Matt Karash: 2015 State of the Hurricanes: Part 3-Core vs. Cut

Matt Karash: 2015 State of the Hurricanes: Part 3-Core vs. Cut
- CarolinaMatt63

Good Blog. Hypothetically speaking, if you miss out on either McDavid or Eichel yet still draft in the top 6, would the Canes be open to trading Staal?
If my Oilers draft one of the 2, I think we would have to change course and not make the same errors we made with Hall and Nugent Hopkins. I think it would be essential to plug In As many impact veterans on McEichels line as possible, instead of depending on yet another 18 year old kid to pull us out of it.
Would Leon Draisaitl and either Justin Schultz or Nail Yakupov be an enticing trade option for Eric Staal?
ES's high salary and short term makes it a risky deal for Edmonton, but clearly risks have to be taken.

Erik Cole for Skinner

Erik Cole for Staal

Erik Cole for Faulk

Please just take Cole

As always I enjoy your column. Thanks for continuing your posts. Much appreciated Matt!

With Cam looking like his old self... It is difficult to trade him as he his our best chance at being competitive. I agree that we should trade him. Between him and Bill Peters they are the reason we are in so many close games. I'm not sure what we could get for him considering his contract... He has 1 more year on his deal so that could give a team the comfort of knowing he is not rental. My guess is someone in a tight playoff race looses their No. 1 to injury then that could be a fit. Other then that I don't know of a good home. Edmonton maybe maybe but they are years away from competing.

Skinner. I have always been on board with trading that kid. Get a good D.... Send him to Arizona for Yandle. But given that he is our only pure scorer on a team that struggles to score.. It might not be the best move.

I love Sekera. That guy has been our most consistent player. We gave up a 2nd to get him. Well and McBain but that was a blessing. I think he and Eric have the most trade value. I mean Reger got traded for 2 2nd rounders. On a good team Sekera is a top 4. Can play in any situation. He will get a 1st and a prospect. I think we have to move him. Don't risk loosing him for nothing.

Trading Eric? I personally think it's a terrible idea. Franchise centers are few and far between. Ask Toronto how their search is going. People love to bash Eric on his leadership. How many years has he carried the team on his back? He is the face of the Canes. But if a crazy offer comes in then go for it.

There is no such thing as a hometown discount. There is usually the hometown has the option to match. I lived in Raleigh. Loved it. Would move back in a heartbeat. Probably my favorite place to live! But I'm not there anymore. Got paid to go. And these players do the same thing. They may absolutely love the area. But they are not taking less then market just because they like the weather.

I think we need a complete reload. If that means trading Eric Cam and Skinner I'm ok with that. I love those guys but we can't keep doing this. Throw in some others... like a must trade for Sekera! Then any players not considered the core.

If we don't get a top 2 pick this year expect the next 5 years to be similar to the last 5 years. All teams have to rebuild. It's just a test of how to do that effectively. Remember when Pittsburgh LA Chicago Boston all sucked? Yes... They were terrible.. Then got their core. It's finally time to fail miserably and bring home competitive hockey for the next 10-15 years.

Yes not all rebuilds go perfect. Look at Edmonton and The Island. Way to long of a rebuild. But more often then not... It's the only way.

As always I enjoy your column. Thanks for continuing your posts. Much appreciated Matt!

With Cam looking like his old self... It is difficult to trade him as he his our best chance at being competitive. I agree that we should trade him. Between him and Bill Peters they are the reason we are in so many close games. I'm not sure what we could get for him considering his contract... He has 1 more year on his deal so that could give a team the comfort of knowing he is not rental. My guess is someone in a tight playoff race looses their No. 1 to injury then that could be a fit. Other then that I don't know of a good home. Edmonton maybe maybe but they are years away from competing.

Skinner. I have always been on board with trading that kid. Get a good D.... Send him to Arizona for Yandle. But given that he is our only pure scorer on a team that struggles to score.. It might not be the best move.

I love Sekera. That guy has been our most consistent player. We gave up a 2nd to get him. Well and McBain but that was a blessing. I think he and Eric have the most trade value. I mean Reger got traded for 2 2nd rounders. On a good team Sekera is a top 4. Can play in any situation. He will get a 1st and a prospect. I think we have to move him. Don't risk loosing him for nothing.

Trading Eric? I personally think it's a terrible idea. Franchise centers are few and far between. Ask Toronto how their search is going. People love to bash Eric on his leadership. How many years has he carried the team on his back? He is the face of the Canes. But if a crazy offer comes in then go for it.

There is no such thing as a hometown discount. There is usually the hometown has the option to match. I lived in Raleigh. Loved it. Would move back in a heartbeat. Probably my favorite place to live! But I'm not there anymore. Got paid to go. And these players do the same thing. They may absolutely love the area. But they are not taking less then market just because they like the weather.

I think we need a complete reload. If that means trading Eric Cam and Skinner I'm ok with that. I love those guys but we can't keep doing this. Throw in some others... like a must trade for Sekera! Then any players not considered the core.

If we don't get a top 2 pick this year expect the next 5 years to be similar to the last 5 years. All teams have to rebuild. It's just a test of how to do that effectively. Remember when Pittsburgh LA Chicago Boston all sucked? Yes... They were terrible.. Then got their core. It's finally time to fail miserably and bring home competitive hockey for the next 10-15 years.

Yes not all rebuilds go perfect. Look at Edmonton and The Island. Way to long of a rebuild. But more often then not... It's the only way.
- SouthSide

Too long? I think realistically, it should take about 10 yrs for an expansion to make an impact in the playoffs, and depending how bad a team is asset wise at the start of a rebuild.

Good Blog. Hypothetically speaking, if you miss out on either McDavid or Eichel yet still draft in the top 6, would the Canes be open to trading Staal?
If my Oilers draft one of the 2, I think we would have to change course and not make the same errors we made with Hall and Nugent Hopkins. I think it would be essential to plug In As many impact veterans on McEichels line as possible, instead of depending on yet another 18 year old kid to pull us out of it.
Would Leon Draisaitl and either Justin Schultz or Nail Yakupov be an enticing trade option for Eric Staal?
ES's high salary and short term makes it a risky deal for Edmonton, but clearly risks have to be taken.
- Jeropotato

I think Eric Staal is Francis' hardest decision. Despite his big contract, I would think he has trade value this summer. IF the Staal/Staal experiment underway underway under Bill Peters works out, my hunch is that Eric Staal remains part of the future. Next year is tough at $9+M salary but even if he does not take a discount, his next deal should be a decrease.

This said, I have to imagine that Francis will get pressure to cut some cost after another playoff miss and attendance that matches this reality. There are only so may options to cut significant $ and trying to do these big player/big $ deals is hard. He could be forced to quietly shop everyone and then make an assessment of where he can get the best return to decide who to move.

I do not envision the Canes entering a "blow it up and start over for 4 years from now" kind of rebuild. So IF Eric Staal hits the trade market, I think the package would need to be 1-2 younger/cheaper roster players plus some kind of futures in the form of draft pick(s) and/or prospect(s). I do not see Francis doing a deal for just a collection of futures.

Victor Fasth and Jeff Petry for Cam Ward. If you can resign Petry there is your defenseman and Fasth is a UFA. Edmonton gets a goalie who should be better than what they have and they get a year to see if they want to resign him

I think Eric Staal is Francis' hardest decision. Despite his big contract, I would think he has trade value this summer. IF the Staal/Staal experiment underway underway under Bill Peters works out, my hunch is that Eric Staal remains part of the future. Next year is tough at $9+M salary but even if he does not take a discount, his next deal should be a decrease.

This said, I have to imagine that Francis will get pressure to cut some cost after another playoff miss and attendance that matches this reality. There are only so may options to cut significant $ and trying to do these big player/big $ deals is hard. He could be forced to quietly shop everyone and then make an assessment of where he can get the best return to decide who to move.

I do not envision the Canes entering a "blow it up and start over for 4 years from now" kind of rebuild. So IF Eric Staal hits the trade market, I think the package would need to be 1-2 younger/cheaper roster players plus some kind of futures in the form of draft pick(s) and/or prospect(s). I do not see Francis doing a deal for just a collection of futures.
- CarolinaMatt63

That's a pretty heavy price tag for 1 yr at 9 million . I guess Jason Spezza's return is the most recent comparable though .

Too long? I think realistically, it should take about 10 yrs for an expansion to make an impact in the playoffs, and depending how bad a team is asset wise at the start of a rebuild.
- Jeropotato

Wow. Ten years! That's way to long in this day and age! You are doing it wrong if it takes that long. At least the Oil are in the rebuild. The Canes just keep patching patches with other patches.

Wow. Ten years! That's way to long in this day and age! You are doing it wrong if it takes that long. At least the Oil are in the rebuild. The Canes just keep patching patches with other patches.
- SouthSide

That isn't too long to start from scratch.you could do it sooner if you were in a sexy location to free agents and drafted an out this world 2-3 quality NHL'ers, per year with no busts.

Can you give me an example of a team that did it Quicker?

Consider the Penguins, who drafted 5th overall in 2002 and didn't win a playoff round for 6 more seasons....and that includes drafting Sid and Malkin. 90% of rebuilding teams won't be half that lucky.

Good Blog. Hypothetically speaking, if you miss out on either McDavid or Eichel yet still draft in the top 6, would the Canes be open to trading Staal?
If my Oilers draft one of the 2, I think we would have to change course and not make the same errors we made with Hall and Nugent Hopkins. I think it would be essential to plug In As many impact veterans on McEichels line as possible, instead of depending on yet another 18 year old kid to pull us out of it.
Would Leon Draisaitl and either Justin Schultz or Nail Yakupov be an enticing trade option for Eric Staal?
ES's high salary and short term makes it a risky deal for Edmonton, but clearly risks have to be taken.
- Jeropotato

Not really all that enticing. I think you're undervaluing Staal as you mentioned his comparable is Spezza recently but Staal isn't requesting to be traded is slightly younger, has a better injury history, bigger, etc. so despite the salary difference Staal would yield a higher return than Spezza and I don't think that gets it done. I'm also not entirely sure he even gets traded with his NTC and brother signed for an eternity.

Not really all that enticing. I think you're undervaluing Staal as you mentioned his comparable is Spezza recently but Staal isn't requesting to be traded is slightly younger, has a better injury history, bigger, etc. so despite the salary difference Staal would yield a higher return than Spezza and I don't think that gets it done. I'm also not entirely sure he even gets traded with his NTC and brother signed for an eternity.
- Wolfpack5

And we have a winner right here. He said he doesn't want to go...and he has all the control. What Ron Francis needs to do is sell him on being the next Ron Francis. Get him to take a trade to a contender this year, try for a cup or two, then come back and play with his brother(s) in two years with more pieces made available by his trade. Now, will that play well with Eric....who knows.

I'd keep Eric Staal for sure, as another poster correctly stated, franchise players are few and far between today. Unless you get package deal similar to what CBJ got for Rick Nash, three NHL ready players, you have to keep Eric and build around him.

As for Skinner, despite really liking the kid, we need to trade him for a potential valuable asset in a possible top 4 D man. He just doesn't complete in three zones that you need, and his D play has never been there. I'd rather have an Evander Kane type player who consistently completes and has passion.

As for Cam, trade him if the deal helps the club for the future. Not just a salary dump. Keep him at possible discount, say 5M per x 2. Anton deserves to play as well, tough situation there.

As for Semin, dump him, buy him out. I know its doesn't make fiscal sense, but playing a player only to pick up his paycheck is just as crazy. I see it as taking a valuable roster spot that can be improved upon, by a younger, hungrier player. That player would be Ryan O'Reilly. Yes, just a pipe dream, but wouldn't you have loved to give him 7M instead Semin.

Draft is key as well. Hopefully they do get a top three ready player. Time will only tell.

I'd keep Eric Staal for sure, as another poster correctly stated, franchise players are few and far between today. Unless you get package deal similar to what CBJ got for Rick Nash, three NHL ready players, you have to keep Eric and build around him.

As for Skinner, despite really liking the kid, we need to trade him for a potential valuable asset in a possible top 4 D man. He just doesn't complete in three zones that you need, and his D play has never been there. I'd rather have an Evander Kane type player who consistently completes and has passion.

As for Cam, trade him if the deal helps the club for the future. Not just a salary dump. Keep him at possible discount, say 5M per x 2. Anton deserves to play as well, tough situation there.

As for Semin, dump him, buy him out. I know its doesn't make fiscal sense, but playing a player only to pick up his paycheck is just as crazy. I see it as taking a valuable roster spot that can be improved upon, by a younger, hungrier player. That player would be Ryan O'Reilly. Yes, just a pipe dream, but wouldn't you have loved to give him 7M instead Semin.

Draft is key as well. Hopefully they do get a top three ready player. Time will only tell.
- CappyJr.

No?

1) You don't trade Jeff Skinner. He's part of the future. He's young.

2) Trade Sekera immediately. For the biggest return you can get right now. TRADE HIM. This team needs to finish as close to the bottom as possible. You don't need him here pulling the opposite direction.

3) Hope Semin either turns his game around or decides to "Retire" back to the KHL. Either way. Nobody is going to trade for him. Buying him out is simply not an option. I don't think Karmanos feels like spending 2.8% of his total net worth so a guy won't play for us.


Carolina has a 55% chance of finishing in last place if they go 13-25-5 the rest of the season. Those aren't bad odds and should be something they strive for.

If they don't wind up with one of the top 2 picks, there is nothing, NOTHING on this team I would not trade for one of them. Even if it means E Staal and the 3rd overall pick. It's that big of a deal.

Too long? I think realistically, it should take about 10 yrs for an expansion to make an impact in the playoffs, and depending how bad a team is asset wise at the start of a rebuild.
- Jeropotato

Carolina is not an expansion team. They were the Whalers for 18 years before they moved to Raleigh. They did make an impact in the playoffs during their first 10 years here.... Stanley Cup loss in 02 and Stanley Cup win 3 seasons later (lockout season adjusted). I agree that this team needs a decent shakeup, but they were not an expansion team. It can be argued that they weren't really an expansion team when they joined the NHL, as they (like the Oilers), were WHA teams.

Carolina is not an expansion team. They were the Whalers for 18 years before they moved to Raleigh. They did make an impact in the playoffs during their first 10 years here.... Stanley Cup loss in 02 and Stanley Cup win 3 seasons later (lockout season adjusted). I agree that this team needs a decent shakeup, but they were not an expansion team. It can be argued that they weren't really an expansion team when they joined the NHL, as they (like the Oilers), were WHA teams.
- rebaker501

.....and this the typical response from someone who wanders into the middle of a conversation.

1) You don't trade Jeff Skinner. He's part of the future. He's young.

2) Trade Sekera immediately. For the biggest return you can get right now. TRADE HIM. This team needs to finish as close to the bottom as possible. You don't need him here pulling the opposite direction.

3) Hope Semin either turns his game around or decides to "Retire" back to the KHL. Either way. Nobody is going to trade for him. Buying him out is simply not an option. I don't think Karmanos feels like spending 2.8% of his total net worth so a guy won't play for us.


Carolina has a 55% chance of finishing in last place if they go 13-25-5 the rest of the season. Those aren't bad odds and should be something they strive for.

If they don't wind up with one of the top 2 picks, there is nothing, NOTHING on this team I would not trade for one of them. Even if it means E Staal and the 3rd overall pick. It's that big of a deal.
- BINGO!

he does have sick trade value

he does have sick trade value
- IndianaSabresFan

Exactly. Especially compared to what we traded to get him.

The assets we would acquire trading him are more valuable to the future of this team than his current presence.

Tim Gleason would be a good fit in Chicago. We need a 5/6 guy and soon. What would the asking price be?

No?
- BINGO!

hey bingo do you remember a canes fan on here with the username doppelganger ?

hey bingo do you remember a canes fan on here with the username doppelganger ?
- -davies-

I seem to recall one, yes.

Still no new blog, eh?


Staal-Staal-Semin
Skinner-McDavid-Lindholm
Tlusty-Rask-Cole
Malone-Nash-McGinn

Faulk-Sekera
Murphy-Holzer
Bellemore-Hainsey

Kudobin
Ward

Matt where u @ ?

Matt where u @ ?
- KaniacNc

Yeah! I need my Carolina Hurricanes update!