Below is a position-by-position look at which players in Charlotte will be seeking new deals and how the rest of the organization’s offseason goals might affect their chances of coming back, which will shape the Checkers’ roster for next season.
Restricted free agents cannot sign with other NHL teams, except by the ultra-rare offer sheets reserved for high-profile NHL players, with the Hurricanes retaining their rights even if they choose to sign in Europe. Those set to be unrestricted free agents hit the open market on July 5 if they do not agree to new deals with their current teams.
Forward
The makeup of the Checkers’ team at every position will depend heavily on how the Hurricanes decide to proceed with the NHL lineup, but the forward may have more variables than any other.
With Carolina committing more salary and cap space than ever to its high-end players, filling out the bottom six on the cheap could be a necessity, especially if the team elects to use whatever dollars it has available on restructuring the defense, arguably its biggest focus this summer. That will work to the advantage of young, up-and-coming players from Charlotte, who will come less expensively than any free-agent signings.
If Carolina does go that route, it has the potential to affect the Checkers in a variety of ways. High-end scorers like Zac Dalpe and Riley Nash, both of whom will require waivers to play in the AHL next season for the first time in their careers, will get a long look regardless. Ditto Jeremy Welsh, who is on a one-way contract for next season but would not yet require waivers to play for Charlotte. Chris Terry and Zach Boychuk will be looking to make the full-time breakthrough in what will be their fifth professional seasons. For the NHL team’s fourth line, Nicolas Blanchard, Brett Sutter and Tim Wallace, all of whom provided grit and filled important leadership roles with Charlotte last season, are ready-made for that kind of work.
Needless to say, it’s a large swing that could affect a large number of players and leave the Checkers shorthanded, especially with only two players – Victor Rask and Brendan Woods – guaranteed to make the jump to pro hockey from the junior and college ranks next season (Brock McGinn, a junior forward who impressed on a late-season stint with Charlotte, is not old enough to start next season in the AHL).
A European import or two, including 2011 draft choice Gregory Hofmann, are possible additions, but it seems as though a free agent signing or two could be necessary to bolster the forward ranks. Those who came up from the ECHL to fill in during the team’s late-season injury troubles could also be handed full-time promotions.
Players to Watch
Unrestricted free agent: Jerome SamsonSamson is the type of proven scorer the Checkers will need next season and a solid depth option at the NHL level. However, his health – he was limited to just 37 games last season and finished the season still battling an injury that cost him virtually the entire second half – remains a significant question.
Other UFAs: Matt Beca, Sean Dolan, Matt Marquardt, David Marshall, Brett Sutter, Tim Wallace
Restricted free agent: Zach Boychuk
After bouncing around through three different organizations on waivers last season, Boychuk said he would consider all options available to him as a restricted free agent this summer, including a stint in Europe. If he does move on, it will cost the Checkers an impact player, whether its him or a player he would have beaten for an NHL job.
Other RFAs: Zac Dalpe, A.J. Jenks, Riley Nash, Andreas Nodl, Luke Pither, Jared Staal
Newcomer: Victor Rask
After an impressive professional debut with Charlotte to start the season (five points and a plus-7 rating in 10 games), Rask went back to his junior team in Calgary where he again posted very good offensive numbers (57 points in 54 total games). He had a particularly strong run to finish the season, scoring points in 17 consecutive games that included the first 11 of the playoffs, the longest streak posted by any WHL player. Unless he makes the NHL in his rookie season, he has the potential to be a top-line center in Charlotte.
Other potential newcomers: Brendan Woods, Gregory Hofmann, Erik Karlsson
Defense
If forward could end up thin, the Checkers are likely to have the opposite problem on defense, where several blueliners drafted by Carolina in recent years are beginning to turn pro.
That’s already four incoming players who will join the under-contract Rasmus Rissanen, Beau Schmitz and Tommi Kivisto from last season. Additionally, Brett Bellemore (unrestricted) and Michal Jordan (restricted) are free agents, while Bobby Raymond, a 27-year-old whose AHL deal is expiring, became an important part of the team last season.
In short, there are more players than spots, even with Marc-Andre Gragnani and Justin Krueger already signing with European teams. Depending on what the Hurricanes do with their defensive unit, some of those players could start in the NHL, with Bellemore, Jordan and Murphy most likely do so. No matter what happens, the Checkers should have more than enough players to get by, with some NHL contracts potentially pushed down to the ECHL once again.
Players to Watch
Unrestricted free agent: Brett BellemoreAfter paying his dues at the AHL level for most of four seasons, Bellemore filled a much-needed role of being a steady, physical depth defenseman with Carolina toward the end of last season. Carolina General Manager Jim Rutherford mentioned him by name in his postseason press conference as a player who was on his radar for an NHL job next season, making it very likely that he’ll at least re-sign. If he ends up with the Hurricanes, the Checkers will lose some experience and grit on the back end.
Other UFAs: Bobby Raymond
Restricted free agent: Michal Jordan
Always a steady, two-way player at the AHL level, Jordan made the breakthrough to legitimate NHL prospect last season, earning an AHL All-Star nod and his first five NHL games with Carolina. Another player who will require waivers for the first time next season, Jordan could begin the season as a depth option in the NHL or become a key veteran cog in Charlotte. As shown from his prolonged injury absence late last season, his presence would be missed.
Other RFAs: Joe Sova
Newcomer: Ryan Murphy
The 12th overall pick in the 2011 draft and arguably Carolina’s top prospect, Murphy has the skill set that will get him to the NHL someday – the only question is when. As a 20-year-old, Murphy put up five points, all assists, in his first eight AHL games on the first power-play unit. The Checkers could be in for more of the same next season, but he’ll also get every chance to start in Carolina.
Other potential newcomers: Danny Biega, Austin Levi, Keegan Lowe
Goaltending
While this position may not face the turmoil that it did last summer when Mike Murphy signed in Russia, Frederik Andersen re-entered the draft and expected Carolina backup Brian Boucher suffered a long-term injury, there is still plenty of uncertainty.
The wheels will get rolling once Carolina decides whether or not to re-sign Ellis as Ward’s backup for next season or let Peters assume that role once again, much like he did in 2010-11. If Ellis re-signs and gets that job, the Checkers will have a bona-fide No. 1 and an All-Star in Peters to carry the load. If the Carolina job goes to Peters, the Checkers could start next season the way they finished the last one – deciding between Madore, Murphy and Muse - or look outside of the organization for an experienced veteran.
Players to Watch
Unrestricted free agent: Rob MadoreMadore showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season, winning the team’s starting job in the playoffs despite having just nine games of AHL experience over a two-month period. However, he also showed some inconsistency consistent with a first-year player, making early exits from each of the Checkers’ last two playoff games against Oklahoma City. He’s likely done enough to earn another AHL contract at the very least, but in what role?
Restricted free agent: Mike Murphy
One year later, Murphy’s options are no different than they were when he elected to sign in Russia. Now that the sides are closer together since agreeing to a tryout contract last March, they may elect continue down that path with another NHL contract. With a normal offseason and training camp under his belt, Murphy could be a candidate to return to his old form and become the team’s full-time starter if Peters ends up with Carolina.
Other RFAs: John Muse
Newcomer: Matt Mahalak
The only potential “in the system” addition is Carolina draft pick Matt Mahalak, who is eligible to play in the AHL next season but has not yet signed a contract with Carolina. If he does sign, Mahalak, who has yet to claim the firm starter’s job with his junior team in Plymouth, would join as a depth option.
