If I were GM...my own little pipe dream!

by anonymousJ on Jan 14, 2012 7:31 PM EST

When your team is battling in the basement of the league with the trade deadline coming soon, it leads to many of us thinking what we would do if we were in Rutherford's position. Of course, feel free to pick this post apart and disagree - the purpose is to generate a healthy discussion on what would be best for our beloved yet basement-dwelling Canes. I'm no expert on what our players will fetch at the deadline and these are merely guesses, which could be way off. Heck, I'm no cap guru so this could easily be impossible. Either way, here is what I would attempt to accomplish if I were JR in the coming weeks:

1. Trade Gleason, Boychuk and our 2nd round pick to Philly in exchange for VanRiemsdyk and Simmonds. Heck, maybe even throw in Poni to sweeten the deal. Philly would get their veteran defenseman, a forward prospect and good pick considering where we are most likely going to be slotted in the draft. We'd get back a big winger with a bunch of upside in JVR and Simmonds would bring some needed toughness to our group of forwards and is still very young.

2. Trade Allen for a 2nd round pick. We'd get back a pick in the 2nd round of the draft after we sent our original one to Philly.

3. Try and trade Poni, LaRose, Dwyer, Tlusty and Nodl for either picks, prospect or warm bodies to keep us above the salary floor for the remainder of this season. I know that only Poni and Tlusty are free agents at the end of the year so finding other teams to take these players would be hard but I can dream!

4. Even though Ruutu could probably fetch us something good at the trade deadline, I'd prefer to keep and sign him to an extension.

5. It wouldn't be the most popular pick but if we're not picking in the top 3 of the draft - I'd draft Ryan Murray or Matt Dumba to help us some on the blueline and help set us up for a real solid defensive corps in the coming years.

If all were to go as planned, we could be looking at the lines below which I think could be competitive and possess a lot of potential in the coming years:

Dalpe-Staal-VanRiemsdyk

Skinner-Ruutu-Jokinen

Bowman-Sutter-Simmonds

Stewart-Brent-Samson

Pitkanen-Faulk

McBain-Harrison

Joslin/Murphy/Dumoulin/Murray or Dumba

Feel free to disagree, as I know many will. That is a ugly defense on paper so maybe sign a defenseman in the offseason. Is is just a pipe dream? Of course, but its fun to play armchair GM in times like these!

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Good Effort on this

and asside from trading a “bundle” like Poni,Rosie & Boychuk for a good player to work accross from Staal !! other than that…I’m NOT sure…

9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!

by CaniacSteve on Jan 15, 2012 12:41 AM EST reply actions

I would be exceptionally cautious of JVR right now. The reason can be summed up in one name, Marc Savard. Concussions are a tricky thing as we all know. I don’t see trading valuable assets for someone who we really don’t know if he will ever play again. Until medically cleared, there has to be better and less risky options that will also get the job done. As far as Simmons……he might be a legitimate target but I am not sure he projects well as a 1st ling winger either now or short-term. He may be, but I just don’t know for sure right now. The reason I say this is I think JR needs a proven 1st line winger and not a possible one. This might be the only window of opportunity (now through free agency) JR has to accomplish this priority without too much pain.

JR will have a tough time deciding about keeping Ruutu or not. I guess it depends on what is being offered and right now it appears to be a whole bunch……Ruutu is at his highest trade value right now, ever. If he gets a first round pick, projected in the top 15 or higher I think he might be hard pressed to turn it down. That may be too much for Ruutu but this is a crazy time in the NHL.

When able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC

by hurricanefever on Jan 15, 2012 9:25 AM EST reply actions

As a additional note: it appears Lou is gauging interest in Parise as a trade as reported recently by ESPN.com. JR may not have the pieces and I think Parise has already said money and cup contender are his priorities which means he would not necessarily pick the Canes for a long term deal……this would be a dream but might get us a step closer to a Ryan deal if other paying teams who are closer to a cup, chase him and not Ryan. So many variables………

by hurricanefever on Jan 15, 2012 10:07 AM EST up reply actions

Just a note regarding Parise & New Jersey. The Devils franchise could be in some trouble; they owe their creditors a lot of money and the rumor is they may be the next franchise the NHL has to take over. If that is the case, then resigning Parise will become that much more difficult. A decision may come as soon as February. If that is the case, trading Parise to acquire some assets, instead of letting him go for nothing, will be a wise move.

JR; please dump some players and bring the kids up to stay!

by PackPride17 on Jan 15, 2012 9:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

My GM Dreams

Ok, if Jim Rutherford were somehow to get seriously intoxicated and to ask for my opinion, here’s what I’d say and would say without in any way meaning to demean the players involved. Strictly from a view of how to improve the Hurricanes for 2012-2013, I’d say, Jim:

1. Trade Gleason for the highest bidder who will give up in return a first line forward. The subset of players need to have size, speed, great hands, leadership, and a willingness to battle. From Philadelphia, JVR (injuries and all), or Simmonds or Voracek or Couturier. If you can convince Columbus to part with Johansen, even at a high price, go for it. If you can get a reasonable, discounted deal on Mueller from the Avalanche due to his history of concussions, take the risk. If St. Louis will part with Chris Stewart or Berglund even at a high price, go for it.

2. Trade Spacek even though he has been superb because at his age, he has a limited shelf life.

3. Trade LaRose while his value is high.

4. Extend Ruutu (and if his agent plays games like Cole’s agent did and won’t give you an offer then so be it, trade Ruutu; but pay Ruutu fair market value and move on. Save money elsewhere).

5. Bring up Boychuk and give him a chance to sink or swim in the top six. If it works, wonderful. If it does not work out, then bundle Boychuk and trade him. Perhaps Toronto would be interested in Gleason and Boychuk for Kadri and Colborne. One can’t let first round picks evaporate as assets.

6. Trade Ponikarovsky. He’s doing much better under Muller; but he still has too many shifts where he does not get to the net and doesn’t make his presence felt on the ice. It not essential to trade him, but he is not as valuable as some other players in the system, such as Dalpe, Bowman, and Samson.

7. Extend Allen. I believe Allen would sign an extension for a reasonable figure. If not, then like Ruutu, he should be traded.

8. Draft one of the top four forwards in the draft: Yakupov, Girgorenko, Galchenyuk, or Forsberg depending on who is available when the Hurricanes draft. If any two of the four are available assuming the Hurricanes get at least one more first round pick, take both. In 2012 draft the best big forwards you can find. Forget about best player available that may be great for NHL fantasy pools, but does not work well for low budget teams that cannot or will not enter the first tier UFA market to fill holes.

9. Take a run in the off-season for a top line UFA, such as Parise.

by abramsdoug on Jan 15, 2012 10:46 AM EST reply actions

I basically agree, especially with Doug, but both of you are wildly overvaluing Gleason. If Paul Holmgren gave up JVR or Wayne Simmonds (to say nothing of both) for Gleason, basically as a rental, then he’d be immediately black-balled from the league. Spector (Lyle Richardson), a longtime, generally conservative, but usually correct commentator valued Gleason at a second round draft pick, more or less.

I think the relatively low value of our sellable pieces is actually one reason we will keep more of them than we might otherwise.

Otherwise, I totally agree with AD. Force Boychuk to sink or swim right now. Probably the same should go for Dalpe, though leaving him in CLT is OK for now. Keep Allen. Keep Ruutu. Trade Larose while the value is high (all things being relative… a 3rd rounder). Trade Poni (good luck!)…

And definitely we need to draft a forward and sign a big name UFA forward like Parise. The defense will be OK. Faulk is the real deal, so is McBain. One of Murphy or Dumolin will make the team next year. We will still have Harrison, Pitkanen, and Joslin. If we keep Allen, then that is a good group.

by prplmnkydw on Jan 16, 2012 12:10 AM EST reply actions

Pipe Dreams

It’s probably pretty unlikely to get a top 3 forward in exchange for a rental player. More likely are upper-midlevel prospects, picks, and cap filler. That said, I do think some of our UFAs could fetch premium picks

*Gleason – 1st Rounder
*Ruutu – 1st
*Allen – 2nd
*Spacek – 3rd

I would take the picks (or equivalent prospects) for Gleason, Ruutu, and Spacek. If anyone would trade a bag of pucks for LaRose, I’d take that, too. My preference would be to keep Allen for two reasons, first because of the cap floor, but second because of the physical edge he brings. That said, there’s no reason to hold on to him if you don’t intend to re-sign him for next year.

Bring up Boychuck, Dalpe, and Nash (and other youngsters) and give them 30 games to show what they can (or can’t do). It doesn’t hurt that the three of them count $3M towards the cap, so that helps.

Ultimately, the balance of this season should be about acquiring and developing assets, discerning who fits with the plan going forward, and making sure those players get as much exposure to the system as possible. This isn’t an organization devoid of talent, but the team needs to start developing that potential into production, and that should start now.

by NH_CaneFan on Jan 16, 2012 1:17 PM EST reply actions

I agree with most of what has been said already. LaRose is probably at the highest value he ever will be. Even with the bad penalties, he has been putting up points. He’s the gritty, energy guy that teams making a run at the Cup might like to pick up for the ‘intangibles.’

Another factor to consider in trades is that players with playoff experience will go for more at the trade deadline than at other times.

In my mind, there are only a handfull of players that should be off the table. Skinner, Faulk, Ward, Harrison, Brandon Sutter, to name a few.

"If you can't beat 'em in the alley, you can't beat 'em on the ice." Conn Smythe

by Winter is Coming on Jan 17, 2012 2:30 PM EST reply actions

Interesting opinion from ESPN

Here is a very recent response from ESPN LeBrun on Canes some trade points…..

Given the trade climate and the Hurricanes position in the standings what do you see in the way of viable trades for the Canes UFAs on the team. What do you think those returns might be? (North Carolina)
Pierre LeBrun
(11:12 AM)

You can count on Gleason, Ruutu, Allen, Spacek likely moving… Gleason and Ruutu can net decent returns; young player plus a pick. Allen and Spacek likely just one asset in return

by hurricanefever on Jan 18, 2012 11:24 AM EST reply actions