With all the turmoil of expansion wreaking havoc across the league for the last year plus, GM's have been juggling the issue of remaining relevent in this seasons playoff races and making sure that their "donations" to the new teams are not overly high or perhaps impactful to the future of the franchise. With that being said GM Cordell of Carolina has managed to get considerably younger over the last year as well as loading up on higher end talent despite all,  of the jockeying throughout the league! As of the current roster and standings here is a look at the starters projected to have jobs following the draft:

C-Tyler Johnson: This real life Lightning player was much talked about following GM Cordells acquisition a bit earlier this season and although at the time was struggling for points has turned it on in a big way justifying the price paid to get him. 

Current stat line: 42 gp, 16G-18A= 34 points, 8 pims, +11

C- Chris Tierney: This 23 year old was taken in round 2 by the real life Sharks and although he hasn't produced the immediate offense he had shown in junior he has taken a step forward this season and looks to be trending towards a more offensive role with the club in future years.

Current stat line: 40 GP, 10G-6A= 16 points, 4 Pims, +0

C/L- Mathieu Perreault: Another acquisition from GM Cordell via trade that was the target of critisism has turned out strongly in Carolinas favour as the hard working forward has done nothing but produce since his acquisition. The 30 year old was mired in a scoring slump upon his arrival but managed to finish out last season on a high note and salvaged decent rates for this season. Despite being injured earlier this season Mathieu hasn't missed a beat and looks forward to an improved re-rate.

Current stat line: 32 GP, 12G-13A= 25 points, 16 pims, +7

C/L/R- Marcus Johansson: Marcus was brought into the Devils organization( real life) in the offseason to infuse some offense but his season has been a bit of a disappointment to this point. After being concussed earlier this season Marcus has been inconsistant but appears headed in the right direction and if he can remain healthy for the remainder of the season he is expected to once again receive another nice re-rate.

Current stat line: 23 GP, 5G-6A= 11 points, 12 pims, -8

C/L/R- Andreas Athanasiou: This often discussed forward in the BRHL chat has lots of eyes on him, some hoping he fails while others such as myself know he won't! Andreas had a stellar final year in junior scoring 49 goals and finishing with 95 points in 66 GP with Barrie but has struggled somewhat in Detroit (real life). He shows flashes of offensive brillance in Detroit but simply doesn't appear to have earned the coaches trust to this point landing him anywhere from the top line and PP time to 4th line scrub status! It appears it is only a matter of time however before he becomes a mainstay in the top 6 with regular linemates to support him.

Current stat line: 31 GP, 9G-8A= 17 points, 6 pims, -10

L- Tanner Pearson: Another former Barrie Colt, Tanner broke in with the Kings(real life)2013-14, and made an immediate impact finshing the year with the big club as well as playing in 24 playoff contests when scoring 4G and adding 8A. Tanner has become a more relied on player since and is playing in the top 6 for LA nightly.

Current stat line: 42 GP, 8G-17A= 25 points, 14 pims, +13

R- Josh Bailey: An absolute re-rate gem, this forward is off the charts this season playing alongside NYI franchise player Tavares. Josh has been with the Canes for a few seasons and has had the tires kicked on him a few times as well but GM Cordell saw a bit more value then others did and now it would take a monster offer to even have a chance at landing the talented winger.

Current stat line: 42 GP, 12G-38A= 50 points, 13 pims, +1

R- Brendon Gallagher: This fairly recent addition took off after being acquired by the BRHL Canes. Brendon had a drop off season last year and was a tad slow out of the gates again this year prompting GM Yee to make him expendable in Chicago. This deal couldn't have worked out better for Carolina as almost immediately following the deal Brendon heated up and playing like he did 2 seasons ago in Montreal (real life). He is yet another that will see an uptick in rates for next year!

Current stat line: 42 GP, 16G-7A= 23 points, 26 pims, -6

L- Andrew Mangiapane: Andrew is the third former Barrie Colt to be on the protected list and the 9th and final forward for GM Cordell. This former junior sensation took awhile to earn the respect he deserved but appears to be getting some recognition now having proven himself in the AHL. In his final season in Barrie, Andrew netted 51 goals while adding 55 assists in only 59 games but because of his diminutive stature was only a real life 6th round draft pick! Andrew has just recently been called up to the Flames of the NHL where he hopes to stick for years to come.

Stockton Heat stat line: 29 GP, 14G-19A= 33 points, 12 pims, +13

D- Thomas Hickey: The very unspectacular Hickey has been as steady as he has been unspectacular in New York with the real life Isle's this season. New York has been less then great keeping the puck out of the net despite scoring at a high rate so being a + player on that defense speaks volumns. Hickey is very affordable at under 3m/yr and signed for 4 more following this season !

Current stat line: 30 GP, 1G-6A= 7 points, 6 pims, +7

D- John Moore: John is coming off of his best season as a pro and looks to be continuing along the same road this season. Offense from the defense is always welcomed and at just over 1m for this season and next he is a steal.

Current stat line: 41 GP, 6G-6A=12 points, 18 pims, +7

D- Erik Gudbranson: New to Carolina this year, Erik was brought in with the hopes that he can develop into something that remotely comes close to the lofty draft expectations where he was taken 3rd overall. While he is never going to be Bobby Orr Carolina is just looking for him to be a solid defensive player for years to come.

Current stat line: 30 GP, 0G-2A= 2 points, 31 pims, -2

D- ??? : There appears to be a battle for the last protection spot on defense but it will likely be filled by the lesser evil. GM Cordell will be watching closely to see if anyone emerges worthy of protection or can perhaps acquire someone prior to the draft!

G- Jake Allen: Cut and dried, GM Cordell targeted Jake awhile back and brought him in to start! Despite being a bit of a roller-coaster Jake is the obvious goalie of today and moving forward!

Current stat line: 35 gp, 18W-14L-2, 2.75GAA, .908%, 1 SO

 

GM Cordell is very excited to see how these protected players re-rate going forward and as none of these players are projected to have a decline in rates it is clear to see that only a few holes will need to be filled via offseason FA. Hope you enjoyed the read as much as I did writting it!