Thanks to everyone who took a couple minutes to complete the Canes youth poll. Here are the results:
1-Which long-time Canes forward prospect is most likely to rise up in training camp, seize a spot and make the biggest contribution during the 2013-14 season?
Zac Dalpe 28%; Zach Boychuk 0%; Riley Nash 38%; Brett Sutter 18%; Drayson Bowman 18%
2-Which younger Canes forward prospect(s) will surprise and win an NHL roster spot to start the 2013-14 season?
Brock McGinn 27%; Victor Rask 41%; Neither 39%. (It was possible to pick both which is why % is >100%.)
3-Which of the forward additions will earn a forward spot in the 2013-14 opening night lineup?
Aaron Palushaj 12%; Nathan Gerbe 85%; Neither 7%
4-Is it wrong to just completely ignore Elias Lindholm and assume he has a spot somewhere in the top 9 forwards?
Yes 34%; No 66%
5-Which Canes forward depth player is most likely to be gone by the end of October either via waivers or trade?
Zac Dalpe 26%; Riley Nash 5%; Drayson Bowman 42%; Nathan Gerbe 0%; Aaron Palushaj 26%
6-What happens with Ryan Murphy in training camp?
10%-He lights it up and wins a spot in the top 6.
20%-He sticks as a #7.
70%-He heads to Charlotte to continue his development.
7-What will be the biggest surprise/story coming out of the Canes training camp? (Comment answers)
--Couple comments on Rask doing well and making team.
--Couple comments on Gerbe tearing it up and earning a spot (not 4th line).
--There are individual big roster move mentions for Skinner and Ruutu trades plus a late Hainsey signing.
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A few quick comments on these situations:
--It really will be a wide open battle in camp. There are enough open spots that if someone who is not on the radar yet plays real well in camp, he can vault up the depth chart in a hurry. This has the potential to make for a big surprise from someone whose name is not even in the mix yet. Josef Vasicek did this a long time ago. More recently Chad Larose came out of nowhere. Could someone do it in September.
--Per previous blogs, my best guess for Murphy is most of a year to round out his game in Charlotte but with some NHL ice time when injuries open up short-term room.
--I am big on Rask and McGinn recognizing that both are dark horses. I would put the chance of McGinn making the team in 2013-14 at 10% and Rask 30%. But the important thing to note is that there are spots open, and each brings needed skills.
--I think Gerbe and Bowman are the most likely to stick somewhere out of the older youth.
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