Stay - Samsonov Re-ups For 3 Years

by Bob Wage on Apr 16, 2008 11:02 PM EDT

One player who undoubtedly will be returning next year for the Carolina Hurricanes is Sergei Samsonov. Carolina General Manager, Jim Rutherford wasted no time in re-signing the talented and skilled Russian winger who scored 32 points in 38 games after he was picked up off waivers by the Canes about half way through last year.

Not only can Sergei score points, he also has amazing stick-handling abilities. But what surprised this blogger more than anything else was his ability and desire to play defense. He proved himself to be a reliable 2-way player for the Canes, and I'm sure that helped him to earn this contract.

The one time NHL rookie of the year was given a 3 year deal which will pay a total of 7.6 million, starting with 2.3 the first year, 2.5 the next, and 2.8 in the final. This signing now gives the Hurricanes the rights to ten, top 9 quality forwards and allows Rutherford some flexibility as he will most likely attempt to rebuild his blueline via trade. But who will he try to trade?

The deal also puts the Hurricanes current salary commitment for next year at 38.5 million. That does not leave a whole lot of room for the other players who need contracts. If we take a look at the Canes Country Salary Chart, we see that the following players are already under contract.

Staal 5M

Cole 4M

Brind'Amour 4M

Whitney 3.55M

Williams 3.5M

Cullen 2.8M

Corvo 2.75M

Ward 2.5M

Walker 2.5M

Samsonov 2.3M

Kaberle 2.2M

Wallin 1.75M

Tanabe 900K

Hamilton 800K

The following players are restricted free agents and need to be re-signed.

Tim Gleason

Tuomo Ruutu

Patrick Eaves

Dennis Seidenberg

Chad LaRose

Money has to be saved for a back-up goalie and another defenseman or two, as well. If Peter Karmanos truly wants to keep the budget for next season's team at about the same level as last year, (46.5M), Jim Rutherford has some hard work ahead of him. We will be analyzing this problem and the various options that Rutherford has, on this blog in the coming days and weeks.

In the meantime, this signing will make most Caniacs happy because Samsonov was certainly a bright spot for the team during the past few months. Sergei will be taking a hefty pay-cut because he made about 3.5 million last year. He said in numerous interviews that he liked it here, and proved it by signing his name on the dotted line before he even had the chance to test the free agency market.

Professional hockey players are finding out what many of us have known for quite awhile, that the Triangle is one of the top places to live in North America. The climate is good, the economy is stable, the cost of living is reasonable, and it's a fun place to be and to play hockey.

Remember the old days when highly sought after free agents wouldn't even give a 2nd thought to playing here? Now we have top players taking cuts in pay and agreeing to contracts to play here before they even take the opportunity to test the open market.

Thank you Ron Francis for starting the trend.

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Comments

People in CT think that just because it is North Carolina that nobody would be interested in playing there or going to games. Well it seems that NC is much like other places. Some people like it and some people don’t.

The rest of the hockey world needs to understand this. Not every city is Toronto or Montreal. So what.

As for my home here in CT, there has been a continuous whine since the Whalers left. We think this is some kind of valhalla (chech spelling on that) when it was really a pit. I could go into more details but it would take too much space.

I for one have no particular problems with Raleigh or North Carolina. Heck, I have never visited the place. I never had a problem with the concept of hockey in NC or the South. Some places go for it and some need a little prodding. Now I am not expert on Raleigh fans. They seem to be like many other places. They show up more for a winning team than for a loser. The difference with you and us is that there appear to be more people willing to show up.

At the risk of rambling I’ll end it here. But I would like to compliment the hosts. I found this blog only recently and I’m glad I did.

Later, VinceCT

by VinceCT on Apr 17, 2008 8:25 AM EDT reply actions

Lots of players don’t want to play in Montreal either because the media is completely insane and the taxes are high.

by repenttokyo on Apr 17, 2008 2:30 PM EDT reply actions

There is a ton of media scrutiny in NY as well, but I think players put up with NY and Montreal because of “childhood dreams” of plying for those teams. The situation was different in Hartford – sometimes, that rink in the middle of the mall felt more like the home crowd of whatever Eastern team was playing there. Add to that the cutesy “Fudgie the Whale” logo, high taxes, sarcastic media coverage, just as many fans going to see the New Haven Nighthawks, and “Brass Bonanza,” it’s no wonder players wouldn’t sign with the Whale. They did have a cool gift shop in the mall though – the entrance was shaped like the Fudgie logo.

by marc on Apr 18, 2008 8:17 AM EDT reply actions

The whale’s name was Puckie. Fudgie The Whale was a product of Carvel Ice Cream Cakes.

by VinceCT on Apr 18, 2008 9:01 AM EDT reply actions

I never knew the whale had a name – it just always looked like the whale from the Carvel commercial, so that’s what we called it. The Whalers had a rich, great history, so it was a shame to watch how they kind of whithered away. I am just extremely happy they moved here and have great fans and ownership, and have already developed into an awesome Triangle institution – and most of all WON A CUP! I’m glad there are still Whalers fans who follow the team. I actually lived and played in Connecticut, New York City, Buffalo and Durham, and now only suffer because Buffalo has never won ANYTHING in any major pro sport. All those other teams that I have attachments to have won championships. Best bumper sticker in Buffalo was; “GO BILLS! and take the Sabres with you.”

by marc on Apr 18, 2008 11:51 AM EDT reply actions