Doubt Canes can afford that without an NHL contract going back

2.5M? Like I said just a rough draft of an idea tho. Also just figured if KK wasn’t working out the best at 2C would make sense for them. Ducks could take back some cap preferably a 1yr deal tho.

I didin’t notice the Arizona part, but even then they would definitely have to move someone considering they are right up against it

Kadri does not sign a 1 year deal.

Maybe. No one thought Klingberg would either. But here we are.

Agreed. And can't even comment on a trade for a player the Ducks don't even have yet. But if we're just dreaming here, it would be a no.

They've been talking about that possibility with Klingberg for like a week now.

Yes because the current state of the NHL got us there. That’s my point. Going into the offseason no one thought Klingberg would only get 1 year. Kadri will probably find a multi year deal if someone makes a serious cap trade but without one his best bet is a 1year over priced deal.

Canes can't afford this, and even if they could, it makes no sense. Carolina have 5 nhl caliber players wanting time down the middle. Adding Kadri makes that worse

None of them are a 2C as of right now. The hope is KK becomes that but if he doesn’t by the TDL CAR will have to add someone for that spot. After the Pac trade they’re in it to win it this year.

Also it’s just a fun thought. If they don’t have any LTIR they should be able to make space with cap gymnastics to afford 2.5M.

What? They got paid to take on Pacioretty. They have given nothing of value up to add Bruns and Pacioretty, they can continue to take time if they want to. They do not need to win this year.

If Kotkaniemi isn't the 2C, you go with Necas! If Necas isn't the answer at 2C, you give Drury a look. One of the last things the team will do is to turn to a trade alternative. On the off-chance Kotkaniemi doesn't work at 2C (was FANTASTIC at center last year, albeit in a sheltered role) Necas is the go to guy. Necas has followed a scarily similar career path to Aho before last year. Aho moved to C in year 3. Necas didn't and he seemed to stall. He's worth the shot. If both of those fail, Kotkaniemi was the 3C on a cup finalist, so you move Staal (who was once a 2C on a cup winner) to 2C. His hands are now non existant, but he's one of the best analytical play drivers in hockey.

There's no fit here for a center

Perhaps. I believe if it comes to that he will choose differently. I have a feeling Kadri will get some term though. Should find out pretty soon. Don't think that will drag out too long.

I love the moves CAR made for Pacioretty and Burns. You’re right they gave up close to nothing for them. But you have a lot of ifs in there for 2C. I just see Staal and Kk right now as 3C on a cup contender. Maybe KK shows he can handle the 2C role.

Anyways the main purpose of this AGM was to sign Kadri to an overpriced 1 year deal and then trade him at the deadline max retained and the ducks benefit.

He’s gotta be waiting for someone to clear cap space

My guess would be either Calgary or the Islanders. Time will tell. If Calgary can get him they turn out surprisingly well after what looked like a completely disastrous off-season. Or we might wake up and find out sneaky Lou was working on it all this time.

Then there's probably a better fit elsewhere. Calgary will need center help. Carolina's C depth is crowded as is. There's more what-ifs regarding Kadri repeating last season or being a capable 2C when he's not having a career year. Don't forget, Toronto signed Tavares to take the 2C role from Kadri. I'd still rather roll with Kotkaniemi and Necas. The safety net there is the safer option

TOR signed a superstar to play 2C. While I don’t think Kadri has another season like this past one, he’s still always been a bonafide 2C.

I think he's a capable 2C, I wouldn't say bonafide. In a normal season for Kadri, he's very comparable to someone like Vinny Trocheck. Streaky, goes hot and cold, and won't be a difference maker. What I don't get is why a team like Carolina would opt to do that again when they have the mystery boxes of Kotkaniemi and Necas. It makes 0 sense

What I don’t get is why you’re so caught up on a trade that’s part of a Ducks thought and where Kadri lands isn’t as important.

You traded him to Carolina. I'm simply telling you Carolina do not want nor need him. Not only that, they do not have the cap space for him. What I don't get is why you're trying to force a square peg into a round hole.

He fits Carolina’s needs. You just wanna be optimistic about 2 young guys filling a role they haven’t shown they’re ready for. They could also afford him at the TDL with some in season cap gymnastics.

But again you’re so caught up in a trade that wasn’t even the main point of the post.

Except, Kotkaniemi has shown he's ready for it. In games Kotkaniemi played more than 15 minutes last season,he had a 1.5 PPG rate. He's ready. Necas has already proven he can play top line minutes. They've both earned the shot.

You're still trying to force a square peg into a round hole. Carolina do not need a center. They need a 3LD if Gardiner gets dumped. Otherwise, the roster is pretty complete. They do not need Kadri, and you're still trying to force a fit that isn't there.

KK has played vs awful competition the last 3 years. Necas has fallen off the last 2. But sure they’ve shown their ready for 2C right now…

You're saying Necas fell off last 2 years, despite the shortened season, he put up a 60+ point pace? Are you okay, or are you just not feeling well?

Kotkaniemi played in the top six for Carolina at center several times this year, and as a center in the top six, put up 2.5 PPG! That's over 8 games, not a tiny sample size. It's clear KK fits well here, and you're trying to argue about a player you are judging off of his time in Montreal, when under a good coach who's actually helped develop him because the coach is one of the best 2 way C's of all time, he's going to get better! Honestly, please stop it.

You gotta stop. Neither one of the guys you’ve mentioned has succeeded at 2C in the NHL. 8 games is a tiny sample size. Necas analytics have plummeted pretty badly the last 2 seasons.

You’re here acting like KK and/or Necas have proven stardom in the league when neither has done a whole lot.