If I had to make Canes lines today:
Skinner/EStaal/_______ Nestrasil/JStaal/Lindholm Terry/Rask/Nash Gerbe/McClement/Malone
The first thing that probably jumps out is the separation of Eric and Jordan Staal. Put simply, I do not think the Canes are not deep enough to stockpile a top line.
Because of his versatility and all-around game, I could see Lindholm playing on either of the top two lines. If no better option emerges from a late signing or trade, he could bring playmaking for Jeff Skinner and Eric Staal. If the Canes sign a playmaking right wing (a couple are still available), he could bring the same playmaking with enough defensive ability to play on a more defense-oriented 2nd line with Jordan Staal.
For _____, I think someone like Derek Roy or Brad Boyes could be a great budget fit to add a playmaker to help generate shots for Skinner and EStaal on a scoring line. I could also see ____ being someone like Jiri Tlusty to play on a 2nd line with Jordan Staal. That line would be a bit light on pure offense and playmaking, but maybe you get something like the BBC line of old that is sound defensively and can play a cycling/puck possession game in the offensive zone. The Canes suddenly have enough big shots from the point to capitalize on a puck possession game in the offensive zone.
Wild cards who could come into play are many:
--Derek Ryan. The 28-year-old has led a European league in scoring each of the past 2 years. Last year it was the SHL. He is undersized at 5-10 170 pounds, but look at Tyler Johnson. He brings exactly the playmaking that the Canes lack, especially now minus Alexander Semin who once brought that, so if he can make the adjustment to the NHL game, a spot is there for him to win. I wrote a bit about Ryan and a couple other dark horses on my new Canes and Coffee site.
--Zach Boychuk. He made strides rounding out his 2-way game last season which earned him a split season between the AHL and NHL. But when the defense dialed up, his offense dialed down. Part of it is a function of ice time, lack of power play time and line mates, but as a player whose skill set leans offense, he needs to do more than 3 goals and 3 assists in 31 games to stick at the NHL level. If he can continue his trajectory in terms of defensive improvement and bring his offense from Charlotte this time, there is room for him at the NHL level.
--Brendan Woods. He is a bit of a duplicate for Brad Malone, but as a big body and a rugged player, if he can do that with more offensive upside, maybe he steals a bottom half of the roster slot.
--Brock McGinn. In transitioning from juniors, he was not NHL ready last season. He also started slow in Charlotte but improved as the season wore on. He has a challenge converting his physical rough and tumble style to the NHL level with his frame that is a bit undersized for that game. But the Canes could use more of the jam that he plays with, and he was also a big-time scorer at the junior level.
--Anyone else. The Canes have a long history of players coming from off the depth chart in training camp to win roster spots. Josef Vasicek was probably the first, and he was followed by Erik Cole and Chad LaRose. There is room enough on the Canes roster that anyone who plays like one of the best 12-13 forwards in training camp might be able to win and keep the slot.
What say you Canes fans? Do you agree that lack of top-end depth makes separating the Staal brothers necessary? How do you slot the Canes 4 forward lines with the current personnel? Do you think Francis has 1 more signing in him before training camp starts?
Matt Karash is a long-time passionate Hurricanes hockey fan, season ticket holder and also the founder of Canes and Coffee web site.
Twitter=@CanesandCoffee
Go Canes!