And The Cradle Will Rock - Youth Served on Hurricanes Blueline
by Bob Wage on Jul 3, 2008 11:25 AM EDT
13 comments
The defense is starting to take shape for the Carolina Hurricanes. Not only does it look much bigger and different than before, but it is also a great deal younger than it has been for the past several years.
Gone is the veteran experience of Glen Wesley and Bret Hedican. They have been replaced by a couple of 24 year olds, Joni Pitkanen and Anton Babchuk.
The old men of the current corps, Frank Kaberle (34) and Nic Wallin (33) are both reportedly on the trading block, in that one or the other will be traded. Since Wallin has exercised the "no trade clause" in his contract during a previous trade attempt, the logical target to be moved is Kaberle.
Before Joe Corvo came to town, the Carolina defense was the lowest scoring group in the league. That is sure to change in the coming season, but will the Canes be able to improve upon their woeful "goals against average", which has been among the worst in the league?
Time will tell if the youth movement will help in that matter.
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Keith Aucoin just signed a 2 year contract with the Washington Capitals. Aucoin is a former AHL points leader and was a huge asset for the Canes last year when the injury bug hit. The forward is a hard-skating, hustler who always gives 100%. Congratulations to Keith.
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LSB ran a story yesterday about Darcy Hordichuk's recent acquisition by Vancouver. Hordichuk was quoted as saying the following....
"I want to play in the west because there are a lot more tough guys and that's my job every night," he said. "I'm so excited. I look back at my career and some of my best games have come in front of Canadian fans because that's my style. I like to run around and hit guys and anybody who's willing to drop the gloves. I'm the kind of guy who won't back down. I know my role and any chance I get to fight Georges Laraque and some of the bigger guys out there, I like to test myself against those guys."
Is this one of the dumbest quotes in history, or what? First of all, Laraque isn't even in the West and hasn't been for a couple of years. Secondly, in essence he is saying that there are no tough guys in the East that fight.
Lastly, he implies that he can only play his best hockey in front of Canadian fans, this after having played his whole career in places like Nashville, Atlanta, and Florida. So much for those fans, eh?
Strong words from someone whose career stat sheet reads like a who's who of forgotten 4rth liners. He also won't win any awards for being the smartest of players out there.
Karma is a funny thing, Darcy. It will be a pleasure for Southern hockey fans to watch Wade Brookbank kick your tail at some point next season.
Speaking of 4rth liners, Jarko Ruutu signed a 3 year deal with Ottawa. He and Chris Neal will be a nasty tandem. (I wonder if Chris Neal agrees that there no tough guys in the East?)
Van Halen
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At first, I thought Hordichuk would be a good signing. Now I can see I was wrong. I am psyched to see this D take shape. If Melicher can hit like I hear / read he can, then that is great news for the offensive D guys like Pitkanen. It seems like this team is built to move and keep the puck in the offensive zone – always move the puck forward with these offensive d-men, carry it with guys like Williams and Samsanov, and keep it there with forechecking from guys like Rutuu and Eaves. Good and exciting hockey.
by marc on Jul 3, 2008 11:39 AM EDT reply actions
I worry about the blue line still going in to next year. Everyone is in love with the puckmovers but I really wanted to see us a get a real good stay at home positionally sound shut down kind of guy. Melichar, Pits and babchuck aint that guy. Do you see our Goals Against getting that much better by virtue of puck possesion?
by wylde4canes on Jul 3, 2008 12:01 PM EDT reply actions
Gleason will have to (and should) continue to become the shut down guy in our defensive corp. I liked the way Babchuk was developing a couple of years ago and I’m anxious to see how improved he is.
It will be interesting to see what moves get made with Kaberle or Wallin.
by NoVa Caniac on Jul 3, 2008 12:32 PM EDT reply actions
Oh and a big attaboy to Keith Aucoin. Glad to see him get a deal!
by NoVa Caniac on Jul 3, 2008 12:33 PM EDT reply actions
No Va ,
I agree about Gleason. I like the way his game is progressing, as well. But I would have loved to have another one to pair him with and play 35 to 40 a night.
by wylde4canes on Jul 3, 2008 12:49 PM EDT reply actions
Only time will tell, but Eddie O, on his weekly appearance on NHL Live, stated that Malichar is a solid stay-at-home defenseman who likes to hit, and in his opinion, was one of the best value for the money signings of free agency. The D will certainly look different next year … could be very interesting!
by Lopey1 on Jul 3, 2008 1:39 PM EDT reply actions
I am sad to see Keith Aucoin leave… Like you said Bubba, he was such a hard worker and even though he wasn’t a point scoring sensation, he DEFINITELY was a presence out on the ice and was what I thought was the glue that held that Aucoin-Walker-Bayda line together. I would have loved to see him stay in Carolina, or at least sign a two-way contract with us again.
But on the other hand, he did achieve what each hockey player dreams of… to sign an NHL contract. So thanks for the good times Keith, and good luck to you in the future!
by CaniacMKPataky on Jul 3, 2008 3:31 PM EDT reply actions
Washington?! damn the SE is gonna be TOUGH this year!
What are the chances we can move a guy like Kaberle though? He makes a TON and hasnt done much the mast 2 years.
by packpigskinfan25 on Jul 3, 2008 4:16 PM EDT reply actions
dont know what hordichuk was talking about with laraque. he is canadian so i can at least get that he will be closer to home and understand that. then again he rejected us so forget him, lol. i think brookbank will do a decent job of that role. also alot of our players stepped up late in the season to provide energy to the team that werent used to that. hopefully it will carry on.
by salim919 on Jul 3, 2008 5:04 PM EDT reply actions
just in that the montreal canadians just signed georges laraque to a 3 year deal for 4.5 million.
by salim919 on Jul 3, 2008 5:07 PM EDT reply actions
Puck possession wins cups. Like the Red Wings. Our offense didn’t need upgrading; it needs to be healthy. Our D needed upgrading; Gleason needed help, and now he has it with a hitting, stay at home defenseman and 2 other offensive defenseman to move the puck out quicker. I just hope they all perform at least to expectation level and stay healthy; they will be extremely competitive if they do and will go far. And Rutherford did this in unconventional ways, keeping it cheap (relatively) and filled the holes where it was needed.
I ended the season feeling skeptical, and now I want the season to start immediately (or at least when Cullen feels better).
Think DEPTH… I have been pondering the LaRose situation. I am starting to really hope JR can sign him. 3 basic reasons: (1) Chad’s skill. (2) Chad’s proven performance in situations when it counts and the fact that he bleeds ’Canes red- he is incredibly dedicated to the team and to improving to meet the needs of the organization. It is clear that LaRose has worked hard in each and every shift to prove to the org that he deserves the contract. (3) I keep looking at the ’Canes depth chart online… there WILL be injuries (this is hockey and we are the ’Canes). I hope we are organizing and staffing-up to meet the challenges of reality of the long and physically-difficult year.
With regard to reason 3: Eaves better be bulking up and pounding weights this summer. I am also concerned about Cullen right now and his durability later. Depth, Depth, Depth. Things look nice now, but come injury-time (God forbid and knock-on-wood)….
by SamsonovFan on Jul 5, 2008 5:07 PM EDT reply actions
i think we are pretty good with depth. feel strongly about our team in albany and think we have a good staff. your right there will always be injuries, just how we manage our down times. i think we will be pretty good this year. it will definitely be a challenge as the whole southeast is bulking up right now.
by salim919 on Jul 5, 2008 7:20 PM EDT reply actions
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