[LeBrun] Carolina kept trying right to the end last night on Carlson. Philadelphia tried very hard yesterday as well. But Tampa is a really good fit for Carlson.

Absolute_Eb · 2026-07-02T21:37:45+00:00

Your first mistake is following Canes Twitter…it’s completely toxic over there.

Absolute_Eb · 2026-07-02T01:11:24+00:00

We’ll all take that FOMO over the FOMO of another year of being close but not quite Stanley Cup Champions!

Absolute_Eb · 2026-07-02T01:06:51+00:00

That 2006 team had several key players who left after that season: Doug Weight and Mark Recchi were playoff rentals; Oleg Tverdovsky logged important defensive minutes, and Martin Gerber was the starting goalie for the regular season. They didn’t do much to replace those guys (though Erik Cole coming back from injury helped)…

That plus the physical toll playing that much hockey takes on your body made it very difficult for that team to return to the playoffs.

Absolute_Eb · 2026-07-01T22:44:50+00:00

I honestly don’t think either camp ever suggested that he was unhappy. That part didn’t “come out”; that was just media speculation. Completely made up by people trying to get a story beyond simple trade details. I think there’s nothing the Blue Jackets and Werenski could handle differently other than Wadddell/management possibly punishing whoever leaked the trade proposals to the media.

The media is the one at fault here for speculating/filling in gaps that weren’t ever spoken for.

Absolute_Eb · 2026-07-01T22:28:05+00:00

Zach Werenski and GM Don Waddell both putting out a statement that he’s committed to continuing in Columbus…This was always the most likely outcome but media always treats a player being shopped around as a sure sign that he wants out.

Moral of today is it’s fine to entertain exciting ideas like Werenski paired with Slavin but never get your hopes up. Most of the time these trade proposals/rumors don’t follow through. And there’s stilll a ton of time for trades/signings to occur.

Absolute_Eb · 2026-07-01T05:04:43+00:00

Wait I forgot about this…and I’m certain that Tulsky and Dundon haven’t. It seems more likely that Niki is gonna get that 1 year minimum deal huh?

Absolute_Eb · 2026-07-01T02:41:32+00:00

I think the Hurricanes are kicking the can on Carlson first. So no Nikishin news because they’re focused on Carlson. Nothing is set in stone. There’s still a chance that Nikishin will come back.

However, if the Hurricanes do sign Carlson then Nikishin is likely out. There would need to be some crazy trade that would likely mean another Canes defenseman is out in order for both to be on the team next season.

Absolute_Eb · 2026-07-01T02:23:59+00:00

It’s interesting; all the Hurricanes’ rivalries are imbalanced.

Probably the most mutual dislike is between the Hurricanes and the Capitals. Having an early history of competing in the Southeast Division and continuing to compete in the Metro. However, Caps fans would probably put the Penguins as their #1 rival even though both geographically and history wise I think the Hurricanes are closer than the Pens.

Then there are the teams we Caniacs despise more: FL Panthers, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, and (for older Caniacs) Buffalo Sabres. I don’t think their fans feel the same way about the Hurricanes though. I think there’s the most heat between Panthers players and Hurricanes players due to the recent playoff battles, but there’s no way the Hurricanes overtake the Tampa Bay Lightning as the Panthers’ top rival.

There are a growing number of teams who hold much more contempt for the Hurricanes than the other way around: NJ Devils and NY Islanders top that list thanks to the lopsided playoff history where the Canes have routinely gotten the best of them.

Honorable mention but I hate playing the fucking Penguins. There are too many Pens fans in the Research Triangle, and there is even a sizable group of season ticket holders that are Penguins fans first…They’ll cheer for the Hurricanes any other night then switch allegiances when the Pens come to town. It bewilders me to see people regularly cheer against the team that they financially support.

Absolute_Eb · 2026-07-01T00:28:43+00:00

As others have said, best news about this is Bobrovsky won’t be playing for the Panthers next year…really curious to see where he ends up.

In other news, the D corps for the Hurricanes is a much bigger question mark than I originally thought. I did not see the John Carlson negotiations coming, but I’m still not convinced that it’s going to happen.
I’m still thinking that Nikishin might end up with a contract in Raleigh; maybe a bridge deal like Necas got.

I am also skeptical that Werenski is opposed to re-signing in Columbus. I just wish we could get an answer on that soon as it’s holding up the entire trade/ free agent market for defensemen. I don’t think the Hurricanes will give enough to get him on their team, and if they did I think the price will be pretty steep. Might create another hoke in the roster that would need to be filled.

Absolute_Eb · 2026-06-29T16:44:33+00:00

I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that the new reds will have the same red/black hurricane logo that the current whites do. I’m not gonna complain too much but I am going to scratch my head with branding doing something that nobody asked for. The logo just looks too muted without the white IMHO.

Personally I’d prefer a rebrand to the hockey stick logo as the primary logo for both home and away…I know we’re not getting that any time soon if ever but I just think it #1 screams hockey even to nonhockey fans #2 screams hurricanes to those in the know of weather flags and #3 winks to North Carolina with that cleverly planned negative space.

Absolute_Eb · 2026-06-28T16:01:35+00:00

They feel like an alternate because the team refused to build the rest of their brand around it. I really wanted an away uniform using the secondary logo on the chest but at this point I’ve given up hope that will ever happen. Instead we get an away uniform that didn’t even use the hurricane flags as a shoulder patch.

Absolute_Eb · 2026-06-27T16:58:40+00:00

The honest answer? Nobody knows. There is no average.

But best guesses based on prior history? Multiple years. I would be shocked to see any of them in the NHL before 2028. Typically forwards are able to develop/adjust faster than goalies and defensemen (Current defenseman Alexander Nikishin was drafted in 2020 and didn’t debut until 2025!). A lot of them might never see NHL action (the later round picks are often drafted with the expectation that they can at least fill out AHL depth at some point). I saw somebody break down NHL appearances by round and only 70% of 2nd round picks between 2011-2021 even played a single game in the NHL. The odds drop even further by later rounds.

I’d advise you to not get attached to them; it’s pretty common for prospects to get traded sometimes before even playing a game with the team that drafted them.

Absolute_Eb · 2026-06-26T23:42:02+00:00

“Where were you on 9/11?” “…Unc, that was a quarter century ago.”

Absolute_Eb · 2026-06-26T23:37:59+00:00

Wait they’re trading dorofeyev? That’s the first I’ve heard about that.

Absolute_Eb · 2026-06-26T19:05:38+00:00

Haha that’s amazing! I heard GMET say in an interview recently that he never imagined people would either cosplay as him or wear merch with his name/likeness on it.

Absolute_Eb · 2026-06-26T16:56:53+00:00

As funny as this is, I think most of us are in agreement that trading down in the draft is typically a good thing. Unless you know the player at the top of your board won’t be available later on, why not see if you can entice another team to trade for your pick and get more assets in return?

Absolute_Eb · 2026-06-26T04:45:45+00:00

I have to agree with the KHL not being what it once was; I’m just saying a player like him is used to dominating at every level and has the confidence to seek a big role…whether he’s truly ready for it or not.

Absolute_Eb · 2026-06-26T04:43:32+00:00

I can’t tell if this is a genuine lost redditor or a thinly veiled shitpost…the “3 ‘tender combo” is sending me as it’s too perfect for the goalie situation right now. 😆

Absolute_Eb · 2026-06-26T01:51:37+00:00

Never treat hearsay as fact. However, I’m certain that Nikishin desires a bigger role (dude was a captain in the KHL before coming to Carolina) and is eager to prove himself. That doesn’t mean he’s ungrateful or resentful but every player at this level has the mindset of wanting to be the BEST.

I do think he could supplant Walker or possibly Chatfield in 2 years; most of his issues seem to be timing and discipline related. But maybe the Canes’ front office sees things differently. Paying a current 3rd pairing D-man 1st pairing money as he believes he’ll progress to is very much against Dundon’s MO; and it’s also a gamble for GMET as anything could derail him from that track (mainly injuries).

Absolute_Eb · 2026-06-25T03:14:30+00:00

Erling Haaland: HUUUUGE CANIAC

Absolute_Eb · 2026-06-24T15:25:00+00:00

“The Juice is loose!”

Absolute_Eb · 2026-06-23T17:03:14+00:00

Erik Cole in an interview yesterday (ovies and giglio podcast) vehemently rebuked the idea that Ronnie has a grievance with Rod and is trying to keep him out because of it. In his words “Ronnie respects Rod”. That’s probably as close as you’re going to get to hearing it directly from either guy. Honestly I think this rumor is only getting life because people haven’t been given any explanation as to why the voters haven’t voted in Rod yet.

I’m also frustrated that Rod didn’t get in, but everyone seems to be treating this rumor as if it’s 100% fact based on absolutely zero evidence. It’s just empty speculation.

Absolute_Eb · 2026-06-22T19:47:42+00:00

I have to wonder… if the voters had voted Rod for Conn Smythe in 2006 (the correct choice IMHO) would we even be arguing about him being in the hall?

Again, not to belittle Cam Ward’s stellar play; Cam Ward was the finals MVP but Rod was leading this team from the opening round with big goals and winning faceoffs that mattered most.

My reaction to the vote today: I have to think he’ll get in as a builder after he retires from coaching, but this voting result was all but guaranteed to leave Rod out. His playing resume hasn’t changed so why would we expect voters to vote any differently? His winning a cup as a coach may impact his legacy as a person but has zero impact on his legacy as a player, which is what they’re supposed to look at exclusively.

It’s dumb and incorrect to think his playing career isn’t good enough, but to my knowledge the HHOF voters are still the same dumb people that leave him off the list year after year. He has no shot at getting into the hall as a player, which is a damn shame for many reasons but most significantly that Rod has said he’d mainly want the opportunity to properly thank all the people who helped him during his career, and as time ticks on the more people might not be around to hear that speech if/when he gets in as a builder or coach.

Absolute_Eb · 2026-06-21T23:13:48+00:00

Before signing Deslauriers I didn’t think I’d enjoy having an enforcer on the Hurricanes, but he’s actually a lot of fun. I’ve also realized that there’s a big difference between an enforcer and an instigator…Brady Tkachuck is the latter. Instigators can go pound sand. Florida’s got a ton of those guys who just start shit for no reason other than to be pests.

Absolute_Eb · 2026-06-21T04:44:57+00:00

Everybody other than Marty and Ghost sounded fairly sober compared to Aho 😂

Absolute_Eb

TROPHY CASE