Canes offseason filled with tough questions
Jun 4, 2009
With a few days off to let the end of the Canes season soak in, it is now time to start looking forward to the off season and an off-season filled with big questions.
What to do behind the bench?
If Paul Maurice and Ron Francis want to return, don’t delay this decision - find a way to make it happen. There is a snag here: Does Ron Francis want to return behind the bench? If he does and it seems certain that Maurice does as well, why not keep this staff in place? Matt Cullen told the media how helpful Francis was to the team just for the voice and the vision he brought behind the bench that other coaches could not bring.
Simple answer: Bring the staff back.
Which unrestricted free agents are must signs?
The unrestricted list looks this way: Erik Cole, Chad LaRose, Ryan Bayda, Michael Ryan and Dennis Seidenberg.
Of that group, LaRose is a must sign. Forget that he is a fan favorite, and that every Caniac respects his hustle and heart and determination. Those are terms usually assigned to the guy who barely makes the team, and LaRose has gone far past that point. He his coming off a 19-goal regular season and four goals in the playoffs. On top of that, he was tied for second and was the most consistent forward in the post season. Add into the mix his penalty-killing ability and he is a good locker room guy - he is a must-keep player. Plus he wants to stay and the general manager wants him and went as far to say he deserves a raise.
Cole is next on the list, but if the price is right. Cole is a great fit in Carolina and turned into a rugged winger. Maybe staying in Carolina he can regain that scoring touch. However, $4 million a year is pricey for a goal-scorer who did not score a goal in the postseason. If there is a trade of salary for years, Cole is still a force to deal with.
Seidenberg is due a raise from $1.2 million, probably not a deal breaker, but with Bryan Rodney, Brett Carson and Jamie McBain in the fold and ready to play soon, do the Canes plug one of them in now and get playing time knowing that next year, Nic Wallin, Joe Corvo and Frantisek Kaberle are all UFAs? Seidenberg is a solid NHL defenseman and plays his role well for the Canes, but if the organization looks to sign a player outside of the club they have to let money walk somewhere, and with the young defensemen at the ready this could be the place where Carolina spends money elsewhere.
Bayda is a solid pro and knows his role. The only question is will another team see how valuable he can be to their organization. Ryan adds depth in the system but more than likely will be will sign with a team where he can play. The numbers game with young talent like Zach Boychuk, Brandon Sutter and Drayson Bowman and their development, much like Seidenberg’s situation, will play a role in the signing of these players
What about the restricted free agents?
Who: Tuomo Ruutu, Jussi Jokinen and Anton Babchuk.
These players are in a different situation. They can’t just walk away and the Canes have the right to match any deal or be compensated for it.
Ruutu and Jokinen will come down to the terms of their deals or go to arbitration. Ruutu has become a key figure on the team and toughness up front, and Jokinen’s postseason and versatility all but assure the Canes want him back. Babchuk pretty much has to accept what the team gives him or he can go back to Russia and the KHL, which is a possibility. If that happens, that opens up some cash for Seidenberg to remain with the team.
Should Rod Brind’Amour return?
The Captain has a contract and wants to play it out. Write last season off to a knee injury that took Brind’Amour a while to recover from and he never got right until the end of the year. Brind’Amour can still compete at a high level and if the team uses him in the role he finished the year with he can still be a difference maker.
Yes he should return
Is there only one year left on Cam Ward’s contract?
Yes, so get him an extension and get him one now. It does not matter what the team has in the minors. There is a 25-year-old Conn Smythe trophy winner on the NHL team that keeps getting better. A deal comparable to Ryan Miller and Tim Thomas should do it.
What about outside the organization - is there anyone out there?
Of course with free agency there are players out there and many that can make Carolina better tomorrow. Problem is the money it costs to sign them. The biggest need is another player to go along side Eric Staal. Looking around the league, the biggest difference between the Canes and everyone else in the conference finals was that other offensive force for the opponent to respect. There are a few out there, but fitting them under the cap will be the key.
Who says the Canes' season is over? Their biggest questions have yet to be answered.
