2017 NHL Draft Profile: Big and powerful, Kristian Vesalainen could give the Canes something they lack
6/16/2017 - The sizeable winger would be a good fit on a small Carolina Hurricanes squad, but he is the Expand
6/16/2017 - The sizeable winger would be a good fit on a small Carolina Hurricanes squad, but he is the longest of long-term prospects. In our 2017 NHL Draft Preview, we look closely at some of the prospects that could be available when the Hurricanes draft at 12th overall on June 23 in Chicago.
Kristian Vesalainen
DOB: June 1, 1999 - Helsinki, Finland
Team: Frolunda (SWE)
Left Wing | Shoots: L | 6’3”, 209 lbs
2016-17 Stats: 26 GP, 1G, 5A, 6 Points, 2 PIM
Prospect Breakdown
Vesalainen is a large, power forward that can thrive in a variety of roles. He uses his size to create separation and drive the net. His large frame allows him to win battles in the corners and overpower his opponents for pucks. His large build is a nuisance to goalies and defenseman when battling in front of the net. His long stride helps him get up ice with speed and has the ability to create odd-man rushes. Vesalainen’s passing is top-notch as he’s able to give stretch passes to rushing forwards or thread the needle Collapse
Carolina Hurricanes Assistant GM Mike Vellucci Named New Head Coach For Charlotte Checkers
6/15/2017 - Vellucci replaces Ulf Samuelsson and will also remain as Canes assistant GM while assuming new Expand
6/15/2017 - Vellucci replaces Ulf Samuelsson and will also remain as Canes assistant GM while assuming new role in Charlotte. One coach out, a new coach in. The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that they have named Mike Vellucci as the Charlotte Checkers head coach. Vellucci has served as assistant general manager of the Hurricanes for four seasons and will continue in that role along with his new responsibilities in Charlotte. The move comes just minutes after the Chicago Blackhawks named former Checkers coach Ulf Samuelsson as their new assistant coach.
Vellucci is an experienced coach of young players as he was head coach of the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League for 13 seasons. He served as coach from 2001-2014, guiding the team to ten postseason appearances including winning it all in 2006-07.
Vellucci will take the reigns of a young Checkers team fresh off its first playoff berth in three seasons. The team will add even more talent with additional prospects expected to join Collapse
Carolina Hurricanes sign Teuvo Teravainen to two year, $5.72 million contract extension
6/15/2017 - The Canes winger signs an extension on the anniversary of his trade to Carolina exactly one year Expand
6/15/2017 - The Canes winger signs an extension on the anniversary of his trade to Carolina exactly one year ago. The Carolina Hurricanes announced Thursday morning that they have re-signed Finnish forward Teuvo Teravainen to a two-year contract extension. The deal will pay him $2.86 million per season with the contract expiring at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season.
Teravainen was traded to the Hurricanes on June 15, 2016 - exactly one year ago - along with Bryan Bickell for a second round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft and a third round pick in the 2017 draft. Teravainen thrived with his new team, posting career highs in every statistical category. He finished with 15 goals, 27 assists and 42 points.
It's #TeuvoTime for two more years!#Canes agree to terms with Teravainen on a two-year contract → Details: https://t.co/Xvc2Nlsi4l pic.twitter.com/xeFq73Hbvn— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) June 15, 2017
The bridge contract for the 22-year-old Teravainen will end with him again a restricted Collapse
2017 NHL Draft Profile: You can’t teach size, which Michael Rasmussen has plenty of
6/14/2017 - Already 6’6” and possessing a soft scoring touch, Rasmussen’s size alone could tempt a team to Expand
6/14/2017 - Already 6’6” and possessing a soft scoring touch, Rasmussen’s size alone could tempt a team to take him early. In our 2017 NHL Draft Preview, we look closely at some of the prospects that could be available when the Hurricanes draft at 12th overall on June 23 in Chicago.
Michael Rasmussen
DOB: April 18, 1999 - Surrey, British Columbia
Team: Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Center | Shoots: L | 6’6”, 220 pounds
2016-17 Stats: 50 GP - 32G, 23A, 55 Points, 50 PIM
Prospect Breakdown
Rasmussen was having a terrific draft year before a wrist injury ended his WHL season as Tri-City was coming down the stretch towards the playoffs. His 32 goals in 50 games would have put him on pace for closer to 40 or 45 goals had been able to finish out his season.
Built in the mold of a power forward, the 6’6” monster pairs his massive size with a deft touch down low. Certainly he is still a bit raw with areas of his game that need to continue developing, but NHL GM’s salivate over a player who can be a Collapse
2017 NHL Draft Profile: Eeli Tolvanen has never met a puck he didn’t want to shoot
6/13/2017 - The Finnish USHL product is a Corsi-for machine, but needs to round out his game before moving up Expand
6/13/2017 - The Finnish USHL product is a Corsi-for machine, but needs to round out his game before moving up into the professional ranks. In our 2017 NHL Draft Preview, we look closely at some of the prospects that could be available when the Hurricanes draft at 12th overall on June 23 in Chicago.
Eeli Tolvanen
DOB: April 22, 1999 - Nummela, Finland
Team: Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Right Wing | Shoots: L | 5’11”, 190 pounds
2016-17 Stats: 52 GP - 30G, 24A, 54 Points, 26 PIM
Prospect Breakdown
The Finnish winger had a good year for Sioux City of the USHL, finishing eighth in league scoring with 54 points, third in goals with 30 and first in even strength goals with 24. He was a member of Finland’s disastrous World Junior campaign, but was not one of their most glaring problems as he led their scorers with six points in six games.
Despite being selected in the CHL Import Draft in 2016, Tolvanen chose to take the USHL route to keep his NCAA eligibility intact. He will play his college Collapse
Carolina Hurricanes Announce Training, Hockey Ops, Scouting Promotions
6/12/2017 - After yesterday’s announcement of the return of many members of the coaching staff, a few player Expand
6/12/2017 - After yesterday’s announcement of the return of many members of the coaching staff, a few player management shifts were made ahead of the upcoming NHL Draft. Update 6/12/17: The Hurricanes have continued with their front-office reorganization, naming Sheldon Ferguson chief North American scout and former Canes winger Robert Kron as the head of European scouting. Kron has been the Canes’ only full-time European scout for the past few years, although fellow Hurricanes alumnus Joni Pitkanen has been assisting on a part-time basis over the past few months.
Both Ferguson and Kron will continue to report to Tony MacDonald, the Canes’ director of amateur scouting, so very little will change operationally in the makeup of the Canes’ scouting office. -Brian LeBlanc
One of the more widely discussed changes in the Carolina Hurricanes’ general staff this summer has been the departure of longtime head athletic Trainer Pete Friesen, whose position is now filled by Doug Bennett, who previously Collapse
2017 Stanley Cup Final: Pittsburgh Penguins at Nashville Predators Game 6 Preview, How to Watch, Keys to Victory
6/11/2017 - We could be three periods away from the end of the 2016-17 season.
Stanley Cup Final: Game Expand
6/11/2017 - We could be three periods away from the end of the 2016-17 season.
Stanley Cup Final: Game 6
Pittsburgh Penguins at Nashville Predators (PIT leads 3-2)
Sunday, June 11, 2017 - 8:00 p.m. ET
Bridgestone Arena - Nashville, TN
Watch: NBC - NBC Sports app - NBCSports.com
SBN participant blogs: On the Forecheck - Pensburgh
Keys to Victory
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Nashville Predators
1. A Clean Slate: Maybe it was complacency that cost the Predators Game 5, or maybe the Penguins are just that good on home ice, but it's important for both teams to put that game behind them. For Nashville, they now have another opportunity to play in front of their fiercely loyal crowd, this time in a must-win scenario. That's the focus. Win this game and go from there. It's the same mentality they had following Game 2; P.K. Subban's "guarantee" was basically him saying they were done with the first two games and were confident in their abilities to win the game ahead of Collapse
Carolina Hurricanes to retain assistant coaches Brind’Amour, Smith, Huffine; hire Scarpace as additional video coach
6/9/2017 - A bit of offseason intrigue has been cleared up with the majority of the coaching staff returning Expand
6/9/2017 - A bit of offseason intrigue has been cleared up with the majority of the coaching staff returning next season. At his end-of-season press conference, Ron Francis would not commit one way or the other to the Carolina Hurricanes’ assistant coaches returning in 2017-18, except for announcing that goaltending coach David Marcoux would not have his contract renewed. On Friday, the team announced that the remainder of the coaching staff, including assistant coaches Rod Brind'Amour & Steve Smith and video coach Chris Huffine, would indeed remain on the staff for next season.
In addition, the Canes announced that L.J. Scarpace would be hired to assist Huffine as an additional video coach starting next season.
The coaching staff will be entering its fourth season together. Brind’Amour and Smith were both named assistant coaches at the same time head coach Bill Peters was hired in 2014, while Huffine begins his 18th season with the club this coming year. Scarpace spent 12 seasons as a Collapse
Carolina Hurricanes Preseason Schedule Slowly Coming Into Focus
6/8/2017 - The Canes haven’t officially announced their exhibition schedule yet, but other teams that will Expand
6/8/2017 - The Canes haven’t officially announced their exhibition schedule yet, but other teams that will play the Canes have already done so. Sometime in the next week, the Carolina Hurricanes will announce their preseason schedule. However, given that each team sets its own schedule individually, we don't necessarily have to wait for the Hurricanes to announce their own schedule before starting to fill in some of the puzzle pieces of game dates in September and October.
Most teams play between six and eight games in the preseason. Last season, the Hurricanes played a pair of games against the Buffalo Sabres in Marquette, Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, with games against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Washington Capitals and the Minnesota Wild filling out the seven-game preseason schedule.
So far this season, five Canes games have been announced by their opponents. As with last year, the Canes will face the Capitals and Lightning in home-and-home series, and also have a game scheduled Collapse
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Storm Advisory for June 16: Daily NHL News, Rumors, Links and Discussion Thread
6/16/2017 - The pre-expansion draft dam broke in a big way yesterday afternoon. Reading Assignments
Bryan Expand
6/16/2017 - The pre-expansion draft dam broke in a big way yesterday afternoon. Reading Assignments
Bryan Bickell made the rounds in New York yesterday to talk about how the best treatment for his MS is keeping busy and building awareness about the disease. [NHL.com]
Michael Smith tells the story of how the Carolina Hurricanes selected Sebastian Aho 35th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. If you read nothing else today, read this. [Hurricanes]
More fallout from the Jonathan Drouin trade: here’s the view from Raw Charge, here’s what EOTP has to say about the deal and Drouin’s new contract, and meanwhile Vegas is side-eyeing this whole charade.
There’s a series at FanRag posing four questions facing each team in the offseason. Life must be good for the Canes, because one of the questions is “what do they do about the goalie situation?” Uh...someone gets bought out, traded, or shipped to Vegas. Fin. [FanRag Sports]
The Penguins’ parade was yesterday, and Olli Maatta certainly enjoyed the Collapse
2017 NHL Draft Profile: Robert Thomas will thank you for avoiding any gratuitous Matchbox 20 jokes
6/15/2017 - A Memorial Cup winner with the London Knights, Thomas made a big splash as a young player with Expand
6/15/2017 - A Memorial Cup winner with the London Knights, Thomas made a big splash as a young player with buckets of potential. In our 2017 NHL Draft Preview, we look closely at some of the prospects that could be available when the Hurricanes draft at 12th overall on June 23 in Chicago.
Robert Thomas
DOB: July 2, 1999 - Aurora, Ontario
Team: London Knights (OHL)
Center | Shoots: R | 6’0”, 193 pounds
2016-17 Stats: 66 GP - 16G, 50A, 66 Points, 26 PIM
Prospect Breakdown
It’s difficult as a 17-year-old to carve out a role in a perennial OHL powerhouse such as the London Knights, but that’s exactly what the under-the-radar Thomas did in 2016-17. Averaging a point-per-game, the young pivot was used in all situations for the Knights, routinely receiving some of the more difficult defensive assignments night in and night out.
Thomas finished third among London players with 66 points, and one point behind Buffalo prospect Cliff Pu with 52 points at even strength. Next season, with first line Collapse
Storm Advisory for June 15: Daily NHL News, Rumors, Links and Discussion Thread
6/15/2017 - Millennials strike again, and the expansion draft machinations have begun. Reading Expand
6/15/2017 - Millennials strike again, and the expansion draft machinations have begun. Reading Assignments
First things first: the SB Nation Hockey family grew by one yesterday with the debut of Knights on Ice, our Vegas Golden Knights blog. Here’s their introductory post, and their site debuts with a feature on why the NHL will be a success in Sin City. [Knights On Ice]
BREAKING: Millennials Ruining Hurricanes Attendance, confirmed by Canes marketing guru Mike Forman on the Cheaters Never Win podcast yesterday. [Section 328]
The NHL’s salary cap will go up from its current $73 million next season. How high it goes is up to the NHLPA. [The Athletic ($)]
Lady Luck has already smiled on Craig and Nicholle Anderson, even before they head to Las Vegas for the annual NHL Awards ceremony next Wednesday. [Ottawa Sun]
The Capitals traded for the Wild’s Tyler Graovac to give them an extra contract to expose in the expansion draft, allowing them to protect Lars Eller instead. [Washington Post] Collapse
Wednesday Storm Advisory: Daily NHL News, Rumors, Links and Discussion Thread
6/14/2017 - Your daily look around the league and a place to talk about what’s happening. Editor’s note: We’re Expand
6/14/2017 - Your daily look around the league and a place to talk about what’s happening. Editor’s note: We’re starting something new today. Each morning during the offseason, we’ll open a thread with stories of note from the previous day in the NHL - think of it as Storm Debris Lite. Throughout the day, you can use the comments to chat about what’s happening around the league - and share things you’ve read as well. There’s going to be plenty happening, especially over the next few weeks, so check here first thing every morning for the latest updates.
Reading Assignments
Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf is not expected to waive his no-movement clause leading up to the expansion draft, reports TSN's Bob McKenzie. [The Score]
The Predators have signed Yannick Weber to a one-year deal. [On the Forecheck]
The Rangers’ Kevin Klein is leaning toward retirement. [New York Post]
Predators captain Mike Fisher has not made a decision on whether or not he will return to the NHL next season. Collapse
Carolina Hurricanes sign center Andrew Miller to one-year deal
6/13/2017 - The Charlotte Checkers forward was an offensive leader for the Canes’ young farm team. The Expand
6/13/2017 - The Charlotte Checkers forward was an offensive leader for the Canes’ young farm team. The Carolina Hurricanes announced Tuesday that they have signed forward Andrew Miller to a one-year, two-way deal. The contract will pay Miller $650,000 at the National Hockey League level or $285,000 at the American Hockey League level, with a salary guarantee of $305,000.
Miller was an offensive threat for the Charlotte Checkers last season as an anchor on the Checkers top line centering Lucas Wallmark and Valentin Zykov. The 28-year old finished the season with 11 goals and 30 assists for 41 points. Miller finished third on the team in scoring behind star rookies Wallmark and Andrew Poturalski. This is his second consecutive one-year deal, after he joined the Checkers in exchange for Zach Boychuk at the 2016 trade deadline.
Here is the Hurricanes press release regarding the Miller signing:
CANES AGREE TO TERMS WITH ANDREW MILLER
Forward ranked third among Checkers skaters in scoring in Collapse
Stanley Cup Final Game 6 Recap: Pittsburgh Penguins Go Back to Back, Win Second Straight Championship
6/12/2017 - The Penguins defeated the Nashville Predators 2-0 on Sunday to win the Stanley Cup. Expand
6/12/2017 - The Penguins defeated the Nashville Predators 2-0 on Sunday to win the Stanley Cup. Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Penguins for winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, which may be the hardest thing to do in professional sports. Much will be said about the Penguins’ patchwork defense in the playoffs and in the series; however, when your core is Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Phil Kessel, you don’t have to worry quite as much about defense. The series ended on a high note, with the clincher unquestionably the best game in the series in a 2-0 Matt Murray shutout of the Nashville Predators.
The game was close throughout. The Predators appeared to take the lead in the second period. Unfortunately, they were robbed of a goal when their obvious score was called back due to “intent to blow the whistle” by the ref. While many will debate this call, by the rules, and officiating practices it was correct. However, for the ref to be as terribly out of position as he was and still make the Collapse
What the Carolina Hurricanes Can Learn from the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins
6/10/2017 - As the Hurricanes watch yet another Stanley Cup Final from their couch, it’s an opportunity to Expand
6/10/2017 - As the Hurricanes watch yet another Stanley Cup Final from their couch, it’s an opportunity to absorb a lot of valuable lessons from the Preds and Pens. Once again, the Carolina Hurricanes have watched the NHL playoffs from their couches, wishing it was them that was fighting for a Stanley Cup.
Thankfully, the enormous eight-year playoff drought could come to an end this upcoming season, but in the meantime, there are some valuable lessons that this young Carolina team and front office can take away from the final two teams remaining - the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators.
Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
It’s all about defense and center depth
The Penguins and Predators have gotten to where they are thanks to their strengths in very important areas.
Pittsburgh is where they are because of their center depth. With Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Nick Bonino, and Matt Cullen patrolling the middle of the ice, the Pens have huge talent at the top end of Collapse
2017 Stanley Cup Final: Game 5 Recap - Pittsburgh Penguins’ Home Dominance Continues in 6-0 Rout
6/9/2017 - The Penguins dominated every minute of Game 5 and are one win away from becoming the first Expand
6/9/2017 - The Penguins dominated every minute of Game 5 and are one win away from becoming the first back-to-back Stanley Cup champions in 19 years. If the Stanley Cup Final were played exclusively in Pittsburgh, it may have been one of the most lopsided series of all time. The Penguins have outscored the Nashville Predators 15-4 in the three games at PPG Paints Arena, and a 6-0 pasting on Thursday night has them on the verge of claiming their second straight Stanley Cup.
Returning to Pittsburgh for Game 5, the series suddenly felt exactly the same as the first two games. The Penguins were dominated in Games 3 and 4, but came out and took back momentum immediately on their return home. Under two minutes into the game, Justin Schultz became the first Pittsburgh blueliner to score in the Final when he beat Pekka Rinne on the power play.
The Pens didn’t look back from there and ended up scoring two more goals in the first period, which chased Rinne from the net after the first period for the Collapse
2017 NHL Draft Profile: Ryan Poehling could grow into a dominant two-way player
6/7/2017 - Tall and lanky, Poehling is mature beyond his years, evidenced by his early high school graduation Expand
6/7/2017 - Tall and lanky, Poehling is mature beyond his years, evidenced by his early high school graduation and contributions as a freshman at St. Cloud State. In our 2017 NHL Draft Preview, we look closely at some of the prospects that could be available when the Hurricanes draft at 12th overall on June 23 in Chicago.
Ryan Poehling
DOB: January 3rd, 1999 - Lakeville, Minnesota
Team: St. Cloud State University
Center | Shoots: L | 6’3”, 185 lbs
2016-17 Stats: 35 GP - 7G, 6A, 13 Points, 12 PIM
Prospect Breakdown
Poehling (PAY-ling) is a tall two-way forward that can fit just about anywhere in a lineup. He uses his size to create separation offensively and his long reach to thwart away attackers in the defensive zone. He uses his large frame to win puck battles in the corners. Poehling can provide screens in front of the net and is a real problem for opposing goalies. Scouts can’t speak enough on his talented skating ability and how he can create separation with his tall frame.
Poehling was Collapse
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Our Sources Tell Us: Canadiens are Listening to Offers on Alex Galchenyuk, Should the Hurricanes be Interested?
6/15/2017 - Just one year removed from trading P.K. Subban, the Habs are listening to offers for Alex Expand
6/15/2017 - Just one year removed from trading P.K. Subban, the Habs are listening to offers for Alex Galchenyuk. “Our Sources Tell Us” is an occasional series wherein we look at possible trade targets for the Carolina Hurricanes
Just one year after the Montreal Canadiens traded P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators, Habs general manager Marc Bergevin is reportedly listening to offers for restricted free agent center Alex Galchenyuk.
On Alex Galchenyuk future in MTL, my take as follows: MTL is most certainly "listening" on trade talk (where have we heard that before, PK).— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 14, 2017
Surprising to very few, Canes twitter made a connection. Carolina needs a first line center in order to bolster their forward unit, and by all accounts, excluding the Montreal brass, Galchenyuk is of first line center quality.
Let’s explore this odd turn of events and see if the Carolina Hurricanes fit in somewhere.
The Case for Galchenyuk
A member of what has turned out to Collapse
Finally, it’s official: Chicago Blackhawks hire Ulf Samuelsson as assistant coach
6/15/2017 - The Checkers’ bench boss will be the next assistant for the Chicago Blackhawks. Update 6/15/17: It Expand
6/15/2017 - The Checkers’ bench boss will be the next assistant for the Chicago Blackhawks. Update 6/15/17: It took long enough, but it’s finally official:
Ulf Samuelsson and Don Granato have been hired as assistant coaches and added to Joel Quenneville's coaching staff. pic.twitter.com/tRkBRZGxXR— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 15, 2017
Update 6/7/17: The Checkers will indeed need a new coach. Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports, who covered Ulf Samuelsson when he was a Coyotes assistant coach, said this morning on Twitter that the Blackhawks do plan to hire Samuelsson to be an assistant to Joel Quenneville. An official announcement is forthcoming. The Checkers are now looking for their fourth coach in as many years.
Source: Blackhawks will name Ulf Samuelsson asst. coach to fill Mike Kitchen's spot. Ulf was coaching Charlotte, Carolina's AHL affiliate.— Craig Morgan (@craigsmorgan) June 7, 2017
Our original story from May 22 is below. -Brian
Chicago Blackhawks general manager Collapse
What Shayne Gostisbehere’s Contract with the Flyers Means for Hurricanes Defensemen Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce, and Noah Hanifin
6/14/2017 - Philadelphia defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere recently inked a new deal with the Flyers. What does Expand
6/14/2017 - Philadelphia defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere recently inked a new deal with the Flyers. What does that mean for Carolina’s trio of young defenders whose deals will be up soon? The Philadelphia Flyers recently locked up their dynamic young defenseman, Shayne Gostisbehere. The recently-turned 24-year-old Floridian agreed to a six-year, $27 million extension that carries an average annual value of $4.5 million.
A team a little bit further south than Philadelphia was probably paying close attention to this contract negotiation, as the Hurricanes have not one, not two, but three young defensemen who could be considered Gostisbehere’s peers in Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce, and Noah Hanifin.
Each member of that trio will see his three year, entry-level contract expire following the upcoming 2017-2018 season, meaning that all three will become restricted free agents.
With Gostisbehere’s contract, the basis for the market value for those three appears to be set.
However, Slavin, Pesce, and Collapse
Canes Country’s 2017 Playoff Pick ‘Em Challenge: Final Standings
6/13/2017 - The Penguins’ win propelled a come-from-behind pick ‘em win for one of our commenters. Who took Expand
6/13/2017 - The Penguins’ win propelled a come-from-behind pick ‘em win for one of our commenters. Who took the top prize? With the Penguins winning the Stanley Cup on Sunday night, it brings an end to the 2017 edition of the Canes Country Playoff Pick ‘Em Challenge. And with the Penguins doing so in six games, we have a surprise winner that leapfrogged a few other players to claim the top prize.
Congratulations are in order to reggie101, who never led the competition except for the standings that mattered, taking the crown with 47 points. A correct pick of Pittsburgh in the final was enough to leapfrog four other commenters, all of whom picked Nashville, to take the title by a single point over Feast of Maximum Occupancy, who held the lead for the entire competition before falling just short in the end.
Even more impressive was that reggie101 only missed one series in the final three rounds, picking the Rangers to beat the Senators in round two but otherwise picking the winner correctly in each Collapse
Storm Debris: Buckle Up, Buckaroos
6/13/2017 - Now that the Cup Final is over, it’s about to get crazy up in here. Lord Stanley’s chalice has Expand
6/13/2017 - Now that the Cup Final is over, it’s about to get crazy up in here. Lord Stanley’s chalice has been raised, so it’s about time for the floodgates to open with rumors, rampant speculation, and perhaps a few actual hockey transactions as teams gear up for the expansion draft, entry draft, and free agency. Starting today we’ll have a daily thread to share updates from around the league and discuss all the various rumors and transactions.
In the meantime, there has been a lot of Canes stuff happening over the last week so here’s a chance to catch up on anything you might have missed.
The Edwards Mill Report
ICYMI the Canes have announced their 2017 preseason schedule along with a number of promotions and new hires among the coaching staff, scouting staff, and hockey operations.
The pre-game Stormfront and post-game Aftermath radio shows will have a new host next season. 99.9 The Fan announced Alec Campbell, who produces the Adam and Joe show, will take over the reins for 2017-18, Collapse
Ron Hainsey is the first to receive the Stanley Cup from Sidney Crosby after Penguins’ Game 6 win
6/12/2017 - It was going to one of two former Canes, and it went to the guy who had never played a playoff Expand
6/12/2017 - It was going to one of two former Canes, and it went to the guy who had never played a playoff game two months ago. One of the great traditions of the awarding of the Stanley Cup is the handoff from the captain to the second person to skate the Cup around. Sunday night, after the Pittsburgh Penguins became the first team in nearly 20 years to win consecutive Cups, Sidney Crosby had a decision to make between two former Hurricanes, both of whom had a legitimate claim to the honor:
Ron Hainsey or Matt Cullen?
And the answer is...
Captain Crosby hands the #StanleyCup to Ron Hainsey! pic.twitter.com/64iTpSlWMW— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) June 12, 2017
The former Canes defenseman then did the honor, passing it to the soon-to-be-retired Cullen.
Hainsey, as most everyone knows by now, had never played a playoff game in a 15-year career that started in 2002. He surely doesn’t mind the wait tonight. Collapse
2017 NHL Draft Profile: Nick Suzuki and the Hurricanes could be a near-perfect match
6/9/2017 - The Owen Sound playmaker thrives in puck possession, and that will grab the Canes’ attention. In Expand
6/9/2017 - The Owen Sound playmaker thrives in puck possession, and that will grab the Canes’ attention. In our 2017 NHL Draft Preview, we look closely at some of the prospects that could be available when the Hurricanes draft at 12th overall on June 23 in Chicago.
Nick Suzuki
DOB: August 10, 1999 - London, Ontario
Team: Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
Center | Shoots: R | 5’11”, 185 pounds
2016-17 Stats: 65 GP - 45G, 51A, 96 Points, 10 PIM
Prospect Breakdown
In a draft that is strongest down the middle of the ice, Suzuki is another name to add to the list of potentially 12 pivots who could be drafted in the top-20 on June 23rd. Although he played wing for a good amount of his most recent season, Suzuki’s future is at center ice, where he has terrific two-way ability to pair with his offensive prowess.
The London native was one of the best players in the OHL in 2016-17, leading his Owen Sound team to the Western Conference finals, where they fell in six games to the eventual champion Erie Collapse
2017 Stanley Cup Final: Nashville Predators at Pittsburgh Penguins Game 5 Preview, How to Watch, Keys to Victory
6/8/2017 - Someone’s going back to Nashville on Sunday with a chance to win the Stanley Cup. Who will it be? Expand
6/8/2017 - Someone’s going back to Nashville on Sunday with a chance to win the Stanley Cup. Who will it be?
Stanley Cup Final: Game 5
Pittsburgh Penguins at Nashville Predators (Series tied 2-2)Thursday, June 8, 2017 - 8:00 p.m. ETPPG Paints Arena - Pittsburgh, PAWatch: NBC - NBC Sports app - NBCSports.comSBN participant blogs: Pensburgh - On the Forecheck
Keys to Victory
Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Penguins
Shooooooooooooooot! Pekka Rinne appears to be back in full form, so to win the Penguins must get shots to the net. I know I'm repeating myself here, but their 24 shots in Game 4 is their most in any game of the series. With just 91 shots over the first four games in the series that comes out to be 22.75 shots for per game, the fewest of any team in any playoff series this year. On the contrary, the Predators have 123 shots on goal, averaging 30.75 shots per game. Without the puck luck of the first two games, the Pens have slowed.
Paging Mr. Maatta, Mr. Collapse
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