Confirmed with Link: Stalberg to Canes - 1 year 1.5

[NotOpie]

Even if he does, I still don't think they are a playoff team

I think there are two factors that play into whether or not Edmoton will be markedly better.

1. Health - none of their 3 superstars up to this point have been healthy. Throw in Klefbom and they've not iced the best team that their roster should have allowed.
2. Draisaitl's progression - ultimately they've got 2 1/2 centers right now until Draisaitl proves that last year wasn't a fluke. Even so, some think RNH is better suited at wing, so there's an interesting adjustment period that could put them in a similar position to what the Canes were in last season. They've got a reasonable Top 4 on defense now with Larsson there. Plus they've got 5 very good forwards. It is yet to be seen if they can fill out the remaining team adequately to make any sort of playoff bubble run.

So while I wouldn't count them out, I suspect they've still got some growing pains to go through.

 

[Carolinas Identity*]

I think there are two factors that play into whether or not Edmoton will be markedly better.

1. Health - none of their 3 superstars up to this point have been healthy. Throw in Klefbom and they've not iced the best team that their roster should have allowed.
2. Draisaitl's progression - ultimately they've got 2 1/2 centers right now until Draisaitl proves that last year wasn't a fluke. Even so, some think RNH is better suited at wing, so there's an interesting adjustment period that could put them in a similar position to what the Canes were in last season. They've got a reasonable Top 4 on defense now with Larsson there. Plus they've got 5 very good forwards. It is yet to be seen if they can fill out the remaining team adequately to make any sort of playoff bubble run.

So while I wouldn't count them out, I suspect they've still got some growing pains to go through.

they will be better than toronto, but i do not think they will progress much if at all. while larsson vastly improves their inept defense, lucic over hall is a big downgrade at forward

i think saying "growing pains" is putting it lightly

 

[DaveG]

I think there are two factors that play into whether or not Edmoton will be markedly better.

1. Health - none of their 3 superstars up to this point have been healthy. Throw in Klefbom and they've not iced the best team that their roster should have allowed.
2. Draisaitl's progression - ultimately they've got 2 1/2 centers right now until Draisaitl proves that last year wasn't a fluke. Even so, some think RNH is better suited at wing, so there's an interesting adjustment period that could put them in a similar position to what the Canes were in last season. They've got a reasonable Top 4 on defense now with Larsson there. Plus they've got 5 very good forwards. It is yet to be seen if they can fill out the remaining team adequately to make any sort of playoff bubble run.

So while I wouldn't count them out, I suspect they've still got some growing pains to go through.

Thing to me is that, even with marked improvement, they're still nowhere near a playoff team. Even 20 points better is still out of the playoffs every year but last year in the West. And even a healthy McDavid doesn't make them magically 10 wins better. 12-15 points MAYBE. Which is still out of the playoffs every year. And out significantly most years.

 

[NotOpie]

Thing to me is that, even with marked improvement, they're still nowhere near a playoff team. Even 20 points better is still out of the playoffs every year but last year in the West. And even a healthy McDavid doesn't make them magically 10 wins better. 12-15 points MAYBE. Which is still out of the playoffs every year. And out significantly most years.

Yeah, my point was that they could look like a team that could make some noise and over-achieve. Maybe being a playoff bubble team is a bit aggressive, but they are getting some pieces. I agree with whomever said that Buffalo is closer.

 

[DaveG]

Yeah, my point was that they could look like a team that could make some noise and over-achieve. Maybe being a playoff bubble team is a bit aggressive, but they are getting some pieces. I agree with whomever said that Buffalo is closer.

Yep.

And I don't think Buffalo's there either. The one thing both have going for them is weak divisions, it IS possible that someone pulls a Habs or 2015 Kings in either one, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

[Sens1Canes2]

they will be better than toronto, but i do not think they will progress much if at all. while larsson vastly improves their inept defense, lucic over hall is a big downgrade at forward

i think saying "growing pains" is putting it lightly

Last three seasons, Hall has 67 goals, Lucic 62. Hall has trouble staying healthy, Lucic is an iron man.

I think they're better off with Larsson and Lucic than with Hall. Little more jam, less bad attitude (allegedly), and most important something different.

If you'd have told me Hall had never scored 30 in a season, I'd call you crazy.

 

[Eye of Ra]

How has he been playing so far?

According to nhl.com he has 77 hits in 39 games, he is playing with grit or nhl.com is lying?

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

How has he been playing so far?

According to nhl.com he has 77 hits in 39 games, he is playing with grit or nhl.com is lying?

good speed, great addition to our fourth line

had a good hot streak where he kept scoring the canes first goal of the game, but has cooled off

after a couple of good finishes on breakaways we are starting to see the relative lack of hands that rangers fans were warning about, but with his speed hes been effective at dumping the puck, and has helped make this the best fourth line the canes have had in years

he is a clear fourth liner, so it remains to be seen if he will be re-signed, but for now hes been effective in his role and i wouldnt mind seeing him back

 

[Roboturner913]

Like this dude a lot. Perfect bottom 6er. He's got speed, he's hard-nosed, he has a nice wrist shot, he wins tons of board battles. Pretty much every shift, he makes something positive happen. And I think that's rubbed off on a lot of the younger guys, especially Nordstrom. Those two together are dynamite on the 4th line.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

Like this dude a lot. Perfect bottom 6er. He's got speed, he's hard-nosed, he has a nice wrist shot, he wins tons of board battles. Pretty much every shift, he makes something positive happen. And I think that's rubbed off on a lot of the younger guys, especially Nordstrom. Those two together are dynamite on the 4th line.

#dirtyswedes

 

[The Faulker 27]

I really hope Stalberg sticks here. I like his game and the speed and physicality he brings to the 4th line. He plays with a good balance of tenacity and awareness.

 

[NotOpie]

I really hope Stalberg sticks here. I like his game and the speed and physicality he brings to the 4th line. He plays with a good balance of tenacity and awareness.

I agree and I'd even sign him to a 2 year deal....not much longer however.

 

[A Star is Burns]

Stalberg has been solid, but seems like McGinn could do some similar things for less money and with more future upside. And hopefully that's the kind of role he will be in if we can improve our forward depth.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

Stalberg has been solid, but seems like McGinn could do some similar things for less money and with more future upside. And hopefully that's the kind of role he will be in if we can improve our forward depth.

Not unless McGinn grows 4 inches and 30 pounds.

Sign him. 2 years, 1.2-1.5 per.

 

[Vagrant]

visually, Stalberg looks like a guy that should produce points. He just has a bad case of stone hands. A bigger bodied, more physical version of Patty Dwyer in terms of deployment.

Finally, a decent prediction.

 

[RodTheBawd]

Finally, a decent prediction.

Spot on, particularly the Dwyer comp.

 

[NotOpie]

Finally, a decent prediction.

Spot on, particularly the Dwyer comp.

Like what was said....perfect 4th liner.