[Signed] Gardiner to Canes 4 years, $16.2M

[Mmasked]

As long as Faulk is in Car. then Gardiner isn't an issue. Both Faulk & Hamilton shoot 2-1 rates over Gardiner. They're both better PP1 options IMO. That is, unless they want a really good offensive Dman distributing vs. shooting on the point.

it does really open up a fun PP2 with Gardiner + one of in a 3-2 set up.

I was thinking the exact thing about a 3-2 PP2. Gardiner is really solid for shot assists, and could feed one of the big boy shooters on the right side

[mounD]

I was thinking the exact thing about a 3-2 PP2. Gardiner is really solid for shot assists, and could feed one of the big boy shooters on the right side

Something like this?

Dzingel-Staal-Necas
Gardiner-Hamilton

Staal net-front, Dzingel in slot/bumper, Hamilton on the point, Gardiner and Necas off the half-walls.

[Mmasked]

Something like this?

Dzingel-Staal-Necas
Gardiner-Hamilton

Staal net-front, Dzingel in slot/bumper, Hamilton on the point, Gardiner and Necas off the half-walls.

Something exactly like that! Could be an impactful PP2

Nino-Svech-Aho-Turbo
Faulk

That PP1 is nothing to sneeze at, either

[mounD]

Something exactly like that! Could be an impactful PP2

Nino-Svech-Aho-Turbo
Faulk

That PP1 is nothing to sneeze at, either

It really should be Hamilton on that PP1 unit, but that group will do just fine. Lots of left-handed shots, but I guess you could stick Teravainen and Aho on the walls with Svechnikov likely in the bumper/slot and Nino net-front?

[Mmasked]

It really should be Hamilton on that PP1 unit, but that group will do just fine.

Oh yeah, no one will disagree with that (I think...)

[tweetdrivr]

Canes are going to be very good:

Niederreiter-Aho-Svech
Teravainen-Staal-Dzingel
Foegele-Haula-Necas
Martinook-Wallmark-McGinn

Slavin-Hamilton
Gardiner-Faulk
Bean-Pesce
TvR

They LOOK like they will be very good. But we’ve seen that not work out in the past. I don’t think they are done yet either. Let’s hope it all gels. And their goaltending doesn’t suck.

[pmorrow]

I'd be prepared for Faulk to move. Don't bother writing up any depth charts right now. Gardiner is the replacement for pending UFA Faulk. And they want to upgrade at forward, so Faulk is the guy. And all reports suggest that's what will happen.

[gooding74]

Fantasy take on the Gardiner signing:
https://dobberhockey.com/hockey-home...ins-the-jerks/

[hockeyrobot]

Canes are going to be very good:

Niederreiter-Aho-Svech
Teravainen-Staal-Dzingel
Foegele-Haula-Necas
Martinook-Wallmark-McGinn

Slavin-Hamilton
Gardiner-Faulk
Bean-Pesce
TvR

Are they? Haha I think they're a bubble team.

[ericdaoust]

Are they? Haha I think they're a bubble team.

Agreed, and if their goaltending doesn't hold up they could be on the outside looking in.

[mounD]

I guess I could see the argument that they are a bubble team, but they are at least one of the very best ones. This team just has so much going for it right now.

The continued rise of Aho, the impending breakout of Svechnikov, Terevainen showing he can drive his own line, the emergence of El Nino, an elite defense corps led by Hamilton, Slavin, Gardiner, Faulk, etc. plus capable goaltending and great depth with guys like Staal, Haula, Wallmark, Foegele, and Martin Necas.

If Mrazek falters, Nedeljkovic will probably get a shot and I think he could be good enough to win with this team.