Lets Get Kraken
Joined: Apr. 2021
Posts: 8,644
Likes: 3,473
LaFontaine or Makiniemi I would consider trading, but Kochetkov with his performance coming over from the KHL has been incredible. Going 13-1-1 after coming to North America is an incredible achievement. Based on his performance alone I would say the Canes pass. Kochetkov has emerged as the potential goalie of the future for the Canes. Depending on what the decision on Raanta is for next season, I would not be surprised if 1) Raanta gets moved to give Kochetkov the backup role, or 2) he starts the season as the 3rd goalie much like Ned did with Mrazek and Reimer. I believe the Canes will likely opt for option 2, but I would not be surprised if the Canes were to go with running 3 goalies like last year.
The trade definitely feels like the Devils lose now by a massive margin, but in the future I would say the Devils would win. Severson is the biggest quality return in this trade in my opinion. Zacha has seemed inconsistent throughout his career, and would probably benefit from a change of scenery. As for Blackwood, I am not too sure about him being a true starter, as I have seen a few similarities to how Ned played with the Canes. Quite leaky at times, and when a save is desperately needed it isn’t always there. I like Blackwood, but whether or not he is better than Raanta right now is up to debate for me. Assuming Kochetkov is the real deal that will replace Andersen, I’m not sure the Canes do that. If it was for LaFontaine or Makiniemi, I would think the Canes make the move. But Kochetkov, I think has quickly become a piece that isn’t available for trade.