar in how they play the game is honestly a baffling statement.

 

[ThePhoenixx]

Really good signing.

Canes will be fun to watch this year.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

You're talking about stats. I'm talking about skillset and style of play. They're not remotely the same. I don't watch a whole ton of Leaf games but from what I have seen, the suggestion that Gardiner and Faulk are similar in how they play the game is honestly a baffling statement.

Yes, Gardiner is considerably better. From an analytical perspective, he's actually one of the best defensemen in hockey.

 

[MinJaBen]

I heart Dougie, obviously, but Brindy is part of the GMBC, and he complained on more than one ocassion that he wasn't quite sure what to do with him. And then the Caps series happened. And he never got a look on PP1. I wouldn't be *shocked* if he was available.

Yep. He also has no trade protection and a couple of years left...all of which make him more valuable. With the rumors of us having/continuing to talk with the Jets, I could see Hamilton moved there for some return. Anybody think Faulk would command the same return or be willing to not put the Jets on his no trade list?

Me neither.

 

[Roboturner913]

Yes, Gardiner is considerably better. From an analytical perspective, he's actually one of the best defensemen in hockey.

Wasn't even talking about "better" or "worse" just how each player fits into the lineup. If you want to say Gardiner is a better overall player than Faulk, I got no problem with that (I'm pretty sure I could make a good argument to the contrary, but at least it's not an outrageous take).

But I know which one more is more likely to throw a solid hip check in the corner or get down to block a shot, and Gardiner just ain't that guy.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

Kev just liked my tweet and probably doesn’t even know it.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Need a plate of crow. While I’ve learned to never be surprised about what this team will do, I didn’t expect moves like this with training camp a week away when others suggested it.

 

[vorbis]

I can't believe I'm sitting here waiting, hoping, almost expecting, for the Canes to pull off *another* ridiculous deal.

I think you will have to wait for next week's installment of "Canes stay in the news" for that. this week's headline is already sorted, in grand fashion.

 

[tarheelhockey]

That being said, how on earth did we go from "zero" to hero so fast? I

Honestly I think we’ve seen one of the better stories in sports over the past ~18 months. There’s clearly a culture coming together here after so much wandering in the wilderness.

Dzingel’s comments, Gardiner signing, the general vibe around Williams, Aho wanting to end his standoff quickly, Waddell passing on Minnesota to remain here... all point to people recognizing that this is a desirable environment and something they want to be a part of. And it’s not because we’re just throwing money around. It’s because we’ve got good people doing good things.

It’s such a reversal of the past decade that it’s kind of hard to believe it’s real.

 

[Chrispy]

Wasn't even talking about "better" or "worse" just how each player fits into the lineup. If you want to say Gardiner is a better overall player than Faulk, I got no problem with that (I'm pretty sure I could make a good argument to the contrary, but at least it's not an outrageous take).

But I know which one more is more likely to throw a solid hip check in the corner or get down to block a shot, and Gardiner just ain't that guy.

Gardiner actually is the player that fans who don't watch Carolina regularly assume Faulk is: he QBs the power play, he moves the puck up ice well, and he's not that physical.

How many times have you heard those things about Faulk vs seeing those things from Faulk, especially a healthy Faulk?

 

[Navin R Slavin]

Mrs. Hank just made a good point...

"Have you seen a social media post welcoming James Reimer to this team yet?"

 

[Canes]

I think once Dundon got a taste of winning last season, he decided to spend whatever it takes to continue that. He's taking all the hate, disrespect and hit pieces in the media on him personal, and will stop at nothing to prove them wrong.

 

[bleedgreen]

You're talking about stats. I'm talking about skillset and style of play. They're not remotely the same. I don't watch a whole ton of Leaf games but from what I have seen, the suggestion that Gardiner and Faulk are similar in how they play the game is honestly a baffling statement.

They’re not even close to comparable players. Completely different style of play.

I’m happy we signed him, if he helps the pp then it’s a no brainer though I would take CDH over him defensively. It makes sense, especially if we move someone out. I don’t know that I understand all the back patting we’re giving our team though. He didn’t come here because he loves the area or believes in the team, though those things may be true. He came here because everyone else was offering one to two year deals and we offered four. Most telling quote has been “I didn’t want to do this again next year”.

It’s great he signed here but people are coming here because we’re offering more than other teams. No one else believes in this guy more than two years worth.

 

[Lempo]

I think once Dundon got a taste of winning last season, he decided to spend whatever it takes to continue that. He's taking all the hate, disrespect and hit pieces in the media on him personal, and will stop at nothing to prove them wrong.

Let it rain, Mr. Dundon, we ain't taking none of their lip!

 

[Canes]

Mrs. Hank just made a good point...

"Have you seen a social media post welcoming James Reimer to this team yet?"

Does this count?


Plus I really think Reimer is our best option at backup, even with his salary. He was a Mrazek level goalie himself before last season. But if Ned actually proves to be the better option, I wouldn't mind trading Reimer although I'm sure it would cost us.

 

[Lempo]

Tom Dundon so cheap he uses super-value contracts to over the cap.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

Does this count?


Plus I really think Reimer is our best option at backup, even with his salary. He was a Mrazek level goalie himself before last season. But if Ned actually proves to be the better option, I wouldn't mind trading Reimer although I'm sure it would cost us.

It's weird that it took until yesterday to post, and only because it was media day.

Maybe there are other posts, and we missed them. But she's got a pretty good eye for these things, so I dunno.

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

Mrs. Hank just made a good point...

"Have you seen a social media post welcoming James Reimer to this team yet?"

That would be the best way to clear cap space, but it's a question of cost. There's a limited number of teams that will have the cap space to trade for Reimer. If Carolina squeezed a 1st out of Toronto for $6.25 mil in cap for 1 year and ~$3.83 mil in salary over 2, what type of sweetener is a team going to want for up to $3.4 mil in cap and $6.2 mil in salary for 2 years?

Trading Darling for Reimer hurts a bit at this point. They're under the cap right now sans Gibbons and with Nedeljkovic + Darling's dead cap.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

That would be the best way to clear cap space, but it's a question of cost. There's a limited number of teams that will have the cap space to trade for Reimer. If Carolina squeezed a 1st out of Toronto for $6.25 mil in cap for 1 year and ~$3.83 mil in salary over 2, what type of sweetener is a team going to want for up to $3.4 mil in cap and $6.2 mil in salary for 2 years?

Trading Darling for Reimer hurts a bit at this point. They're under the cap right now sans Gibbons and with Nedeljkovic + Darling's dead cap.

I still think they'd like to move him if they can. I just don't think they can. And again: Faulk has value and can probably be moved for a cheaper piece straight up, if it comes to that. Like, I don't think they're paying anyone to take Faulk off their hands.

 

[My Special Purpose]

That being said, how on earth did we go from "zero" to hero so fast?

Two words: Tom Dundon. It all starts with a commitment from ownership. Everything in pro sports does. What we're seeing here is the direct result of going for an absentee owner to a heavily-involved, caring owner.

You're talking about stats. I'm talking about skillset and style of play. They're not remotely the same. I don't watch a whole ton of Leaf games but from what I have seen, the suggestion that Gardiner and Faulk are similar in how they play the game is honestly a baffling statement.

I'm not talking about stats. The guys play the same game. You obviously have not seen a lot of Gardiner. The only thing baffling is that you'd make a comment like this after admitting to not seeing Gardiner a lot. He is a left-handed Faulk, down to the brain farts, seeming not to care at times and using his skating to try to cover for other issues. Gardiner is a little better skater, Faulk has a little better shot. Otherwise, same guy.

Hamilton is an elite offensive player. Gardiner is not that. He's a defense-first guy. He's a power play QB because of his skating.

Yep. He also has no trade protection and a couple of years left...all of which make him more valuable. With the rumors of us having/continuing to talk with the Jets, I could see Hamilton moved there for some return. Anybody think Faulk would command the same return or be willing to not put the Jets on his no trade list?

Me neither.

I've said it before but I would not be shocked if Faulk was OK with Winnipeg. It's actually the second-closest team to his hometown (not counting the Wild). Winnipeg is only 60 miles further from St. Paul than Chicago. I also wouldn't be shocked to see him accept a deal to Edmonton. Like it or not, Faulk is playing for a contract now, and he just saw de Haan and Gardiner get a lot less than they wanted. One good season as a big fish in a smaller pond -- as opposed to fighting for ice-time here -- could be a good thing for his career.

Need a plate of crow. While I’ve learned to never be surprised about what this team will do, I didn’t expect moves like this with training camp a week away when others suggested it.

No crow necessary. This is fun. We should enjoy it, though. This offseason is definitely different. It's not always going to be like this.

 

[Canes]

It's weird that it took until yesterday to post, and only because it was media day.

Maybe there are other posts, and we missed them. But she's got a pretty good eye for these things, so I dunno.

I mean she could still technically be correct. I'm not sure if that's a welcome post myself.

I thought I saw another maybe a couple weeks ago but I can't find it.

 

[My Special Purpose]

The next shoe to drop is Gardiner asking Jeff Hamilton if he'd un-retire his old #51.

You mean, Tomas Kaberle's old No. 51?

 

[MinJaBen]

From a Leaf fan:

Given how people are celebrating his depart, I think it's safe to say that the Canes will win the Cup this year. Jake will join Kessel and Bozak as the next Leaf lightning rod who goes on to win the Stanley Cup with his new team.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

I've said it before but I would not be shocked if Faulk was OK with Winnipeg.

So are we actually talking ourselves into a Laine deal?

Hypothetically, what would such a deal look like?