Thanks Mr. Rutherford, I’ll take it from here!

If you grew up on hockey like I did, you’ve probably dreamt at some time of being General Manager of an NHL team, particularly at this time of year.

The June draft and free agency mayhem are upon us once more. So, what the heck! Let’s have a go at it. Let’s make the decisions on which free agents stay or go, what trades we are going to make, and who we are going to draft this year. 

“Thanks Mr. Rutherford, I’ll take it from here!” 

Based on the second half and play-off performance by the Canes last season, we probably don’t need to do much. Let's go down the list and see what we’ve got to work with.

Goaltending:

Cam Ward is a lock for years to come. Michael Leighton showed signs of being a solid back-up and will get better. With Justin Peters in Albany and junior sensation, Mike Murphy, under contract, nothing to do there.

Defence:

Joe Corvo, Joni Pitkanen, and Tim Gleason are key building blocks for the future. I would keep Nic Wallin for his last contract year. Newcomers Bryan Rodney, Brett Carson, and Jamie McBain all deserve a real shot at making the team. That’s a good start!

Frank Kaberle and is $2.2M has to go. Try to deal him for a late round draft pick or buy out his contract. A bonus would be if he signs in the KHL, as rumored, but don’t hold your breath on that one. Dennis Seidenberg, now an unrestricted free agent, wants too much money so he might have to go. That would be too bad. I think Denis is very under-rated on the Canes blue and played a key roll in their success this year. That leaves restricted free agent, Anton Babchuk. An intriguing thought is to package Babchuk in a major deal. With sixteen goals this year, he is very desirable for teams looking to strengthen their power-play.  If he goes, sign Seidenberg. 

The Canes biggest need on the blueline is for a tough stay-at-home mobile defencemen, a real shutdown guy.  UFAs include Rob Scuderi, Hal Gill, Andrew Alberts, and Greg Zanon .   I like Scuderi and have for a long time. I know the Pens want to keep him but make a strong play for him. I'd sign him for about 2.5M on a long term deal. 

I like a defence of Corvo-Gleason, Pitkanen-Scuderi, Wallin-Babchuk/Seidenberg, with the kids in reserve. 

Center:

Eric Staal, Matt Cullen, and Rod Brind'Amour are your top three. Roddy has to have a comeback year or the Canes won’t go far next year.  I’d look to sign a free agent as depth, say Manny Malhotra, Blair Betts or Dominic Moore. I really like Malhotra, big, solid defensively, and growing offensively and reasonably priced. And, you still have Darren Sutter in the wings, but I’d prefer to see him playing big minutes in Albany. 

Left Wing:

Sergei Samsonov and Ray Whitney are locks. Sign Tuomo Ruutu, RFA, to a long term deal. Bring up Drayson Bowman to challenge on the fourth line. He’s ready. Sign Ryan Bayda, a UFA, to a $600k per, two-year deal. He is a solid 11th or 12th forward and good depth. 

Right Wing:

Sign Erik Cole, if the price is right, and Chad Larose, both UFAs to long term deals. You can make a strong case for lower dollars right now.  Cole had a brutal play-off offensively and, the big question surrounding Larose is, was his season a fluke. I don’t think so. If Cole can’t happen, look at a free agent signing or make a deal for a big, scoring forward.  I would sign Jussi Jokinen, RFA, to a long term deal and play him on right wing. He can always cover at center, if needed. Patrick Eaves is an intriguing winger. I still think he will be a top six player.  He could find his scoring touch and move up the depth chart. In any case, he is a solid fourth liner. Package Scott Walker in a major deal or move him for a mid-round draft pick or prospect to clear some salary. Tim Conboy is around for insurance and toughness. 

These forward lines will work, although I’m still concerned about team size and we lack a solid number two goal scorer, unless Cole steps up:

Ruutu-Staal-Cole

Whitney-Cullen-Larose

Samsonov-Brind’Amour-Jokinen

Bowman-Malhotra-Eaves

So, after all of that, not much would change with the Canes. Tie up the key free agents, add a player or two, and give some of your young talent a shot at the show. And, you're good-to go! 

Here are some interesting Unrestricted Free Agents I would target:

Center – one of Manny Malhotra, Blair Betts, Dominic Moore

Right Wing –Erik Cole or major fee agent signing

Left Wing – one of Chad Larose, Kyle Calder, Vernon Fiddler

Defence – One of Rob Suderi, Hal Gill, Andrew Alberts, Greg Zanon 

Another option is to make a major deal or major free agent signing to shake things up! 

How about this?

Cole, Babchuk, and 1^st round pick to Ottawa for Danny Heatley. Would be great but forget it, too much action around Heatley. 

Or this?

Walker, Babchuk, and 1^st round pick to Nashville for Alexander Radulov. Not sure if Radulov is returning this year, but wow! 

Or this?

Babchuk to Atlanta for Colby Armstrong. Was impressive alongside Sydney Crosby  in Pittsburgh. Thrashers need defensemen. 

Or this?

Babchuk to the Capitals for Shaone Morrison. There’s your shutdown D-man. 

Or this?

Babchuk and Larose to Toronto for Alexie Ponikarovsky. Burke would move him in the right package.

Major Free agents:

Hossa, Gaborik, Sykora, Antropov, or Gionta. Price will be too high for Hossa and Gaborik, but both would look amazing in a Canes uniform. Sykora would be an excellent signing and possible. Antropov would also be a great option. He’s big and talented and would be a perfect compliment to Staal. Gionta is intriguing, but small in stature. Maybe not major but how about Maxim Afinogenov? He could be a steal right now. He’s underperformed his last few years, but scored 23 goals in 56 games (61 points!) a few years ago. 

As far as the draft goes, I would love to see the Canes grab Carter Ashton or Landon Ferraro in the first round. Both have great hockey bloodlines, good size, and would look good in a Canes uniform down the road. But, let’s leave this up to Tony MacDonald, Director of Amateur scouting. 

So, what do you think, J.R.?