6 Carolina Hurricanes to watch in early preseason action
by Matt Karash | Sep 18, 2018 | Daily Cup of Joe
Below is a quick hitter list of 10 Carolina Hurricanes players to watch in early preseason action with an eye for finding dark horse candidates for roster spots.
Lucas Wallmark
With Victor Rask's injury, I would probably not call Wallmark a dark horse anymore, but he was definitely a player on the outside looking in just before training camp started. He had a phenomenal year at the AHL level in 2017-18. At the NHL level, he looked competent but not really impressive. I will be curious to see if Brind'Amour flanks him with NHL wings in preseason action to gauge his ability to step in at the NHL level.
Janne Kuokkanen
Kuokkanen is another player who could step into Rask's slot as a center, but I think Kuokkanen could also be a dark horse to win a roster spot at wing. His heady two-way play with a bit of offense actually projects to fit on Jordan Staal's line, but as with all of the young players, the question is whether they will reach projections/ceilings and when. Seeing if Brind'Amour plays Kuokkanen at wing or center early on would give some idea of where he possibly fits, and seeing if he gets ice time with NHLers would also be a clue for where he currently sits on the depth chart for consideration to start the season at the NHL level.
Michael Fora
To be honest, I am still unable to gauge how close Fora is to NHL-ready. He looked capable against younger competition in prospect camp and in Traverse City. But that level of play is well below NHL pace, so I will be watching how he looks against near NHL level talent in preseason games to see if he could play his way into consideration for a depth defense role (currently #8 slot but subject to be bumped up if Faulk is traded).
Saku Maenalanen
Somewhat similar to Sora, Maenalanen is an older European prospect signed as a free agent this summer. Though new to North American hockey, he is a bit more seasoned than many of the players competing for the last couple roster spots. The simple scouting report on Maenalanen is that he has good size, skating ability and two-way acumen. That coupled with at least some ability to contribute offensively could fit on more of a safe and sound version of a fourth line if Brind'Amour decides to go that route.
Valentin Zykov
After a good audition in late March last season, Zykov would figure to enter training camp as a front runner to play with Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen if the Finnish duo stay together. But there are other possibilities, so Zykov needs to play well in preseason just like everyone else to emerge from September with an NHL roster spot. Though it might not happen until a couple games into preseason, who plays with could offer a clue to what Brind'Amour is thinking. If he sees ice time with Aho and Teravainen, that would suggest that Brind'Amour too was impressed by Zykov's role with that line last spring, but if not it could suggest that Brind'Amour has different plans.
Warren Foegele
Foegele maybe as much as any other prospect in the organization projects to be what a team wants in the bottom half of its forward group in today's NHL. Foegele is defensively sound, tenacious and a pain to play against. He skates well and though probably not with the same ceiling as a few other players offensive, can contribute. His aggressive, hard-skating style of play should ring true to what Brind'Amour wants as well. As such, Foegele figures to be a player to compete for NHL ice time, so seeing how he plays and who he plays with will be interesting.
1) I actually had four more players on this list but just ran out of gas/time. Who wants to take a shot at profiling another player possibly in a dark horse role who fans should watch in preseason action?
2) Which of the players identified above plus other rookies will make the team for opening night on October 4?
dogbutler on September 18, 2018 at 6:35 am
1. ?
2. Zykov, and either Wallmark or Maenalanen as our 4C.
gocanes0506 on September 18, 2018 at 6:59 am
We could put any forward in as a to watch. We have 3 roster spots open for them all to fight over.
Ill add Smallman- how does he look an off season since his shoulder surgery. He had Foegele's track before Foegele did.
Ned/Booth/Helvig- who takes over as the first goalie not in the NHL. Goalie seems to be as open as forward. Forslund mentioned Booth has looked really good so far in camp (surprising as he didn't play many games in the later rounds of the ECHL playoffs last season). I wonder what the organization will do if Darling looks awful at camp and one of these young guys looks better than him.
2. I think Z, Foegele, Saku end up making the squad.
ctcaniac on September 18, 2018 at 8:33 am
Agree about being eager to see Smallman. Once he cam back from injury, he played really well. Just not sure if that was reflective of his play or the lesser competition in the ECHL.
What really jumps out is his +/- from the last two seasons.
His last season in juniors he was +27 in 60 games and then +18 in 18 playoff games.
For 17-18 after returning from injury he was +9 in 14 games and then +13 in 19 playoff games.
Even in the ECHL, that is impressive. It raises the question–is Smallman that rare player that despite not being overly talented makes his teammates better ever time he is on the ice?
1) Nicolas Roy. He brings a few things that are missing with the departure of Lindholm and Ryan and now the injury to Rask. He is strong in the face-off circle and strong defensively (someone mentioned that Foegele won the Gretzky award for outstanding player in the playoffs his final season in the CHL; Roy won the Guy Carbonneau trophy as the league's outstanding defensive forward his final junior season). I actually think his role will be as a RW on a disruption line maybe as soon as next season: Foegele/Staal/Roy. However, he might be the most prototypical of the centers competing for a traditional 4th line role. Martinook/Roy/Maenalanen would fit the "hard to play against" theme that the Canes are seeking. If Roy makes the lineup he also gives RBA an extra option on the PK.
2) Zykov. Beyond that I really think any of the players mentioned could shine and make the team. I definitely see at least 4 rookies including Necas and Svechnikov.
breezy on September 18, 2018 at 9:11 am
What about Geekie? He played pretty well in T City particularly in the first game.
He's got some straight line speed and grit, so he might be a forth line fit, at least he should be given a chance to play a bit, especially if the other candidates play like shit.
darthcanes on September 18, 2018 at 9:13 am
Other than who you listed, I curious about how Cliff Pu performs since he's a new addition to the prospects. He's doubtful to make the team, but I'm just interested to see his potential.
raleightj on September 18, 2018 at 9:30 am
A couple of general comments.
Apparently RBA has put Kuokk on Staal's wing for much of training. RBA told IceChip that was it was for assessment purposes (how does a top prospect play with NHLers) and development purposes (let the prospect learn from playing alongside the NHLers). Similarly Svech practiced a lot on Aho's wing. I like that perspective of RBA and it does indicate he views Kuokk as having high potential by having him practice with Staal. That said, RBA also indicated not to read anything in his practice lines during training camp – he said they already know what works and who works with who (Aho-Turbo) and he is waiting until games to see what type of chemistry and fit there are.
I thought it was noteworthy that three of the Traverse City players, including two who's play were noted here (Henman, Mattheos, de Jong) only lasted two days in TC before being sent back to juniors. RBA went so far as to say he wasn't using Traverse City as an evaluation tool at all – that says a lot about how he thinks; it is all about how you play with the NHLers.
I don't think there is space for Fora on NHL ice so I don't see him on the roster. Wallmark will be there (do you risk him putting him on waivers??). And Zykov. For me, Kuokk is the current long-shot to make it. I think Foeg, Roy, Saku are all Charlotte-bound unless they really impress in preseason games.
ctcaniac on September 18, 2018 at 11:25 am
tj. Agree that RBA's commitment to giving the best prospects NHL line mates is good to see.
My biggest concern with Wallmark (and it was somewhat of a concern with Rask) is that he is not a traditional "grinding" center. When I saw him playing for the Checkers, I saw quite a bit of the cerebral Eurpoean center (think a much lesser version of Zetterberg or Sedin). He was extremely effective on the power play. While he is a smart player and can adapt to a more defensive role–his plus/minus both seasons in Charlotte was near the team lead–I am not sure that will help his development. Does he even get PP time? For me, the worst case would be how he was deployed in several games last season where he saw less than 10 minutes of ice time and had teammates with little offensive potential. I really think Wallmark can be a solid NHLer, just not sure it is as a grinder.
lessthanstable on September 18, 2018 at 10:14 am
Zykov is going to have to impress without having both Aho and TT on his line. The reality is most good AHL players would look good with those two. As Brind'Amour said he knows what Aho and TT looks like together, so it's not likely you will see them together in camp.
It really intrigues me that Foegele is continually downplayed here and other places. Maybe I'm missing some issues he has. He has size, skates fairly well, competes hard, has shown offensive ability, and is known as a defensive forward. What's not to like? Kuokk has shown some of those attributes, but with less offensive firepower. Yeah, he's a Fin. So what. What am I missing on Foegele that puts him behind these other players?
Fora and Maenalanen were signed as depth players, IMO. But…if some of the younger forwards don't look quite up to playing against NHL players there could be a spot for Maelnalanen. In Fora's case I think there is going to have to be some issues with the 7 D already committed to the NHL team for him not to be in Charlotte.
apexmarkmcanes on September 18, 2018 at 11:25 am
I love the way Fogdaddy plays. There's a part of me that knows he could play now. I think management is looking ahead and trying to keep him protected in case of an expansion draft. That's why there some of these others around. This guy has done nothing but show hunger, desire, and ability to succeed.
lessthan. Zykov didn't have Aho and TT in Charlotte. He is a goal scorer–one who is nearly immovable in front of the net. The Canes (and more importantly Canes' fans) have been clamoring for that. If Aho and TT bring out the best goal-scoring, net-front presence from Zykov, all the better.
Your points about Foegele are correct. He too brings ingredients Carolina has needed. Ideally both will make it impossible for RBA to send them back to Charlotte. I am not sure Foegele is "behind" Zykov so much as the Canes really need power play goals. But I have been stating concern that the penalty kill could be a big problem this season. Foegele might be the best option among the newcomers (aside from Martinook) for extensive PK time. Again, let's hope Foegele and Zykov hang around.
lessthanstable on September 18, 2018 at 12:34 pm
At 22 Zykov suddenly is an AHL goal scorer? I'm skeptical. He had a great year and does bring a net front presence that can be useful, but he has drawbacks as well. There are lists of NHL failures that could score goals in the AHL. I hope he gets the job done, but he is far from a certainty.
I was more commenting on how some, if not many, see Foegele behind Maenalanen and Kuokkanen. I don't get that. Zykov and Foegele are different beasts. I don't see those two really in competition.
The reality is that Zykov has a one-way contract. Unlikely he starts the season in the AHL. He will need to fail in the NHL before something like that happens.
ptblespaul on September 18, 2018 at 12:15 pm
Agree with CT on the use of Wallmark. He is not a 4th line grinder. He has skills and should play with skilled players…. but who do you drop down to 4th center? Maybe instead of a grinder 4th line you have a fast young offensive fourth line.
While fourth line duty may not be the best usage of Wallmark, that doesn't mean he can't do it. He has shown himself to be pretty good on draws, which the Canes will need. He also has the ability to step up to a skill line if another center has an injury, or if a rookie like Necas is having a tough night and needs a break. You sure as heck can't do that with Martinook. I still think he should be the best option as the 4th center.
puckgod on September 18, 2018 at 2:15 pm
This Checkers team playing tonight should have the better of the opposition, as there's chemistry from last year.
That said, it seems to me that the wheat will be culled from the chaff, in other words…I forsee more cuts from the roster tomorrow.
I'm not able to make a realistic guess on who stays /goes, as I've not seen the guys play much (several NOT AT ALL)!
From last year I liked the games that Foegele, Wallmark, Zykov and Kuokkanen (to a certain extent) have! I would be surprised to see any of these guys be cut until later, if at all!
I'd like to think that the O/M will still make a trade or two, BUT…THAT is wishful thinking, I'm afraid!!!