Roster Building XXV: Winning Rantanen's Undying Love

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The conundrum with Andersen is that he's a high-performing goalie when he's available. Is Demko going to be that much of an upgrade considering that he also has a bunch of health questions? If I were Tulsky, I would take the swing for Vejmelka, high-dollar extension and all, but again, I'm not him. Andersen and Demko, in weird sorts of ways, represent a sort of value proposition because of said injury history.

Honestly, if keeping Andersen meant that we had a LeBron/Bosh era Miami Heat-esque offseason at forward with Rantanen and Marner, I'd be OK with that. Scott Morrow's developmental track makes that quite possible.
not sure he'd get to FA but I'd much rather go for Marchand than Marner if Brad gets to UFA. Older BUT he'll be about 4-5M a year cheaper and he's a better two-way forward. He's also a natural LW whereas Marner is yet another RW. Marchand-Aho-Jarvis might be the most annoying line to play against in the league in a long loooooooong time in all 3 zones.
 
ESPN view on what Canes needs areTDL (IMO, they miss the mark big time as Canes are not putting Nikishin in play and they need a top versus mediocre C + probably a RD this year). Anyway:
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ESPN view on what Canes needs areTDL (IMO, they miss the mark big time as Canes are not putting Nikishin in play and they need a top versus mediocre C + probably a RD this year). Anyway:
View attachment 982047
What's in Play: First round picks and Canes best prospect

What they Need: 4th liners!!

Uhhhhh, that lines up about as well as "RBA isn't liked by players but is a great tactician"
 
ESPN view on what Canes needs areTDL (IMO, they miss the mark big time as Canes are not putting Nikishin in play and they need a top versus mediocre C + probably a RD this year). Anyway:
View attachment 982047
Man every time I read something from ESPN about hockey, I am further convinced the NHL made a mistake with going back to them, especially now that MLB has cut their ties as well.
 
After the disastrous start in Chicago, things are looking rosier for some younger Canes to make the squad.

  • We all knew Nikishin was coming over, so we potentially have a top 4 D there.
  • Jackson Blake surprisingly made the team and looks like a top 6 winger for the foreseeable future.
  • Scott Morrow looks likely to take over as a PPQB and puck moving defenseman in 25-26 or 26-27.
  • Nadeau could be another top 6 winger option and add goal scoring that this squad needs.
  • Add to it Artamanov's strong year in the KHL
  • Charles-Alexis Legault looks like he could be a defensive defenseman in the NHL

There have been some nice developments this year. On the other hand, FUS has had a pretty disappointing rookie year in the AHL. We also haven't seen a big jump in production in many of our prospects. Other than Artamanov, most of them haven't impressed to the point of making me think "we have an NHLer here". Most disappointing may be Dom Badinka. Though he's played in the SHL all year, his stats don't wow you for an early 2nd rounder.
 
After the disastrous start in Chicago, things are looking rosier for some younger Canes to make the squad.

  • We all knew Nikishin was coming over, so we potentially have a top 4 D there.
  • Jackson Blake surprisingly made the team and looks like a top 6 winger for the foreseeable future.
  • Scott Morrow looks likely to take over as a PPQB and puck moving defenseman in 25-26 or 26-27.
  • Nadeau could be another top 6 winger option and add goal scoring that this squad needs.
  • Add to it Artamanov's strong year in the KHL
  • Charles-Alexis Legault looks like he could be a defensive defenseman in the NHL

There have been some nice developments this year. On the other hand, FUS has had a pretty disappointing rookie year in the AHL. We also haven't seen a big jump in production in many of our prospects. Other than Artamanov, most of them haven't impressed to the point of making me think "we have an NHLer here". Most disappointing may be Dom Badinka. Though he's played in the SHL all year, his stats don't wow you for an early 2nd rounder.
Nice Summary...taking your list and projecting them out:
  1. Nadeau replaces Roslovic with Canes
  2. Morrow replaces Burns (PP1 QB) with Canes
  3. Nikishin replaces Orlov (PP2 QB?) with Canes
  4. CAL gets top D pairing in Chicago next 2 years with NHL projection in '27-'28 to replace Chatty
  5. Artamonov replaces Nadeau in Chicago
  6. FUS continues to play in Chicago
Other prospects thoughts:
  1. Suzuki is probably traded this year or is not re-signed
  2. Gleb Trikovoz stays in Chicago
  3. Canes need to decide on defensive players whose 3 year ELC's expire: Honka, Seeley, Fensore
  4. Canes need to decide on offensive players whose 3 year ELC's expire" Gunler
What do you think Canes will do with the question mark prospects?
 
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Nice Summary...taking your list and projecting them out:
  1. Nadeau replaces Roslovic with Canes
  2. Morrow replaces Burns (PP1 QB) with Canes
  3. Nikishin replaces Orlov (PP2 QB?) with Canes
  4. CAL gets top D pairing in Chicago next 2 years with NHL projection in '27-'28 to replace Chatty
  5. Artamonov replaces Nadeau in Chicago
  6. FUS continues to play in Chicago
Makes sense except it forgets Ghost. Ghost will QB PP1, and I think Nikishin-Morrow is a pair on PP2. Yes it's 2 rookies, but I don't think it's any less of an issue than 4 forwards on PP2.
 
Most disappointing may be Dom Badinka. Though he's played in the SHL all year, his stats don't wow you for an early 2nd rounder.
As a 19yo playing in a men's league (SHL) and never having been known for his offensive output, I don't think it's fair to look for impressive stats. In watching video from his draft year, his skating and approach to defense reminded me of the way Slavin plays the game (as opposed to Pesce or Chatfield), and I don't think Slavin had impressive stats.
 
Blake/Aho/Rantanen?
Hall?/KK/Svech
Martinook/Staal/Jarvis
Carrier/Nadeau/Robinson

I don't love it.

Ideally we'd bring in another LW to play on the top line (I think Blake will find his way back one day) and move everyone down. I'd go with Hall for a year or two until Artamonov is ready to take his place. I would love to see us at least try Jarvis as 2C and let KK and Nadeau fight it out for 4th line duties.

As someone who is a founding member of the FUS bandwagon, I somehow forgot how young he is. He feels almost a whole year younger than his class so if he struggles, it's a lot more palatable because there is still much more time to fill out his frame and grow. I absolutely thought he'd be in the NHL by now but it does make a lot of sense why he hasn't.
 

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