Roster Building XXII: Too Many Forwards, Hopefully One Cup

[Blueline Bomber]

Well this board has thought many things that are wrong and its opinion are irrelevant (mine included). We missed Pesce and Fast a heck of more than any impact Guentzel had in the playoffs. He made little impact on the PP and the PK + right side of the defense was torched in the playoffs

Okay, but that's literally hindsight bias. There was no way to know Pesce or Fast would get hurt, so to suggest that we should have traded for a shutdown defenseman instead of an offensive threat is simply wrong, given what the team needed at the time.

And again, Guentzel was one of (if not THE) most successful trade deadline acquisition this organization has ever had. You can waive away his point totals like they don't matter, but that's doing a serious disservice to the impact he had.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

Okay, but that's literally hindsight bias. There was no way to know Pesce or Fast would get hurt, so to suggest that we should have traded for a shutdown defenseman instead of an offensive threat is simply wrong, given what the team needed at the time.

And again, Guentzel was one of (if not THE) most successful trade deadline acquisition this organization has ever had. You can waive away his point totals like they don't matter, but that's doing a serious disservice to the impact he had.

Im pretty sure our 2nd round exit did all the service necessary to his impact. He did nothing to change the issue this team has had for 5 off-seasons. Also shows the unnecessary drive for trade deadline rentals. But hey at least we have his points we can high five about

 

[hblueridgegal]

Carrier is back so I conclude RBA’s new injury description of “little more sting to it.“ is longer than a day but is not weeks:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1838605142091760073

Wish this experiment could evolve into something real: Svechnikov - Suzuki - Necas

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Im pretty sure our 2nd round exit did all the service necessary to his impact. He did nothing to change the issue this team has had for 5 off-seasons. Also shows the unnecessary drive for trade deadline rentals. But hey at least we have his points we can high five about

Well, unless Guentzel suddenly strapped on the pads, I'm not sure why you expected him to fix the issue the team has had for 5 off-seasons.

Unless you mean the powerplay, which is a hilarious take, because it relies on the notion that one player can cause the success or failure of a unit of players. Yep, it's definitely Jake's fault that our PP did the disappearing act in the playoffs again, and the fact that he himself couldn't fix that issue is a knock against him. Surely there's one player out there that will fix the obvious system issue

 

[CanesUltimate11]

Well, unless Guentzel suddenly strapped on the pads, I'm not sure why you expected him to fix the issue the team has had for 5 off-seasons.

Unless you mean the powerplay, which is a hilarious take, because it relies on the notion that one player can cause the success or failure of a unit of players. Yep, it's definitely Jake's fault that our PP did the disappearing act in the playoffs again, and the fact that he himself couldn't fix that issue is a knock against him. Surely there's one player out there that will fix the obvious system issue

Prime Ovi or maybe present day McDavid. But I might hesitate on McDavid since as awesome as he is someone still needs to finish his setups.

 

[WreckingCrew]

Well, unless Guentzel suddenly strapped on the pads, I'm not sure why you expected him to fix the issue the team has had for 5 off-seasons.

Unless you mean the powerplay, which is a hilarious take, because it relies on the notion that one player can cause the success or failure of a unit of players. Yep, it's definitely Jake's fault that our PP did the disappearing act in the playoffs again, and the fact that he himself couldn't fix that issue is a knock against him. Surely there's one player out there that will fix the obvious system issue

Yea, asking Guentzel to fix our awfully predictable PP scheme of smash from the point is a ridiculous sticking point. The team also suffered in general when he was taken from Aho-Jarvis and replaced with Svech because they had like 1 off-game together?

 

[chaz4hockey]

Chatty gets a call out for a possible breakout season:

Five players who could have breakout seasons in the NHL

Every season there are at least a few players who break through in a big way for their teams. Adam Vingan looks at five players who could deliver more than expected in 2024-25.

www.sportsnet.ca

 

[Tryamw]

No GDT?..a bold choice

 

[moses malone 12]

Im pretty sure our 2nd round exit did all the service necessary to his impact. He did nothing to change the issue this team has had for 5 off-seasons. Also shows the unnecessary drive for trade deadline rentals. But hey at least we have his points we can high five about

Tampa disagrees with your opinion but hey you already knew that. I guess their willingness to let Stamkos go and sign him should be considered a low impact move.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

Tampa disagrees with your opinion but hey you already knew that. I guess their willingness to let Stamkos go and sign him should be considered a low impact move.

Tampa disagrees how exactly? TB already has the group that get passed the 2nd round.

Also consider they tried to keep stamkos and keep their roster intact. Stamkos wasn’t buying that. TB had to get rid of Stamkos and Sergachev.

JBB hasn’t been great since taking over, we’ll see if this move pay off.

 

[robbieberns]

As frustrated as I am with the make up of our roster heading into the year, top 6 specifically, i’m personally going into the season with no expectations and will be caring more about the development of specific characters and roster situations then i’m going to be with team success.

Things i’ll be watching for:

Kotkaniemi - will have a very undeserved chance to place more 2C and see if he can fulfill any sort of potential or if he’s absolutely a confirmed bust, not getting my hopes up
Necas - can he finally make it work and become the major play driver for his own line and help us thrive or is our relationship with the player going to be a confirmed oil and water situation?
2LW - seems like Roslovic is pencilled in there but it’s a glaring hole in the line up and could a Nadeau step up and take it by the reigns?
Kochetkov - potential break out year, his performances this year will dictate what move we make next summer when Andersen’s contract is up

Orlov, Burns, Andersen being in their final years means roughly 16.5 coming off the books in the summer. Let’s just roll with the assumption that Nikishin slots in for Orlov next year and we spend roughly similar money on a backup/2B replacement for Andersen. Seems to me there’s considerable money on the table for a top 6 refresh/major shake up come summer time.

 

[Svechhammer]

As frustrated as I am with the make up of our roster heading into the year, top 6 specifically, i’m personally going into the season with no expectations and will be caring more about the development of specific characters and roster situations then i’m going to be with team success.

Things i’ll be watching for:

Kotkaniemi - will have a very undeserved chance to place more 2C and see if he can fulfill any sort of potential or if he’s absolutely a confirmed bust, not getting my hopes up
Necas - can he finally make it work and become the major play driver for his own line and help us thrive or is our relationship with the player going to be a confirmed oil and water situation?
2LW - seems like Roslovic is pencilled in there but it’s a glaring hole in the line up and could a Nadeau step up and take it by the reigns?
Kochetkov - potential break out year, his performances this year will dictate what move we make next summer when Andersen’s contract is up

Orlov, Burns, Andersen being in their final years means roughly 16.5 coming off the books in the summer. Let’s just roll with the assumption that Nikishin slots in for Orlov next year and we spend roughly similar money on a backup/2B replacement for Andersen. Seems to me there’s considerable money on the table for a top 6 refresh/major shake up come summer time.

My predictions -

KK is a bust. Just don't see it with him, he's had so many chances to take control of his career and he keeps fumbling the bag. He's got the skill, he's just really incapable of putting it all together, and I'm not sure he ever will.
Necas is who he is and will not change, at least not in Carolina. He will continue to frustrate because he's always going to have heropuck tendencies as he's good enough to actually make it work more times than not, but he's never been able to adjust his game to tight defenses that take away skating lanes. The point of breaking him of those tendencies has passed.
2LW - No idea. Really is up in the air. Definitely Roslovic's for now, but I am not discounting the ability for any of the glut of prospects to stand out and take it by force this year. The opportunity is absolutely there, for both 2LW and 2C, to be honest.
Kooch is the real deal. He gets better with every game he plays and this year he shows us he's a legit high end starting goalie in this league.

I will also say I wouldn't downplay Orlov coming back, even when Nikishin comes in. I do think there could be value in having one of the better Russian defensemen in the NHL mentoring one of the best young Russian defensemen in the world the first year or 2 in the league.

 

[bleedgreen]

My predictions -

KK is a bust. Just don't see it with him, he's had so many chances to take control of his career and he keeps fumbling the bag. He's got the skill, he's just really incapable of putting it all together, and I'm not sure he ever will.
Necas is who he is and will not change, at least not in Carolina. He will continue to frustrate because he's always going to have heropuck tendencies as he's good enough to actually make it work more times than not, but he's never been able to adjust his game to tight defenses that take away skating lanes. The point of breaking him of those tendencies has passed.
2LW - No idea. Really is up in the air. Definitely Roslovic's for now, but I am not discounting the ability for any of the glut of prospects to stand out and take it by force this year. The opportunity is absolutely there, for both 2LW and 2C, to be honest.
Kooch is the real deal. He gets better with every game he plays and this year he shows us he's a legit high end starting goalie in this league.

I will also say I wouldn't downplay Orlov coming back, even when Nikishin comes in. I do think there could be value in having one of the better Russian defensemen in the NHL mentoring one of the best young Russian defensemen in the world the first year or 2 in the league.

Depending on Orlov’s play this year there could be a lot of value in him coming back next year. Price is an issue though as we overpaid for short term and would likely have to do more of that.

 

[CandyCanes]

I'm all for finding a way to bringing Orlov back if we can find a way to address the top 6 forwards first. But I do think it makes the most sense to move on from him and allocate his $7.8m cap space to the forward position. Also we have to address the RD if Burns is done after this season. Unless we think Walker can step in next to Slavin & they have a lot of trust in Morrow to be our #2 or #3.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

Orlov is going to want a big payday for 4-5 years until he is 37 to 38.

 

[chaz4hockey]

My predictions -

KK is a bust. Just don't see it with him, he's had so many chances to take control of his career and he keeps fumbling the bag. He's got the skill, he's just really incapable of putting it all together, and I'm not sure he ever will.
Necas is who he is and will not change, at least not in Carolina. He will continue to frustrate because he's always going to have heropuck tendencies as he's good enough to actually make it work more times than not, but he's never been able to adjust his game to tight defenses that take away skating lanes. The point of breaking him of those tendencies has passed.
2LW - No idea. Really is up in the air. Definitely Roslovic's for now, but I am not discounting the ability for any of the glut of prospects to stand out and take it by force this year. The opportunity is absolutely there, for both 2LW and 2C, to be honest.
Kooch is the real deal. He gets better with every game he plays and this year he shows us he's a legit high end starting goalie in this league.

I will also say I wouldn't downplay Orlov coming back, even when Nikishin comes in. I do think there could be value in having one of the better Russian defensemen in the NHL mentoring one of the best young Russian defensemen in the world the first year or 2 in the league.

re: necas. I've watched the ranger series a few times over the summer (ouch) and I'd suggest the Necas that played the last few games was the best player on the ice. More physical, defensively responsible and electric offensively despite rangers playing a tight checking approach.

So....cautiously optimistic.

KK...last call for him. Hopefully, he finds it.

Damn, Jesper still with a neck brace.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1838950841916506392

 

[cptjeff]

Damn, Jesper still with a neck brace.

That really sucks for him. Can't imagine he'll play hockey again at this rate, just hope he'll be able to recover well enough to live the rest of his life without trouble.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

Depending on Orlov’s play this year there could be a lot of value in him coming back next year. Price is an issue though as we overpaid for short term and would likely have to do more of that.

I actually think we could see the opposite with him. Long term low AAV

 

[spockBokk]

I don’t see a fit for Orlov after this season with Walker and Gostibehere signed to multi-year extensions. Orlov at a high aav for 2yrs was always meant as Pesce/Skjei insurance and as a bridge to Nikishin.

If they re-upped him they run the risk of blocking other up and coming and most importantly, cheap replacements. As long as they expect Nikishin to be what he’s projected to be, I just don’t see Orlov sticking around past this season. He’s likely to want more term than the Canes would be willing to offer. Also, with Nikishin on an ELC and Walker/Gostisbehere on reasonable deals, next year is past time to blow the wad on forward upgrades.

 

[bleedgreen]

I actually think we could see the opposite with him. Long term low AAV

Really comes down to the year he has and how much he likes the idea of being here, with maybe the thought of mentoring Nikishin being part of it. At the end of the day you get him wanting to grab the biggest bag he can but we will be able to offer him being a mentor while playing for an above average team with playoff hopes.

He would be in time giving up his role to the guy he’s mentoring if things go well though…