Mailbag #32: Summer Housekeeping
Nino? Arbitration? Should we be worried about Brent Burns' age?
(Please Note: Some questions have been edited for clarity.)
And we couldn't afford Nino at $4 million per year? - @1JeanneK
Okay, let's get into the juicy stuff right off the bat.
In case you missed it, Nino Niederreiter signed a two-year, eight million dollar deal with the Nashville Predators yesterday.
To start, as a reminder, this is a business. And per CapFriendly, the Canes currently have a little over $4M to spend - with the implication that Jake Gardiner will be coming off of long-term injured reserve (LTIR). They still have to sure up business with both Martin Necas and Ethan Bear. Necas is expected to get a raise from his entry-level contract and Bear made in the ballpark of $2M last year, which could be around what he gets again for this year. Most of that $4M could be gone between those two players.
So, to answer the question, while $4M may be surprising for Niederreiter, given it's less money after a pretty successful year, the team would have had to get even more creative than they already have been to make it work.
While we all wish Nino the best (except against the Canes, of course), let's not forget who was added on the left wing last week, either...
Explain arbitration to me like I'm five. - @PootinMayhem
Brilliant question. Timely, too.
Here it goes:
A player thinks he is worth a certain contract. The team has offered something lower than that.
The two sides present their cases to a neutral party and the neutral party reaches a decision within 48 hours.
Why does this matter?
Defenseman Ethan Bear has elected to go to arbitration. His hearing date is set for August 8.
Who do you possibly see making the roster from the Wolves side of things? Drury, maybe? Chatfield? - @OneTrueZach
Don Waddell mentioned both of those names, along with Stefan Noesen as realistic options in his press conference last week.
Anything is possible, but it seems somewhat implied that since Vincent Trocheck left in free agency, Jesperi Kotkaniemi is expected to be the number two center. Both Waddell and Brind'Amour have acknowledged such within the last week. That would open up the role down the middle of the fourth line, potentially for Drury. With 52 points in 68 games during his first North American professional season, and then perhaps an even better postseason with 24 points in 18 games, it certainly looks as if he is ready to make the jump.
Brent Burns and Brett Pesce make a really nice one-two punch on the right side of the blue line and at the moment, you'd have to suspect that one of either Jalen Chatfield or Dylan Coghlan will make up that third spot. Could both be in the lineup? Absolutely.
Then lastly, after scoring 48 goals in 70 games this past year with Chicago (AHL), you'd have to think that Noesen will have every opportunity to make the team out of training camp in the fall.
Brind'Amour on Jesperi Kotkaniemi maybe jumping onto the second line:
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) July 14, 2022
"We need it. We tried to keep Tro but it didn't work out, so now KK's got to step up... He has the potential to be that center that we're expecting him to be and now he's going to get every opportunity."
How is the situation with Martin Nečas is developing? - @Archie328
Wish I had more of an update for you, but in the same press conference from last week where Waddell talked about those maybe making the jump from Chicago, his only update on #88 was... "nothing new."
He's said prior that it will get done, other items in free agency just had to be sorted out first.
What do you think the floor and the ceilings are for the team this year? - @BigBen0397
I'll preface what I'm about to say with the fact that the team is not 100% fully formed for the season yet. But will the final moves made completely alter the landscape of the team? That remains to be seen.
The "floor" matters none. The goal for the team again will be to win the Stanley Cup. That's what it was last year and that's what it will be again this year. They won't be satisfied with another playoff appearance, another second round exit, or even an Eastern Conference Finals bounce. I don't think fans would be either.
Burns is 37. Pacioretty is 33 and in a contract year. It's no secret why they went out and got those guys as opposed to let's say an unproven, up-and-coming 26-year-old. Both Waddell and Brind'Amour have made comments about the two acquisitions fitting the current window for the team.
Their goal is to bring a second Stanley Cup to Raleigh ASAP.
With Burns still having 3 years left in his contract, there's obviously a worry about him "falling off" given his age. How do you believe the Hurricanes will handle such an issue if it arises? Do you think that the worry is even valid given his recent performance? - @KiwamiBeNT
I'll start with the last question, first. Do I think the worry is valid? The man hasn't missed a game since the 2013-14 season.
I understand that playing in and performing in are two different things, but he produced 54 points in 82 games last year on a subpar team. There's something to be said about him coming to a better situation with better pieces around him now, right?
Plus, while he might, he also may not have to play close to 30 minutes per night. He was asked a lot in San Jose. Perhaps less ask results in more results here.
Not a member of Twitter? We're always happy to take questions at [email protected] as well!
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