Boom! Signed!

[cmaleski2]

Meier is another trade/contract disaster the Canes ended up lucky to have avoided.

One of these days we really are going to succeed in acquiring/signing one of these guys. Hopefully that big money guy ends up being a positive for the organization. I'm glad we didn't end up saddled with a long term, huge money deal with Rantanen or Pettersson or Meier. I do wonder what the Canes might attempt to do with our extremely favorable cap situation going into next season.

 

[jeffbear]

Yeah, I'm also glad we didn't end up locking in on Guentzel as well ... even though he's a LOT closer to producing to his pay rate than those other guys.

For the Cap space, I'm thinking they'll look to take a big swing at Marner if he ends up going to market and they don't find a better path to improving the Top 6 before July. He's a guy everybody acts like they'll throw an offer at, but only a handful of contenders have any real Cap space. Another possibility might be Sam Bennett. I really don't think Florida is going to be able to extend him since they spent money extending Verhaege and they'll either need to extend Ekblad or replace him. This idea that Jones is his replacement is a fantasy and they only have Bob for one more season.

Otherwise, they're going to have to do something in goal that doesn't look like re-signing Freddie

Even if Carolina doesn't end up in the big fish UFA market, they could still be a partner for teams that want to move a contract to make room for an offer. They've got quality prospects and picks and Cap space. That's a productive combination.

 

[CanadaCanes]

I just don’t think Marner moves the needle enough come playoff time as much as I admire his regular season prowess! Bennett and someone else that can provide some offense with a bigger body is my hope, Bennett gives you that snarl and pain in the ass player the Canes could use.