PTO: [CAR] F Sam Gagner, Rocco Grimaldi, Skyler Brind'Amour invited to Hurricanes camp

[banks]

H

He made a decision 5-6 years ago, to commit himself to playing in the bottom 6, and it’s earned him a contract every year. Teams can do a lot worse than having Sam as your 12th/13th forward.

His issue isn’t finding a spot even. It’s trying to chase a Cup in this situation. You can bet he’s had offers from bottom teams, but he wants a shot at a Cup still. So he plays the PTO game every year. Can’t blame him.

I never really considered that. I've considered him just filling a sweater for the last few years. But he does seem to be more than that. Maybe you're right that he's turning down "better" offers from worse teams so he can try for a spot on a contender. If that's the case, then I'm cheering for him even more.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

With our bottom 6 full and have a 13th forward this is more than likely a needed body during our last 2 preseason games that are B2B and most of the prospects are already sent back to the AHL camp.

 

[joestevens29]

I kinda thought the Oil would give a PTO simple to allow him to showcase himself in hopes of getting on with another team.

Can't deny the work the guy puts in during the off-season and what he can bring to a locker room.

I just don't know what he really has left to bring on ice to a contender.

 

[HabsQC]

They needed someone to represent them at the NHLPA

 

[tarheelhockey]

Is Carolina starting a downward trend?

Probably. They hit that point where the cap causes a hemorrhage of talent, and they’re really counting on certain prospects to come up and fill that gap in the upcoming seasons. They will need some lucky breaks to reach the level they’ve been at the past couple years.

 

[TheBigLetowski]

Is Carolina starting a downward trend?

Its a PTO

 

[TheNumber4]

Yeah, if he’s lost a step this isn’t gonna work. Not an environment where you’d want to be the slow guy.

Things that got him benched in Edmonton. On two occasions he was going to make a simple play on the puck and his hands just whiffed entirely. Like whiffing a stick handle as opposed to the more common whiffing a contested shot attempt. Little things like that, that you don’t see in a regular NHLer. I think he’s unfortunately done.

 

[MMC]

Canes Announce Training Camp Roster | Carolina Hurricanes

On-ice sessions begin Sept. 19 at Lenovo Center

www.nhl.com

 

[biturbo19]

Sam Gagner determined to be the last of that Oilers kids generation in the NHL?

 

[Dead Coyote]

Think this could ironically be a great deal for both parties. Gagner isn't amazing by any means but he's still a pretty good playmaker and could help a team's PP. Dude is also just a great person and presence, have had the opportunity to meet him a few times here in London and you can tell he's one of the guys who is still pretty down to earth and doesn't take anything for granted.

 

[The Hockey Tonk Man]

Think this could ironically be a great deal for both parties. Gagner isn't amazing by any means but he's still a pretty good playmaker and could help a team's PP. Dude is also just a great person and presence, have had the opportunity to meet him a few times here in London and you can tell he's one of the guys who is still pretty down to earth and doesn't take anything for granted.

He should take his last few years in the league for granted

 

[ForsbergMoDo21]

Think this could ironically be a great deal for both parties. Gagner isn't amazing by any means but he's still a pretty good playmaker and could help a team's PP. Dude is also just a great person and presence, have had the opportunity to meet him a few times here in London and you can tell he's one of the guys who is still pretty down to earth and doesn't take anything for granted.

I remember watching an Oiler game 10-15 years ago where an Oiler got run dirty and it was Gagner who dropped the gloves and took care of it.

I tried looking it up in YouTube and I can’t believe how many fights he had. Not that he fared so well in all of them, but I’ll never not respect his willingness.

 

[Petes2424]

How long before Carolina fans start demanding Grimaldi be given a contract?

He’ll likely light up any preseason games, as he’s still one of the best hockey players not playing in the NHL. He just can’t get over the size thing to be consistent enough in the NHL. Every other league? No problem.

Unfortunately that tends to put him in the category of AHL lifer, who has to hope for PTOs every year, just to stay in shape, waiting for his AHL contract each year now.

One of the most effected players by the AHL’s veteran rule. So he has to wait until rosters are all sorted, and a spot is open for a vet.

Only way he earns a 2-way deal, is if Carolina desperately needs a vet in Chicago, and the Wolves would rather the Canes pay his high AHL salary. Which may be the case, as he did play there last year. It’s a good sign either way, he’ll likely end up back in Chicago this year. My guess is probably on an AHL deal.