Confirmed with Link: McGinn re-signs for 2 years (2.1M AAV, 1.9M/2.3M)

[Cardiac Jerks]

I must say it’s very nice to see so much competition heading into camp.

It’s a far cry from the days where it was like an Oprah giveaway episode - “you get a spot and you get a spot! Everyone gets a roster spot!”

 

[Unsustainable]

I must say it’s very nice to see so much competition heading into camp.

It’s a far cry from the days where it was like an Oprah giveaway episode - “you get a spot and you get a spot! Everyone gets a roster spot!”

Penciling in college UFAs lol

 

[My Special Purpose]

I must say it’s very nice to see so much competition heading into camp.

It’s a far cry from the days where it was like an Oprah giveaway episode - “you get a spot and you get a spot! Everyone gets a roster spot!”

My problem with GMJR wasn't that roster spots were given away, it's *who* they were given to. Any veteran who needed a job was a lock for our bottom six. There was never a prayer for any of our kids, which, looking back, was not necessarily a bad thing, since they sucked. But it probably contributed to the sucking.

I like seeing that we have actual options for young players and veterans. It's almost like these guys know what they're doing.

 

[emptyNedder]

...OR...

You are overvaluing his contribution. In any case, let's not conflate this with the notion that he is worthy of being entitled to the #2 spot.

My apologies to Jonathan.

One statistic that I left out when overvaluing Ned is that the Checkers were 88-1-1 the past two seasons and playoffs when leading after 2 periods.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

My apologies to Jonathan.

One statistic that I left out when overvaluing Ned is that the Checkers were 88-1-1 the past two seasons and playoffs when leading after 2 periods.

So if I read you right, what you're saying is that Mrazek is the starter, and Reimer is middle relief, and Ned is the closer?

 

[My Special Purpose]

So if I read you right, what you're saying is that Mrazek is the starter, and Reimer is middle relief, and Ned is the closer?

Dundon is interested in subscribing to your newsletter.

 

[NotOpie]

Dundon is interested in subscribing to your newsletter.

Nah, he won't subscribe....he'll just pirate a copy from a writer for The Athletic.

 

[geehaad]

 

[Negan4Coach]

Generally, I agree that any player should be forced to beat out a guy over being gifted a spot. However, as Rod said last year, that sounds good on paper, but when guys come in with contracts that are very different, there is more than their play that is considered in who "beats out" who. Also, for goalies, this is even tougher. With only a few games in the preseason and practices being such a crap shoot for evaluating goalie play, it is really tough to beat out anyone in an obvious way.

Yes. I'm interested if Scott Darling "beat out" anybody in training camp in either of his two seasons and if so why we hold competition between goaltenders in training camp in such high esteem...

 

[Chrispy]

Yes. I'm interested if Scott Darling "beat out" anybody in training camp in either of his two seasons and if so why we hold competition between goaltenders in training camp in such high esteem...

He actually did:
2017-18 preseason goalie stats. Darling had a 1.50 / .925 in 2 games. Nedeljkovic also looked good (0.97 / .966 in 2 games.) The deference was given to Ward here.

2018-19 preseason goalie stats. Darling had a 1.97 / .938 in 3 games. Nedejkovic again looked good (1.22 / .938) and both outplayed Mrazek. Then Darling got hurt and McElhinney was picked up off waivers.

 

[GoldiFox]

He actually did:
2017-18 preseason goalie stats. Darling had a 1.50 / .925 in 2 games. Nedeljkovic also looked good (0.97 / .966 in 2 games.) The deference was given to Ward here.

2018-19 preseason goalie stats. Darling had a 1.97 / .938 in 3 games. Nedejkovic again looked good (1.22 / .938) and both outplayed Mrazek. Then Darling got hurt and McElhinney was picked up off waivers.

Preseason stats are next to worthless in comparing goalies. Nedeljkovic and Darling largely played games against teams with 1-2 NHL regulars:

https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/boxscore?id=33956
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/boxscore?id=33963
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/boxscore?id=33976
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/boxscore?id=34003

Mrazek played the last few games against nearly full Capitals and Predators NHL rosters:
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/boxscore?id=34020
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/boxscore?id=34033

Nobody here is likely to know what was happening inside camp so its hard to say who won and who lost battles. We do know that Darling was vastly overweight and out of shape coming into the 2017-18 year and he started 8 of 10 games that October and 10 of 14 games that November.

 

[Negan4Coach]

Preseason stats are next to worthless in comparing goalies. Nedeljkovic and Darling largely played games against teams with 1-2 NHL regulars:

https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/boxscore?id=33956
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/boxscore?id=33963
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/boxscore?id=33976
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/boxscore?id=34003

Mrazek played the last few games against nearly full Capitals and Predators NHL rosters:
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/boxscore?id=34020
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/boxscore?id=34033

Nobody here is likely to know what was happening inside camp so its hard to say who won and who lost battles. We do know that Darling was vastly overweight and out of shape coming into the 2017-18 year and he started 8 of 10 games that October and 10 of 14 games that November.

So in other words, the Oprah method may have yielded better results?

 

[My Special Purpose]

He actually did:
2017-18 preseason goalie stats. Darling had a 1.50 / .925 in 2 games. Nedeljkovic also looked good (0.97 / .966 in 2 games.) The deference was given to Ward here.

2018-19 preseason goalie stats. Darling had a 1.97 / .938 in 3 games. Nedejkovic again looked good (1.22 / .938) and both outplayed Mrazek. Then Darling got hurt and McElhinney was picked up off waivers.

Preseason stats are next to worthless in comparing goalies. Nedeljkovic and Darling largely played games against teams with 1-2 NHL regulars:

https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/boxscore?id=33956
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/boxscore?id=33963
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/boxscore?id=33976
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/boxscore?id=34003

Mrazek played the last few games against nearly full Capitals and Predators NHL rosters:
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/boxscore?id=34020
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/boxscore?id=34033

Nobody here is likely to know what was happening inside camp so its hard to say who won and who lost battles. We do know that Darling was vastly overweight and out of shape coming into the 2017-18 year and he started 8 of 10 games that October and 10 of 14 games that November.

So in other words, the Oprah method may have yielded better results?

I think the idea of winning or losing jobs in camp is way overstated, or at least, mostly misunderstood. There's no way a team is going to make a major change in plans based on three weeks of data -- especially at the goalie position. I think the org has an expectation based on an entire body of work for every player, and a plan for every player based on that expectation. Training camp and exhibition games -- in the overwhelming majority of instances -- only serve to reinforce the original expectation and plan.

But those plans can't be rigid. Development isn't always a straight line. Players make "leaps." Stuff happens. But I hesitate to even guess what Alex Nedeljkovic would have to do to earn the backup goalie position in camp over James Reimer this season. Even if he was perfect and didn't allow a goal all camp in practice or games, he'd probably still go to the AHL where he could play every day, instead of playing once a week at the NHL level. You don't always *want* your second-best goalie in the NHL, especially if he's young and waiver exempt.

I think the Canes have their depth chart for 2019-20 basically set. Camp may move a few guys up or down recall lists, but I don't think it's going to change the 23 who make the opening night roster.

 

[Chrispy]

I think the idea of winning or losing jobs in camp is way overstated, or at least, mostly misunderstood. There's no way a team is going to make a major change in plans based on three weeks of data -- especially at the goalie position. I think the org has an expectation based on an entire body of work for every player, and a plan for every player based on that expectation. Training camp and exhibition games -- in the overwhelming majority of instances -- only serve to reinforce the original expectation and plan.

But those plans can't be rigid. Development isn't always a straight line. Players make "leaps." Stuff happens. But I hesitate to even guess what Alex Nedeljkovic would have to do to earn the backup goalie position in camp over James Reimer this season. Even if he was perfect and didn't allow a goal all camp in practice or games, he'd probably still go to the AHL where he could play every day, instead of playing once a week at the NHL level. You don't always *want* your second-best goalie in the NHL, especially if he's young and waiver exempt.

I think the Canes have their depth chart for 2019-20 basically set. Camp may move a few guys up or down recall lists, but I don't think it's going to change the 23 who make the opening night roster.

This is most likely right. I think there can be some battle at the bottom of the defense core (#6/#7) especially if TVR isn't ready for the start of the season with Forsling and Fleury and Bean and McKeown.

I also think there could be backup goalie "competition", but it's likely between Forsberg and Reimer. But unless Reimer goes on the Darling diet this summer or there's another move, Mrazek-Reimer seems likely for opening night.