stormTRacker Podcast
...stormTRacker Podcast is your home for in-depth analysis of the Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Wolves & Hurricanes' prospects around the globe. Host, Tom Ray, gives his insightful perspective & is joined by Hurricanes' "Insiders" Erin Manning, Katie Bartlett, Nick Bass (Canes Prospects) & Andrew Rinaldi (Chicago Wolves), as well as special guests, to cover all the top stories for your Carolina Hurricanes. Tom is also active on "X" connecting with Hurricanes' fans on a regular basis. (@stormTRacker24)
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stormTRacker Podcast
The Hurricanes are on Fire as They Charge into the Playoffs!
The Carolina Hurricanes have seized control of second place in their division after winning seven straight games and eight of their last nine. Their goaltenders have been exceptional with Kochetkov posting a .960 save percentage in his last four games.
• Goaltending excellence from Kochetkov and Anderson providing stability that allows the team to dictate pace instead of playing from behind
• Mark Jankowski's surprising impact with four goals on four shots since being acquired at the deadline
• Logan Stankoven bringing relentless energy and battle despite his smaller stature, earning comparisons to Brendan Gallagher
• Team chemistry finally clicking after offseason changes, with shared adversity helping forge stronger connections
• Andrei Svechnikov likely to rejoin Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis on the top line when healthy
• Power play remains a significant concern at just 9.4% success rate in March
• William Carrier's eventual return creates tough lineup decisions with Robinson, Jankowski and Roslovic all playing well
• Upcoming West Coast road trip provides opportunities to continue momentum against San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim
• Potential UFA targets to consider include Taylor Hall and Eric Robinson as priorities for re-signing
Well, the Carolina Hurricanes have weathered the Meco-Rantanen storm in Oranatare, winning seven straight and eight of their last nine and outscoring the opposition 30-14 during that time. And they've been led by rock-solid performances by their goalies, piotr Kociakoff and Freddie Anderson. A surprising contribution from a newcomer, mark Jankowski. Four goals on four shots Amazing. And of course, the Canes. They're all firing in all cylinders virtually every night. So joining me to talk about this and we're going to have a lot of fun tonight because it's mailbag segment coming up StormTracker Insiders, erin Manning and Katie Burtland Howdy ladies, hello, okay, so I thought we'd spend a couple of minutes before we get into the mailbag segment and talk a little bit about the Canes.
Speaker 1:I mean this is a great time to talk about them. They're playing outstanding hockey. They've climbed up into second place, 10 points back of the Washington Cavs. It's quite a story. I mean we look back gosh 10, 15, 20 games ago and it wasn't the same story at all. So we've got them going and leading the way. As I mentioned on the outset, their goaltenders have just been amazing. Fyodor Kochekov and we've seen the numbers lately in the last four games this is insane. He's got a 960 save percentage and a .99 goals against average. It's crazy, and he's been outstanding, and I think Freddie's done a great job as well. What do you think about the goaltending? It's phenomenal.
Speaker 2:Katie.
Speaker 2:It's phenomenal, Katie, it has been so much fun to watch.
Speaker 2:And they're just. Piotr and Freddie are taking the baton and passing it from one to the other with a lot of confidence and a lot of, I think, the kind of friendly competition you want to see between them. They're not trying to take each other's job, but it's a okay, see what I can do. Now you try and one-up me and see what you can do, and this back and forth. And they've just progressively gotten better and better and better and stronger. And I think part of what has stood out to me is the fact that earlier in the season, even as recently as a month or so ago, a lot of times they would be really good, but they still give up a goal or two and the Can played and having to push a little bit and made it more difficult for them to get their feet going and to really get to their game, as it were, in those matches. And one of the things that's been key in this recent stretch has been that Piotr and Freddie have shut the door on those early goals.
Speaker 2:They haven't really been allowing the other team to get on the board first, and that particular action by them means that the Canes are able to get to their game faster, they're able to have enough time to manufacture some goals and get a lead and then when there is a goal that goes in, it's not that big a deal because the Canes are already up by two or three goals. So I think that early play in the first period has really established their confidence and the confidence in the team and allowed the team to build off of that and find success on the other end of the ice.
Speaker 1:Erin.
Speaker 3:Well, absolutely Got to agree with Katie there, and just the fact that they're not letting in those dreaded easy ones that we've, all you know, cringed at a little bit.
Speaker 3:But even beyond that, to say, you know, one of the comments I think you had, tom, earlier this season was that we needed goaltenders who were capable of stealing a game, not just goaltenders that were, you know, keeping them in the game.
Speaker 3:So we've actually seen that there was a game that the Canes did not deserve to win, that they won because of Piotr Kocetkov.
Speaker 3:So, you know, those are the kinds of things you want to see, especially from a young, developing goaltender that ability to just rise to the occasion and just shut the door on a night when the team is struggling to find their feet, because they're going to have those nights, and especially in the playoffs, they're going to have those nights, and so those are the kinds of things that get you excited about the potential of this tandem working through the playoffs, however that ends up working, because you need them to be able to do that, whether it's to hold the line for a period while the Kings measure up the opponent, or to just stand firm and be the reason they win on at least a few occasions here and there, and we've seen that in the past from Freddie not so much, since you know various health issues and so on, but he can definitely do that when he's on. But now to see that from Peter as well is just really big for the Kings.
Speaker 1:Well, I think a couple of things. They definitely are pushing each other and I think there's a healthy competition going on there, and it's kind of what we saw last year when they were sharing the duties. They were outstanding.
Speaker 1:And here's some interesting stats and we know this about Piotr he is outstanding on high danger chances. His number he's in the 95th percentile in the NHL and NHL Edge, I mean no question. And he's been making those saves. And then of course he would have the odd little you know one that would slip in that he should have had, and that's stopped. And I think that's one of the big differences right now and he's also being a little bit more careful with the puck. He's not going out and taking crazy chances. He's playing a quiet game, as Trip Tracy would call it, and I think that's very much the case.
Speaker 1:Something else I just want to mention before we leave the goaltending they have moved up the ladder something fierce in terms of their numbers. If you look at and I took Freddie as he's got 14 games, so he's the 14 game number is the minimum. So Freddie's sitting in second place right now with his 2-1-5 goals against average and 9-12 save per se I'm talking about goals against average and then Piotr, he's sixth and he's at 2-3-7 now after that shutout and a 9-0-8 save per se. These numbers are fantastic. They really are outstanding and you will not find a duel that collectively has the number they have out and a 908 save per saves. These numbers are fantastic. They really are outstanding and you will not find a duel that collectively has the number they have. And if you look at the Canes numbers, and even Dustin Tokarski's numbers were outstanding. He's 2.18, I think, on his goals against average. So those three guys have really been locking it down, and so quite a story.
Speaker 1:When you look at how things were at different points of the season and trying to fill in with Spencer, martin and Dustin and so on, it's a great story and I think we've talked a lot about this too is that going into the playoffs and one of the biggest differentiators is going to be goaltending. So if they can stay on this run and stay hot, anything's possible with the Hurricanes for sure. So a great story in the goaltending. Now we're going to have some fun. Because Mark Jankowski isn't this the greatest story? And you know, when the Canes got him, we hardly even knew that because Eric Tulsky had done this press conference after the trade deadline and didn't even mention Mark and basically he said they were done. And then all of a sudden we find out that they, at the last possible second, were able to do the deal with Mark and we talked about it in our last podcast. This is a great story and he looks like he's going to fit in quite nicely with the Canes. What are our thoughts about Mark Jankowski?
Speaker 3:I just love how much fun he's having. It's so clear that he's absolutely loving life right now. And I mean, okay, the team he came from is not having the greatest year by any stretch of the imagination and he was not playing a ton of games for them. So seeing him, just you know, he's kind of that smile, just kind of lights up the room when he walks in and talks to the press about how much fun he's having.
Speaker 3:And I think, that that attitude definitely rubs off on the other guys. But just you know, I mean, yeah, the four goals on four shots, 100% shooting. Yeah, that's not going to last, but it's just so much fun to see somebody who can finish, so we're all cheering for that. We're really excited about that, and he seems to be developing some really nice chemistry with Eric Robinson too, which is important for what the Canes are going to want to do down the stretch.
Speaker 2:So what do you think, katie?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm loving him, and he definitely brings some added size, which I think is one of the things that the Canes have been looking for, that they've worried in the past and in the playoffs they've been a bit too small and we definitely have some players on the smaller side in other parts of the lineup. So, having a tall, strong center who can play that 200 foot game and yet still has that scoring threat, it will be a nice bonus to have to be able to put out against other teams, either their scoring lines or their other fourth lines, and really feel good about them playing low event hockey or being able to create chances in the offensive zone. And, like you said, aaron, I'm loving how Robinson and Jankowski are feeding off of each other. Whoever's their winger there has worked out well too, but that particular duo seems to be a nice combo to be uh, bringing in and that they'll play. They'll play heavy, for sure, and that's what you need from a fourth line in the playoffs.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I know, I know that, uh, when they signed eric robinson, one of their key uh target goals for that was that he was going to bring size for them in the playoffs. And you know, eric, eric is just playing so well right now. I think anybody could be on his line and they're going to have some success. He's really playing outstanding hockey these days, and we'll talk a little bit about Eric later on, I'm sure. So that's Janky. What about Stanky Katie?
Speaker 2:janky. What about katie? Um well, my goodness, stankoven has come in like the tank that he is advertised as he. He might not be very tall, but he is sturdy and he is full of determination, and there is no part of the ice that he is not willing to go to. And and that first game we saw that very nice deflection goal that he had on the power play, which the Canes really needed. And since then it might not be a whole lot of shine on the score sheet, but off the score sheet he has been doing so many good things. He had that beautiful goal that was disallowed because Stahl was just a smidge offside.
Speaker 2:I felt bad for him for that, because that was a really nice hardworking goal it's a great goal.
Speaker 2:But his motor and his work ethic definitely fit on that dad's line really well and gives them another like-minded winger there, but someone who also has a scoring touch, and I'm sure there will be plenty of other opportunities where he is going to put up some points on sides this time and start hoping to drive some more offense from that line, because we know that Stahl's line is one of the best lines come playoff time for possession they are just not one of the best lines come playoff time for possession.
Speaker 2:They are just not one of the best lines when it comes to finishing, and so I think Stankoven might help improve those finishing numbers at least a little bit, which sometimes all you need is a little bit when it comes to the playoffs. Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Well, the other thing, sorry, go ahead, go ahead.
Speaker 3:I was just going to say I think, watching him the other night I think it was the game against the Red Wings when he was battling in the corners you just get that look of surprise from these huge guys that he's stealing the puck from, managing to get it away from. I go back. I know I made the comparison already before, but it just does remind me so much of Brendan Gallagher, because people when he was young did not expect Brendan Gallagher to be able to battle in the corners either.
Speaker 1:They know better now, but when he was first in the league it was the same kind of surprise that someone of that size and that stature could just be such a bulldog and be so ferocious on the puck.
Speaker 1:And I'm loving watching him do that, because that is a feature of his game that translates so well to everything that the Canes do. Yeah, and you know, the Canes had great success with Seth Jarvis, with the dads, and so having two bigger players and then being able to put a smaller player like Stankovin on there is a good opportunity for them and it's great for him too. They'll be able to open up some space for him, I'm sure, and they're starting to get a little bit of the chemistry going and he's definitely a skilled player we know that and it's going to be exciting to watch. So hopefully he'll be another addition to the offensive side for the Canes. If they can start to get a little bit of offense from the Daz line, that will be very, very welcome, I'm sure. So one other thing briefly I wanted to touch on was you know the Canes are firing in all cylinders. You know they've just been smoking hot. What's changed? What do you think has led to this incredible surge, erin?
Speaker 3:Oh, sorry, you want to go, katie go ahead.
Speaker 2:I was just going to say I mean this piggybacks right off of what we were talking about with goaltenders.
Speaker 2:The fact that they're not letting in those early goals, they're not having to play from behind, means that they're able to get to their game. And they're the ones who are driving play, dictating tone, dictating pace and being able to establish how the game is going to go. And so for me, the goaltending has been the key, because they're not having to play from behind, they're not having to clutch their sticks a little bit tighter and wondering when's the next goal going to come from? And what I think has also been key is they've been getting production up and down the lineup. It hasn't just been trying to rely on Ajo's line, but you go and you look at the game card and it's there's at least two lines involved in the scoring in every game, if not, if not more. So for me, that's the key. It's establishing the tone early, not letting in that first goal, not having to play from behind and being able to get to their own game and dictating pace and tone of how the game is going to proceed.
Speaker 3:The only thing I would add onto that is that you know we talked about this a little bit. I think there's been times in the year when we felt like I think we all felt like they weren't gelling together for some reason or another. You know, you had a lot of change and a lot of drama over the offseason players leaving. You had the new guys coming in and certainly working very hard, but they didn't have the shared experiences you know, and sometimes it just takes a little bit of shared adversity for a team to gel together. And you know, when you think about some of the stuff that they've been through prior to this all coming together, and you know we can look at the whole drama of the Rantanen trade, because that was a factor, but I mean just also the fact that the entire team went through a two week misery of everybody being sick with the flu.
Speaker 3:I mean those kinds of things are the sort of thing that they have to battle through and find a way and, you know, pick up the pieces for each other and have each other's backs out there, because you know the guy next to you might not be 100% but you've got to get through the game anyway. I think the confidence that you build from that. We talk about teams battling through adversity, but ultimately the bottom line is that it's that confidence factor, that knowing that everybody's on the same page, everybody's going to do the same job, they're all pulling on that same rope. And then, like Katie talked about, with the goaltending, you add that in there, the reliability of the goaltending, knowing that the guy back there has your back. It just all comes together and I think that they're really starting to coalesce as a team, and at their exact right time when we head into the final stretch for the playoffs. So that's awesome.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I think some other things are kind of developing. Taylor Hall seems to be continuing to grow with the Canes and seems like he's playing better every single night. Seems to be continuing to grow with the Canes and seems like he's playing better every single night. We've got, obviously, the new players coming in with energy and certainly a little bit of a different look than Mikko Rantanen. These are fast players who play hard. So I think that's a nice compliment to the existing team. The interesting thing and we've talked a lot about this, but they've been making all this happen and a couple of their key players and maybe even called stars, if you will, certainly their big star, sebastian Ajo. He's been playing okay. I don't think he's distinguished himself particularly and of course, they've been playing without lately, without Andres Feshnikov. So it's kind of interesting that they've been doing this, and again by committee. I think that's a key part of what's starting to evolve with the team, definitely Okay. So definitely, as you say, a very significant kind of move of the team to come together. Certainly, we heard a little bit about the Brent Burns surprise birthday party. I mention that because that seemed to be a galvanizing activity for them as well. The new folks were there, everybody was there, and I'm sure it was quite the party. But more importantly, I think it really has helped the team become even closer. And that's kind of an interesting thing too, because we had a lot of new players in the offseason and you know they were part of the team for sure. But I think I see them a little bit different now. I don't know if you do, but I see them more kind of as a cohesive unit and, boy, once they get that momentum going, this style of Rod Brendamore's, with a team that's working as hard as the Canes are, and they're starting to get back to their game, where they're outworking the opposition. And we went through a period, for whatever reason, that they weren't, and you know that was hey, what's going on? This isn't Canes hockey, right? So hey, what's going on, this isn't Canes hockey, right? So yeah. So they're coming back on strong and hopefully, as they head out west, it's going to be an interesting couple of games. They've got three games out there, two of them with lesser teams, so this might be an opportunity for them to continue their winning ways playing San Jose and Anaheim in that three-game trip. So we'll see how that goes, hopefully on Thursday night we've got another win to put in the win column, so that's good.
Speaker 1:Okay, so time for mailbag and we're going to be highlighting questions tonight from a lot of fellow Caniacs on X Some great questions, I got to tell you. I really appreciate the folks taking their time and sending those into us because there's some really really good ones. So let's get started. The first question comes from Canes and Dogs and he says where in the lineup is Spetch going to end up? I like the Aho, jarvis and Blake line, but it sure is lacking in size and physicality. Who wants to take that one?
Speaker 2:Oh, I can start with that one. I think a lot of us, as we watch, feel like there's just something about Svetch with Aho that doesn't quite click. So we talk about, you know, should he be on the dad's line, should he be with Kokunyemi, or do you just kind of have to try and make it happen again on the Aho line? I think where he's going to end up, where Rod's going to eventually put him, is going to be up on the Aho line because of the aforementioned physicality. I do think, because of his size and his presence there, that he will make that line a little bit more difficult to play against.
Speaker 2:I mean no shot at all to Jackson Blake. I love Jackson Blake and his game. It has been fantastic. But he is a rookie, he is not playoff tested and he is smaller. And if there is one criticism on Jackson Blake's game, it's that he's a little too easy to body off the puck and that's not a trait that you want to have for your top scoring line in the playoffs. I personally think that Svetch will end up back up with Ajo and Jarvis come playoff time or shortly after the playoff start.
Speaker 3:I would agree with that overall. I think it's probably the most likely scenario. I think the least likely scenario funny enough given how much he's played there this year is to put him back with Stahl and Martinuk, because I don't think that is a solid enough playoff line for the shutdown role that that line usually plays against heavy matchups and when you get into the playoff matches. The only third alternative that we talked about and this could happen I don't think it's going to be the starting line, but the other player that you have that you could put with Ajo and Jarvis to increase their size is Taylor Hall, who's been playing extremely well, and if that decision was made then you would have Svechnikov with Kokuniemi. They have played together well before.
Speaker 3:It's not like that's a terrible option, but right now it's not as good as the option of Hall with Coconemi because they've found such great chemistry together and that line has been really humming. So I don't think that's your first. I think that's not going to be the first idea. We could see it down the stretch. We could see it tried as an experiment, you know. But we'll have to see. And the question right now is we still don't have a definitive answer on whether Svets is going to be making the road trip, but he did take part in an optional practice today, so that's a good sign. We'll have to see if he makes the full practice tomorrow, and then I guess we'll know from there.
Speaker 1:Well, a couple things I thought we'd touch on with Svec. I mean, Svec has not been lights out this year. He's had kind of a so-so season. Katie, you had a little bit of information on his kind of shooting and some of the challenges he's facing offensively. What can you tell us about that?
Speaker 2:It was just interesting digging into some of the stat sites. You go to NHL Edge and of his uh metrics are really good. They're in the 70 80th percentile and whether it's skating or whatever. But the one kind of dent that you have in his uh, in his kind of spider web map, there is shooting percentage. His shooting percentage has been quite low this year comparatively speaking to the rest of the league.
Speaker 2:And so I thought well, you know, is this just maybe that he's not taking as many shots, that he's not getting as many chances? And so then I went to Natural Stat Trick and looked at that. Oh, that's not the case. At both five on five and in all situations he is second on the team in shots on goal. So he's obviously hitting the net with regularity. So that would. That was kind of curious.
Speaker 2:So I popped on over to hockey viz and you look at hockey viz for both um five on five and uh in power play shots. It is scattered all over the place. He is shooting from way too far out. There are a lot. There is, I mean, there's a fair amount of shot generation at the crease, where you want him to be, but he is too good of a power forward and too skilled to be taking shots from above the dots, all the way up to the blue line. There are some shots he's taking.
Speaker 2:You'd think that it was a defenseman taking the shots, yeah, why he's taking? You'd think that it was a defenseman taking those shots, why? So I think he just really needs to concentrate his game on narrowing his field of play when it comes to getting opportunities and shots down towards, you know, between the dots, in the sweet spots of the ice, and just keep up that pace, because eventually there's going to be regression to the mean, and that regression for him means a higher shooting percentage, not a lower shooting percentage. So there's still plenty to work with there. He's still doing a lot of good things. It just hasn't quite resulted in goals yet, the way that, of course, we all are rooting for him to produce.
Speaker 1:Well, the other thing too is he does lead the team in power play goals. He's got nine and he could really help there. We know that when he's got his confidence he can really do some excellent work on the power play. So we'll talk a little bit about that. But that is an area that he has done well this year and he can do more Interesting.
Speaker 1:We've talked a lot about in the past making sure that Seth Jarvis was on the top line with Sebastian Ajo. I wanted to say that Ajo said recently that I feel like we have great chemistry. Every game we're out there together I feel like he's been my guy. So that's Ajo talking about Jarvis. So I think they're going to stay together for sure. And if you use the concept of loading up your top line, which I think is really the right thing to do for the Hurricanes, it should be Sveshnikov. If you look at the minutes with Sebastian Ajo this year, coming out of natural stat trick, it's interesting. Seth Jarvis has 406 minutes, a little bit more with Ajo. Roslevic had 395. So at the start of the year he was with Sebastian a lot, sveshnikov 370. So remember at the start of the year they had that great line of Svesh Roslevic and Ajo Jackson Blake 178. Mikko Rantanen 148. So clearly a healthy Andrei Svechnikov should be patrolling left wing on the top line.
Speaker 3:I think that's true.
Speaker 1:Okay, so that's the first one. Let's go to number two. This one's a challenging one and I know we had to put our thinking caps on for this one Coming from Reese. Reese said, with the team fully healthy, who comes out for William Carrier?
Speaker 3:That is a tough one. There's no question that that's a tough one. We went back and forth talking about it. First of all, I think that the thing that has to be said up front is that we don't really know right now when William Carrier will return. There is a good indication from the team they have talked about that he will be available for the playoffs, but, as we just heard today about you know someone for a different team the Dallas Stars said that Miro Heskinen will be available for the playoffs but probably not for the first round.
Speaker 3:Dallas Stars said that Miro Heskinen will be available for the playoffs but probably not for the first round, and that is something that we could be seeing with Carrier too, and this could be a very similar situation you don't know with injury timelines. Just because someone will theoretically be available for some point during the playoffs If you're assuming that your team is going to make it a certain distance we don't know that he will be there for puck drop in game one of round one. So that could kick the can down the road a little bit, because obviously, if injuries happen, then there's no question about someone coming out, it's just someone coming in. But having said all that, the bottom line is we don't really know, because there's no good choices, and that's a good thing to to a good situation to be in, to not be able to pick someone and say, well, this guy's definitely sitting. You know we can't say that, so I'm gonna kick it over to katie that's a very nice not answer there.
Speaker 2:I'm good at that. Well, I mean, if you think through the lineup, so we have the top six pretty much set, in that you have Svej Aho, jarvis Hall, kk, blake, and if it's not Blake it's Stankoven. But Blake's not going to be going anywhere. He's too valuable. Rod trusts him too much. And then obviously you have, for whichever one of those isn't up there, you still have Stahl and Martin. They're not coming anywhere. So that's nine players you Obviously you have. For whichever one of those isn't up there, you still have Stahl and Martinuk. They're not coming anywhere. So that's nine players you know are going to be in the lineup, set and forget. So then that leaves the three, because we know Jost will be the one that comes out for Svechnikov and Svechnikov.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's easy.
Speaker 2:So that leaves Robinson, jankowski and Roslevic. Well, roslevic's been scoring a lot of goals. Jankowski's a center. So even though Roslevic can play center, I don't think Rod's going to trust him with face-offs and the defensive responsibilities that sort of thing. And then you have Robinson, who has been playing fantastic hockey.
Speaker 1:He's been phenomenal.
Speaker 2:So the question then becomes can we sit Carrier? He hasn't been playing in a while. He's been phenomenal, a ton of value, the heavy north-south play of Robinson, the centering strength of Jankowski or the goal-scoring production of Roslevic I don't know that you give up what those three bring in order to bring in the intangibles for Carrier. So my answer would be you sit Carrier. But if Rod brings in Carrier, I hate to say it but I think it would be robinson because you can't. You can't give up the goal scorer and you can't give up the center okay, now I'll jump back in.
Speaker 3:I think there's a non-zero. I mean there there's a slight chance.
Speaker 3:It's not 100%, but if the goal is to make this line a heavy punishing, you do not want to play against them line, then the person who comes out would be Roslevic and even though I know we need his scoring and even though you could ask the question, would he occasionally, would he and Blake maybe take turns on one of the other lines and it could happen, we don't know. But if you want that to be this physical punishing, traditional fourth line in the playoffs line, you're going to have Robinson, genkowski and Carrier, because that is what Carrier's game is, it's what it's always been. So again, I still think that we have that chance of maybe he doesn't come in game one round one. Maybe he, you know, maybe all of those guys are cycling in and out, depending on the matchups and depending on who the opponent is and what it looks like.
Speaker 3:I mean, do you need that punishing line if the Canes' first opponent are the New Jersey Devils? Nope, do you keep Roslevic to try to feast on easy matchups and get the scoring? I think there's going to be a lot of strategy here and we could see some very unusual combinations as they go through this and think about not just how do we want to play, but who are we playing against. You would want that line against the Florida Panthers, I think, if you get there. But there's a lot of steps between here and there for both teams.
Speaker 1:I think this is going as I expected it would, because it is a complex discussion. A couple of things that I'm thinking, just to kind of add to what you've said, and I think both of you have great thoughts on this. Carrier is going to play as soon as he's ready, for sure. He was brought in because of this. He's had extensive playoff success and I don't see any way that Carrier isn't in there. Don't forget, jack Roslevic's had some playoff action as well. The two other guys have had very limited, so Blake has had none and Stankoven has not had a lot. So Brendan Moore, likes that experience.
Speaker 1:As you know, he likes to go with the folks who've been out there getting it done. I would not be surprised if we saw Blake or Stankoven set out a game here and there, but I think a lot of it's going to be due to are they all healthy? You know, are we dealing with some injuries and some nagging problems? He can drop somebody in. Or, you know, is somebody not playing well? Or you know, maybe somebody could be dropped in to shore up a line or whatever. It's a great position for the Canes. I don't think it's clear today, and I don't think it'll be clear until we get into the playoffs, frankly, as to how this is going to
Speaker 1:play out, but I would bet that William Carrier is going to see some action in the playoffs for sure, because he's a playoff guy.
Speaker 3:Great question. I didn't know you were going to write about that Great question.
Speaker 1:Let's go to another one. They keep bringing these tough questions Boy oh boy. Okay, this is from Canes and Seven. He said I think scratching Morrill for Orlov is a risky move for Rod. If he makes the switch and the canes get knocked out, I think the seat temperature might start rising. Thoughts.
Speaker 2:Something like sitting a rookie for a proven vet is not going to change the seat temperature for Rod Brindamore in the slightest.
Speaker 2:I think we can say that with a certain amount of confidence. And again, has Morrow been great? Yes, has Orlov made some really big boo-boos that have led to goals? Yes, that does not mean that in the playoffs you sit the veteran who has won a Stanley Cup and has been a key member of the defense on many a playoff run. You do not sit him in favor of the untested rookie. This isn't even a Rod Brindamore thing. Well, brindamore prefers the veterans. I don't know of any coach who wants their team to get far in the playoffs. Who is going to say which one am I going to?
Speaker 3:put in.
Speaker 2:I think they're going to go with the proven veteran every single time, as long as he is healthy, and I think that's part of what has been happening here.
Speaker 2:I think if we were already in the playoffs, orlov would have already returned probably two or three games ago but they have the time and they have the luxury of the rest of the offense playing well, to give Morrow that time, to let him develop a little bit extra and to allow Orlov's bumps and bruises to heal a little bit better as as we progress through the rest of the season.
Speaker 2:There's no rush to bring him back. Let Morrow play and then, once he is ready to come back, I wouldn't be surprised if they rest a few of the other defensemen Let Chatfield sit for a game, let Walker sit for a game, or whomever just to keep Morrow in there. Keep Morrow fresh. He is a great seventh D to have, as we saw with Pesci last offseason. You know injuries can happen, and lengthy ones at that. So I feel a whole lot better having Morrow with his experience as an emergency fill-in than some of the other defensemen we've seen this year. So that part of it is is good with with morrow. But no, orlov is. Orlov will be in the lineup, provided he's healthy, game one and he will stay in the lineup absolutely agree.
Speaker 3:No, no disagreement whatsoever there. And you know, one thing that I think, think that some of our fellow Canes fans might want to think about is this when you're talking about not just a rookie, but a rookie who hasn't played, I mean, this isn't Jackson Blake who's played the entire season, this is a rookie who has come up from the AHL and he's still I mean, he's still on a very low number of NHL games played so far. He's doing great, there's no question. But the playoffs can be a real shock to the system, even for people who've been in the league for a while, who just haven't been in the playoffs yet.
Speaker 3:So I think that when you know there's a tendency to hear Bryn DeMoor talking about you know the possibility of using him as a seventh D and to see that as some sort of slight or insult or something. But it's actually quite an honor because there are, like Katie said, there are some guys in the AHL who have been called up this year and been in rotations and come in to take that spot. We've gone 11-7 a couple of times with some of these guys on the roster. So if you're putting Scott Morrow above those guys, that's already a level of trust in a young defenseman and a rookie defenseman that a lot of teams wouldn't be ready to give him. So I mean, I still think that that's a sign that he's doing well and he's doing everything that the Canes want him to do. So I wouldn't look at that as some kind of disrespect for what Morrow is eventually going to bring to the Canes. It's just that the key word there is eventually. We're not there yet.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and you know what? That's an exciting thought for next year. You know we've talked a little bit about this. We see how Scott's developing very nicely and we know that Alexander Nikitian is earmarked to come over for next year as well. A couple of things I wanted to mention. I mean Scott's numbers are good. I mean he's got a goal and three assists for four points in six games. I mean one goal and two assists for three points rather, and a plus four. He's playing about 13 minutes a game.
Speaker 1:But let's take a look at Orlov for a second. I mean Orlov has 92 playoff games. Okay, the last two seasons in particular, you recall, in Boston he was really outstanding. He played very, very well for them. And last year, of course, he played very, very well for them. And last year, of course, moving up with Jalen Chatfield into that number two pair, basically in a very tough situation due to injury, I thought he accorded himself very well and so he's a guy that really kind of brings his game forward. And now, with him getting a little bit of a break, I think that's going to give him a chance to recenter, come back in, be sharp and be the kind of defenseman that the Canes are really going to need in the playoffs. He plays a heavy game. He's a guy that can really lay on the body and I think that's key as well. Morrow's a little bit more of a finesse player, as we know.
Speaker 3:The other thing with Morrow.
Speaker 1:I would not be surprised if Scott goes back to Chicago. They're on a run here, they've got a chance to go into the playoffs. This is a great experience for him to play big minutes, to play in all situations with the Wolves. So I would be a little surprised if he's hanging around with the Hurricanes. I just don't see it. I see him playing down in Chicago and getting a real opportunity to experience, you know, some very, very significant hockey as they go into the playoffs as well, and I'm sure that the Wolves would love to have him back. So that's always possible.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so so I think I think again, it's a great question. Scott certainly got our attention. We really liked the way he's playing. His offensive acumen is is really special. He made some great plays that we saw. One led to the goal with Jankowski, another one he set up Jordan Martinuk on an incredible play.
Speaker 1:He sees the ice extremely well. So lots of excitement with Scott. Great question Canes in seven. Again, we're with Dimitri at this point, so we'll stick with that. Seven again uh, we're with dimitri at this point, so we'll stick with that.
Speaker 1:Um, I knew this would come up somewhere and it did. And beth black swan asked the question is there any way to fix the power play before the playoff, absent divine intervention? And that's exactly the way to put it, I think, at this stage. Um, I wanted to, before we get into the discussion, just refresh where we are with the power play. You know we started well, I've talked about this in the past.
Speaker 1:We headed into January and did 5.1% success. We went into February oh, we're up to 12.5. That's going the right way. We're up to 12.5. That's going the right way. We're back into March at 9.4. These numbers are just absolutely horrendous and we know that the power play is going to be critical in playoffs. It always is those games. Quite often it's the special teams that save the day. And of course, the Canes are very fortunate to have one of the top penalty killing units in the league and they're going to count on that significantly. But the power play's got to get fixed, and we've seen them doing a lot of different things. You know they're trying to dump the puck in and go after it. They're trying all kinds of things, but what do we think has to happen to get this power play fixed? Katie, why don't you take a shot at that one?
Speaker 2:Well, it's interesting If you go back to January, the Avs were in a similar situation until the trade happened and they ended up with Natchez, and then their power play took off, and the one thing that was the key for them is they had had the same problem the Canes are currently having it's too static, it's too static, it's too stagnant, it's too many. Just people sit standing in one place, passing the puck around the umbrella, not creating anything dangerous, anything that resulted in likelihood of of them scoring. So what they what the abs changed with having nature's in there is that nature started moving around.
Speaker 2:Yeah, he was never in the same place.
Speaker 2:He'd start out coming into the zone and be in the left face-off circle and then he'd be behind the net and then he'd come out net front and then he'd shift off to the side looking for a tip pass or he just never was in the same spot and always moving around, and whenever he moved out of a space, another player would move into and fill up that space, and so the defense wasn't able to just, you know, be able to turn their back and say well, I know that this person is still going to be there, even if I'm not watching him with an eagle eye, because you know he might be two feet to the left or two feet to the right, but he's going to be in the exact same place.
Speaker 2:If the puck goes in that direction, I know how to turn and position myself. With the way the abs power play has been going recently, they can't cheat on anybody and they don't know who's going to be there. Because even if you know there's going to be someone in that position, it makes a big difference whether it's nature's or mckinnon or if it's drew in, or Valerie Natchushkin.
Speaker 2:I mean those are two very different types of players with different propensities for the types of plays they make and shots they have and that sort of thing. And we have that same thing Whether Svetch is taking the shot or Jarvis is taking the shot. You have to play them differently because of the type of player they are and what they like to do with the puck. That's what I think the Canes need is they need that movement and they need that dynamic aspect to to their, to their power play where they're keeping the defense guessing about who's there and what they're doing.
Speaker 2:Other than that, the other thing they need is speed. There are too many times that I'm particularly putting this on Aho there are too many times that the pass comes to them and they just stop the puck. They don't even dust it off, they just stop it and they sit and they wait and they look left and right, left and right, left and right, and then do something with it. Well, by that time, if you're taking a shot, the goalie is already in position, or a defender is able to get into the lane and block it, or they're able to get a stick and prevent the pass. It's giving the defense way too much time to react, and definitely the goalie as well. So they need to be much more intentional and quick with their passes and their shots in order to have a better chance of the puck getting through lanes and beating the goalie yeah, I think she said it all I think the other thing the other thing.
Speaker 3:If there's another thing they need to fix and I think, tom, you alluded to this just a little bit it kind of boggles the mind, because the Canes are an excellent forechecking team, which means they're really good at getting the puck into their own zone, except on the power play. Why are the zone entries so bad for the Carolina Hurricanes? When they carry the puck in all the time, even when they shoot it in on a forechecking shift where they're trying to get it in deep, they're not just dumping it into a random corner, they're targeting an area that nobody is there, and then there's at least three guys converging to go get that puck. Why can they not do that on the power play when they outnumber the opponent? You know there have been some jokes on X about they should just treat it like a regular five-on-five shift and send out the five-on-five lines complete with two defensemen, and not even try to pretend that it's anything special, because they might have better luck. You know it's hard to argue with that.
Speaker 1:So Well, I mean, the other thing too is that they relied on Marty Natchez for those zone entries. He is one of the best in the league, frankly, and they really counted on him to do that and he did it well for them Once he was gone. This was a major, major hole, and that's been part of the challenge. But you know it's interesting when you look at some of the top power plays, you know what. That's been part of the challenge. But you know it's interesting. When you look at some of the top power plays, you know what's being said about them. Ok, so let's take a look at the Winnipeg Jets and there's this number one 31 percent success rate, ok, and the Canes, I think, are down at 18. So here's what.
Speaker 1:Here's what the power play coach, david Payne, said. He said, yeah, there's not a lot of focus on end results. We basically stick to the process about what we want to do and how we want to do it. So that's interesting. And then Josh Morrissey, who's the power play quarterback, said I think there's a pace that we're playing at and executing at that we haven't had in the past. We're on the same page and we're getting opportunities in different ways. So he's talking about what you were talking about too, katie. There's a pace. They're moving around, they're doing things, they're on top of it. Todd McClellan for the Red Wings they're third at 28.3%. We know they've been smoking hot at different points this year. Said it is very well connected.
Speaker 1:So the other thing about this is that these players have got to be on the same wavelength. Okay, so to me, what you need to be doing is you've got lots of movement, people know where they're going to be, the puck's moving quickly. All of a sudden you get that shot. You know that gives you a chance to get a rebound, or it's a one-timer from the right or left side. Again, doesn't sound like there's a lot of magic here. You just go out, move quickly and get the shots on net and, of course, first and foremost, you've got to get into the zone. But the Canes have got to get that number up. They cannot be in the playoffs at 8% or 10% or 12% success rate. It's just not going to go, and that would be the Achilles heel for them this year, because the other parts of their game are looking good. They're looking very, very good. So again, great question, and it's a tough one.
Speaker 3:Some divine intervention probably wouldn't help.
Speaker 1:Well, divine intervention is definitely what's going to be needed at this stage Wouldn't hurt sorry.
Speaker 1:Yeah, okay, our next question. It's actually two folks had a very similar question, so I'll read both of them before we jump into it. Sean Barron said with us having a lot of cap this upcoming offseason, are there any expiring contracts you feel are a must sign, or at least would try to sign before free agency? Okay? And then Eric K8 came back and said if you could bring back only one of the pending UFAs on the canes, who would you want to target the most? So here's the questions we're getting who should we be looking at with the folks who are currently unrestricted free agents? Katie?
Speaker 2:Okay. Well, let's start with the ones I definitely think that the cane should be looking at, and that would be at the top of my list, holland, think. I think they both fit in very well. Robinson has just worked his tail off and shown that he is a Canes player through and through. Fits to a tee. Same thing with Hall. I'm going to throw a little bit of a curve ball out there for my third one. Just because of the way the market is looking for this this summer, I would not be surprised if the Canes re-sign freddie anderson okay because it's just not looking like there's going to be a lot of goalies.
Speaker 2:That would be an upgrade over him, even with the injury issues. That. That might be an area freddie's willing to come back at, a number the canes are comfortable with. They can say look, we know this duo, we know this tandem, we know how it works. Let's just keep know. There's not a better option out there right now. Bring him back for a year or two. So that's perhaps my curveball, but I think if I only had to choose one, though, I'd probably go with Robinson. I just I love his vibe, I love his energy, I love the heaviness with which he plays and the fact that he seems to work just about anywhere in the bottom nine. I don't want him on the Aho line, but he has been able to work well with KK. He has played with Stahl on bump-up shifts after power plays and looked really good.
Speaker 2:And then obviously, on that fourth line he's been phenomenal and really seems to be creating something with with Jankowski as well. So just that versatility that he has, that he, that he can, you know, take the minutes just about anywhere other than that top line is super good as well. So, yeah, if only one, sign me up for Robinson.
Speaker 3:Aaron, I think I pretty much agree with Katie. I would say that that's also the choices that I would make. I would not be surprised, just in a practical sense, if they're looking at both Hall and Robinson, and I would not be surprised if Hall were to be signed before we even get to the summer because he really wants to stay in one place.
Speaker 1:He does.
Speaker 3:And if he likes it here well enough, then he might be willing to sign it, a number that everybody's happy with. So that could get done even sooner than Robinson, if, if that's, if that's something that they do with Freddie. I know we've gone back and forth on this. I see what the thinking is, because there really isn't a lot available unless, you know, the Canes managed to pry someone loose. That we aren't even thinking is available, because that's always possible. But the only concern I have would be that I would say if they did it, it would have to be a one-year deal. Only because he will be 36 years old. You don't want to sign him for two years at this age. Goalies can deteriorate quickly when they get into that age range and especially if they have an injury history. You know there are not very many Marc-Andre Fleury's out there that are playing.
Speaker 1:I was just going to say the flower's been around for a while.
Speaker 3:Yeah, the guys that make it into their 40s and can still play goal are pretty few and far between. So we don't want to get too close to that age range with Freddie's history. And the other thing is that I think that the Canes would have to be pretty convinced that Kochetkov could actually handle the kind of tandem where it's two games to everyone Because you know two starts for every one of Anderson's or you know, or being able to take hold down a significant stretch in case of injury. So if they're ready to see that in Piotr, that would be great for the team if they see if they have that kind of confidence in him.
Speaker 1:So in that case sure, Well, and Piotr's deal is $2 million. He's got another year on it. So I think you know the Canes are in a pretty good situation. They may decide to acquire a third goalie. If they do keep Freddie, they might get a third goalie that could play some games in the NHL. There are some folks like that floating around and I think you could probably do that. But I totally agree with where you're going with this. I think Eric Robinson has been just wonderful 13 goals, 16 assists on the year. He's a guy that scored that cool empty netter the other night, which I thought was great for him. He works so hard, it's nice for him to get a break once in a while and he's a plus 10. So he's been out there and doing a solid job on both ends of the puck and I think that's great. Taylor Hall Sorry yeah.
Speaker 2:Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you were about to transition. I just want to say you know the one unrestricted free agent none of us has mentioned yet.
Speaker 1:Who Jack Wosolik yeah.
Speaker 2:So I don't think he's coming back, because I think he's going to want a bigger role and I think that the price tag that he is going to want is going to be more than the Canes want to play him for the type of player they would be targeting for the team.
Speaker 3:Canes want to play him for the type of player they would be targeting for the team. I would agree with that because I think that he's going to be able to command a little bit more salary and there's nothing you know, there's absolutely nothing wrong with him seeking that at this point in his career. He's had a really good year with the Canes and he should be able to capitalize on that. If he wants to Now, if he wants to stay and work out a teamfriendly deal, then the only question becomes you know, where does he go if the Canes decide to elevate someone like Bradley Nadeau, for instance? And those are questions that are going to get more airtime as we get closer to the summer.
Speaker 1:So we'll wait for that going to be tricky. But I was just going to mention on Taylor Hall, just to wrap this up, is that I felt like just in recent games Hall is really kind of taking his game up a notch and he's a guy that you know. His pedigree is incredible. He's been an MVP, he's done very, very well in the past and has struggled through some injuries, but really looks like he's finding his game again and he's made it very clear he'd like to stay and for sure he's the type of player that the Canes would love to have and it's just a question of what the deal looks like. But I suspect it'll be a relatively team-friendly deal. He's had many big deals. I don't think he needs to worry about that. So I could see him on a three-year deal. It's something that's reasonable to worry about that. So I could see him on a three-year deal. It's something that's reasonable.
Speaker 1:And again, with Jack Roslevic, I'm back and forth on Roslevic, because Eric Tulsky has been talking about looking at most of the free agents, like talking to them, and he's made that very clear. And Roslevic, if he gets his game going and it's starting to come together again you know if he had 25 goals or something this year and you know he's starting to play the kind of hockey he can play. He becomes an interesting player to bring back. He knows the system, he knows everybody knows him. He seems to get along great with the teammates. You know he seems to be smiling more these days, so that's always a good sign and he's got chemistry on that line with Kokanemi and Hall. And that's the other thing I want to mention is you know, when we look at the lineup going forward, I'm not quick to move Rostelevic out of that position. Frankly, that line has looked really, really good and for the first time the Canes have a number. I don't know if it's two or three, but they do have a line now with Kokaniemi.
Speaker 1:Hall and Roslevic. That actually brings offense and I think that's you know. I don't like mucking around with these lines much because they seem to be starting to get it going and we've struggled for so long, you know, with that particular line packaging. It just hasn't been there. We had drury up in there for a while and then kokanemi was back on the fourth and you know we had all kinds of different situations and right now they're doing well and they're all happy Like Kokeniemi is very, very pleased about what's going on. You can see it in his play. Roslevic now starting to get some goals hey, this is kind of good. And Hall starting to really become a Carolina Hurricane. There's something going there and I think that's something we want to watch as we go forward, for sure. Anyway, yeah, robinson, bring him back, hall, bring him back, for sure, and we'll see with Rostovic and Freddie. I think is exactly right, unless they trade for John Gibson and I know we're not talking about that. I just thought I'd throw that in there for fun. I'm not necessarily suggesting we do that, okay.
Speaker 1:So our final question. These are all great questions and we're having fun with them. This one is a tricky one, okay. So from Deanna. She said with all the noise around, big pending UFAs in the league, is there anyone under the radar you think the team should target? So, looking at the UFAs this summer, we know that the guys that are, you know, up in the ether and certainly where everybody's talking about them, are, of course, mitch Marner, again Nikolai Ehlers, you know, sam Bennett. These are all folks that we'd love to have on the Canes, but they're in that other group and we may end up with one of them. We don't know that. But I think Deanna is asking let's go down a layer or two and are there some players there that we might be considering? Who wants to kick it up?
Speaker 3:Go ahead, erin. Okay, well, I mean, I know that one of the big questions that keeps coming up on social media is you know, are the Canes going to do anything to add a 2C or whatever number Rod assigns to that person, because we have no say over that. And yeah, if they were going to go big game hunting, if they were going to go look at somebody like Sam Bennett, you know that might happen or you know, sure, but there are some other potential options. I know. I think that you, tom, had mentioned Mikael Granlund.
Speaker 3:I'm a little unsure about whether he's going to be the right fit for the Canes, just given especially his age.
Speaker 1:That's the concern with the Carl.
Speaker 2:The.
Speaker 3:Canes have such a young group right now, and then there's a lot of people that are listed as centers who don't really play center. I know that, for instance, the Seattle Kraken have Morgan Kiki, who used to play for the Canes. He can play center, but the last data I had from Kraken fans is that he's really barely touched center this year. He's not been playing center very much at all. So that's where, I guess, for me, I start having the question are these, if you're going to, if you're talking about bringing up these players as, or signing these players as, depth wingers, how many depth wingers are the Canes really going to need, especially if they do bring back Eric Robinson, if they do bring back Taylor Hall, there's going to be a crowd there. So it's possible that we could look at some of those guys, and I know you've got a couple that you like too, tom.
Speaker 1:Yeah, for sure. No, I mean, if you're're looking at, I think anyone that canes brings in in that group is is a role player, somebody that fills the spot. Uh, you know. And and, uh, you know, you mentioned morgan geeky. He's actually with the bruins.
Speaker 3:Uh, geeky um he's a guy that, yeah, yeah exactly.
Speaker 1:He's a guy that, uh, you know, previously played played for the Canes, so they do know him and he's had some success. This year he's got 23 goals, so he's a guy that's interesting. He'd be low cost. Trent Frederick is an interesting one. He's with the Oilers now.
Speaker 1:He was traded by the Bruins but he's a big player Like he's 6'3", 220. He's had, you know, 18, 20 goal year, whatever close to. So he's a guy that, again, if you wanted to bring in somebody that could be a role player in that regard, he might fit the bill. Luke Cunningham is another guy that could do it. He's with Columbus now. Cunningham, again an experienced player, not that old. He's 27 years old, he's been in the league for a while but he's solid too. He's six foot, almost 200 pounds. These are all players that I think are of the type of player that would fit a role for the Canes. You know, mikhail Granlin, I agree with you on age, but, boy, he's a heck of a nice player and he's finished. So that's kind of cool.
Speaker 2:But again, maybe that's not a good thing.
Speaker 1:Sorry, I wouldn't say that, but again, yeah, you're looking at players that are going to be complementary.
Speaker 3:And I think that when you look at what we've got coming along and you know, I know that there are players playing right now for the Chicago Wolves who aren't necessarily ready just yet yes, but they're getting closer and closer you don't want to be one of these teams that fills all of those lower, especially the bottom six wing spots, with guys that you know you've got to pick them up as a UFA and you sign them for you know three, four years, because then those guys look at that roster and they say, well, there's absolutely no way for me to crack this roster because, let's face it, a lot of our forwards in Chicago are probably not top six players.
Speaker 3:I mean, there's a couple exceptions and we're all really excited about those exceptions but especially some of the guys in Chicago that are that are currently playing top six roles in the AHL, but they probably won't play top six roles if they make the leap to the NHL. So I worry sometimes about there's some teams in the league that I think send a message that the wrong way to their guys in the AHL by by over slotting those, those positions with extra depth when they don't really need to. I mean, right now I would look at I look at the Canes and I say I don't see a need for most of these players. I really don't. You know, um, there's not one name on that list that jumps out at me, apart from those first three that you mentioned. There's not a game changer on that list. There's not somebody that you'd say, oh, we really need the Canes to have these players.
Speaker 1:So you know, and I don't know, I think that's right, Erin, and the thing I was going to mention is that they've got to lock up the existing unrestricted free agents, because if some of these guys do move on and who knows, I mean until they're signed, they could Then you are looking for some role players Sure, absolutely, and fill in for them, and that's where these folks come in. But we do have players like Bradley Nadeau, who definitely should get a long look in next season, whether or not he makes a team, who knows. The other thing is that on the defensive core, I don't see anything there either. The Canes are loaded on the blue and they've got youngsters coming that are going to definitely want to claim spots next year. Now there was another player that we talked a little bit about, and that's on the goal side. So if Freddie doesn't come back, Katie, what do you got for us?
Speaker 2:So this is a controversial suggestion, but remember when you listen to this if Freddie doesn't come back, the UFA market we're talking, just the UFA market, not through a trade or something like that.
Speaker 2:I fully believe that if Toski wanted to try and find somebody to play goalie for the Carolina Hurricanes through trade, that he could do that. So I'm just looking at UFA options, which aren't many. They are few and far between. So if you're really talking kind of a dark horse and outlier, there is a chance that perhaps the Canes would take a look at Alexander Georgiev, which is crazy to say, because Georgiev I mean to label the year that he has had this particular season as rough is being a little bit generous. He has really really struggled, especially in a lot of the ways that would be problematic, let's just say, for the Canes, like giving up goals on the first two or three shots of the game, so the team's having to play from behind.
Speaker 2:And that was happening when he was playing with the Avs and it's still happening while playing with the Sharks Now. Granted, there's a bit more of an excuse there, because the Sharks are what the Sharks are. Yes there, because sharks are, but at the same time, the thing that georgiev would provide is it would provide a vote of confidence in kochekov.
Speaker 2:This is something the front office would do to say you are our guy and we don't want to tie up a ton of funds in somebody because we plan to extend you as soon as we are able to. You are our starting goalie. We fully expect to be able to make you the guy in net going forward.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:In which case the person you want to have backing him up needs to not be another rookie, needs to not be somebody who's inexperienced. It needs to be somebody like Georgiev, who has played both a backup and a starter role. So if Kuchekov were to get hurt, he would be able to play a significant amount of games in a row. He's a fellow Russian speaker, so you would have that going for that particular duo. He has playoff experience and in fact, his playoff experience has been quite good and has put up really good numbers in the playoffs. So again, if you needed him to to take on that role, it would be possible. So the question is just whether or not the canes feel like they can take on that particular reclamation project and whether or not it's worth putting the time in. There is potential upside, but there's definitely potential risk there. But I mean, if that's not the definition of a dark horse?
Speaker 1:ufa signing.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that would be an interesting option. And the other question that got asked the other day on x, that I I really don't have any uh knowledge way to answer it, but you might, tom, because you've paid a lot more attention to the Wolves. How is the young Russian for the Chicago Wolves?
Speaker 1:doing these days Well, Ruslan Kazeev, it's early days for him. He's not seeing a lot of action now. Of course they've got both Tarkarsky and Spencer Morgan, so he's a ways out.
Speaker 3:For sure he is okay that was my thinking, but I didn't want to say that with authority when I haven't really had a chance to watch the Wolves. But there are some people that are, I think they're pinning their hopes on him making that leap a little faster. I did not think that was the case, so that's good to know for sure.
Speaker 1:Well, don't forget, he came over as a 19 year old as well.
Speaker 3:So he's very young.
Speaker 1:He's got lots of time and they're you know they're keeping them in Chicago because you know they've got Stan Dubicki who's a great, a great goalie coach there and he did some work with Piotr before. So he's had experience with Russian goaltenders and you know they're just bringing them along slowly and he's a guy that's got. He's a big player, he's got some incredible natural talent. But you know it takes time for goalies, as you know. Sure, absolutely, and I think he's a guy that could be a goalie of the future for the Canes. I really like what I've seen from him. But again, he's still learning. So lots of time there. We won't rush him. We could bring in Georgiev for three or four years and then bring in Bruce In case we'd have a Russian duel right through. So it's kind of fun. Yeah, you know Georgiev. Just a last comment on Georgiev. I mean he's seeing lots of rubber right now. I can tell you that with San Jose he gets all kinds of work. So if he wants to bring his game back up to some kind of level, that's probably a good place for him to do it. So we'll see if he is around in the summer and if Eric has interest in Alexander Yorga.
Speaker 1:Great questions to all of the folks that sent those in. Thank you for doing that. We have a lot of fun with the mailbag segment All challenging questions, and certainly we had to put our thinking caps on and and have discussion to kind of be prepared for that. So look forward to the next one. For sure We've got a road trip coming up, ladies. Closing comments Katie.
Speaker 2:I just I'd like to see the key the canes keep the good vibes rolling out on the West Coast. I think they have a really good opportunity to go 3-0. I don't want them to overlook and take for granted the Sharks or the Ducks, but smack dab in the middle of those games and remember this is three games and four nights, so they're traveling to the West Coast and it's going to be tough.
Speaker 2:So you have san jose day off, los angeles and then anaheim. The los angeles game is going to be really interesting. It's the one that I am looking forward to the most, because los angeles has a phenomenal home record. Yes, a lot of the people that I've been listening to that have talked about possible playoff matchups are looking at the fact that it's probably going to be LA and Edmonton again in the first round, like it's been for the past few seasons, and that the one key for them is who has home ice, because they think that this could be LA's year to knock off Edmonton If LA can gain home ice because they have been so dominant. So I'm really interested because we've talked about how the Canes have not been quite as strong on the road as they have been at home.
Speaker 2:In fact, they really have been much, much stronger.
Speaker 1:They have been on the road.
Speaker 2:So to you know, for that to be an area where they could use some improvement. I really want to see, with the streak they're on the role they're on, how that translates against a really good home team and another playoff-bound team like Los Angeles. That will be a really good test not just test, but litmus test for where they're at and how they're proceeding heading into the playoffs.
Speaker 3:Erin Agreed, agreed, but I actually think that it's interesting you brought that up because one of the things I was thinking about when we were getting ready for this is that the Canes last, you know they've won seven games in a row and they have faced teams from the bottom of the you know, not even in playoff contention. They have faced playoff shoe-ins like the Winnipeg Jets dominant teams and in between there to me the most dangerous ones of all have been the ones that are really pushing to make the playoffs, trying to get that wild card spot. They have a number of those games coming down the last 15-game stretch too. So when you look at the fact that they have won all seven of those last games, this is against a wide variety of opponents too. So when you look at the fact that they have won all seven of those last games, you know this is against a wide variety of opponents.
Speaker 3:There's no easy nights in the NHL.
Speaker 3:Like they always say, just because somebody's a kind of a bottom barrel team doesn't mean that they're going to be easy to defeat.
Speaker 3:So I'm hopeful to see those three games be wins, just like you are, katie, because there's no reason really that they shouldn't be. I grant you that LA is going to probably be the team that will be pushing the hardest, but the other two teams are going to be trying to get a win too, and they're going to be hoping that the Canes are in that mindset of oh we don't really need to prove anything here, we don't really need to, you know, as so many contending teams get into down the stretch, you know, but I, as so many contending teams get into down the stretch, you know. But I think that right now the Canes mindset is not like that at all. I don't think there's anybody on the team right now that's thinking they can have a couple of easy games, you know, and not really care about the outcome. I think they care very much. So it will be interesting to see them bring their A game against all three of those teams.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean, I think you hit right on the head. We've seen this before where they've gone out and played some of the lesser teams and uh, and didn't really start on time and uh, and the outcome and the outcome was not particularly good. The one team that could surprise a little bit is the anaheim ducks. Uh, the ducks, uh are, uh, they're, they're a team that's developing nicely and they also have a goaltender that uh in luc Dostal, who could really steal a game. We know that. We've seen that before from him this year.
Speaker 1:So they're the ones that I kind of think about. I'm not so concerned about Alexander Georgiev and the San Jose Sharks. I thought I'd throw that in there, katie, just for fun. Sure, in any case, it is going to be fun as we continue to watch the Canes. We're going to be here virtually on a weekly basis trying to keep everybody up to date on what's going on. This is an exciting run for the Canes, and boy I tell you, it's great to be a Carolina Hurricanes fan right now with all this great news that's going on To all of you who are watching or listening.
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