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 Post subject: What now?
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2009 11:40 am 
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2003-04 Goalie Profiles Coming Soon!

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http://www.nhlnumbers.com/overview.php? ... eason=0809

These kind of years are always tough to judge a team by. Sure, they made the ECF, and sure, they were a top team after the coaching change... but this team didn't make the playoffs by a huge margin and they ended up with a losing record in the playoffs at the end of the day as well (8-10). I think it's fair to acknoweldge that Carolina has some elements that can make them dangerous, but in general have too many holes to consider them a top team. Going forward, they'll probably be in the dogfight to make the postseason like they have been the past couple of years. The good news is, though, their top players are just scratching the surface.

UFAs: Dennis Siedenberg, Chad LaRose, Erik Cole, Ryan Bayda
RFAs: Tuomo Ruutu, Jussi Jokinen, Anton Babchuk

The key decision this summer will be regarding Siedenberg and Babchuk. During the season, it seemed a no brainer to re-up Babchuk long term. Then the playoffs happened... Babchuk was benched and Siedenberg was on their top pairing. Given both of their ages, they may not be bad investments going forward, and it may be time to look at a buyout of Frank Kaberle instead. The Canes could then move forward with a core of 4 d-men that are 25-27 years old right now (Pitkanen, Gleason, Siedenberg, Babchuk), with the veterans Corvo and Wallin becoming UFAs the following year. It could be an expensive unit in 2009-10, but it could pay off long term.

As for forwards, of course you want to invest in Tuomo Ruutu. Jokinen and LaRose were decent enough, but don't put too much money in either. Erik Cole looks like he'll never be a $4m per year player ever again. This team doesn't have much offensively outside of Staal, but with Boychuk and Sutter coming up through the ranks there should be solutions long term coming. Keep Cullen and Jokinen placeholders for those guys to eventually fill.

Next year's UFA list will be a relief cap-wise, that's for sure: Whitney (probably won't be a big cap hit moving forward as he'll be 37/38), Walker, Corvo, Kaberle, Wallin. That'll free up more than enough space to re-up Cam Ward as he enters his prime.

I think this year was a more a "sign of things to come" than an "arrival". The Hurricanes are set up more for a 2-3 years from now than immediately (if they play their cards right/don't get a terrible injury to a major piece).

Draft wise, this team should now concentrate on wingers and d-men to support the core. Drayson Bowman is a good prospect, but I don't think this Michal Jordan guy will have the impact on the region he did the first time around.

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