LD Noah Hanifin (2015, 5th, CAR) II

[King In The North]

Don't like it if he spends the full year in the NHL.

He should spend at least a half season in the AHL since that is an option. He wasn't DOMINATING at the College level last year.

Eh I mean people said the same about Monahan in his rookie season, let's see how he plays his first 9 games. I really think his skating and IQ are ready.

 

[Wolfpuck]

Good for him. He's earned it.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Eh I mean people said the same about Monahan in his rookie season, let's see how he plays his first 9 games. I really think his skating and IQ are ready.

It's easier for forwards to break in. Monahan was also 19 years old very early on in his rookie season.

 

[GhostofS16*]

He wasn't DOMINATING at the College level last year.

NCAA isn't a cakewalk for 18 year old defensemen. He wasn't expected to "dominate". Also, he was on a deep blue line at BC. Not sure if you follow the NCAA game or not. I'm guessing you don't.

 

[DaveG]

Eh I mean people said the same about Monahan in his rookie season, let's see how he plays his first 9 games. I really think his skating and IQ are ready.

I know the pre-season doesn't really mean jack all, but he's been really solid. As you said his skating and hockey sense are there already, it's just a matter of if he's mentally prepared for the increase in speed compared to the college game and even the pre-season. He had a couple suspect moments against the Pens last night but he also made FAR more outstanding plays and reads, and easily could have come away with a point or two from the game last night.

Also, trying to remember what they were exactly, but IIRC he had some really nice numbers for BC last year after the WJC.

 

[lawrence]

If he doesn't stay with Carolina, where is he going to play? he's already not returning to college right?

 

[Albus Dumbledore]

hanafin is set, he can play nhl and i believe ahl, so regardless hes going to get really good experience this year, hoping he has a great season(ekblad esque)

 

[vwg*]

Don't like it if he spends the full year in the NHL.

He should spend at least a half season in the AHL since that is an option. He wasn't DOMINATING at the College level last year.

Let me know when a 17 year old freshman d-man plays better than Hanifin did in his draft year. And in the best NCAA conference there is.

I bet you watched tons of him in the preseason when he looked one of the Canes best d-men to make such a comment.

Just another stat watcher that think he knows more than a GM (and I admit Francis probably on par with Rutherford, at best).

 

[Roof Daddy]

Who has he been paired with and what has his role/ice time looked like? Has he played with Faulk at all, or are they sheltering him with a safe vet in a bottom pair role?

 

[vwg*]

Who has he been paired with and what has his role/ice time looked like? Has he played with Faulk at all, or are they sheltering him with a safe vet in a bottom pair role?

He has a had a game or two with Faulk, but most of the other games he has been paired with a garbage d-man like Ryan Murphy and the like.

 

[TheOllieC]

I think he looked NHL ready. Hopefully he he plays with Faulk or Wiz, not with Murphy. Wiz was a fine partner to Ryan Murray in his rookie season and Murray/Hanifin are alike in many ways. Murph still needs a solid defensive presence to play with as his game is not well-rounded enough yet.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I think he looked NHL ready. Hopefully he he plays with Faulk or Wiz, not with Murphy. Wiz was a fine partner to Ryan Murray in his rookie season and Murray/Hanifin are alike in many ways. Murph still needs a solid defensive presence to play with as his game is not well-rounded enough yet.

I was going to mention how good Wisniewski was with a young Ryan Murray. He'd be an awesome partner for Hanifin, and I've thought so since the Canes acquired him. Feeding him to the wolves on the top-pair with Faulk would not be smart, regardless of how damn good Faulk is (and I'm a humongous fan of Faulk). Wiz would be like a Campbell to Hanifin's Ekblad in this set-up.

 

[ps241]

I was going to mention how good Wisniewski was with a young Ryan Murray. He'd be an awesome partner for Hanifin, and I've thought so since the Canes acquired him. Feeding him to the wolves on the top-pair with Faulk would not be smart, regardless of how damn good Faulk is (and I'm a humongous fan of Faulk). Wiz would be like a Campbell to Hanifin's Ekblad in this set-up.

I always thought Murray carried Wiz but they were a good pair. same as Trouba carrying Stuart in Winnipeg. In both cases tha pairings worked though. I agree with you that you shelter the pair a bit to start with. I see Hanifin having a good season.

 

[Vagrant]

I'm as excited for Hanifin as I have ever been for a defenseman in Carolina's system, Faulk included. He looks so much better than any 18 year old defender that it's hard to believe he lasted until 5th. He's the real deal, folks. Watching him play is a joy.

For fantasy purposes, I wouldn't expect him to have the same impact as a guy like Ekblad this season. Carolina likes to break in defensemen with more penalty kill and even strength minutes than powerplay minutes. It's probable that Faulk, Wiz, and Murphy will take a lot of our PP minutes and we have a forward that can play the point that might get called upon. He'll have to work his way into that rotation. I wouldn't be upset if he can manage 25-30 points this year. It's a higher threshold than it seems.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I always thought Murray carried Wiz but they were a good pair. same as Trouba carrying Stuart in Winnipeg. In both cases tha pairings worked though. I agree with you that you shelter the pair a bit to start with. I see Hanifin having a good season.

Wisniewski is very good. Comparing him with Stuart is ridiculous.

 

[DaveG]

I'm as excited for Hanifin as I have ever been for a defenseman in Carolina's system, Faulk included. He looks so much better than any 18 year old defender that it's hard to believe he lasted until 5th. He's the real deal, folks. Watching him play is a joy.

For fantasy purposes, I wouldn't expect him to have the same impact as a guy like Ekblad this season. Carolina likes to break in defensemen with more penalty kill and even strength minutes than powerplay minutes. It's probable that Faulk, Wiz, and Murphy will take a lot of our PP minutes and we have a forward that can play the point that might get called upon. He'll have to work his way into that rotation. I wouldn't be upset if he can manage 25-30 points this year. It's a higher threshold than it seems.

Rask seems to be getting a lot of the point role, much like a young Eric did when he was on the same PP unit as Doug Weight.

FWIW Wiz has been very good this pre-season. Frankly I think I'd like to see our d group look like this once everyone's healthy:

Liles - Faulk
Hanifin - Wiz
Hainsey - Murphy
Jordan

Would give us a pretty balanced lineup since, for whatever reason, Liles game seems to mesh pretty well with Faulk. Hanifin get the top 4 ice time he looks ready for, without being thrown to the wolves on the top pair, and Murphy gets a guy that can cover his ass.

 

[Cardiac Jerks]

Let me know when a 17 year old freshman d-man plays better than Hanifin did in his draft year. And in the best NCAA conference there is.

I bet you watched tons of him in the preseason when he looked one of the Canes best d-men to make such a comment.

Just another stat watcher that think he knows more than a GM (and I admit Francis probably on par with Rutherford, at best).

I've seen you compare Francis to Rutherford twice now today.

Care to share why you think he's on the same level as Rutherford when everything he's done in his time as gm has pretty much been the exact opposite of Rutherford?

Just curious.

 

[Sonny21]

Looking forward to see how Hanifin does throughout the season. I was such a BIG fan of him pre-draft (wanted Leafs to draft him).

Hope he does well, just hope he doesn't play too safe trying not to screw up. Part of the reason I thought he should of gone back is to polish his offensive game, knowing he would have the confidence this year.

I just hope the coaches encourage him offensive side of his game. I think that's underrated part of his game that a lot of people overlooked.

 

[Cane mutiny]

Looking forward to see how Hanifin does throughout the season. I was such a BIG fan of him pre-draft (wanted Leafs to draft him).

Hope he does well, just hope he doesn't play too safe trying not to screw up. Part of the reason I thought he should of gone back is to polish his offensive game, knowing he would have the confidence this year.

I just hope the coaches encourage him offensive side of his game. I think that's underrated part of his game that a lot of people overlooked.

I agree, and think that will come in time as he becomes more confident at this level. I expect he will play a rather reserved game to start the season and loosen up as the season progresses and he gets a better feel for the NHL game. Love what I've seen so far.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

FWIW Wiz has been very good this pre-season. Frankly I think I'd like to see our d group look like this once everyone's healthy:

Liles - Faulk
Hanifin - Wiz
Hainsey - Murphy
Jordan

I still don't get the Liles with Faulk pairing that many people are enamored with. I realize people want the puck moving ability of Liles, but Faulk is going to get the tough minutes every game. I really don't want to expose Liles to that. I don't believe they played very much together last year, or even in the pre-season. I also don't see Hainsey on the bottom pairing.

With everyone healthy, to start the season, I think it's going to be more like:

Hainsey - Faulk
Liles - Wiznewski
Hanifin - Murphy/Jordan

As Hanifin gets his feet wet and shows he can handle it, I can see him replacing Liles on the 2nd pairing.

 

[TheOllieC]

Hanifin is making his debut tonight against Nashville. He'll be paired with Ryan Murphy, which I'm not a fan of on paper.

 

[SmellOfVictory]

Eh I mean people said the same about Monahan in his rookie season, let's see how he plays his first 9 games. I really think his skating and IQ are ready.

If Monahan was AHL eligible two years ago, he absolutely should've been put there. He was in way over his head as a rookie, 20 goals or not.

 

[ihaveyuidonttouchme]

idk why i did it but i made a shift by shift highlights if anyone is interested
Edit oh yeah now i know why i did it..i was bored...the game was also...phleh

 

[TheOllieC]

Noah had a solid game. The defense pairings were thrown off because Wiz was hurt less than a minute in, so that was a challenge. Hanifin is so good at moving the puck out of the zone. Made some small plays that showed his poise and IQ. He and Faulk looked nice together and were definitely the best combo of dmen the team put out there. Looking forward to watching him more, hopefully when the D lines can run smoother and the team looks like they want to start playing before the third period is almost over...

 

[tarheelhockey]

"Comfortable" is the thing that really strikes me about him. He looks like an average NHL defenseman in terms of his poise, work rate, positioning, and other little indicators of being comfortable in the game. He doesn't make panic plays or look like he's thinking too hard.

I don't know if he'll ever elevate to star status, but he's clearly going to be a solid hockey player at the very least.