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My last blog asked
Would you experiment with the top line? I got some interesting and thought provoking insight from you all. So now, let’s deviate from any provoking or insightful thought whatsoever. The Kotkaniemi offer sheet from Carolina.
A couple of years ago, I stood in awe of what Carolina was putting together. Aho, Svechnikov, Hamilton and some solid netminding. After finishing first in the division (third in the league) scoring became an issue during the last post season exit. There was a lot of emphasis on bringing in a scoring winger. When Hamilton was allowed to talk to all the teams in the league, it started to become clear. The ownership was going to let one of the best defensemen walk, and part of the success of the ‘Canes may be leaving with him. Then Yzerman got Nedeljkovic. At the time, Ned let everyone know that ‘Canes management thought he wanted too much money. Bernier walked after the trade in similar fashion. Mrazek went to Toronto and Andersen came to town.
So, now the defense lost their top performer, a young goalie who did well for the club is now in Detroit, and you still need a scoring winger. Let’s go ahead and offer sheet a centerman. A 1 year 6.1 million dollar offer (just shy of having to include a 2nd round pick with the 1st and 3rd) and include a $20 signing bonus. The club will now have to LTIR Gardiner or someone else or dump salary as they only have 4.5m in space. My God, what is happening? If this is simply retaliation for the Aho signing, congrats. You’ve lit a flaming bag of poo on the porch of a Billion dollar franchise.
Part of me says (to MTL), let the kid go. Whatever they decide, this whole mess feels like a farce. Give Carolina the center they don’t need and move on. My final thought on all of it, thank God for Steve Yzerman.
The spectacle on Twitter is never really worth the price of admission. With Yzerman, there really isn’t ever much going on until a deal is done. He manages to keep it quiet. He isn’t complaining to the league (or threatening to sit out a season) about financial issues. Between the ‘Canes and the ‘Yotes, you have two owners have have aired every bit of “crying poor” to the league and yet trying to flex for the cameras.
As the rebuild progresses here, a lack of drama is decidedly welcome. Yzerman has turned over the roster, brought in new pieces each year, drafted, traded, bought out and just quietly keeps going. I have no idea what ownership/management in Carolina is trying to accomplish. The spin on losing Ned? “We needed a veteran presence for the post season”. Andersen has played 53 playoff games, 28 of those were for Anaheim. In 4 years and 25 playoff games, he’s never been past the first round in Toronto. More than half of his post season experience came before he was dealt to the Leafs. Raanta is 32 and has played 5 playoff games.
Am I missing something? Is the office in Carolina filled with geniuses and I’m just not getting it? Let me know where you’re at. Is the club going to try and move Staal and insert Kotkaniemi in his spot at center? Was this just “retaliation”? The ‘Canes won their division (3rd in the league) and had so many things going right and slowly seem to be losing pieces and running out of cap space.
Check out my previous posts:
Would you experiment with the top line?
Filip Zadina is my breakout candidate this season.
Hakan Andersson pounded the table for Liam Dower Nilsson
Thoughts on preseason games
Prospect to watch - Alex Cotton
recapping the 2020 draft
Fedorov jersey retirement puck seen online
Svechnikov signs AHL deal, PTO with Jets
Nielsen is being bought out
Seider vs Nedeljkovic for Wings rookie of the year?
The 2019 draft 
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