In his recent 32 Thoughts article, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman shared that Brett Pesce is no longer available to teams – at least, for the time being. The veteran defender, and soon-to-be free agent, was given permission to talk to other teams during the summer but Carolina is going all-in this season, and that includes Pesce’s help.
Above all else, this decision provides clarity to the Hurricanes’ back end. The team is full of defensive talent, with their depth including Caleb Jones, Jalen Chatfield, Domenick Fensore, Dylan Coghlan, and recent PTO-signee Nathan Beaulieu. That’s a lot of competition for six blue-line spots that already seem occupied. And the list doesn’t even include top prospect Alexander Nikishin, who’s started the KHL season with SKA St. Petersburg rather than attending training camp.
But despite the potential for a logjam, Carolina remains invested in Pesce. And that’s certainly not a surprise; Pesce has played over 20 minutes per night since his sophomore season way back in 2016-17. He’s become an integral piece of the team’s top four, serving a responsible, defense-focused role. And though Pesce himself has never been much of a scorer, he did record a career-high 30 points last season, marked by 25 assists.
While Pesce’s contract negotiations haven’t resulted in an extension yet, Friedman didn’t rule it out given Carolina’s renewed investment. The team is projected to enter next summer with a staggering $31.65MM in cap space and 13 free agents to work with. This includes anchors of the Canes top-six in Teuvo Teravainen and Seth Jarvis. Carolina will also be faced with what to do with their defense, with only Dmitry Orlov, Burns, and Jaccob Slavin on contract beyond this year. It’ll be an interesting summer, and extending Pesce early would certainly make it an easier one to navigate. But for Carolina, all sights are set on this season – one they’re hoping ends with some hardware.
Another re-framing of a bad situation (which has happened a lot this NHL off-season.) Carolina couldn’t get what they wanted so now the media tries to help them out by framing this defeat as “Carolina is in it to win it.” As if they weren’t “going for it” prior to confronting not getting what they wanted for Pesce. There’s always the trade deadline, I guess.
So, should Carolina have made a bad deal? I’m happy that, for now, he’s staying. He’s still a quality defenseman and there’s nothing wrong with accumulating. Rather have more than not enough and eventually things will get sorted out.
@Sluggersdad – Carolina probably overvalued Pesce, as most other teams do with players they are trying to trade. See Edmonton with Puljujarvi. And, thanks to the Cap cannibals getting their piece of the pie, there isn’t much wiggle room for most teams that CAR needs to trade with. Teams aren’t obligated to keep a story going, if the situation has fizzled out on its own. They can just fob the media off for as long as it takes.
If Jake Sanderson is worth 8 x 8 mill …. then what is pesce worth ???
Geez , I know pesce does not have 8 yrs in him but to pay a 21 yr old 8 mill to be the 2nd if not 3rd best defenseman on the OTTAWA TEAM ..
I think canes might use pesce for trade at deadline pending blue line injuries …..
I personally after the Sanderson contract , have no idea of how pesce worth will be valued money wise … canes paying him 4.75 for last 6 yrs .. I thought he could get 6.25 to 6.75 maybe possibly 7 for a 4 yr or 5 yr contract… I rather have pesce for 4 at 8 than Sanderson at 4x 8. . if he keeps improving, Ottawa will have a favorable last 3 or 4 yrs of his contract …
I heard Pesce agent told canes he was looking 5 at 7.25 before the Sanderson contract was signed .. I still think Sanderson contract effected the pesce camp
Don Waddell is not much of a deal maker. Just see him as a stubborn, old school GM that few other teams in the NHL are willing to broker deals with.
Canes have needed another scorer for five years but this guys provided every lame excuse in the book for not getting it done.