Wrecking Ball

by Bob Wage on Nov 30, 2007 2:46 PM EST

Could Mark Recchi be on his way back to Carolina? He's been healthy scratched by the Pens for several games lately, and the word in Pittsburgh is that they want to move him. Do the Canes have room for him? He's well-liked by the room and by fans and could be had for next to nothing, but where does he play? Eklund seems to think the Hurricanes are a possible location for him, but someone else would have to be moved. How about Trevor Letowski for Recchi? Would you make that trade? We will see what happens.

Tonight the Caps will be playing the Canes in a matchup of two teams both looking to play better hockey. The Caps are 2-1-1 since being taken over by new coach Bruce Boudreau. One of those two wins came at the expense of the Hurricanes last weekend at the Verizon Center. The Canes have lost 2 in a row and 5 of their last 7. Chris Clark and Boyd Gordon both should be out for Washington while Mike Commodore will miss another game because of his broken finger for Carolina. I expect to see Cam Ward in the nets. It's being reported that Andrew Ladd will be moved to the Brind'Amour/Williams line. Everyone is looking to see more out of Andrew and hopefully this will help to jump start him. The rest of the Carolina lineup should be pretty much the same as Wednesday, except David Tanabe might replace someone, (I hope not Seidenberg), on defense. With another game scheduled tomorrow night and Monday, I have a feeling everyone will get a chance to play sooner or later. It's up to them to make the most of it.

I received an email this morning concerning my All Star voting post. It was pointed out to me that the top 8 teams with players receiving votes also lead the East in attendance. Maybe James Mirtle wasn't so far off base after all? I admit, I am probably one of the few oddballs out there that will vote for other players than the ones on the team he follows. While James is most likely correct in saying that the teams with the heaviest attendance will dominate the league voting, I still don't like the system. Do I have a better way? Not yet, but I'll think about it!Â Â I admit, the league has to get the fans involved somehow and the more that fans get involved, the better it is for the league.

Will the Capitals win their 3rd game of 4 played against the Canes so far this year? I'm betting no. As a matter of fact, I'll eat my Brind'Amour figurine if the Canes lose again tonight!

Neil Young

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Recchi for Letowski….. I could live with that. But there are a few points that have been missed in all the blogging comments….

Carolina is in a slump, something is not cycling. Every team goes through it, and they always will. Look at Ottawa. Their fans must be going crazy after having had one of the leagues best starts this year and historically, only to lose their last five. That has to hurt.

As a fan of the Canes, I hate the fact that after each game lately, I have found myself really wondering what I came to see…. a hockey game or an ass kicking contest, that we usually lose. I find myself easily distracted at the games, and the Jumbo Tron being more entertaining than the product on the ice. But as quirky as the team is right now, I feel they will get it together soon.

The league is finally seeing parody among teams this year.Most teams are only two or three wins from being playoff contenders…. thats tight. So many kings could be dethroned very easily. Its the way the smaller markets wanted it (like Carolina) and now they have it. Be careful what you wish for!

Adding another player would definitely be a help right now, but I really believe that the peak time to do that has come and gone. This team is scrambling for answers, and they aren’t coming.

Outside of adding an additional player, I also see potential management changes. OK, Lavi had last years “Cup Hangover” to pin the woes on. He had injuries to pin the woes on. But what now? Yes we have had injuries, but outside of Walker, nothing long term. We have the scorers, but they aren’t producing. I think it is time that we look at the coaching staff for possible causes. Lavi is a great coach, but is the team responding to him anymore? It seems that they aren’t. Could this be the next step?

At this point, the team needs to be in the game, on the same page. Once that happens, then lets start over and look for that magic player or two that could spark some action.

Sean

by CaniacSean on Nov 30, 2007 3:13 PM EST reply actions

hey Sean!

I think we need to wait until the end of the season to make any serious decisions about changes in management, (coaching). If the team fails to make the playoffs again this year, anything is possible in that regard. Until then, we as fans will have to be patient and ride the ups and downs of a typical marathon season and hope that any tweaks that Rutherford can muster via trade will wake the team up, if it needs it.

by Bubba on Nov 30, 2007 4:23 PM EST reply actions

CaniacSean – I see your posts regularly and I usually agree with you.

However, there are a few points that I disagree with

1) The best time to trade has not passed. If what you mean is that most of the quality players already are on a roster, then I would agree. But, if we can get a decent blueliner, then we should make that trade.

2) I wouldn’t trade for Recchi. What we don’t need is another veteran forward. Especially at a price that we would have to pay him. If we hadn’t gotten Cullen, then I would do the deal.

3) No way I would make a coaching change. Sure, as Bubba said, come up with a plan B when plan A is not working, but a wholesale change should NOT happen. The lockerroom would be in shambles. Players would bolt. (Even though Graham leaving would be decent)

One thing I would consider is calling up Leighton for a few weeks in December. Carry 3 goalies, send Tanabe down to the NHL to make room and give ML a shot. At the very least, it would give Ward and Graham a kick in the pants.

by fredwiAtSAS on Nov 30, 2007 4:28 PM EST reply actions

Fred,
I can’t say that you didn’t make valid points. I like the three goalie scenario. Who knows, this may just be a blip on the radar in three or four weeks, and the boys will be back on track.

Sean

by CaniacSean on Nov 30, 2007 5:13 PM EST reply actions