MENGENAI EPISOD INI
The Hurricanes finally climbed the mountain, and now the real pressure starts: doing it again. We’re celebrating two years of Erin & Katie's in sight on stormTRacker with a special "Mailbag" episode that turns into a blueprint for a Carolina Hurricanes repeat, from contract leverage to lineup chemistry to the unglamorous details that separate contenders from champions.
We spend serious time on the biggest offseason storyline: Alexander Nikishin. Is this a trade, a standoff, or the kind of bridge deal that keeps everyone protected while the season plays out? We break down why a short extension can boost trade value, how an RFA can complicate negotiations, and why the Canes are unlikely to move a high-end defenseman for a cheap return. Then we zoom out to roster efficiency, salary cap timing, and what it means to be a Cup winner with a lineup that still grades out as strong value.
From there, we hit the on-ice swing factors that could define 2026-27. Shayne Gostisbehere’s health and the Hurricanes power play go hand in hand, and we explain why his quarterbacking changes the whole feel of the offense. We also tackle Seth Jarvis’s recovery from offseason surgery, what a realistic ramp-up can look like, and how that affects opening-night lines. And because it’s a mailbag, we get into the fun stuff too: Bradly Nadeau vs Felix Unger Sorum, rookie goal expectations, goaltending confidence in Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov, and whether PTO invites could add useful depth.
If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe, share the show with a fellow Canes fan, and leave a review so more people can find stormTRacker. What’s the one move or development you think matters most for a repeat?
Highlights:
Nikishin’s leverage as an RFA and why a bridge deal fits both sides
• How trade value changes once a player is signed
• Why roster efficiency and contract value matter for a repeat bid
• Shane Gostisbehere’s health as a power play swing factor
• Bradley Nadeau vs Felix Unger Sorum for NHL games played
• Realistic goal expectations for Nadeau based on deployment
• Opening-night line combos without Jarvis and how Rod might experiment
• “Eating crow” on past takes, including playoff performers
• Long-term planning for a Jordan Staal replacement and what it means for Aho
• Goaltending outlook for Brandon Bussey and Pyotr Kochetkov
• PTO options for depth and what a short preseason changes
#soundthesiren #canes #hockey #erictulsky #raiseup #stormtracker23 #rodbrindamour #lockedonhurricanes #Canescast #thestormsurge #AlexanderNikishin #carolinahurricanes #Jesperi Kokaniemi #causechaos #sebastianaho #andreisvechnikov #nikolajehlers #philadelphiaflyers #nhlhockey #nhlplayoffs
DALAM EPISOD INI
Tunjukkan NOTA 🔗
TRANSKRIP 🔗
00:00:32.719 --> 00:00:44.240
Well, as Aaron, Katie, and I celebrate our second year together on Storm Tracker, a lot of folks are asking: can the Carolina Hurricanes repeat in 26-27?
00:00:45.120 --> 00:00:50.480
Some key questions still need to be answered if the Canes are going to repeat.
00:00:50.719 --> 00:00:55.359
Will Alexander Nikishan be with the Canes come September?
00:00:56.160 --> 00:01:01.760
Will Brandon Bussey or Piotr Kochetkov be able to carry the load in net?
00:01:02.560 --> 00:01:08.800
And who fills in for Seth Jarvis while he recovers from off-season surgery?
00:01:09.120 --> 00:01:18.800
Lots to talk about with the Canes as usual, and I'm sure Aaron and Katie will have lots to say in our special mailbag episode.
00:01:19.200 --> 00:01:19.840
Hello.
00:01:21.520 --> 00:01:23.840
Hi, it's great to be here after two years.
00:01:23.920 --> 00:01:25.439
I can't believe it's been that long.
00:01:25.680 --> 00:01:28.640
And you know, when you think about it, we started this podcast two years ago.
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We were still talking about will they ever be able to win a Stanley Cup under Rod Brindamore?
00:01:33.280 --> 00:01:37.680
And so you know that that question got answered a lot more quickly than it does for other teams.
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I feel pretty lucky.
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It has been a fantastic two years.
00:01:42.479 --> 00:01:51.680
It's been so good to be able to delve into the Keynes with the two of you and then with our audience more broadly and talk about lots of interesting things.
00:01:51.920 --> 00:02:02.319
And I can't help but you mentioned the Nikitian thing, and we had a Russian prospects episode that we did that was like our second or third episode at the very beginning of this podcast.
00:02:02.479 --> 00:02:02.640
Yeah.
00:02:03.039 --> 00:02:05.360
He was one of the featured players we talked about.
00:02:05.520 --> 00:02:11.199
So it's really cool to see how all of that has developed over these two years as well.
00:02:11.920 --> 00:02:13.599
Yeah, you know, I mean, exactly.
00:02:13.759 --> 00:02:14.719
And it's been a lot of fun.
00:02:14.800 --> 00:02:18.640
And what did you ever see that you know they'd win a cup?
00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:24.080
We might have been uh part of the uh good luck charm in that regard.
00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:25.520
And you know, just a comment.
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I mean, you know, over 50,000 views since we've been together on StormTracker YouTube channel, which we're delighted with this, and we've been growing the whole time.
00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:39.039
And and it such a big thanks to all the folks who've come and spent time with us.
00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:40.640
So it's fantastic.
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And and again, uh, you know, we're seeing good growth on the audio side too, for sure.
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And and a lot of folks listening on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and some of the other guys.
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So thanks for doing that and spending time with us.
00:02:52.800 --> 00:02:54.879
Boy, it's it's just been awesome.
00:02:55.200 --> 00:02:59.040
Storm Tracker Podcast, Mailbag.
00:03:03.520 --> 00:03:06.560
It is mailbag episode for us.
00:03:06.800 --> 00:03:09.360
Um, and let's get let's get right into it.
00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:20.159
The first question uh comes from Carolina Keynes fan, and she says it's probably going to be a popular one, but what's going on with Nikishan?
00:03:20.640 --> 00:03:24.240
Do you think he will resign with us if we trade him?
00:03:24.400 --> 00:03:29.520
Do you think we would go after another D-man or a possible high-scoring forward?
00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:31.600
Boy, there's the million-dollar questions.
00:03:31.760 --> 00:03:33.680
Woo, who wants this one?
00:03:35.280 --> 00:03:44.400
Jump right in with that because I think that the Nikkeian situation is going to evolve in a very similar way as the Natchez situation did.
00:03:44.640 --> 00:03:55.360
Natus was very vocal about the fact that he wanted a bigger role on the team and thought that his skill set deserved more ice time and more opportunities than he was getting currently.
00:03:55.680 --> 00:03:58.640
And Nikitation seems to be feeling the same way.
00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:24.639
He hasn't necessarily come out and said it, but through the report we saw from Dario with RG Sports, with him wanting a larger paycheck and um also commenting that he's perhaps not interested in returning to the Keynes, one can only surmise that's because he wants a bigger role that better suits what he sees as his biggest skills that he can offer to a team in the NHL.
00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:46.240
And so because they have such parallel starts to that trajectory, I really think that the way that it's going to turn out is a similar result where Nikishan signs a two-year extension with the Canes for something not$8 million, but definitely a substantial pay raise to what he had been making.
00:04:46.560 --> 00:04:51.439
And told, okay, we're going to give you some opportunities, we're going to get you your ice time.
00:04:51.680 --> 00:05:05.439
Here's for you to showcase what you can do so that when we get a trade proposal that we like, then we will pull the trigger there and let you move on to another team the same way that they did with Natchez and the Ev.
00:05:05.920 --> 00:05:07.759
So that's really how I see it going.
00:05:07.840 --> 00:05:16.160
And I wouldn't be surprised if that ends up being another D-man, particularly a right-handed D-man, so they can have that balance in the lineup.
00:05:16.400 --> 00:05:17.680
Of course, you never know.
00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:25.680
Injuries, play, that sort of thing could turn into a different player he would be traded for, but that's all dependent upon how the season progresses.
00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:27.199
So what do you think, Aaron?
00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:34.000
You think that it's gonna be an extension, or you think he's gonna be traded before skates hit the ice come preseason?
00:05:35.040 --> 00:05:39.040
I think they made a good faith effort to trade him based on some of the rumors that we heard.
00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:40.720
Um, I wouldn't be surprised.
00:05:40.800 --> 00:05:43.920
Um there's, you know, he's got family members involved in this too.
00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:49.759
His girlfriend is expecting their first child, and she is a uh synchronized swimmer, I believe, from Russia.
00:05:49.920 --> 00:06:00.240
So this is this is something that, you know, these these sometimes these decisions don't just come from my role, my ice time, my money, but it's also what does do they need to do for the sake of the entire family?
00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:05.199
I think that they did, like I said, they you know, we know the Rangers had a conversation.
00:06:05.280 --> 00:06:10.960
They they weren't ready to um agree to the amount of money, but that was something that that they were, you know, talking to.
00:06:11.040 --> 00:06:23.519
And so for the Keynes to be willing even to allow him to be traded, you know, within the conference and everything, and it's like, okay, um, they're they're doing they did their best, I think, to try to to find him a place that he could go to right away.
00:06:23.680 --> 00:06:28.480
If that doesn't happen, you gotta fall back, and you gotta fall back, like Katie said, to let's get the bridge deal done.
00:06:28.560 --> 00:06:31.040
Because the problem, I mean, we see a lot of proposals going on with the St.
00:06:31.120 --> 00:06:31.840
Louis Blues.
00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:35.120
I mean, a lot of blues fans are talking about, well, we could get this guy.
00:06:35.360 --> 00:06:39.199
The problem is the Blues aren't gonna want to trade for him unsigned.
00:06:40.400 --> 00:06:52.400
Even though he's an RFA, he could drag his heels, he could refuse to come to camp, he could sit in Russia, he could, you know, just stay there and practice and practice and and not come back, and they don't want to be in that situation.
00:06:52.639 --> 00:06:57.920
So I don't see any way they can get a trade done unless they can get an extension signed with Nikishan first.
00:06:58.079 --> 00:07:00.960
That's where the bridge deal, like Katie said with Natus, that's what they were doing.
00:07:01.040 --> 00:07:04.000
You know, a bridge deal is basically a way of saying, well, this is the contract.
00:07:04.160 --> 00:07:13.040
If someone trades for you, they know they've got at least one more year that they can negotiate with you, and they're not looking at losing you for nothing and giving up assets for the privilege of doing that.
00:07:13.199 --> 00:07:14.319
So that's what I see.
00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:19.680
Yeah, Adam Gold uh, you know, he said today it's looking like a bridge deal.
00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:22.160
So you know, he's pretty close to the Keynes.
00:07:22.240 --> 00:07:28.720
I mean, Daria uh Tugold Saba, who was on the RG side, she's she's pretty good.
00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:31.920
And she did a great interview of Nikisha, I thought it was kind of fun.
00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:36.000
Um, and you know, you learn more about him uh with each one of these interviews.
00:07:36.160 --> 00:07:46.800
So yeah, he's he he's planning to take the cup uh in the US, which is kind of fun, just before camp, I guess he's gonna pick up the cup and get out.
00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:50.000
He doesn't know whether he's doing it at Raleigh, I guess, or if he's gonna go to Florida.
00:07:50.079 --> 00:07:52.000
But but he's gonna have some fun with his family.
00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:54.319
And he did mention his family in that article, Aaron.
00:07:54.480 --> 00:07:55.519
So I think you're right on it.
00:07:55.840 --> 00:08:04.720
Um yeah, uh look, the situation is one where the canes aren't going to give him up for little, so we know that for sure.
00:08:05.040 --> 00:08:12.560
I think they would like to just sign him uh you know to a deal, and the bridge deal would be the best for all parties concerned.
00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:14.639
Uh what would a bridge look like?
00:08:14.800 --> 00:08:15.840
That's interesting.
00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:18.800
Ooh, that's a good question.
00:08:18.960 --> 00:08:26.240
Um again, I think it needs to be something two years and not quite as high as he's asking.
00:08:26.879 --> 00:08:31.280
You know, six to seven million dollars uh AAV.
00:08:34.319 --> 00:08:36.559
So you're thinking two and not three.
00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:54.480
Yeah, because it gives it gives them the opportunity to sign him or to trade him this year, and then it gives the receiving team, like Aaron said, an extra year to um to try and convince him to to stay in it that they want that he wants that team to be his long-term home.
00:08:55.600 --> 00:08:56.159
Yeah.
00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:57.519
Yeah, okay.
00:08:57.759 --> 00:09:03.919
So so do we kind of think, I mean, as we sit here, do we kind of think then that he's gonna be a camp?
00:09:06.320 --> 00:09:14.799
If they sign him to a bridge deal before um hand, I do think he will, because I think like like what Katie's saying is that you know, and what you said just a minute ago, they're not gonna give him for nothing.
00:09:15.039 --> 00:09:17.039
They're gonna want a decent return.
00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:20.159
You know, this is somebody that they've they were excited about bringing over.
00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:21.600
He we we all see the talent.
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The talent is there, you know.
00:09:23.200 --> 00:09:25.600
He's going to be a menace wherever he ends up.
00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:26.080
Yeah.
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I can understand from his thinking, I don't want to wait five years to have a chance to be uh in the top four, you know, because you've got Slavin and Miller ahead of him now.
00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:37.360
So that wasn't the case when he first was acquired by the Canes.
00:09:37.440 --> 00:09:38.720
They didn't have Keandre Miller.
00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:44.000
So if there's not a slot, you can't really blame him for wanting to move on.
00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:48.399
But you also know the Canes are gonna say, okay, we know how much this player is worth, though.
00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:55.279
We're not giving him away for the return you might get for a third-pair defenseman because he really isn't a third-pair defenseman either.
00:09:55.440 --> 00:09:56.159
We know that.
00:09:56.399 --> 00:09:57.440
So No.
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Yeah.
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A two-year bridge gives them a chance to maximize the trade return just like they did with Natus.
00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:10.320
You know, they want they just was included in a lot of conversations about Pederson back in the day, and then ended up being moved for Brandon.
00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:12.000
So well, you know, you're right.
00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:17.039
And you know, the thing about it though is that uh things change a lot during the season, as we know.
00:10:17.200 --> 00:10:17.680
Oh yeah.
00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:21.600
I mean, I you know, I think the conversation is probably don't worry, you're gonna play.
00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:22.159
Right.
00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:25.600
There'll be injuries, there'll be all kinds of situations that'll take place.
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You know, maybe players aren't playing as well and he can move up.
00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:32.399
And you know, I think a lot of this is blown out of out of proportion.
00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:36.560
They just need to get a bridge deal done, which was probably the best way to go in the first place.
00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:40.320
Because you know, the agent's gonna want him to get the maximum dollars.
00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:42.159
The bridge gets them the way to do that.
00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:46.159
And for the canes, it allows them to kind of bring him along as as they want to.
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And and you know, we've got some contracts coming up at the end of this year, right?
00:10:50.960 --> 00:10:53.519
So, you know, it kind of this all makes sense to me.
00:10:53.600 --> 00:10:56.799
I don't see any I just don't see a situation where he should get traded.
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I don't I don't see that the thing is the canes have hold all the cards.
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You know, he wasn't eligible for arbitration, that sort of thing.
00:11:05.680 --> 00:11:18.480
So he either plays for them according to their terms, or he he misses out and he has what until December 1st to accept a contract, or he's out of luck for the entire season.
00:11:18.799 --> 00:11:21.680
So ultimately, both sides are gonna be flexible.
00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:26.960
I think the canes are gonna work with him, but at the same time, they're not going to just trade him away for peanuts.
00:11:27.039 --> 00:11:35.200
They are going to do what they feel is best for the team overall while still taking into consideration his wants and needs.
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I I really trust that the way that this ends up working out will be good for both player and team in the line.
00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:48.639
A couple of the long-term contracts we've seen signed, including the that huge one for Macklin Solavrini, you know.
00:11:48.799 --> 00:12:09.200
Um, one of the interesting things somebody pointed out the other day is a lot of these guys are, you know, they're signing with their current team, they're happy to sign, they're getting these deals, they're signing for five years because the cap rising as much as it is, is not making any of these young guys want seven-year deals, which of course now they can't do eight, they have to do seven, but um you know the middle of September.
00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:13.039
They can do oh, okay, they can still do eight, but yeah, but then nobody wants an eight-year this year.
00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:25.519
Well, there was an interesting article in the Athletic recently, and they were talking about you know, some of these some of the deals that have been done by the teams and the Keynes, I mean, they got in just before the deals they did are crazy.
00:12:25.919 --> 00:12:29.120
I think that segues nicely into the next question we've got, doesn't it?
00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:30.159
Well, okay, yeah.
00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:31.840
Mark Hosen, yeah, absolutely.
00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:40.720
Mark Hosen uh says efficiency of roster and Gosta Sper staying healthy and still think they will keep Nikisha.
00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:44.480
Okay, so he's kind of looking at the whole piece here.
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Do you want to who wants to grab that one?
00:12:47.919 --> 00:12:48.720
I'll jump in.
00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:56.879
Uh the the uh the roster efficiency, um, you know, they they are the best in the league, according to the athletics dumb Lucius Shushin.
00:12:57.039 --> 00:12:57.919
I can never say his name.
00:12:58.000 --> 00:12:58.799
I'm sorry about that.
00:12:58.879 --> 00:12:59.519
I try.
00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:11.440
But um but uh you know they they are they are at the top, they have the best roster in terms of their how their contracts uh you know look and how everything looks.
00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:25.120
And that's you know, despite two contracts in the negative, a slight negative for Carrier, and of course the big negative for Kokinyemi, but even that negative is not as big as some of the negatives for teams that have you know many, many contracts in the red.
00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:26.080
That that's it.
00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:37.759
Everybody else is you know extremely good value, and you know, the the teams are you know, it's for a team that is a not just a contender, but the the current Stanley Cup champion, this is unheard of.
00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:47.600
You don't have a team that just won the Stanley Cup that has a contract list where everybody is a good contract, you know, minus those two that we mentioned.
00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:53.759
And they aren't losing anybody, and nobody was yet, they didn't have any UFAs, they didn't have, I mean, except for Freddie Anderson.
00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:58.240
And I mean, we will miss Freddie for sure, but you know that that is that is where they are.
00:13:58.320 --> 00:14:04.399
So it's unreal how well positioned the Keynes are from that standpoint, as far as maybe repeating or something.
00:14:04.560 --> 00:14:06.720
Um, and I know we already talked about Nikishan.
00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:08.560
Um, go staying healthy is gonna be important.
00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:10.560
He only played 55 games last season.
00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:10.960
Yes.
00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:13.519
Um, he had 50 points in 55 games.
00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:15.360
He was doing great when he was playing.
00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:22.320
Um, but when you look over his 12 seasons so far in the NHL, um he's played at least 76 games out of um six of those 12 years.
00:14:22.560 --> 00:14:26.240
And a couple of the years where he didn't hit 76 were the COVID-shortened seasons.
00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:31.680
So you look at all of that, he doesn't have a history of being a player who's injured and out all the time.
00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:34.320
It was an unusual year, I think, for him.
00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:38.720
So yeah, having a fully healthy Shane Gostasper for the entire year.
00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:43.840
Yeah, it's an important year for him, too, because the contract.
00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:44.240
Yeah.
00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:44.799
Yeah.
00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:52.960
I I mean, if we had a healthy ghost being able to run that power play, think about how long it took the power play to get going last season.
00:14:53.279 --> 00:15:01.279
It was in the bottom of the league for the first couple of months, and then Stahl goes on the power play and it just starts clicking.
00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:05.120
And part of the reason it's clicking is ghost hit a groove.
00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:14.000
And he was so good at that quarterback position and being able to direct traffic and see plays develop and know who was going to be open.
00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:24.000
It didn't matter which group he played with, he was usually with the first group, but sometimes he'd go out there with the second group if that first line had been out as the penalty was called and were gassed.
00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:26.560
And and he could work with any of them.
00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:40.080
And so it's really, really key for him to be healthy because if the canes are going to defend their Stanley Cup title well and strong in the regular season, they are going to need a really good power play.
00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:49.360
And that starts with Ghost and foremost, because we've seen it doesn't really matter which group is out there, one or two, they both are capable of getting the job done.
00:15:49.440 --> 00:16:01.200
But ghost is the one that really drives that play and helps that um helps that go smoothly and create lots of opportunities, not just the first chance, but also a second chance, third chance, and so on.
00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:05.600
So you've got gotta have ghost, gotta have him firing.
00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:12.720
Yeah, I mean 50 points in 55 games is like over 70 on a on an AD each season.
00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:13.919
I mean, that's incredible, right?
00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:17.360
Like that's just that's that's I don't think the canes have had that.
00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:21.120
I don't remember the canes having that for a long, long time if they did.
00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:30.000
Um I mean it's it's a critical kayel makar patterned his game when he was in college off of Shanghai's despair.
00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:41.840
When Kale McCart needed inspiration for how he should play the game, especially as an offensively minded defenseman, he looked to Ghost.
00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:44.159
So ghost is important.
00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:48.399
It's he's not just some third-pairing defenseman.
00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:50.639
He is going to be a key member of the Canes.
00:16:50.799 --> 00:16:55.200
And isn't this the last year of his current contract?
00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:57.279
It is, it is.
00:16:57.440 --> 00:16:58.320
I was gonna mention that.
00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.440
Yes, this is his last year.
00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:23.919
And so if he shows, hey, I'm good, I'm healthy, I'm producing, I'm a key member of this team, he is more likely to get at that extension that he's looking for to stay in Raleigh rather than the canes saying, thanks, Ghost, but you're a little on the wrong side of the aging curve, and we need to look to the future.
00:17:24.159 --> 00:17:30.000
So that that that is something important to take into consideration as him being on that last year of his contract.
00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:31.839
Okay, good good question.
00:17:31.919 --> 00:17:36.799
And I think uh yeah, all thumbs up for uh for what's happening with the canes on that side.
00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:41.599
Let's go to uh an area I really enjoy, some Chicago Wolves guys.
00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:49.680
Um here's Reese and uh between Bradley Nadeau and Felix Unger Sorm, who do you think plays the most games for the Hurricanes?
00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:59.039
And you can say neither if you think both are just trade chips, but I think they're both intriguing players in interesting situations.
00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:01.920
Hmm, well, I'll kick this one off.
00:18:02.160 --> 00:18:07.039
Um Felix Ungersorm, he came back from you know a tough year last year.
00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:17.440
He had a tremendous year, he led the Wolsen scoring, and and you know, if you listen to the comments from the coaching staff, and we've had them on the podcast, and they they rave about Felix.
00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:23.200
And he the big thing he did, which will help him get into the NHL, is he strengthened up quite a bit.
00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:26.160
That was the big thing with uh Jack Ronzel.
00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:31.519
Uh, the uh strength and conditioning coach spent a lot of time with him, and I think that's really key.
00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:33.920
So he's ready, like he's ready to go.
00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:40.880
And I think it's a great question from Reese because you know, a lot of folks are thinking it's obviously Bradley Nadeau, but you know what?
00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:43.039
Felix is gonna he's gonna push.
00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:44.880
He's very close as well.
00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:47.920
So, uh, either one of these guys.
00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:51.599
Where are you guys on this?
00:18:53.440 --> 00:19:00.720
I think that if we're talking about the immediate future, now if we're talking about career uh over their entire career, how many games will they play for the Hurricanes?
00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:02.319
I think that's really unknowable at this point.
00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:04.559
You could have them leave for another team and come back.
00:19:04.640 --> 00:19:06.319
You never know the way things work out with the Canes.
00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:07.920
And we saw that with Freddie Anderson.
00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:11.440
Um so we we don't really know um as far as that goes.
00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:21.839
But as far as the immediate future, I think that the immediate future answer is pretty clearly going to be Nadeau because he is he is pushing for the NHL spot, but he's also in that make or break it kind of year.
00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:28.559
He has played as long as you know a player really should play in the AHL if they're going to have an NHL career.
00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:34.559
Um the type of player that he is, the type of scorer that he is, it's kind of now or never for him.
00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:53.039
Um and it's not that that is a a huge position for him to be in right now, you know, where he has to either make the roster, be there opening night to fill in that spot we talked about for Seth Jarvis, you know, or I mean in in some way or another, whether he's actually up there or whether we are treated to another round of first slide Martinook.
00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:54.960
Um my joke, I know.
00:19:55.200 --> 00:20:00.799
But uh hey, first slide Martinick, first line Martinick isn't a joke anymore.
00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:02.960
First slide Martinook won a Stanley Cup, you know?
00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:05.759
So yeah, we can't say that anymore.
00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:08.000
So no, it's it's but I mean that's just it.
00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:14.480
We don't know exactly where Nadeau would slide in, but he does have a better chance of sliding in on this roster than Ungerswarm right now.
00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:19.599
And I think that Unger Swarm also, that being that he's only just 20, he's not at the make or break year yet.
00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:25.200
He is easy to send back and forth up from, you know, if he needs to come up from Chicago and play a few games.
00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:31.200
I would love to see him get one of those little chances maybe during the year as injuries and illnesses happen.
00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:36.799
Maybe there's, you know, a round of flu in the locker room like there sometimes is, and he gets a chance to come up and play a few games.
00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:38.960
I would love to see him get that chance.
00:20:39.120 --> 00:20:42.240
But I think it's gonna be Nadeau's year, one way or the other.
00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:45.440
I I definitely think it'll be Nado's year as well.
00:20:45.599 --> 00:21:03.120
But I love the fact that Unger Storm has made a case for himself because he was hot a few training camps ago, and then it seems like he cooled off, and he is proof that you know we we were very doubtful about whether or not Stenkhoven could do could make the switch from winger to center.
00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:13.599
And we see why in what happened with Unger Storm, a lot of the reasons that he stumbled last season is because they were trying him out at center and seeing whether or not he could make that shift from winger to center.
00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.799
And it did not work.
00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:23.680
And last season he was able to go back to the position that he knew the best and was the most comfortable in, and he once again blossomed and show what he was able to do.
00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:29.519
Which means I think he would be the more likely candidate for being a trade chip at some point in the future.
00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:41.839
Not now, not as the season gets rolling, but he would be somebody else that could um another team that's that's not as competitive as the canes could say, hey, we've got a spot for him in our lineup.
00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:52.960
We have the time and the patience and the ability to develop somebody who has NHL skill but is still somewhat raw, and would be able to find that sort of deal available.
00:21:53.120 --> 00:21:57.120
I think Nadeau is definitely a lot more likely to find himself in the lineup.
00:21:57.359 --> 00:22:13.039
But where that is would be the big mystery and knowing how successful his would be, because if he is playing fourth nine minutes, uh I don't know that it's gonna go as well as all of us think that it should be able to go and want to go.
00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:23.359
If he is literally filling in for Jarvis, getting to play up on that top line with Aho and Svetch, then it's a whole different ballgame as far as what he's able to do.
00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:31.440
So it's just all a question of what the coaching staff intends to do with him should he be on the opening day roster.
00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:37.839
No, I you know, last podcast, you know, I went nuts and said Nadeau's on the team.
00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:39.599
So I know what I said.
00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:42.000
But here's the thing.
00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:49.279
Um I I you know the fourth line question, you know, I think we we kind of said, hey, he maybe that's not the best place for him.
00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:49.680
For sure.
00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:54.240
He's he's a guy that brings tremendous elite offensive skill, for sure.
00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:59.279
But the thing that he did this year, he actually he's improved his defensive game immensely.
00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:03.200
He went from a minus 20 to a plus 16 this year.
00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:08.480
Like he was killing penalties, he was doing a lot of heavy lifting defensively.
00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:10.799
So he's a guy that can play on a fourth line.
00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:12.079
He can go and do that work.
00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:15.839
He the other thing he did too was he became a much heavier player.
00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:24.000
And I think I think he helped himself a ton this year because he gave himself the the flexibility to play anywhere the canes would want to put him.
00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:25.680
And that's why I'm really excited.
00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:27.680
That's why I think he could really make the team.
00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:29.759
Because that'll be key.
00:23:29.920 --> 00:23:32.880
It'll be key to where Jackson Blake started, right?
00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:33.440
Yeah.
00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:37.519
When Blake started the team, he started on the fourth line and he had to earn that trust.
00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:39.120
So same same thing for Nadeau.
00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:40.319
He might have to start there.
00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:42.079
Which is fine.
00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:42.960
I'm okay with that.
00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:43.680
That's fine.
00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:47.920
Um, you know, originally I kind of said, hey, I don't think I want to see him there, but you know what?
00:23:48.079 --> 00:23:50.079
He's he's just recreated himself.
00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:54.319
He's he's he's become a full, you know, kind of complete player.
00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:58.079
And uh, and so he can he should definitely be in the lineup.
00:23:58.240 --> 00:24:02.160
And man oh man, uh I'll be a very disappointed guy if he got.
00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:06.240
And I know the Nadeaux will be not happy either.
00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:08.400
Anyway, uh great stuff.
00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:12.319
Uh we're not expecting a trade at this stage, at least I'm not.
00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:14.240
I don't see that in the short term.
00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:18.880
I think both of these guys will be at camp, and I think Bradley Nadeau will start the season with the Kings.
00:24:19.120 --> 00:24:20.480
So, okay.
00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:25.839
Matthew Powell says, okay, if Nadeau plays, I'll say he scores 30 goals.
00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:27.599
How many goals do you think he'll score?
00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:29.120
That's a great question.
00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:37.839
I'm gonna be way more conservative and say, you know, that if if he if he abs gets the absolute best, you know, maximum everything, he'll he'll probably hit 20.
00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:43.759
And the reason I say that is because we don't know how many games he will play, because Seth Jarvis will come back at some point.
00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:50.960
And then you have that question, you know, if you have to send someone down to Chicago, it's better to send players that don't have to clear waivers.
00:24:51.120 --> 00:25:03.920
So it even though that wouldn't be great for Nadeau at that point, if he had to come back and forth between Chicago and uh the NHL for a while, he may be stuck in the position of having to do that if they have if they can't send anyone else down.
00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:08.240
If he plays a full season, I still think he's gonna be started in that in that range.
00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:12.799
And that that's because, first of all, scoring in the NHL is very different from scoring in the AHL.
00:25:13.120 --> 00:25:22.640
Secondly, um, he won't be, even if he stays with the the Keynes a full season, he won't probably be on the top line with the Aho and Spechnikov once Jarvis returns.
00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:25.200
So we know that he's not gonna get that kind of deployment.
00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:27.680
He's not gonna get first power play deployment, you know.
00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:30.799
So a lot of his goals have have come from the power play as well.
00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:34.559
So I think that it's realistic not to put that kind of pressure on a young guy.
00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:36.640
Now he could surprise us and do way more.
00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:44.079
But realistically, looking at where he's gonna be and you know, um the fact that he might, like you said, take some shifts on the fourth line.
00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:50.240
Um it's just more I think it's more realistic to put him in the 20 marker rather than the 30 marker.
00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:51.920
And that doesn't mean it couldn't be 23.
00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:54.240
It doesn't mean it couldn't be, you know, something like that.
00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:56.400
But I don't think he I see him hitting 30.
00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:56.720
Okay.
00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:57.599
What do you think, Katie?
00:25:57.920 --> 00:26:00.799
I'm gonna be much I'm gonna even be more conservative than that.
00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:06.000
I looked up Jackson Blake's rookie numbers because Rod loved Blake.
00:26:06.160 --> 00:26:07.120
Rod played Blake.
00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:14.079
He started on Blake that first year went from the fourth line to the second line to the third line up to the top line.
00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:18.480
He was all over the place and he scored 17 goals and had 17 assists.
00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:22.079
I think the Doe ends up in that same range.
00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:22.960
Probably good.
00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:31.120
I still think that there are gonna be times where even if he's with the team, he's gonna be the extra forward.
00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:34.960
And so I'm gonna say probably just 15 goals.
00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:46.960
And you know, piggybacking on what you said with you know, he's not gonna get the power play time, probably, because the Canes have a full complement of individuals for the power play that are much more experienced.
00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:58.559
Okay, he might he might eventually gain that trust the same way that Blake has quickly gained that trust, and it'll be interesting then to see how Brenda Moore works out the ice time around that of everybody else.
00:26:58.720 --> 00:27:03.200
But for right now, I'm saying conservatively 15 goals, and and that would still be great.
00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:07.920
That'd be a great contribution to get from someone like him moving forward.
00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:12.960
I don't think that you know we need to expect him to become a superstar right away.
00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:23.839
Let him be a role player and a contributor and get his feet wet and be surrounded by that support cast to really help him grow into what he needs to be as an NHL.
00:27:24.640 --> 00:27:25.759
Yeah, I mean I agree.
00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:28.160
I've got him 15 to 20 right in that range.
00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:29.039
I think that's where he should be.
00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:32.480
Imagine your bet there.
00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:37.839
You know, here's the thing, guys, is that the team's loaded.
00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:43.440
I mean, you know, there's not a lot of room for him to get unless there's injuries through the season.
00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:49.680
Um, he did score three goals in 12 games, but he played a lot of ice in those games because a lot of players were sitting out, right?
00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:52.480
So he definitely can score in the big leagues.
00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:54.960
We know that he's he's he's got the talent to do it.
00:27:55.120 --> 00:28:01.279
But I think the way he's gonna be deployed, and I totally agree, and you know, Rod likes to bring them along slowly, as you know.
00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:07.519
Um, you know, just kind of let them find their way, and and uh, you know, I think he's gonna do the same thing with Bradley.
00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:08.480
And and that's great.
00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:13.680
Hey, if he's in there and he gets 15 to 20 goals, hey, what's he gonna do the year after the year after the year after?
00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:15.839
So I'm with you guys 100%.
00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:17.359
I think that's what it's gonna be.
00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:23.200
And by the way, Matthew, if he scores 30, I'll be the happiest guy in the globe.
00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:29.359
I think if he scores 30, we should send him some send Matthews like some kind of a Star Trek or merch or something.
00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:30.640
Yeah, that's true.
00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:32.880
Give him a little gift reward.
00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.640
That's a great question.
00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:38.480
Hey, Cody uh at you know has has some interesting ones too.
00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:44.079
So Cody said, Look, renewed thoughts on replacing stall down the line.
00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.359
Okay, that's his first one.
00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:46.480
We'll touch on that.
00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:49.359
Starting lines in Paris for season opener.
00:28:49.759 --> 00:28:51.759
Okay, I think that's pretty easy.
00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:57.680
And here's the big one: any crows the pod would like to eat.
00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.599
I love that one.
00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:05.680
Oh, I'm gonna jump in with that with that last question.
00:29:07.920 --> 00:29:09.519
That last question I'll say right now.
00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:14.000
I've already eaten my crow because that is on the Stenhoven question.
00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:19.680
When we made that bet at the beginning of the playoffs, is whether or not Stenkhoven was going to be 2C.
00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:23.039
I had my hair and pigtails because I lost that bet with Aaron.
00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:37.759
So I I have already managed that, but I don't think anybody, anybody realistically expected that line and Sankhoven in the middle of it to be as they were.
00:29:37.920 --> 00:30:03.200
I mean, they were on fire, and that's going to be one of the things that I am so looking forward to with this season is seeing did they just get hot at the right time or did something click and that this is going to be maybe not exactly the new norm, but closer to the norm than their regular season production last year was.
00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:17.279
That is going to be one of the really interesting storylines for me because if that second line can be that effective or close to that effective in the regular season, it is going to be huge for the game.
00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:21.759
I am here for every moment of that.
00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:22.640
Oh man.
00:30:23.680 --> 00:30:24.240
That would be fun.
00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:32.799
On your crow point, uh, we actually have to go deeper because we were trying to pick up a centerman, as you recall at the trade tabline, because we didn't think.
00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:35.759
Yes, we we thought we thought they needed another center.
00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:36.000
Yeah.
00:30:36.319 --> 00:30:40.319
We were all over, you know, Robert Thomas and most of King.
00:30:44.400 --> 00:30:46.799
Yeah, so yeah, we we fell on that sort.
00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:49.440
Um, well, we might as well finish the crow discussion.
00:30:49.599 --> 00:31:03.680
Uh there's a couple of folks like I certainly look back and and Freddie Anderson, you know, we we were not so happy about Fred, and we thought, oh boy, you know, he's kind of maybe done, you know, like in so many words, and all he does is come into the playoffs and and just rock it.
00:31:03.759 --> 00:31:06.240
So yeah, I think I think we can take one on Fred.
00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:09.359
Was there anybody on your side, uh, Aaron, that you kind of think?
00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:22.720
I mean, I was I was also worried about, you know, second COVID, but and I also think that the I was a little bit, you know, waiting to not so much worried, but just waiting to see how Blake would do because he was not very good in the playoffs the first season.
00:31:22.880 --> 00:31:23.440
Yeah, yeah, exactly.
00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:25.680
And you never really know how that's gonna go.
00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:32.160
Some players are, you know, that they're they're great in the regular season and then they just get in the playoffs and they get a little overwhelmed.
00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:34.880
And you know, there are players that were like that their entire career.
00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:37.839
I I I remember um in Montreal, Tomas Tatar.
00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:45.279
Tatar is a great regular season player, was a great regular season player, and had just nothing in the playoffs.
00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:46.880
So I was waiting to see that with Blake.
00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:52.880
I didn't think it would be that bad, but I wasn't sure if if he was going to be the weak link on that line, and he certainly was not.
00:31:52.960 --> 00:31:56.319
He was actually fantastic, and I think he was driving playing a lot of the time.
00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:57.759
Yeah, yeah.
00:31:57.920 --> 00:31:59.039
So so that's my crow.
00:31:59.120 --> 00:32:00.480
I'll I'll eat crow on Jackson Blake.
00:32:00.799 --> 00:32:05.680
The other one for you, I was I thought you might bring it up, was KK because we thought he would have a better season.
00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:12.480
Um, that's okay, that's for the whole season, but you know, honestly, there it's still completely inexplicable what happened to him last season.
00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:15.759
And I think that you you can't predict something like that.
00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:26.319
You just can't, you know, because you don't you're not involved in the decision making that says, you know, hey, this guy's been playing for us for four years now as as this regular steady player, and we've decided we like him better in the press box.
00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:29.359
I mean, who who who goes into the season thinking that's gonna happen?
00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:35.440
So that's how that worked out, and you know, we're we're still waiting to see what will be resolved with that, but we've had enough of that discussion.
00:32:35.839 --> 00:32:37.759
I think we can deal with the starting lines pretty quickly.
00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:38.480
That's one that we should.
00:32:38.799 --> 00:32:39.200
Oh, yeah, yeah.
00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:40.319
No, we'll do that one next.
00:32:40.400 --> 00:32:40.720
Yeah.
00:32:41.359 --> 00:32:41.680
Okay.
00:32:42.160 --> 00:32:45.759
So starting lines exactly as in the playoffs, except for Jarvis, probably.
00:32:48.160 --> 00:32:48.720
Pretty much.
00:32:49.120 --> 00:32:50.480
And just the goal ticket.
00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:58.720
Because I'm not sure they're gonna trust whoever they have filling in for Jarvis to be the top line or so.
00:32:58.799 --> 00:33:08.319
Maybe move Ealers up to the top line, and then if it's Nadeau like we talked about, no better mentor in Rod Brendamore's eyes than Jordan Stahl to help a young kid along.
00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:16.480
So put put Nadeau with uh with Stahl and Martinook and let him let him learn alongside the the vets.
00:33:16.559 --> 00:33:25.359
But other than that, starting line, starting pairs, and starting goalie Brandon Bussey, and let's hit the ice skating fast.
00:33:26.160 --> 00:33:28.640
Yeah, I'm actually gonna disagree with you, Katie.
00:33:29.680 --> 00:33:32.559
I don't think I don't think Rod splits up Eeler's install.
00:33:32.720 --> 00:33:33.279
I don't.
00:33:33.519 --> 00:33:42.319
I think that he likes what the two of them produced together both in the regular season and the playoffs, and I think he would rather move Martin Nook up to that top line if he had to, to begin with.
00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:51.920
Um, just like he has done in the past, or you know, or he'll actually give Nadeau a shot there and say, well, it's you know, but I think your perspective shifts a little bit when you've won the cup.
00:33:52.079 --> 00:33:56.880
Those first games are not gonna seem all that crucial, especially with such a short preseason.
00:33:57.279 --> 00:33:58.880
So he he could give Nadeau.
00:34:00.400 --> 00:34:07.039
I love what you say, because Nadeau and Ealers together with Nadeau's shot and Ealers uh vision and passing skills.
00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:10.079
Well, that could be an option, that could be an opportunity too.
00:34:10.319 --> 00:34:13.279
That could be so nice that's a spiritual thing.
00:34:14.319 --> 00:34:21.920
I think it's either gonna be it's either gonna be Spech Aho Nadeau just for funsies for the first five to ten games to see how it goes.
00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:23.119
Because they're not that critical.
00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:27.279
Well, he's won now.
00:34:27.440 --> 00:34:31.279
He's won the cup with his team, he doesn't have to be so stressed all the time.
00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:39.440
But anyway, if not that, if not that, Ealer's stall Nadeau could be really, really interesting.
00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:40.799
So let's see.
00:34:41.199 --> 00:34:43.439
I'm I'm gonna see what they do at training camp with that.
00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:45.839
But other than that, we're gonna see everything exactly the same.
00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:48.799
Yeah, and don't forget last year or the first ten games.
00:34:48.879 --> 00:34:51.519
I mean, uh Stachnikov did nothing.
00:34:51.759 --> 00:34:54.559
I mean, you know, they got off those close to the top line anyway.
00:34:54.799 --> 00:34:55.439
That's true.
00:34:55.679 --> 00:35:04.319
But I mean, imagine if they put Nadeau and Ealers together and then they have the you know the uh spank open line and then they've got A'Hose line.
00:35:04.399 --> 00:35:05.199
This is just ridiculous.
00:35:05.359 --> 00:35:16.159
I mean it's it is no matter there's really no bad way to arrange the lines, and the only thing that could possibly impact them at all, really, would be if they did, in fact, trade Nikitian, then they have to put somebody else.
00:35:16.559 --> 00:35:16.879
For sure.
00:35:17.039 --> 00:35:22.079
And you know, um they don't have to get a defenseman back because we know what they've got in Chicago, they could bring up Lego.
00:35:23.359 --> 00:35:33.839
Yeah, and and actually in the conversation with Spiros the other day, of course, he was you know, he felt very strongly that both uh Charles Alexis Lego and Joel Nistro could jump in and do that job.
00:35:33.919 --> 00:35:35.279
So that's kind of nice.
00:35:35.439 --> 00:35:36.799
Um okay, last one.
00:35:36.879 --> 00:35:42.719
I don't think this is gonna be too easy in this regard, but renewed thoughts on replacing Stahl down the line.
00:35:42.879 --> 00:35:45.439
Well, we don't think Stahl is leaving anytime soon.
00:35:47.119 --> 00:35:48.239
That's the first thing.
00:35:48.399 --> 00:35:53.039
But when he goes, are there any air appearance in our view?
00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:56.079
I I've said this before and I will say it again.
00:35:56.239 --> 00:36:03.599
I think while he doesn't have the same size as Stahl, I think that Aho will be the Stahl replacement.
00:36:03.839 --> 00:36:04.079
Yeah.
00:36:04.399 --> 00:36:10.079
That said, that is assuming that Rod Brindemore is still the head coach of the Canes.
00:36:10.239 --> 00:36:22.479
There has been some rumbling on Twitter X that has said that when Stahl retires, that's when Brindamore is going to say, I have achieved what I have wanted to achieve.
00:36:22.639 --> 00:36:28.959
We have won a cup, maybe more, hopefully more, with Stahl's captain, Stahl's my guy, Stahl's retiring.
00:36:29.199 --> 00:36:35.119
I am going to step out of my role, maybe take on more of an advisor role, something in the front office with the team.
00:36:35.439 --> 00:36:52.159
Something that gives him the freedom to coach his younger son, to be able to be more involved with his family, to be more of a Raleigh established uh figure rather than somebody who has all of the responsibilities and demands of being the Keynes head coach.
00:36:52.399 --> 00:36:54.719
So that's kind of where I'm seeing it go.
00:36:54.799 --> 00:36:59.039
But I definitely do not see Stahl retiring after this season when his contract's up.
00:36:59.119 --> 00:37:04.719
I think he signs an extension that will be at least a two, if not three or four year extension.
00:37:04.879 --> 00:37:29.839
Yeah, that would probably take him past 40, but he is in such good condition and he has enough humility that if all of a sudden he was playing for the team and he was the fourth line center instead of the second or third line center, he would be okay with that because he just loves the game and he loves his team and he wants to do whatever is best for the boys.
00:37:30.000 --> 00:37:36.639
As many, many interviews that that have happened before and after the win of the Stanley Cup have demonstrated.
00:37:36.879 --> 00:37:41.039
So I don't think this is anything we have to worry about anytime soon.
00:37:41.919 --> 00:37:42.879
I agree.
00:37:44.559 --> 00:38:00.319
I think I think the only thing that I would say is that they probably have a list in front office of people that they would like to bring in to be that third line center if and when Stahl's not playing that role, whether he's um retired or whether he's, like Katie says, accepted that he needs to be a fourth line guy.
00:38:00.479 --> 00:38:07.839
Because right now you look at the roster, and even looking at Chicago, I know a lot of people have a lot of hopes about young Charlie Serato, but it's a little early to be putting those kinds of hopes on.
00:38:09.919 --> 00:38:10.239
Yeah.
00:38:10.479 --> 00:38:23.039
So um, so I I think that they have a list and they think it's probably, you know, uh names of people that I'm not even gonna start saying them because they're all under contract with their teams, and their teams are very happy with them.
00:38:23.279 --> 00:38:25.359
These are not people that are available right now.
00:38:25.599 --> 00:38:29.199
I can tell you that if you can probably think of some of them yourselves.
00:38:29.599 --> 00:38:32.000
But those are the guys they would go after.
00:38:32.079 --> 00:38:42.879
They would they would use whatever um the leverage they have in terms of people they have to trade, you know, or um things that they can exploit, situations that they can get in there and and make something happen.
00:38:43.439 --> 00:38:48.639
And they're gonna do that at the right time when they start feeling like Stahl can't handle the role.
00:38:48.799 --> 00:38:53.839
But I think Stahl's got another he that he's 38 this season, he will be 38 when the season starts.
00:38:55.119 --> 00:39:02.319
He's gonna have at least one more fully effective year before we start seeing major age-related regression.
00:39:02.479 --> 00:39:04.319
Barring injury, because you always have to say that.
00:39:04.479 --> 00:39:08.079
Barring injury, he's gonna have one more fully effective year.
00:39:08.399 --> 00:39:12.879
So no worries right now, but for the future, they they already know who they want.
00:39:12.959 --> 00:39:20.079
And like Katie said, if if uh if Rod is also retiring around that point, they don't necessarily have to worry about bringing in someone who's an exact stall clone.
00:39:20.159 --> 00:39:21.039
There aren't any.
00:39:21.199 --> 00:39:28.079
Um, but they're still gonna need someone who's gonna be able to be coached by Rod for those transitional years where Stalls may be on the fourth line.
00:39:28.159 --> 00:39:31.039
So it has to be somebody that Rod would want there in that role.
00:39:31.279 --> 00:39:32.479
And there are a lot of those guys.
00:39:32.879 --> 00:39:34.799
We we talked about uh, you know, St.
00:39:34.959 --> 00:39:42.479
Louis had interest in Niketian, and you know, one of the things that's been said repeatedly is that the Keynes ask is uh Robert Thomas.
00:39:42.559 --> 00:39:52.719
And he's the kind of guy that could come in and and you know take a center spot for the canes, which would be ideal, because then Aho could slip down to the more defensive role that uh that would be required.
00:39:52.959 --> 00:39:55.119
So uh I think you're right.
00:39:55.199 --> 00:40:01.439
I think whatever happens is gonna be something that uh you know canes will have a plan, they'll find a centerman.
00:40:01.599 --> 00:40:03.359
I I believe they're gonna have to acquire someone.
00:40:03.519 --> 00:40:04.319
I think you're right, Eric.
00:40:04.559 --> 00:40:12.159
I don't think uh at this stage we don't see that person in the canes uh organization and yeah, so that's fun.
00:40:12.319 --> 00:40:15.839
Uh yeah, I think uh the big guy is gonna be around for a while.
00:40:16.719 --> 00:40:18.479
And uh and I think we can enjoy him.
00:40:18.639 --> 00:40:19.519
And you know what?
00:40:19.759 --> 00:40:25.119
The way he played this at the end of this last season, I mean it's uh there's no telling how long he can be playing.
00:40:25.199 --> 00:40:26.159
I mean, that's the other thing.
00:40:26.879 --> 00:40:29.839
You look at Brent Burns and some of these other guys, and they're going forever right now.
00:40:29.919 --> 00:40:32.079
Like he's back again this year.
00:40:32.399 --> 00:40:36.399
So it's uh in case you know well, he's still delivering some good work.
00:40:36.639 --> 00:40:36.959
Okay.
00:40:37.279 --> 00:40:39.519
Um couple of quick questions.
00:40:39.679 --> 00:40:49.439
Uh Stephen Keynes and Dodge said, what is the one position or player that the Canes need or could use to help them repeat as Stanley Cup champion?
00:40:53.199 --> 00:40:54.479
Do they need anything?
00:40:55.359 --> 00:40:57.839
I don't think we know right now.
00:40:58.079 --> 00:41:02.239
I mean, uh that's more of a trade deadline question because they're so strong.
00:41:02.399 --> 00:41:04.719
Everybody but Anderson's coming back.
00:41:05.039 --> 00:41:09.919
I mean, unless Nikisha moves on, but I don't think anybody's too worried about that position.
00:41:10.000 --> 00:41:15.359
They'll either get somebody good back in the trade or that or we know Lego, we know Nystrom.
00:41:15.519 --> 00:41:20.319
So at this point, I don't know that they really need somebody now.
00:41:20.559 --> 00:41:27.759
It's just where is the team at come the come February since I think that isn't the trade deadline like March?
00:41:28.639 --> 00:41:29.039
It's early.
00:41:29.279 --> 00:41:29.679
March 1st.
00:41:30.319 --> 00:41:30.719
Early March.
00:41:30.959 --> 00:41:31.519
March 1st.
00:41:31.679 --> 00:41:32.719
Yeah, early.
00:41:32.879 --> 00:41:35.519
So where where are they at at that point in time?
00:41:35.679 --> 00:41:40.239
And then they can make more surgical decisions when it comes to the roster.
00:41:40.399 --> 00:41:43.119
But right now, I think they look great.
00:41:43.279 --> 00:41:47.039
I am so excited for this season to get started.
00:41:47.759 --> 00:41:56.879
I think the only thing I would say, Katie, is that if they were looking, you know, and and um you you always remember that uh Eric always says, I'm always looking to make the team better.
00:41:56.959 --> 00:41:58.959
So he's always looking, you know.
00:41:59.199 --> 00:42:04.159
Um, I think that the two positions he's probably looking at and has his eye on, one of them people aren't gonna like.
00:42:04.239 --> 00:42:10.000
But the first one, um, I think that they're gonna be looking for a new partner for Jacob Slavin.
00:42:10.159 --> 00:42:18.079
I think that they're gonna be keeping their eyes open on the trade market, keeping their eyes open as people become available, especially those right-handed defensemen.
00:42:18.239 --> 00:42:19.679
We all love Jalen Chatfield.
00:42:19.759 --> 00:42:22.000
I think that their relationship off the ice is terrific.
00:42:22.079 --> 00:42:25.279
They're great friends and they're, you know, they work well, they play well together.
00:42:25.439 --> 00:42:28.479
But as Katie, if I can use one of your phrases, they're samey, samey.
00:42:28.559 --> 00:42:31.919
They're both defensive defensemen, neither one of them produces much.
00:42:32.000 --> 00:42:43.199
And when you have a pair that takes that much ice time, you need them to be racking up those assists because that's the how they facilitate the offense for um the forward lines that are out there.
00:42:43.439 --> 00:42:46.079
So sooner or later that will become an issue.
00:42:46.159 --> 00:42:47.759
I don't, it wasn't an issue last year.
00:42:47.839 --> 00:42:50.399
It it certainly wasn't an issue in the playoffs.
00:42:50.559 --> 00:43:01.599
Um, it will become an issue going forward when you're up against teams that have these guys like Lane Hudson, for instance, and you know, some of these guys that really drive a lot of offense from the back end.
00:43:01.839 --> 00:43:06.000
So ultimately, that's one position I think they'll be looking to upgrade at eventually.
00:43:06.079 --> 00:43:08.639
Again, like you said, not immediate, not this year, maybe not even trade.
00:43:10.319 --> 00:43:11.039
Oh, sure, go ahead.
00:43:11.359 --> 00:43:16.399
Okay, the difference the Kanes have is that they've got an offensive juggernaut on their third pair.
00:43:17.599 --> 00:43:18.479
That's that's good.
00:43:18.879 --> 00:43:24.079
So they're they're able to deliver offense, you know, without that group doing a lot of offense.
00:43:24.159 --> 00:43:28.799
And and the other thing is But they play the third pair is gonna play 13 to 15 minutes a game.
00:43:29.279 --> 00:43:32.319
But but but Slavin and Chatfield are playing 20 to 24.
00:43:32.719 --> 00:43:39.519
Yeah, but when you get 50 points from you know, in 55 games from uh you know, but how many of those were on the power play?
00:43:39.599 --> 00:43:40.000
Let's be real.
00:43:40.319 --> 00:43:47.359
So but that that's the other comment though, let me just say one other thing is that you know that Slavin, it was a tough year for him all round.
00:43:47.759 --> 00:43:47.919
Right.
00:43:48.239 --> 00:43:50.799
And he's normally a 30-plus point guy.
00:43:50.959 --> 00:43:53.279
Okay, so he does deliver some offense.
00:43:53.599 --> 00:44:03.279
And this year, because of his injury situation, he was really hampered, I think, tremendously at being able to rush, get into the play, and and do the things he normally does.
00:44:03.359 --> 00:44:03.919
So yeah.
00:44:04.319 --> 00:44:07.439
Other question, though, is that this is Chat Field's last year on his contract.
00:44:07.679 --> 00:44:08.239
Yes, it is.
00:44:08.479 --> 00:44:18.559
So this is where they have to they also have to assess how happy he is with the idea of re signing, what he would resign for, whether he's willing to look at you know what what you know kind of money and and all the rest of it.
00:44:18.639 --> 00:44:21.359
So if that they're gonna be that is something they're gonna be keeping in mind.
00:44:21.519 --> 00:44:32.079
And the other one that people, like I said, might not be happy with me about is I do think down the road, because it's not gonna be this year necessarily, and it might not even be next year, they're gonna need an upgrade on that stall line right now.
00:44:32.399 --> 00:44:35.039
Right wing as much as we all love Jordan Martinock.
00:44:35.279 --> 00:44:41.199
They're they're they're gonna come to the point where they need someone who can play with Stahl and Ealers better.
00:44:41.359 --> 00:44:46.159
And like Katie said, if you if they try to dough there and it works, you know, then you don't even have to worry about it.
00:44:46.399 --> 00:44:52.159
Um so that's just that's and then you know, obviously they're gonna pick up depth, but we all know that.
00:44:52.239 --> 00:44:54.479
So yeah, I mean, I think you're right, Aaron.
00:44:54.719 --> 00:45:00.479
And I mean for sure, I mean Martinuk at some point I think should move down to the fourth line.
00:45:00.639 --> 00:45:02.319
I mean, I've said this for a while.
00:45:02.479 --> 00:45:09.119
Um he would be a great fourth liner, he's the kind of guy that could uh you know slip up in the line and defeated and so on.
00:45:09.199 --> 00:45:12.239
But I think I think he's he's edging towards that.
00:45:12.479 --> 00:45:18.479
He did, you know, he did some great work at the end of the year, but you know, time's catching up on him as well.
00:45:18.639 --> 00:45:20.159
So um, okay.
00:45:20.399 --> 00:45:28.639
Uh the second question, just uh to finish up for Steve, is the Bussy Kochekov combination of healthy enough to repeat?
00:45:29.119 --> 00:45:31.119
Katie, what do you got on that?
00:45:32.719 --> 00:45:37.039
I think we don't know is the correct answer, but man, I hope so.
00:45:37.279 --> 00:45:39.679
I want that to work so well.
00:45:40.079 --> 00:45:46.479
I mean Aaron mentioned guys on their last year of their of their contracts.
00:45:46.559 --> 00:45:47.839
We've talked about a lot of them.
00:45:48.159 --> 00:45:49.519
Kochekov is another one.
00:45:49.679 --> 00:45:55.599
Busy's just starting his extension, but Kochekov is on the last year of that four-year extension that he signed.
00:45:55.679 --> 00:46:05.839
So it's a big year for him, and he needs to he needs to show that he had a very strong potential to be a better than just a backup goalie.
00:46:06.079 --> 00:46:13.759
He needs to, um in an ideal world, they platoon, they switch starts between the two of them.
00:46:13.919 --> 00:46:18.319
They are a an ideal tandem, and that they both can play strong.
00:46:18.479 --> 00:46:20.799
And I I mean that's what I want more than anything.
00:46:20.959 --> 00:46:23.359
Y'all know I love Koach Hekov.
00:46:23.519 --> 00:46:25.519
He is my favorite player on the team.
00:46:25.679 --> 00:46:34.000
I love his his energy and his spunk and his playstyle, even though sometimes it gets a little too too crazy and can go.
00:46:35.759 --> 00:46:39.359
I love that spirit that he brings to the position.
00:46:39.519 --> 00:46:48.079
And I hate, I would hate to see for the canes to for you know for that to not work out on the canes and him to end up going elsewhere.
00:46:48.319 --> 00:46:53.519
I would still root for him, um provided he's not on a certain couple of teams.
00:46:53.839 --> 00:46:57.119
But I want it to work.
00:46:57.279 --> 00:46:58.639
In my mind, it should work.
00:46:58.719 --> 00:47:04.639
It makes all the sense in the world that it will work, but don't know, we'll have to see.
00:47:04.799 --> 00:47:09.439
There just aren't a lot of goalies out there better than the two of them that are available.
00:47:09.599 --> 00:47:14.799
So they're gonna the canes will definitely give it every possible chance for this to work.
00:47:15.759 --> 00:47:21.039
Yeah, I mean Bosse was near the top last year and wins, so we know he can do it.
00:47:21.119 --> 00:47:24.799
And new reality.
00:47:25.279 --> 00:47:25.759
Don't know.
00:47:26.799 --> 00:47:29.119
I think he's gonna be fine, and he played great the playoffs.
00:47:29.199 --> 00:47:31.679
So I I I fully expect Bussi's gonna be fine.
00:47:31.839 --> 00:47:34.399
Um, Kochakov, I'd love to see him rebound.
00:47:34.479 --> 00:47:35.199
Really, just like you.
00:47:36.079 --> 00:47:36.879
We're all pulling for that.
00:47:37.119 --> 00:47:38.319
Yeah, wouldn't that be amazing?
00:47:38.399 --> 00:47:40.319
I mean, he's a guy that at different times.
00:47:40.399 --> 00:47:45.039
I don't you know, remember we talked about him at different points where he had these runs where he was ridiculous.
00:47:45.199 --> 00:47:52.079
Like just he, you know, winning a bunch of games in a row and his goals against average was sub-1 or something.
00:47:52.159 --> 00:47:53.039
It was incredible.
00:47:53.279 --> 00:47:55.759
So he's a guy we know that when he's healthy, he can play.
00:47:55.839 --> 00:47:57.439
So yeah, I think they're good enough.
00:47:57.519 --> 00:47:59.279
I don't think there's any changes coming there.
00:47:59.439 --> 00:48:03.359
Um, and I don't think there will be a lot of movement on the canes to get extra goalies.
00:48:03.439 --> 00:48:06.399
I don't think they're gonna need that if they can sign uh Caden Primo.
00:48:06.719 --> 00:48:09.599
He's he's uh an RFA right now, but I'm sure they'll get that done.
00:48:09.679 --> 00:48:10.799
He's I think he's fine.
00:48:10.879 --> 00:48:12.559
So I think the goaltending's good.
00:48:12.719 --> 00:48:16.239
And it kind of segues into another quick topic.
00:48:16.399 --> 00:48:21.199
Uh uh Eric KA had something on PTOs.
00:48:21.519 --> 00:48:29.439
Uh he said, Do you think the Kings might target some PTOs, some individuals to come in on on uh tryouts, professional tryouts?
00:48:29.679 --> 00:48:38.959
Um you know what interesting, just as I before we go into this, um when I was thinking about this, I thought, well, what have they done on the PTO side, right?
00:48:39.039 --> 00:48:41.599
So last year, remember what they did last year?
00:48:43.439 --> 00:48:44.079
Yeah.
00:48:44.719 --> 00:48:46.479
They had some PTOs, right?
00:48:46.959 --> 00:48:47.359
Right.
00:48:48.159 --> 00:48:50.959
And what happened with uh Giovanni Smith?
00:48:51.759 --> 00:48:53.119
Didn't he just sign overseas?
00:48:53.679 --> 00:48:55.119
No, but they signed him last year.
00:48:55.599 --> 00:48:56.000
Remember?
00:48:56.399 --> 00:48:59.199
So he did he had a great he had a great camp.
00:48:59.359 --> 00:49:06.879
They signed Giovanni Smith, a two-way deal, you know, and he was gonna go to Chicago and be ready to come up and be a bit of an aggressor or whatever.
00:49:07.039 --> 00:49:08.000
So they had guys there.
00:49:08.079 --> 00:49:10.000
I mean, they had uh Oliver Shillington.
00:49:10.159 --> 00:49:12.799
Remember uh Katie, he was in last year.
00:49:12.959 --> 00:49:15.679
Um and and Shillington came in.
00:49:15.919 --> 00:49:21.519
So they had some guys last year, and you know, the year before, Skylar Brindamore was on a PTO and he signed.
00:49:21.679 --> 00:49:24.639
So, I mean, they have been bringing guys in that have been interesting.
00:49:24.799 --> 00:49:26.799
I mean, a couple of years ago, this was funny.
00:49:26.959 --> 00:49:34.239
I did a podcast on the PTOs alone because there were seven in uh there were seven PTOs.
00:49:34.479 --> 00:49:35.359
It's insane.
00:49:35.599 --> 00:49:43.039
And you know, they did it because they ended up having uh they had two games on the same day, right?
00:49:43.199 --> 00:49:49.439
So they had to make sure they had enough players uh in the camp to do the two games.
00:49:49.519 --> 00:49:52.000
And I mean they all they didn't sign any of them, of course.
00:49:52.159 --> 00:49:57.119
And there were there were a couple of guys that had played some NHL stuff, but nothing significant.
00:49:57.279 --> 00:49:59.359
Um yeah, back to the point.
00:49:59.519 --> 00:50:01.919
Um I think they'll target PTOs.
00:50:05.599 --> 00:50:12.479
Well, okay, you know, when you think about it, this is kind of a weird year, but you look at the UFAs that are out there, right?
00:50:12.959 --> 00:50:17.039
And you know, one of the things that I've thought about is do they want another Sanderman?
00:50:17.279 --> 00:50:25.439
I mean, it depends on what happens with uh Kokiniami, of course, but you know, would they want to look at uh maybe a veteran centerman or do they want some guys that could go down to Chicago?
00:50:25.519 --> 00:50:27.279
Like Tyson Jost, right, Katie?
00:50:27.599 --> 00:50:28.719
Yeah, he's still unsigned.
00:50:28.799 --> 00:50:29.199
Yeah.
00:50:30.479 --> 00:50:31.599
I mean, he would be ideal.
00:50:32.000 --> 00:50:35.439
He knows he knows the team, he knows the system, that would be fantastic.
00:50:35.839 --> 00:50:39.199
Yeah, I mean, there's guys like Tyson Jost, I think he'd be a good one.
00:50:39.359 --> 00:50:42.559
Um, you know, there's guys like Luke Glandini and Thomas Nosh.
00:50:43.039 --> 00:50:47.279
Those guys are they're low-cost guys, they're veterans, they can fill in, you know.
00:50:47.439 --> 00:50:50.159
I mean, I don't, you know, you're not gonna get a great guy.
00:50:50.319 --> 00:50:52.479
Mike Ryan isn't the one signed.
00:50:52.639 --> 00:50:54.319
Could he be re-signed in some way?
00:50:54.479 --> 00:50:54.879
I don't know.
00:50:54.959 --> 00:50:56.399
Could he come in as a PTO?
00:50:56.479 --> 00:50:57.199
Who knows?
00:50:57.359 --> 00:51:02.959
Um, and the one that I laugh about, and this is this is something for you, Aaron.
00:51:03.599 --> 00:51:05.199
Patrick Miney.
00:51:08.000 --> 00:51:10.799
There has been talk about him coming in on some teams, but not the canes.
00:51:10.959 --> 00:51:15.919
The canes have not had any uh interest whatsoever, and I don't think that they would do that unless, you know, just for fun.
00:51:17.119 --> 00:51:27.119
Yeah, he's he's uh you know he may be going the PTO route this year, which is interesting, but if if he does, I think it'll be for teams that are really starved for offense, you know, because the canes certainly aren't.
00:51:27.359 --> 00:51:37.519
Um and to me, the one thing that might make them say, well, gosh, we really don't need to bring in too many guys on PTOs unless you know they just have a couple, maybe, is that there's only four preseason games.
00:51:37.759 --> 00:51:42.479
And typically in the past, they have had to bring in a lot of people.
00:51:42.639 --> 00:51:45.119
There are only four preseason games.
00:51:45.279 --> 00:51:47.919
They're gonna want to bring up some guys from Chicago.
00:51:48.159 --> 00:51:54.639
They have some guys that that can, you know, I mean, you you know, we'll we'll jump right back onto the Kook Kanyeemi question.
00:51:54.719 --> 00:52:01.839
One good thing Kook Kinyemi brings to the roster right now is he has uh he meets the veteran player requirement for preseason games.
00:52:01.919 --> 00:52:07.199
He can play all four of them if they want to bring up a lot of guys from Chicago, and you'll still have some veteran presence there.
00:52:07.359 --> 00:52:12.879
So they don't have to put in regular roster players and risk them getting injured in these four games.
00:52:13.039 --> 00:52:15.039
And I think the other teams are gonna be in the same position.
00:52:15.119 --> 00:52:28.879
I mean, you think about Canes usually end up playing uh, you know, Florida a bunch, and and uh that you know they were injured a lot last year, so their guys are not gonna want to come out and be super aggressive and and uh sure you know you're not gonna have a bunch of goons on both sides.
00:52:28.959 --> 00:52:36.719
So there's there may not be the need that there was in the past when you had six games or more, you know, to deal with just four games.
00:52:37.599 --> 00:52:42.159
I think they might be players that could end up in Chicago, maybe a couple of veterans that they could sign.
00:52:49.839 --> 00:52:50.159
That's true.
00:52:50.479 --> 00:52:50.879
That is true.
00:52:50.959 --> 00:52:52.079
The Chicago's guys might know that.
00:52:52.799 --> 00:52:56.159
Sure, on the forward side, not defensively, because they're voting on the blue.
00:52:56.559 --> 00:53:07.199
But uh yeah, and and you know, a bit of a segue from your comment about uh the toughness in in preseason was that uh a big question was raised by the pumpkin eater.
00:53:07.439 --> 00:53:09.599
Uh I thought this was kind of funny.
00:53:09.759 --> 00:53:17.039
Um, and he said, who would win a fight between Nick DeLaurie and Colorado's Zach LaRue?
00:53:17.679 --> 00:53:18.959
I think it would have to go.
00:53:19.039 --> 00:53:28.719
I would I looked at their stats, I looked up their career fights, and I think I would have to give the decision to DeLaurier because he's a lot bigger, he's a lot stronger, he's gonna hit harder.
00:53:28.879 --> 00:53:33.519
Uh Nick DeLaurier um would probably be able to take down Zach LaRue.
00:53:33.759 --> 00:53:37.199
Um the only thing with with uh LaRue is he's kind of crazy.
00:53:37.359 --> 00:53:40.159
So you never you have to account for that in a fight, you know.
00:53:40.319 --> 00:53:41.359
He might be willing to go.
00:53:41.519 --> 00:53:52.000
But really realistically, you look at the list of people that DeLaurier has fought, you've got some big, heavyweight guys that he's gone up against, and uh Zach has not gone up against those kind of guys.
00:53:52.159 --> 00:53:53.679
So I think I think it would be D L.
00:53:54.159 --> 00:53:56.399
I know I disappeared during the PTO thing.
00:53:56.479 --> 00:54:15.519
The one name that I did want to bring up real quick that if they don't have confidence in Nadeau being able to provide what they want, um somebody who's unsigned and is known for his offense but has been really down on his luck is somebody that Aaron and I are both familiar with because he has played for both of our teams, and that's Jonathan Druin.
00:54:16.799 --> 00:54:29.279
He but okay, I know, I know Tom, but here's the thing is when he is surrounded by the right kind of player like he showed when he was with Colorado, he can be effective.
00:54:29.679 --> 00:54:48.239
He really brought his game to another level with the Aves, and that included defensively, not just offensively, because there's a big concern that in a broad Rod Brindamore system you have to be able to be trusted with the puck, and he was very good defensively when he was playing for the Aves in that kind of a role.
00:54:48.399 --> 00:55:01.039
I am not saying I think that the Canes should sign him to a PTO or that they will sign him to a PTO or that he would necessarily be effective, but he would be a name out there that could fit that.
00:55:01.359 --> 00:55:06.719
I'm a filling in for Jarvis until Jarvis is able to return type player.
00:55:07.759 --> 00:55:11.199
And Katie, I'll tell you this that back to Cody's comment.
00:55:11.359 --> 00:55:18.239
I'll eat the crow if they if they bring him on a PTO.
00:55:21.039 --> 00:55:23.039
I just he was a great player at different points.
00:55:23.119 --> 00:55:26.559
I really liked him, but he to me he's he's declined exponentially.
00:55:26.639 --> 00:55:27.279
So yeah.
00:55:27.519 --> 00:55:30.879
Let's uh let's wrap up with uh some quick closing comments.
00:55:30.959 --> 00:55:33.679
Uh as we think about what's coming up in the next month.
00:55:33.839 --> 00:55:35.839
What are we thinking in terms of the hurricanes?
00:55:36.000 --> 00:55:36.479
Aaron?
00:55:38.079 --> 00:55:47.279
Well, I mean, we've just had a great conversation about all the things we think that's gonna, you know, that are gonna happen and gonna do, but we always have to make remember that Eric Cholsky is sometimes a surprising guy.
00:55:47.359 --> 00:55:52.559
You know, he doesn't he does not do things based on well, we have these deadlines or we have this that we have to do.
00:55:52.799 --> 00:55:58.319
So we we don't know if he's gonna end up making a trade, if he's gonna end up making some moves, or if he's just gonna, if this is it.
00:55:58.479 --> 00:56:02.719
We haven't had the we're finished for the season kind of conversation with Tolski.
00:56:02.959 --> 00:56:03.359
Not really.
00:56:03.519 --> 00:56:06.559
So, and I don't know that we'll get that because he he doesn't really see it that way.
00:56:06.639 --> 00:56:12.159
He doesn't see the off-season as the only time you can make these changes and adjustments, as we know from recent experience.
00:56:12.319 --> 00:56:15.759
So um it will be interesting to see if they go into the playoffs.
00:56:15.839 --> 00:56:19.919
I mean, sorry, if they go into the season, the preseason, you can change that.
00:56:20.319 --> 00:56:21.279
The playoffs.
00:56:21.759 --> 00:56:22.639
Okay, am I?
00:56:23.199 --> 00:56:25.039
You know, um, it has been a lot lately.
00:56:25.119 --> 00:56:31.679
But yeah, um, if they go into the preseason with this roster that they currently have, I think we we're on the right track for all of that, you know.
00:56:31.919 --> 00:56:45.279
Um, the other thing that I think I'm gonna be seeing, you know, looking for and seeing is that, you know, one of the things that may affect what they do as far as Nadeau or anybody else's, how long it takes Seth Jarvis not just to come back into the lineup, but to really get back up to speed.
00:56:45.519 --> 00:56:48.079
And I I was gonna share this with you guys real quickly.
00:56:48.159 --> 00:56:48.799
Um, I looked it up.
00:56:48.879 --> 00:56:55.199
Cole Caulfield did have that exact surgery or pretty close to it on you know, for the torn um put labrum in the shoulder.
00:56:55.439 --> 00:57:00.000
And um when he came back, he he he he was shut down in the middle of the season.
00:57:00.079 --> 00:57:05.199
So he missed about half the season, and then he had the entire um summer to recover.
00:57:05.359 --> 00:57:11.679
And when he came back, you know, his first the first half of that season, he only had 11 goals.
00:57:12.079 --> 00:57:14.639
And that's oh yeah, that's a small number for Caulfield.
00:57:14.799 --> 00:57:18.719
It took him till the second half of the season to start really getting back up to speed.
00:57:18.799 --> 00:57:23.759
So I think we all have to be bearing that in mind and being really patient with Jarvis's recovery.
00:57:24.079 --> 00:57:27.599
I hate when fans on the internet start going, you know, what's wrong with this guy?
00:57:27.679 --> 00:57:29.599
Why he's finally back and he's not doing anything.
00:57:29.759 --> 00:57:35.039
We could see that with Jarvis, and that might also alter where he plays in the lineup.
00:57:35.119 --> 00:57:42.879
He might actually be the one next to Wheeler's install because he might not be able to handle the heavy minutes until a certain point in his recovery.
00:57:43.039 --> 00:57:49.439
So that's the only thing that I wanted to add in and say, as we're going forward into the season, that's something I hope we're all kind of watching.
00:57:50.639 --> 00:57:51.439
Yeah, that's a really good idea.
00:57:51.599 --> 00:57:52.399
How about you, Katie?
00:57:53.519 --> 00:58:09.439
I'm just I'm just I I'm I think I think you posted this the other day, Aaron, that I am on X all the time because I'm like something the moment that I decide to step away is gonna be the moment that something happens and miss it.
00:58:09.679 --> 00:58:13.759
And so I I think that's what a lot of August is gonna be for me.
00:58:13.839 --> 00:58:24.319
Um I have enjoyed my summer vacation a lot, but getting back into school will perhaps give me a good dose of reality once um I have another week off before I have to head back.
00:58:24.479 --> 00:58:28.719
So um that might give me a good dose of reality and help pass the time.
00:58:28.879 --> 00:58:37.759
But it's just what I'm really gonna soak in more than anything is all of the different pictures and videos of the canes enjoying their day with the cup.
00:58:37.919 --> 00:58:39.839
That's yeah, that's been fun so far.
00:58:40.000 --> 00:58:55.039
It really Freddie in Legoland and Elon in his yellow sports car with the cup and fishy eating his mom's salmon soup out of the cup.
00:58:55.279 --> 00:59:03.039
And Blake, I think, was had it um today, and it's just been so cool to see all of those pictures.
00:59:03.119 --> 00:59:05.199
And so that that has been a nice treat to have.
00:59:05.359 --> 00:59:09.039
It's really, really helped to pass the time this summer so far.
00:59:09.119 --> 00:59:17.119
And we've got we've got a lot of the teams still to go, so there's still plenty of guys who are gonna have lots of adventures with the cup before the preseason gets rolling.
00:59:17.279 --> 00:59:21.519
So I am I am looking forward to that to help pass the time.
00:59:30.479 --> 00:59:37.919
Uh Juha Yaska and Alexei Himosalmi were celebrating with Yesperi Kokaniami.
00:59:39.839 --> 00:59:40.319
Nice.
00:59:40.799 --> 00:59:44.000
Yay, so it was uh they were having a great time over there, so it was kind of fun.
00:59:44.159 --> 00:59:44.479
So it was.
00:59:44.879 --> 00:59:51.359
I love the fact that KK took the cup out on a jet ski, and the cup was wearing its own life jacket.
00:59:54.479 --> 00:59:59.279
I think I think after the Panthers took it into the ocean, they kind of made a new role.
01:00:00.079 --> 01:00:03.359
The cup can only go in the water if it's wearing a life jacket.
01:00:03.599 --> 01:00:06.559
I mean, you know, Okiniami, that's that's great, right?
01:00:06.639 --> 01:00:10.239
To see him celebrating that way, you know, given everything that took place.
01:00:10.319 --> 01:00:11.199
I think it's just wonderful.
01:00:11.359 --> 01:00:12.559
And maybe, you know what?
01:00:12.799 --> 01:00:16.239
He might come back and maybe it'll be renewed energy, and who knows.
01:00:16.319 --> 01:00:18.239
And and he's certainly having fun with it.
01:00:18.319 --> 01:00:20.239
So so kudos to him and so on.
01:00:20.399 --> 01:00:22.959
But uh, yeah, hey, great questions.
01:00:23.279 --> 01:00:25.359
Spirit of conversation, deepers.
01:00:26.559 --> 01:00:29.279
Yep, everybody, for those questions.
01:00:29.519 --> 01:00:30.479
Yes, absolutely.
01:00:30.719 --> 01:00:33.039
That was those were great questions for all.
01:00:33.439 --> 01:00:37.599
And several were on point, so it's kind of fun that they were things we wanted to talk about as well.
01:00:37.759 --> 01:00:39.919
So thanks, thanks to the crew for sending those in.
01:00:40.079 --> 01:00:45.039
But uh again, uh, for anybody that's been watching or listening, this has been a hoop.
01:00:45.519 --> 01:00:49.359
I hope you've had as much fun as we have because uh it's it's been great fun.
01:00:49.599 --> 01:00:53.599
And of course, uh, you know, if you like the episode, we always appreciate it.
01:00:53.679 --> 01:00:55.839
If you press the like button, that's great for us.
01:00:56.000 --> 01:01:01.759
Uh, if you have comments or you want to say anything about what we think is gonna happen with the canes, fire away down below.
01:01:01.839 --> 01:01:03.039
We'd love to hear from you.
01:01:03.199 --> 01:01:13.039
And of course, uh, if you want to be alerted of future episodes of Stormtracker and uh catch uh future episodes of myself and uh Aaron and Katie battling away.
01:01:13.919 --> 01:01:15.519
That's always great fun.
01:01:15.759 --> 01:01:23.039
Um please uh uh press the uh subscribe and bell buttons and we'll make sure you're made aware as soon as they're available.
01:01:23.359 --> 01:01:30.000
As always, Aaron, Katie, and I thank you so much for spending time with us, and we look forward to getting together with you real soon right here.
01:01:30.159 --> 01:01:31.039
Let's talk.