The Hurricanes look ahead following their trade deadline moves, while Scott Hartnell & Fedor Tyutin face uncertain futures in Columbus.
Expect Carolina Hurricanes GM Ron Francis to be working his phone in search of deals this summer.
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: In the wake of the Carolina Hurricanes recent trades of Eric Staal, Kris Versteeg and John-Michael Liles, Chip Alexander and Luke DeCock recently reported the Carolina Hurricanes have “turned the page” and focused on their long-term future. The recent moves netted the Hurricanes five draft picks and three prospects. Alexander notes GM Ron Francis wasn’t asked about his plans for pending UFA goalie Cam Ward, whose $6.3 million cap hit was likely too difficult to move.
DeCock also points out the Hurricanes have only 13 players under contract for 2016-17. With wealth in draft picks and cap space this summer, he anticipates the conditions are right for Francis to make a move if the right player becomes available.
Both report note the Hurricanes now have a total of 21 picks in the next two drafts:
2016 (11): 2 first, 2 second, 3 third, 1 fourth, 2 fifth, 1 sixth.
2017 (10): 1 first, 2 second, 3 third, 1 fourth, 1 fifth, 1 sixth, 1 seventh.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Francis did well getting the returns he did for Staal, Versteeg and Liles. With less than $39 million invested in 13 players, he’s going to be busy replenishing his roster. While I doubt he’ll spend to the cap ceiling, he will have the space to make a competitive bid or two via free agency. If the cap fails to significantly increase next season or actually declines, Francis could target clubs in need of shedding salary to become cap compliant for 2016-17. That’s where the depth in draft picks – particularly in the first, second and third rounds this year and second and third rounds next year – will be crucial.
We’ll get a clearer picture by mid-June, when the playoffs have ended and we get a better idea of which teams will become sellers and how much quality talent remains available in this summer’s free-agent market. I anticipate he’ll pursue a goaltender and scoring depth at forward.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Aaron Portzline recently reported on the uncertain future left wing Scott Hartnell and defenseman Fedor Tyutin face with the Blue Jackets. it was rumored both players were available leading up to the Feb. 29 trade deadline, though neither was moved. Their respective contracts, which contained no-movement clause, likely proved too difficult to move. Portzline speculates they could be moved this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It won’t be easy to move Hartnell ($4.75 milllion cap hit) or Tyutin($4.5 million cap hit) this summer, but not impossible. There will be several clubs with lots of cap space willing to pick up one or the other, provided those players waive their respective movement clauses. However, clubs interested in Hartnell or Tyutin could put the squeeze on Jackets management by asking for a young player, draft pick or prospect be included in the return. They could also be asked to take back a salaried player, perhaps one with a year or two left on their contracts at a lesser cap hit than Hartnell or Tyutin.
E.Stall is not looking good in the two games I have seen. If he get’s $5m it will be too much next year. Two seconds looks like an over spend at this point anyway…… Ward will be the next to go in Carolina.
I watched lastnights game he looked a step behind but could just be a settling in period too
I agree with the cap space available I could see Francis making somemoves similar to the Stars amd Jackets and leveraging a trade or 2 for some good players under contract on teams that will be tight against the cap. Its cheaper than going after ufas and could be a quicker remedy than waiting to see if draft picks develop, in a more fragile market that need to keep butts in the seats.
Give Staal a break. We all knew he was on a slight decline, he’s not 80+ points a year anymore. He was the best player in Carolina minus Jeff Skinner, but Skinner is a LW so Staal was a 1st liner. New teammates, less TOI, new system, all you need to do is give him some time to get the knowledge of how the game is different from the Hurricanes.
He was not even the best steal in Carolina…
I said the Staal trade was a Ranger mistake. Nothing I have seen so far makes me feel any different.
Ranger woes are like the sweet sound of music in the ears of the Penguins. The Rangers sold the farm on another underperforming player and the Penguins have a bunch of late round draft picks playing huge roles for the team this year. You can say all you want about the Pens mortgaging their future in the past but the picks they did make were good ones. It’s about time the Penguins see first hand what a little youthful hunger and enthusiasm can do to their lineup. They are playing good hockey right now despite their injuries and should be higher in the standings in no timez
“Another underachieving player”
Really? St. Louis wasn’t instrmental in their cup run? Yandle is “underachieving “? Staal has played 2 games in NY, he wasn’t exactly lighting up the nhl at the time of the trade. With a healthy Nash Staal will be a pretty good option on the 3rd line. Lets at least be fair and give him 3 games before completely writing him off.
Selling the farm is a little bit of a reach. 2 – 2nd round picks isn’t exactly “selling the farm”. If Kreider, Lindberg, Mcilrath, etc. were involved in the trade, you’d have a valid argument. 2-2nds will be missed in 5 years, they’re a team that wants to win now.
The fact that Staal has underachieved is exactly the reason why I did not want to trade for him.
NYR brought E. Staal in to be a 3rd line C. Nothing more than a depth move. He wasn’t brought into be a top 6 forward or carry this team. He’ll help. He’s a better option than Hayes as a #3 C & when Nash comes back, we’ll get a better look at what Vigneault’s line up plans are.
Deeeeeee you should be so happy. Pittsburgh’s clinging to the final playoff spot & a potential 1st round match up with Washington. Their 5-4-1 in their last 10 beating some real power houses in Buf, Car, Arz & Win. The only decent team they beat was NYR the other night when Lundqvist got hit by McDonaugh & gave up 3 goals in a min & 37 seconds before leaving injured. Losing to Bos, Tb, Flo, Was & NYR. NYR sits up points up.
Let’s have this discussion again in June as I don’t like these small snap shots but I wouldn’t be bragging about anything just yet. The seasons not over & the playoffs haven’t even started.
Carolina got 2 2nd’s; 2 very late 2nd’s, as opposed to less as they ate a significant portion of Eric’s cap hit. 1/2 his remaining salary which is still in access of 2 million dollars with the little time remaining. What better UFA 3rd line C was available?