Confirmed Trade: [DET/CAR] Alex Nedeljkovic for Jonathan Bernier and 2021 3rd (VGK)

[Roomba With a Bauer]

Two former wings goalies who played during our lowest period since the dead wing era, could make for interesting locker room talk

Mrazek has never done well with competition, which is probably a good part of why Nedeljkovic got waived. I doubt they'll be swapping war stories.

Nedeljkovic might be straight garbage with Detroit, but Carolina hasn't had another goalie with stats even close to his in the last three years. Even this year, there was a significant difference between him and Mrazek, and Reimer was terrible. I think Canes fans might be overvaluing their defensive prowess here.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Mrazek has never done well with competition, which is probably a good part of why Nedeljkovic got waived. I doubt they'll be swapping war stories.

Nedeljkovic might be straight garbage with Detroit, but Carolina hasn't had another goalie with stats even close to his in the last three years. Even this year, there was a significant difference between him and Mrazek, and Reimer was terrible. I think Canes fans might be overvaluing their defensive prowess here.

I doubt this had anything to do with protecting Mrazek. If anything, just the opposite — they’re likely trying to move on somebody who would push Mrazek to the #2 role or out the door altogether.

edit: just realized you were referring to the waivers, not the trade. Honestly I think at that point they were really expecting Reimer to be the 1B and Ned to remain in a development role for the season. It was a risk at the time, and we spent 24 hours hoping for the best, but it didn’t take anyone off guard that they were putting Ned on the bench behind the other two. He really broke out at mid-season.

 

[CamPopplestone]

Even if Ned tanks, I fail to see how a 2 year deal and losing a 3rd is actually a "risk" for Detroit.

 

[Lil Sebastian Cossa]

I doubt this had anything to do with protecting Mrazek. If anything, just the opposite — they’re likely trying to move on somebody who would push Mrazek to the #2 role or out the door altogether.

edit: just realized you were referring to the waivers, not the trade

Yes, the start of the year, Mrazek probably threw a hissy and then played like shit and wondered why he lost his role.

I liked Mrazek for about a season and change... but as soon as he tried dictating that the Wings had to trade away Howard because he was worried he might lose the starters net to him again... He was dead to me. Mrazek wasn't good enough in Detroit to demand a damn thing.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Even if Ned tanks, I fail to see how a 2 year deal and losing a 3rd is actually a "risk" for Detroit.

Exactly. Worst case scenario is they compete for Shane Wright and go looking for another goalie next offseason.

 

[Roomba With a Bauer]

Even if Ned tanks, I fail to see how a 2 year deal and losing a 3rd is actually a "risk" for Detroit.

Yzerman really likes gambling seconds/thirds/B-level prospects for young players in situations where they might be undervalued/underutilized. I think he's done the analysis and realized the return rate on acquiring those kinds of players is better than drafting out of those rounds.

The chance of Nedeljkovic being a consistent NHL starter is better than any goalie they could've drafted in the second.

 

[bleedgreen]

Mrazek has never done well with competition, which is probably a good part of why Nedeljkovic got waived. I doubt they'll be swapping war stories.

Nedeljkovic might be straight garbage with Detroit, but Carolina hasn't had another goalie with stats even close to his in the last three years. Even this year, there was a significant difference between him and Mrazek, and Reimer was terrible. I think Canes fans might be overvaluing their defensive prowess here.

The Canes are making it clear they want an upgrade on Ned. None of us knows what that actually looks like and its a little alarming but we're keeping an open mind. This wasnt them being cheap, they're going to give someone the money - just someone they think deserves it more than Ned. Ned was an unusual case, on waivers earlier in the season and clearly never a big part of he teams plans. He mightve wanted to leave.

 

[Chrispy]

Yes, the start of the year, Mrazek probably threw a hissy and then played like shit and wondered why he lost his role.

I liked Mrazek for about a season and change... but as soon as he tried dictating that the Wings had to trade away Howard because he was worried he might lose the starters net to him again... He was dead to me. Mrazek wasn't good enough in Detroit to demand a damn thing.

Mrazek started the year with 2 shutouts in 3 starts, including an OT shutout of the Lightning. In start 4 he dislocated his thumb when one of his teammates crashed into him, which is how Nedeljkovic got his chance. 4 games, 0.99 GAA, .954 SV%

Even when he came back in April, Mrazek played well before getting injured again: 5 games, 1.95 GAA, .932 SV%.

Mrazek did look rusty when he came back to end the season, which along with Ned's strong run was why Ned started the playoffs.

Mrazek has not been averse to a platoon in Carolina; it's been the role he's been in for the past 3 years:

18-19: 40 starts out of 82 games
19-20: 38 starts out of 68 games
20-21: injuries limited him to 12 starts.

 

[Discipline Daddy]

Yes, the start of the year, Mrazek probably threw a hissy and then played like shit and wondered why he lost his role.

I liked Mrazek for about a season and change... but as soon as he tried dictating that the Wings had to trade away Howard because he was worried he might lose the starters net to him again... He was dead to me. Mrazek wasn't good enough in Detroit to demand a damn thing.

This couldn't be more wrong. Mraz was our starter going into the year. Our own player collided with him in practice and destroyed his thumb. Mrazek was out for 2-3 months. Before he got injured, Mrazek's stats in those 4 games were unbelievably good, like Vezina good. Obviously he would have cooled down, but your take is factually wrong.

Mrazek has been really good for years for us. It is debatable right now who is the better goalie next year. Ned has a lot of upside, but being a consistent starter is something only Mrazek has proven.

 

[SuperScript29]

Best case scenario, we have a heck of a future #1 goalie, worst case scenario, he's a bust and we lost nothing for him.

I love Yzerman.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

So with Bernier signing elsewhere, the trade was..

Alex Nedeljkovic

For

Aidan Hreschuk

Interesting

 

[SpezDispenser]

Is this the worst trade of the off-season so far, or is it Jones?

 

[Zynbanejad]

So with Bernier signing elsewhere, the trade was..

Alex Nedeljkovic

For

Aidan Hreschuk

Interesting

And they signed Andersen for more than what Ned was paid. Make it make sense.

 

[tarheelhockey]

So with Bernier signing elsewhere, the trade was..

Alex Nedeljkovic

For

Aidan Hreschuk

Interesting

And from a Canes standpoint, the money freed to sign Raanta

 

[TheOllieC]

And they signed Andersen for more than what Ned was paid. Make it make sense.

They didn't want Ned to be their defacto starter had he been awarded 3.5+m. That's the whole thing to them. It gave them room to sign a veteran UFA. Addition by subtraction.

Was it the right call? I'm just glad I didn't make it.

 

[TheOctopusKid]

And from a Canes standpoint, the money freed to sign Raanta

I still don't get it. Why not just stand pat?

You had the rights to three goalies - Ned, Bernier, and Mzarek who all put up statistically superior seasons to Fred and Antti - and all three of those guys, all signed for less than what you payed Fred - and Ned only a 1M more than Raanta. I...just don't get it

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I still don't get it. Why not just stand pat?

You had the rights to three goalies - Ned, Bernier, and Mzarek who all put up statistically superior seasons to Fred and Antti - and all three of those guys, all signed for less than what you payed Fred - and Ned only a 1M more than Raanta. I...just don't get it

The front office clearly did't think Ned was the right guy for the job. They may be very wrong in the end, but that's why they didn't stand pat.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I still don't get it. Why not just stand pat?

You had the rights to three goalies - Ned, Bernier, and Mzarek who all put up statistically superior seasons to Fred and Antti - and all three of those guys, all signed for less than what you payed Fred - and Ned only a 1M more than Raanta. I...just don't get it

I’m not trying to litigate it, just saying from a Canes POV that’s what this trade was about. It wasn’t a hockey trade where they thought Ned was worth Hreschuk. It was a salary cap trade.

Mrazek and Ned combine for $6.8M. Andersen and Raanta combine for $6.5M. Bernier alone got $4.125M. Canes had to make a choice and went with the lower-priced veterans as what they believe to be the least-risky option.

 

[robertmac43]

Anderson and Raanta as a tandem should scare Canes fans. Both are inconsistent with injury problems. Anderson especially did not look himself last year, obviously, the injury affected his play from the start of the season and he may be more himself this coming season. That being said it seems like a leap of faith for the Canes to put their trust in these 2 guys as a team that has Cup aspirations.

 

[GoCanes2015]

Mrazek $3.9 + Bernier $4.125 + Nedejkovic $3.0 = $10.125
Anderson $4.5 + Ranta $2.0 = $6.5

Financially, these might be great moves for CAR because there are a lot of variables. Mrazek has recent injury issues and will be playing in the scrutiny of TOR, perhaps in more of a #2 role than a 1A/1B situation. Ned might have gotten another $500k-$1m more in arbitration and has a small sample size as a starter, and will be playing in DET, who knows what his season is going to look like? Bernier played well in front of DET defense last year, but may not be any better than Anderson. Ranta is good when (infrequently) healthy. All in all this looks like a general mix-up, new places, fresh starts kind of situation for all goalies involved. It might work out, it may not - I'm guessing none of these moves makes CAR any better or worse next year. Maybe a slight chance they're a little bit better? I'll believe Ned is the real deal when he continues his play from last season. Until then, this is a whole lot of nothing for all teams involved, which might also suggest they could have just as easily stuck with what they had. But it's not a clear won or lost trade yet. Check in again mid-season.

 

[TheOctopusKid]

Mrazek $3.9 + Bernier $4.125 + Nedejkovic $3.0 = $10.125
Anderson $4.5 + Ranta $2.0 = $6.5

Financially, these might be great moves for CAR because there are a lot of variables. Mrazek has recent injury issues and will be playing in the scrutiny of TOR, perhaps in more of a #2 role than a 1A/1B situation. Ned might have gotten another $500k-$1m more in arbitration and has a small sample size as a starter, and will be playing in DET, who knows what his season is going to look like? Bernier played well in front of DET defense last year, but may not be any better than Anderson. Ranta is good when (infrequently) healthy. All in all this looks like a general mix-up, new places, fresh starts kind of situation for all goalies involved. It might work out, it may not - I'm guessing none of these moves makes CAR any better or worse next year. Maybe a slight chance they're a little bit better? I'll believe Ned is the real deal when he continues his play from last season. Until then, this is a whole lot of nothing for all teams involved, which might also suggest they could have just as easily stuck with what they had. But it's not a clear won or lost trade yet. Check in again mid-season.

I mean - it would've been Mrazek + Bernier, since the rights to Bernier were obtained through trading Ned...so adding those three together and comparing it to the tally of two isn't really right. Now fairly - it is Mrazek + Bernier at those prices would've been = $7.0125M vs. the $6.5 of Anderssen and Raanta. I guess...does 500k really make up a "This is a cap issue" argument? I get the fact that their window is open and they want to chance the Cup and sign a vet who they can rely on and don't want to overspend except those guys don't really seem to be the best option if that's the issue too? Especially given some of the veteran names being signed today. Not a criticism, just don't really get what's happening and "hockey trade "cap casualty" doesn't really sit right for me I guess?

 

[GoCanes2015]

I mean - it would've been Mrazek + Bernier, since the rights to Bernier were obtained through trading Ned...so adding those three together and comparing it to the tally of two isn't really right. Now fairly - it is Mrazek + Bernier at those prices would've been = $7.0125M vs. the $6.5 of Anderssen and Raanta. I guess...does 500k really make up a "This is a cap issue" argument? I get the fact that their window is open and they want to chance the Cup and sign a vet who they can rely on and don't want to overspend except those guys don't really seem to be the best option if that's the issue too? Especially given some of the veteran names being signed today. Not a criticism, just don't really get what's happening and "hockey trade "cap casualty" doesn't really sit right for me I guess?

Fair enough. Good points made. I'm not sure who else out there would be better at the same cost? Kuemper? Doesn't he have consistency and injury concerns similar to both of the new guys? I'm generally okay with things, it will remain to be seen if the play backs it up.

 

[TheFamousFart]

Am i the only one who feels that carolina really made their goaltending better with these trades? i mean if someone should be worried it is the Leafs swapping Andersen for Mrazek.

 

[SAS]

Is this the worst trade of the off-season so far, or is it Jones?

Definitely Jones. Chicago will regret the trade in 2 years when Boqvist is better than Jones. Columbus will be laughing that someone thinks Jones is an "elite" dman.

 

[milehigh11]

Still have no idea why Sakic didnt jump on this to get a younger goalie who was a calder finalist. And the price to get was cheap along with the AAV. Even if it meant he could be a backup IF Grubauer came back.. He had to know we had to get a better backup than Francouz who is MIA. Now we still need 2 goalies. SMH