Blogs
Next up for Carolina - Tuomo Ruutu
by Bubba
on Jul 3, 2009 10:14 AM EDT
14 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes still have a couple of free agents in the mix that remain unsigned. Dennis Seidenberg is testing the marketplace and is probably out of the Hurricanes reach. Anton Babchuk is a restricted free agent who is unsure if he wants to return without a healthy pay increase. More about Babchuk later.
Last but not least for Team Carolina is restricted free agent, Tuomo Ruutu.
Ruutu could very well be the most important piece of the puzzle yet to be plugged into the Hurricanes roster. He led the team in hits last season and scored a career best 26 goals along with 58 points, which was third highest on the team. Night after night, he brought the intensity the team needed.
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Carolina Signs Chad LaRose for Two Years - Rioting in Streets Ensues
by Bubba
on Jul 2, 2009 6:47 PM EDT
35 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes have just announced the re-signing of free agent Chad LaRose to a two year contract. LaRose will earn 1.5 million in 2009-10 and 1.9 million in 2010-2011. Apparently, the winger was finally able to get through on the phone to GM Jim Rutherford, who was a bit put off last night because he claimed LaRose never returned his call. All's well that ends well though for the general manager, who ended up accomplishing what he wanted to, the re-assembling of the core of last year's squad.
This contract might put an abrupt end to the Hurricanes free agent spending, even though they could still use a big, strong, physical defenseman. More about that in the coming days. In the meantime, Caniacs can rejoice and enjoy the holiday weekend.
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NHL Free Agency - Day One Recap and Discussion
by Bubba
on Jul 2, 2009 10:47 AM EDT
141 comments
The biggest news around Raleigh, North Carolina yesterday was that Erik Cole re-enlisted for another two years on the Carolina Hurricanes. According to the Canes Country poll on the front page, an overwhelming 85% of you are in favor of that deal, although a very vocal minority is against it. For those of you who are unhappy, things could always be worse. Wait until we take a look at some of the other deals around the league. (see below)
Lost in the shuffle yesterday were the signings of Michael Ryan and Patrick Dwyer. Both agreed to a two-way deal, which gives the Hurricanes the ultimate flexibility. While both spent some time with the big club last season, they will most likely be spending most of their time in Albany next year. It's a bonus that both are NHL tested if needed though.
Also, there is a little matter of the signing of Chad LaRose, still pending. Apparently, Jim Rutherford was a little peeved late yesterday afternoon when LaRose's agent never returned a phone call. Rutherford was reportedly waiting on bated breath because he was in the middle of dealing with another free agent. Interesting.
We will see how that all works out, but don't count on LaRose being out of Raleigh until you see the official ticker that has him signing elsewhere. We will be watching for that news all day today.
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Erik Cole stays with Carolina - Signs a Two Year Deal
by Bubba
on Jul 1, 2009 4:50 PM EDT
104 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes were finally able to re-sign one of their unrestricted free agents, even if things took longer than originally planned. Erik Cole signed a deal that will pay him $2.8 million in the first year and $3 million in the next. That is a substantial 25% decrease from his previous contract which paid him $4 million per year over three years.
Cole was traded last year at this time to Edmonton for defenseman Joni Pitkanen, but was re-acquired in early March in a complicated deal which sent Justin Williams to Los Angeles. After Cole was inserted into the Carolina lineup, he scored 15 points in 17 games and helped the Hurricanes to a 12-3-2 record in the final 17 games of the season, helping the team make it into the playoffs for the first time in three years.
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Erik Cole re-signs with Hurricanes for two years. 2.8 million the first year and 3 million the next. More to follow.
2 days ago
Bubba
5 comments
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Free Agent Frenzy - Open Thread
by Bubba
on Jul 1, 2009 12:58 PM EDT
412 comments
Come in the comments section to discuss the free agent deals. Who are the winners and who are the losers? I will be in and out, but will leave this open all afternoon.
412 comments | 0 recs
You Can't Win the Stanley Cup on July 1st
by Bubba
on Jul 1, 2009 10:14 AM EDT
35 comments
First of all, Happy Canada Day to our friends north of the border. Hope everyone enjoys it!
I'll be taking the day off myself today, not because of the holiday, but because I love to sit back and watch all the "sometimes crazy" activity on July 1st. Shortly after noon, I will open up a "live thread" here on the blog so that we can discuss what's going on around the league and keep track of all the transactions in one place. I will also make separate blog and Twitter postings about anything Canes related.
The Hurricanes are expected to be quiet, but you never know what will happen. We will stay vigilant here just the same.
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Final Thoughts about the Cole and LaRose Negotiations
by Bubba
on Jul 1, 2009 12:32 AM EDT
23 comments
According to this article posted on WRAL.com earlier tonight, negotiations have broken down between the Canes and Erik Cole and Chad LaRose. Cole was offered a two year deal while LaRose was offered three, but both offers were rebuffed. Jim Rutherford was quoted as saying that the Canes will now do the same thing the players are doing, test the market.
These players are not your run of the mill journeymen who have bounced their way around the NHL. Other than Cole's brief hiatus to Edmonton for a few months last season, both of these athletes have been in this organization since the very beginning of their NHL careers. Cole was drafted by Carolina in 1998. LaRose was passed over by the entire league and was never drafted. He was given a chance by management and was signed as a free agent.
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Most Commented
Free Agent Frenzy - Open Thread
by Bubba 2 days ago
412 comments | 0 recs
NHL Free Agency - Day One Recap and Discussion
by Bubba 1 day ago
141 comments | 0 recs
Erik Cole stays with Carolina - Signs a Two Year Deal
by Bubba 2 days ago
104 comments | 0 recs
The Free Agent Marketplace - What If Cole and LaRose Move on?
by Bubba 3 days ago
51 comments | 0 recs
Chad LaRose and Erik Cole Hit Open Market in Two Days
by Bubba 4 days ago
49 comments | 0 recs