Well we knew that it wouldn’t be easy to make it into the final wildcard spot. Despite having five games last week, the Canes only went 2-2-1 and saw themselves fall out of contention for the playoffs. Since the loss to the Penguins on Sunday, the Canes have made plenty of moves.
The Canes management seems focused on ensuring that the Checkers are stacked with prospects for their own playoff run. They’ve had two recent additions in the past week—Saarela joined them the past four games after arriving from Finland. He was acquired in the trade for Eric Staal from the Rangers. To say the least, he has more than performed. He won AHL player of the week and had six points (4g, 2a).
Good start in North America for this guy. https://t.co/UsKoMUIrUk
— Michael Smith (@MSmithCanes) April 3, 2017
The second addition is the Canes 2016 1st round draft pick, Jake Bean. He will be joining the Checkers for the remainder of the season as his WHL team was eliminated in the playoffs. This will give the Canes management a chance to see him play at a higher level and gauge his development.
[NEWS] @NHLCanes first-round pick Jake Bean joins Charlotte
— Charlotte Checkers (@CheckersHockey) April 3, 2017
More: https://t.co/Kf5c1zaRCp pic.twitter.com/NKzxB7wtDF
While he is rumored to have a good upside, I’m not sure the Canes need another average sized, offensive D, who struggles with physical play and getting “dirty.… It isn’t to say that he couldn’t have a good role for the Canes, more that moving him in a package deal may fill bigger needs—such as a young high caliber goalie or young top-6 forward.
The Canes also made a handful of other roster moves: they sent Wallmark and Di Giuseppe back down to Charlotte. This doesn’t surprise me that much, especially given the Canes are out of the playoff race. Both will help Charlotte in their push forward for playoffs.
Forwards Phil Di Giuseppe and Lucas Wallmark have been reassigned to @CheckersHockey.
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) April 3, 2017
I imagine his call-up is similar to Wallmark’s, where Coach Peters wanted to see what a natural center could do for the Canes. I wouldn’t be surprised if Poturalski was sent down again and the Canes make a few other moves to get looks at guys.
I am glad to see that Bickell is getting to come back up—he will become a UFA this summer, so I hope to see him get in the line-up. He was diagnosed with MS in November and joined the Checkers in February.
[NEWS] #Canes Recall Bickell (@bbicks29), Poturalski (@APots94) from Charlotte → Details: https://t.co/IERK6ZYmjC #Redvolution pic.twitter.com/K016RFwJS6
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) April 3, 2017
[WATCH] @JustinFaulk27 hits the bank shot for his 17th goal and a new #Canes record for goals in a season by a defenseman. #Redvolution pic.twitter.com/Jvs57NC6q5
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) April 3, 2017
Rod Brind'Amour on Eric Staal: "A great person, and I was real fortunate to have a lot of years with him."https://t.co/xYdTRiZ7OZ
— Michael Smith (@MSmithCanes) April 3, 2017
The fact of the matter is that people stopped talking about the Canes after the losing streaks in January and February. The run in March got the buzz going again—while it may not have resulted in the playoff spot fans wanted, I do think many see the amount of progress is.
I think GMRF is 1-2 trades/signings from putting together a very competitive team—he certainly has enough draft picks this summer to mix it up. As the season winds down now, the biggest question is what do the Canes do with all these prospects and picks?