Carolina Hurricanes

The start of Brock McGinn's whirlwind rise into the NHL spotlight may be one week away.

McGinn is one of 28 players invited to the Carolina Hurricanes' 2014 prospect Development Camp, which begins Wednesday, July 23.

It's his second consecutive appearance at the annual summer camp—but, despite earning positive reviews at last year's event, much has changed for the 20-year-old in the 12 months since.

McGinn is still riding on the momentum from a breakout 2013-14 OHL campaign, when the 5'11" winger piled up 43 goals (seventh in the league) and 42 assists in just 59 regular season games.

The unexpected scoring explosion sent McGinn's stock spiraling upwards.

Already well-known for his fearless physicality, defensive responsibility and Chad LaRose-esque peskiness, a newfound scoring touch suddenly transformed McGinn into a legitimate top-tier NHL prospect.

Brock is the younger brother of Jamie, 25, and Tye, 23, who are both well-known players in the Colorado and San Jose organizations, respectively. 

He plays with the selflessness and well-roundedness of a player much more experienced than he actually is—perhaps because of the influence of his successful older siblings.

McGinn's spring 2013 AHL debut produced a humorous and telling story, as relayed by Luke DeCock of The News & Observer:

When McGinn showed up in Charlotte after his junior season ended, Checkers coach Jeff Daniels called Hurricanes assistant general manager Ron Francis, concerned.

"I asked Ronnie, 'Are you sure this kid’s OK? He’s walking around the dressing room with his shirt off, and he looks 12.' " Daniels said. "But Ronnie said, 'No, no, he’s fine.' His first shift, he ran out and hit the biggest guy on the other team. I was sold after that."

One season later, however, no one questions McGinn's unorthodox aggressiveness or natural ability.

He impressed at the 2013 so-called "Canes Camp," then tore through the OHL season on first-place Guelph. 

Wrote OHL scout Brock Otten on Monday about McGinn's improvement from 2012-13 to 2013-14:

He continued to play a staunch physical game but cut down on his cheap/silly penalties. He's still a tough player to play against, but he's a smarter one now. His goal scoring ability really took a step forward too, as he gained more confidence in his shot and became more than just a 'banging home rebounds' kind of guy.

McGinn is ready for the pro game. In all honesty, depending on how builds up strength in the offseason, he might be ready to contribute on a checking line as early as this year. 

And the opportunity for McGinn to earn such an NHL role exists very clearly and tantalizingly.

Despite a few offseason additions, the Hurricanes' cast of third-line forwards remains undermanned and underskilled, with a desperate need for a fresh face and influx of intensity.

Riley Nash and Jay McClement will compete for superiority in the hierarchy of depth centers; neither are ideal checking line studs. Meanwhile, Nathan Gerbe certainly possesses the right grittiness but perhaps not the right size for the line; Patrick Dwyer has good defensive instincts but seemingly plays best when paired when Jordan Staal. The entire line is an obvious flaw in the Hurricanes' offensive composition.

Enter McGinn.

In the next two months, the youngster has three chances to impress Carolina's new coaching staff: next week's Development Camp, the Traverse City prospects tournament and, if all goes well, NHL training camp in September.

If McGinn's career ascension continues at the same pace that it has over the past 12 months, he could skating on PNC Arena ice regularly come October.

Mark Jones has been a Carolina Hurricanes Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report since 2009. Visit his profile to read more, or follow him on Twitter.

Despite a great deal of attention and a few bargain additions, the Carolina Hurricanes' third and fourth forward lines remain woefully undermanned as the third week of NHL free agency approaches.

The signings of fourth-line center Jay McClement and borderline NHL players Brad Malone and Ben Holmstrom will lend some support, if only as much-needed fresh faces—but they won't come close to solving the problem.

All three bring a respectable mix of size, physicality and defensive play, yet scoring remains an issue: The trio combined for just seven goals in 113 NHL appearances last season.

Compared to the departing role players each are replacing, moreover, the improvements are even vaguer. McClement functions as a cheaper and more well-rounded but arguably equally skilled version of Manny Malhotra. Malone serves as a moderate upgrade over the invisible Radek Dvorak. Holmstrom replaces former AHL captain Brett Sutter with an almost identical skill set.

Meanwhile, youngsters such as Zach Boychuk, Brock McGinn and Chris Terry seem currently penciled in as the only candidates to replace non-qualified free agents Drayson Bowman and Andrei Loktionov, the latter of which jump-started Carolina's sluggish power play effectively late in the year.

Two weeks ago, with the opening of free agency next on the agenda, general manager Ron Francis noted that he would attempt to address a "fourth-line need," per Chip Alexander of the News & Observer.

Certainly on paper, and perhaps even in Francis' mind, he has done so.

But the 'Canes still need more.

In 2013-14, 19 forwards made an appearance for the club, but a mere five accounted for more than 70 percent (123 of 175) of the goals scored by the entire unit.

Without a strong supporting cast, the inevitable slumps of Jeff Skinner, injury woes of Alexander Semin and confidence dips of Eric Staal were amplified enormously as the team's offense slipped under the pressure.

Francis and Co. will undoubtedly count on the steady growth of 2013 fifth overall pick Elias Lindholm (nine goals in 2013-14), a bounce-back campaign from Jordan Staal (15 goals) and the continuation of Nathan Gerbe's unheralded scoring presence (16 goals) to ease such concerns in 2014-15.

For the Hurricanes to improve enough to make the playoffs, however, more productivity is needed.

One source of optimism—and possibly frustration as well, given Carolina's lethargy so far this July—is that a plethora of experienced, difference-making third-liners remain available on the free-agent market.

Ray Whitney, even at 42, is still a terrific leader and capable bottom-six contributor.

Dustin Penner sports a frame (6'4", 247 pounds) right in line with the Hurricanes' campaign to get bigger.

Daniel Winnik had a breakout offensive performance in 2013-14 and can aid the penalty kill.

David Booth, a former 60-point scorer still at only age 29, would be the same type of revival project with which the 'Canes have succeeded in the past.

Recent rumors have connected the 'Canes to a couple of other free-agent forwards, too.

Questionable but popular source Eklund named Carolina among several teams in the running for Derek Roy on Thursday, while unconfirmed and eventually dismissed reports of a one-year, $1.2 million contract with Todd Bertuzzi circulated Friday.

Yet, none of the aforementioned forwards have been signed by, or (for the most part) even been associated with, the Hurricanes' front office.

Francis presumably continues to sit on his hands—and his cell phone, and obnoxious franchise owner Peter Karmanos' checkbook, and his own ambition to improve the team.

Further substantial improvement to the Hurricanes' largest weakness—the third and fourth forward lines—is clearly necessary.

Inexplicably, though, it remains uncertain whether that weakness will actually be addressed sufficiently during the remainder of the 2014 offseason.

Mark Jones has been a Carolina Hurricanes Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report since 2009. Visit his profile to read more, or follow him on Twitter.

The Carolina Hurricanes' offseason of minor tweaks may have another signing or two left in it.

A largely picked-over cast of unrestricted free agents still contains a few quality role players, including some potential candidates to bolster the Hurricanes' unstable third line and top-heavy defensive unit.

With only five days down in free agency and two months until the start of 2014-15 training camps, plenty of time remains for general manager Ron Francis to add a few final touches to the 'Canes roster.

The team's $5.92 million in salary-cap space (per CapGeek) is, albeit, not vast, but it should be sufficient to cover a little more spending—if tight-pocketed owner Peter Karmanos is willing.

Which still-available UFAs could Francis pursue? Five particularly well-suited possibilities are analyzed below.

RW Dustin Penner

2013-14 Stat Line: 67 GP, 14 goals, 21 assists, 35 points

The aging Dustin Penner is far from the scorer he used to be, but the 6'4", 247-pound 31-year-old can still be an intimidating power forward in the bottom six.

A two-time Stanley Cup winner (Anaheim 2007, Los Angeles 2012), Penner fits ideally with the size-first theme of Carolina's offseason decisions.

His addition would add significant toughness and scoring to the checking line, and it would allow Patrick Dwyer to be bumped down to the fourth line—essentially two improvements in one.

Projected New Contract: Two years, $2.75 million cap hit

LW Ray Whitney

2013-14 Stat Line: 69 GP, 9 goals, 23 assists, 32 points

Even at age 42, Ray Whitney remains a very viable veteran contributor.

He carried a $4.5 million cap hit for Dallas last season because, just two seasons ago, he was a 77-point scorer. While that salary is likely to be cut by any contract he signs this summer, the value of Whitney's experience—1,438 career NHL games and 1,117 career NHL points—remains undeniable.

Four years after his departure, "The Wizard" remains a beloved player in Raleigh. His return would not only add much-needed leadership and depth to the Hurricanes' wings, but also it would improve fanbase morale tremendously.

Projected New Contract: One year, $2 million cap hit

C/W Daniel Winnik

2013-14 Stat Line: 76 GP, 6 goals, 24 assists, 30 points

Career depth forward Daniel Winnik can't be expected to repeat his impressive 2013-14 stat line. However, he would provide an unheralded defensive forward presence to Carolina's bottom six, and he would come at an affordable price.

The 29-year-old ranked third among Anaheim forwards in blocked shots and takeaways this past year, despite averaging only 15:23 in ice time per game—an average of 2:31 of which was spent on the penalty kill.

Winnik, 6'2", has also appeared in four of the last five NHL postseasons.

Projected New Contract: Two years, $2.5 million cap hit

D Michael Del Zotto

2013-14 Stat Line: 67 GP, 3 goals, 13 assists, 16 points

Once-promising Rangers blueliner Michael Del Zotto suffered through a tumultuous 2013-14 campaign, failing to fit in after a trade to Nashville. The Predators didn't issue him a qualifying offer, rendering 24-year-old Del Zotto unrestricted.

Oddly, however, the 6'0" defenseman actually posted the best Corsi rating of his career, per Extra Skater. He's a former 31-assist playmaker, and he comes with power-play potential, as well.

The questionable but popular rumor source Eklund reported Thursday that the 'Canes were talking to Del Zotto. He'd be a great buy, being a low-risk acquisition who would add strength to a weak Carolina defense.

Nonetheless, Francis would almost certainly need to trade either the struggling Jay Harrison or comparable role player John-Michael Liles to make room for Del Zotto.

Projected New Contract: One year, $2.25 million cap hit

D Brett Bellemore

2013-14 Stat Line: 64 GP, 2 goals, 6 assists, 8 points

Brett Bellemore quickly became a 'Canes fan favorite during his 2013-14 rookie season at the unusual age of 26, leading all team defensemen by using his 6'4", 225-pound frame to dish out 169 hits.

But after making just $600,000 as a bottom-pairing blueliner last year, the defensive defenseman is apparently seeking a step up in role and salary this summer. After the 'Canes decided to let Bellemore enter free agency, radio host Mike Maniscalco reported:

A return to Raleigh is unlikely for Bellemore, unless the two sides' demands move closer and Francis ships away the aforementioned Harrison or Liles.

Projected New Contract: Two years, $1.5 million cap hit

For more information on the free agents the 'Canes have already signed this offseason, click here.

Mark Jones has been a Carolina Hurricanes featured columnist for Bleacher Report since 2009. Visit his profile to read more, or follow him on Twitter.

The Carolina Hurricanes and general manager Ron Francis entered Tuesday's NHL free-agency period hoping to improve their offensive depth.

Their first signing of the day, former Colorado Avalanche center Brad Malone, was praised as a vital improvement to the team's weak cast of bottom-six forwards.

He isn't.

Malone signed a two-year contract with the 'Canes just an hour past noon, per Aaron Ward of TSN:

He'll carry a cap hit of $650,000 and play on a one-way deal.

Said Francis per the team's official press release, "Brad is a big, physical forward. He can play either center or wing and helps improve our team’s depth up front."

The 'Canes likely targeted Malone, 25, for his size and physicality.

The 6'2", 207-pound forward played 32 games for Colorado in 2013-14 and tallied a whopping 79 hits, leading the Avs in hits-per-game average. Over the course of 54 career NHL appearances, Malone has averaged a remarkable 2.43 per game.

Carolina undoubtedly needs more toughness, especially after sending away enforcers Tim Gleason and Tuomo Ruutu during the 2013-14 campaign. Malone is a worthy contributor in that regard, small sample size aside.

But scoring? It's not Malone's strongest attribute.

The University of North Dakota graduate tallied just five points this past season and nine in his NHL career to date.

Advanced stats paint an even less impressive picture, as Malone posted a Corsi percentage of 40.7 percent—5.3 percent lower than the team's percentage when he was off the ice (based on shot-attempt differential)—despite starting a highly beneficial 66.9 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, according to Extra Skater data. 

After growing accustomed to the defensive tendencies of former fourth-line center Manny Malhotra, who signed in Montreal on Tuesday, the 'Canes could have a difficult time adjusting to Malone, who is not nearly as reliable in his own zone.

However, the difference between Malhotra and Malone may be most evident in the faceoff circle. The former ranked second in the NHL with a 59.4 winning percentage; the latter won just 46.9 percent of his 96 draws this past season.

Malone is nine years younger and miles more adept at the physical aspect of the game. It's hard not to wonder, though, if the total package is any improvement at all.

The 'Canes first addition of July may indeed bolster (slightly) their bottom-six depth, but he's hardly worthy of the opening day roster spot that he seems to have been awarded.

Mark Jones has been a Carolina Hurricanes featured columnist for Bleacher Report since 2009. Visit his profile to read more, or follow him on Twitter.

New Carolina Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis is maintaining few loyalties to the players he inherited from Jim Rutherford's previous tenure.

Deciding to allow five formerly restricted free agents (RFAs) become unrestricted UFAs by withholding qualifying offers by Monday's deadline, Francis added to an already lengthy list of players set to depart the 'Canes this offseason.

The five non-qualified players—including NHL regulars Andrei Loktionov and Drayson Bowman—will join 10 existing UFAs headed to the open market, which begins Tuesday at noon.

Francis told reporters Saturday that the 'Canes would not re-sign Dvorak or Komisarek and would let Bellemore, Malhotra and Peters enter free agency.

He then told Chip Alexander of the News & Observer a few hours prior to Monday's announcement that he was "teetering on one RFA decision." Evidently, the eventual decision was to part ways.

It's an interesting turn in attitude for the inexperienced GM, who played it safe at the NHL draft over the weekend by avoiding trades and selecting low-risk prospects.

Francis understandably hopes to avoid the too-loyal reputation that plagued his predecessor Rutherford, realizing that changes are unquestionably necessary on a squad that has missed the postseason for five consecutive years.

But have his actions been perhaps too stingy, letting some quality role players slip away from the 'Canes? Such may be the case.

Brett Bellemore proved an unheralded glue piece in the Hurricanes' defense last season, taking over the shutdown role after Tim Gleason's fallout and providing a physical presence essentially nonexistent throughout the rest of the roster. 

The 6'4", 225-pound bruiser led all Carolina rearguards with 169 hits in just 64 games, ranking second overall on the team. His 98 blocked shots were the fourth-highest total on the 'Canes, as well.

While far from a flashy playmaker, it's beyond perplexing that Bellemore would be ignored by a team seeking to improve its collective strength in the two areas where No. 73 is most adept—defense and physicality.

Andrei Loktionov finished the season playing some of the best hockey of his career, tallying 10 points in his final 14 games with Carolina after going scoreless in his first six.

The mere 24-year-old center provided an enormous boost to the floundering power play, helping the unit finish the year on an 8-for-28 (28.6 percent) run.

Could the Russian winger, who requested a trade from Los Angeles in early 2013 and may have been disgruntled in New Jersey too, be focused on joining the KHL? Could an injury suffered in May's World Championships, prompting Loktionov's third shoulder surgery of his still-young career, be jeopardizing his 2014-15 availability?

Both answers are unknown, but the Loktionov situation remains confusing in every dimension.

Francis' potentially excessive stinginess extends beyond Bellemore and Loktionov.

Palushaj was a woefully underused asset who played well in the AHL and boasts experience as a former NHL penalty-killing specialist.

Brett Sutter, meanwhile, provided a tough-guy persona during his sporadic call-ups and (as the team's captain) a vital leadership presence with Charlotte.

Roster turnover is far from a bad thing in a franchise drowning in mediocrity like Carolina is at the moment, but there a comes a point where cutting ties evolves from reasonable to imprudent, from necessary to misguided. 

Ron Francis and the Hurricanes may have surpassed that point.

Mark Jones has been a Carolina Hurricanes featured columnist for Bleacher Report since 2009. Visit his profile to read more, or follow him on Twitter.

Player: Alex Nedeljkovic

Drafted By: Carolina Hurricanes (37th overall)

Position: Goaltender

Final Central Scouting Ranking: No. 4 North American goalie

Height/Weight: 6'0'', 186 lbs

DOB: January 7, 1996 (18 years old)

Most Recent Affiliation: OHL, Plymouth Whalers

Background

Hailing from the great state of Ohio, Alex Nedeljkovic started gaining some attention during the 2010-11 season. He backstopped the Cleveland Barons bantam Triple-A team in 52 games and posted a stellar 1.97 GAA.

He struggled to assert himself with the Cleveland Barons U18 midget team, but he performed well enough with the Belle Tire U16 squad to go to the Plymouth Whalers in the sixth round of the 2012 OHL priority draft.

Nedeljkovic made his OHL debut as a 16-year-old, asserting himself as the No. 1 goalie for the Whalers as the 2012-13 season progressed. He finished the campaign with a 19-2-2 record and recorded a .923 save percentage.

He built on that strong showing this season, compiling a 27-7 record to go along with a .925 save percentage.

Full Scouting Report

Taller goalies might be all the rage right now in the NHL, with towering presences like Ben Bishop becoming more and more popular. Nedeljkovic doesn't have that prototypical size, but he has the speed and awareness to make up for that perceived weakness.

Brock Otten at the OHL Prospects blog describes Nedeljkovic's strong 2013-14 season like this:

Nedeljkovic continues to play well and keep the Plymouth Whalers in games they don't deserve being in. The Whalers currently find themselves sitting in 8th in the West, despite being the lowest scoring team in the entire OHL. Only Spencer Martin has played more minutes this year and only Philippe Trudeau has had to make more saves, yet Nedeljkovic sits in the top 5 with a save percentage close to .915. He's not the biggest goalie (certainly doesn't have the size teams have been looking for in netminders in recent years), but his agility allows him move so well in his crease that it compensates for a lack of size (if you want to call 6'0 a lack of size).

Back in November, Future Considerations wrote this about the netminder:

Nedelijkovic might not have the prototypical size NHL teams look for but the rest of the game is making them notice. He has a strong, fluid leg push utilizes a tight compact butterfly, the ability to read the play and proactively get into solid position making him hard to beat.

Nedeljkovic is also noted for his excellent reflexes and ability to read plays as they develop—two important things to note for the smallish goalie.

NHL Player Comparison

Because of his size and ability to battle through traffic, The Sporting News' Craig Button sees Nedeljkovic as a Mike Richter-like netminder.

NHL Timetable

Get out your tarot cards if you're going to try to figure out when a goalie—any goalie—is going to be NHL-ready. Nedeljkovic isn't going to be asked to make an NHL start for at least another two years, with stints in the AHL likely. Look for him to have made his professional debut by the 2016-17 campaign.

Top-End Potential

Aggressive netminders like Nedeljkovic are always going to be compared to the likes of Richter and Tim Thomas. That's not a bad thing, as both have Stanley Cup rings, but that's clearly Nedeljkovic's ceiling. He seems to have the ability to steal games and is noted for his mental fortitude, so he could eventually develop into a strong starter at the next level.

Player: Haydn Fleury

Drafted By: Carolina Hurricanes (7th overall)

Position: Defenseman

Final Central Scouting Ranking: No. 9 North American skater

Height/Weight: 6'3", 203 lbs

DOB: July 8, 1996 (17 years old)

Most Recent Affiliation: WHL, Red Deer Rebels

Background

Haydn Fleury is an imposing defenseman with excellent puck-moving skills. He is probably the second-most talented defenseman in this draft behind Aaron Ekblad. Fleury has improved quite a bit from 2012-13 to this year, and he appears to have the kind of offensive skills that will make him an impact player at the next level. Fleury scored eight goals and 38 assists with the Rebels last season, and he also had a plus-15 rating.

Full Scouting Report

Fleury is going to make an impression right away because of his size and skating ability, and once the game starts, he has the ability to control play with the puck on his stick.

Red Deer head coach and general manager Brent Sutter has been impressed with Fleury, saying “his biggest strength is his skating ability...being able to carry the puck and get back into defensive position quickly.” Sutter said:

At the NHL level, you have to be able to move, you have to have agility, and, most importantly, you have to be able to make plays, make decisions quickly and move the puck at a high pace, and I think Haydn has continued to improve in those areas. 

Fleury has the kind of vision on the ice that should allow him to make short- and medium-range passes with ease, and he can also make the stretch pass.

Defensively, he is not a physical player, but he is good with his stick, knows the shooting and passing lanes and he has quite a bit of skill when it comes to shutting opposing players down. 

Scouts want to see him develop a bit more of a physical style before he gets his chance to play at the NHL level.

NHL Player Comparison

While he may turn out to be a better player in the long run, Fleury appears to be comparable to Jay Bouwmeester of the St. Louis Blues.

Like Bouwmeester, Fleury is a skilled puck-carrier who can take the puck out of his own zone and then make plays when his team is on the attack. He is also a solid defensive player, even if he is more finesse-oriented at this point in his career.

Bouwmeester is also that same kind of player for the Blues.

NHL Timetable

It usually takes longer for defensive players to move up to the NHL level. He will need at least one more year of playing at the junior level before he is ready to compete in the NHL. If he can make strides in all areas—especially his hitting—he has a chance to play in the NHL in 2015-16. Don't be surprised if it takes him until 2016-17 to reach the big time.

Top-End Potential

Fleury has the skills to be a Top-4 defenseman in the NHL, and from his likely top-10 draft position, that would indicate that he has a chance to be an All-Star player some day. However, much of that will depend on how willing he is to pick up the hitting game. He is going to have to show he can take hits and dish out effective checks if he is going to reach the highest level of play.