Matt Karash: Why Christian Ehrhoff to the Hurricanes actually makes sense

I've read simpler technical manuals but your proposed scenario actually makes some sense! My gut tells me (and it speaks to me quite often) that although Ehrhoff is supposedly ok with another single year contract, his preference would be for a 2-3 year deal and he'll wait even until after training camp starts to make a decision. Belch.

Carolina has a really underrated defense. If they added Ehrhoff, it would be one of the better ones in the league by far.

Carolina has a really underrated defense. If they added Ehrhoff, it would be one of the better ones in the league by far.
- jfkst1

Tried not to overdo it in a blog aimed a bit more at broader NHL audience for fear of creating a fire storm off topic debate, but I completely agree. Faulk is solid and only getting better at 23. Hainsey is an okay top 4 especially if you pair his stay-home style with someone who can carry and distribute the puck a bit more. Wisniewski maybe needs to rebound a bit, but he is only 31 years old and has that complementary skill set to match Hainsey. If the Canes could add Ehrhoff and if he stays healthy, he is still a good enough all-around skater to be a serviceable if not true top pairing defenseman. And Liles has mostly recovered from the Toronto debacle, had a better 2014-15 campaign and makes for good veteran depth and stability at #5. And you can do worse that putting the #6 slot up for a true try out to include Hanifin, Fleury, Murphy and the other youth to step in and start learning in a lesser role.

The problem is the same as every other team which is when you come up one short because of injury or whatever, it forces everyone up 1 too many spots and the quality takes a hit from top to bottom. Without adding Ehrhof or someone else, the Canes then could have 2 kids doing 'sink or swim' by themselves in the 3rd pair. And while I think Hainsey/Faulk could be okay, I'm not sure Liles and Wisniewski are a great fit as similarly offense-oriented defensemen. And the depth that is a little light on NHL experience then gets real thin.

Tried not to overdo it in a blog aimed a bit more at broader NHL audience for fear of creating a fire storm off topic debate, but I completely agree. Faulk is solid and only getting better at 23. Hainsey is an okay top 4 especially if you pair his stay-home style with someone who can carry and distribute the puck a bit more. Wisniewski maybe needs to rebound a bit, but he is only 31 years old. If the Canes could add Ehrhoff and if he stays healthy, he is still a good enough all-around skater to be a serviceable if not true top pairing defenseman. And Liles has mostly recovered from the Toronto debacle, had a better 2014-15 campaign and makes for good veteran depth and stability at #5. And you can do worse that putting the #6 slot up for a true try out to include Hanifin, Fleury, Murphy and the other youth to step in and start learning in a lesser role.

The problem is the same as every other team which is when you come up one short because of injury or whatever, it forces everyone up 1 too many spots and the quality takes a hit from top to bottom. Without adding Ehrhof or someone else, the Canes then could have 2 kids doing 'sink or swim' by themselves in the 3rd pair. And while I think Hainsey/Faulk could be okay, I'm not sure Liles and Wisniewski are a great fit as similarly offense-oriented defensemen. And the depth that is a little light on NHL experience then gets real thin.
- CarolinaMatt63

I'm a Pens fan, but Ehrhoff is a good 2nd pairing guy and adding him to Carolina's defense would give them a top 10 defense in the NHL if it isn't there already.

Playoffs?

The Canes won't be there with or without Ehrhoff.

The Caps, Rangers, Isles, Pens and Jackets all look solidly like playoff teams. In the other division, outside of the top-3 (TB, Habs, Wings), the Sens and Panthers will be in contention. That is already 10 teams without even mentioning the Flyers and Bruins.

It is hard to see where the Canes fit into that picture.

Playoffs?

The Canes won't be there with or without Ehrhoff.

The Caps, Rangers, Isles, Pens and Jackets all look solidly like playoff teams. In the other division, outside of the top-3 (TB, Habs, Wings), the Sens and Panthers will be in contention. That is already 10 teams without even mentioning the Flyers and Bruins.

It is hard to see where the Canes fit into that picture.
- Snowblind

Crap. You're right. It's just like the summer of 2005. No chance.

Crap. You're right. It's just like the summer of 2005. No chance.
- CarolinaMatt63

In fairness, this team DOES look a lot like that 2005 team.

In fairness, this team DOES look a lot like that 2005 team.
- BINGO!

The forward lineup looks very limited to me. I do think the defense is underrated and they could surprise people.

The forward lineup looks very limited to me. I do think the defense is underrated and they could surprise people.
- jfkst1

The Wildcard for me is Derek Ryan.

Is he a legitimate NHL player? Is he a top 6 winger at this level? Is the Swedish League MVP actually any good at all?

If he can make an impact of being a 35-40 point player I think that goes a long way towards this team actually accomplishing something.

I don't think they're playoff bound, but I do think they'll be a serious pain-in-the-ass to teams in the Metro

Ehroff would defintely be a good add! The depth on D would be pretty good, and would allow the prospects more time to mature! Hope the top 6 FW can stay healthy...

The only comparison worth making between this team and the cup team is the defense. And even still, they were a much better all around defensive team than this. Nic and Aaron Ward were shut down defenseman, and Hedican had one of the best all around games in the league.

But the forwards on that team, especially after the deadline, were stacked. I mean, we had Doug Weight relegated to 4th line duties through most of the playoffs. Not to mention, the league was much different coming out of the lockout, and we capitalized on lack of change. The rest of the league has caught up or surpassed us in almost every regard since.