Matt Karash: Carolina Hurricanes Free Agency Recap: Day 1

The Waddell thing is a joke, along with PK's turn to talk at the press conference today. Like you said Matt, this was something that could have easily waited. They talk about season tickets being down like we all didn't know already. It goes to show how out of touch PK has been with this team.

I agree with you about the fact that the Canes don't need any massive buyout contracts. Totally get it. The memo of the day for me personally was further disappointment. I think the Canes are a good free agent or two away from being a really solid team, assuming everyone already here performs up to standards. That said, it was tough to see guys like Dominic Moore and Brian Boyle take fair-priced deals while Francis sat around and still did nothing. At the end of the day, it's like you said, a good amount of frustration because it seems as if the Canes aren't keeping up with the other teams free agent wise.

The announcement of Waddell really felt like a kick to the groin, though. To me, the priority of this organization should be making the team better, not announcing front office changes on arguably the biggest day in hockey out of the year. It almost felt like a planted diversion away from the lack of moves in the market, and it was incredibly frustrating.

All this said, I really hope Francis can add more to this team. At least another top 9 forward and a top 4 D would be optimal. Because as it stands, I don't see this precise team making the playoffs unless Peters provides a huge spark. And that will lead to even further frustration not just from me, but from the whole fan base.

Lol isn't it Ryan Malone and Drew McIntyre.. It's canada day so you're forgiven

I am guessing you are going to see a
whole sale rebuild this year from the canes unfortunately .i wouldn't doubt that the stalls are gone at the deadline to stock up 1st rounders in a strong draft year.

Lol isn't it Ryan Malone and Drew McIntyre.. It's canada day so you're forgiven
- beleaf4ever

I actually knew I had to fix McIntyre but forgot to go back. Thanks for catching that. (It's fixed now.)

The Malone is actually not Ryan Malone but rather lesser known Brad Malone formerly from Colorado.

Benoit Pouliot

I actually knew I had to fix McIntyre but forgot to go back. Thanks for catching that. (It's fixed now.)

The Malone is actually not Ryan Malone but rather lesser known Brad Malone formerly from Colorado.
- CarolinaMatt63

The clean and sober Malone.

I agree that there's no need to overpay for a FA. We have too many overpriced contracts, which means we can't make any moves for anything other than peanuts. And the Waddell thing is either bad timing, or a smokescreen to distract Canes fans from the lack of moves.

I actually knew I had to fix McIntyre but forgot to go back. Thanks for catching that. (It's fixed now.)

The Malone is actually not Ryan Malone but rather lesser known Brad Malone formerly from Colorado.
- CarolinaMatt63

NHL.com and the Canes website both have it spelled "MacIntyre"

Went about as expected. Kind of pissed we didn't add more size to the bottom 6, and my suggestion (Cracknell) took a nice deal to play for the Champs. Francis could have came in a bit higher and got him, but it looks like he takes JR's tactics into free agenc. Thought we could have gotten a physical presence like Clayton Stoner too. Oh well.

I'd like to know the budget restraints that Francis is working with. I think if they added a moderately priced contract to help the team make the playoffs it would do wonders dollar wise and fan attitude wise. If the team doesn't make the playoffs after this year I think that's when you'll see this team blown up. Even my girlfriend who's been a Canes STH since they played in Greensboro is losing patience with this playoff drought and she has the patience of a saint. This year will be very interesting at PNC arena.

Matt,

It's probably too early to 'hate' the Waddell thing, but I really dislike it. The timing is extremely poor and the past track record doesn't give me much hope. There are still a lot of options available for forwards. I think the only way to fill a top 4 D out at this point is through a trade. Washington has a full coop on the backend and options to move someone out/dump some salary. I keep hearing they want to resign Grabo. The Pens writer just posted a thread about moving Martin and Sutter. I've always liked Sutter and think he would look good on our 3rd line. We could offer sheet him and try and put the Pens in a bit of Cap he1l? Seeing how ridiculous some checks were yesterday, I would go 2yr ~$3.5M for Sutter vs 5yr $5.5M for Bolland. Both are 3rd line C's, Sutter is younger and only hitting his prime now. The other option would be a trade. Pens writer mentioned trying to package Martin and Sutter together. That is tempting, but I'm not sure where to begin with that. Pens have the depth down the middle with Spaling, Goc making Sutter expendable. I would put Nash, Malone, Dwyer on our 4th, and Skinner, Sutter, Lindholm/hopefully bigger bodied UFA signing (Penner) on our 3rd. Just some thoughts.

Disappointed too, but don't know the salary constraints RF is under, if any.

In my humble opinion...the Canes' missed the boat on these players yesterday

1. Brian Boyle/TB 6M, 2M avg/yr
2. Alex Hemsky/DAL 12M, 4M avg/yr
3. Mason Raymond/CAL (again) 9.5M, 3.16M avg/yr
4. Martin Havlat 1.5M 1 yr deal

5. Clayton Stoner/ANA 13M, 3.25M avg/yr
6. Tom Gilbert/MTL 5.6M, 2.8M avg/yr
7. Anton Stralmon/TB 22.5M, 4.5 avg/yr

Roy, Legwand, and Stempniak still available but will be surprised if the Cane's make a play for any of em'.

It appears, even to the extent of the name of this blog update, that we have missed the point/strategy in play here. Based upon actions, its clear that Ron the Franchise and the name of the blog entry should be 'Francis preps for Connor McDavid'......

I'm not confused at all. The canes never try to sign the big name players and frankly they never want to play for the canes and who can blame them. Case in point look at Manny he wants a 2 yr deal and goes to the Habs for 1 yr at 850k?? I would hate to think that Ronnie believe that he couldn't match that. My trick to loving this team is too never expect too much out of them. That way I'm never disappointed, however that is becoming harder and harder to do.