I don’t think you understand how Rod runs the team. From a fans perspective, we see lines 1-4, pairings 1-3, and a goalie tandem. In Rod’s eyes, it’s all about combinations and chemistry, not about numbering his lines. I mean, the only lines you can actually number is whoever is playing with Aho on the first line, and whoever is playing with Slavin on the top pairing.

As for the Canes trade, I know Kylington would be a top 4 dman on almost every other team in the league, but if he were traded to Carolina, he would be left to rot on the 3rd pairing. He won’t beat out either Slavin or Skjei on the left side, and he won’t beat out Burns or Pesce on the right side. So trading Necas for what would be a 3rd pairing dman, a meh prospect, and a 4th is not going to happen. Canes can either play Gardiner or dump him and get someone like Soucy for cheap.

Yeah, I know about the trade package. My point remains.

And unless Chinny goes and scores 20 goals, I don’t see his next deal costing much. Tex cost $1.5 x 2, and I think he had a better claim to that kind of money than Chinny does thus far.

And hey, If he does go off, good problem to have.