With Williams Out, What's The Backup Plan?

by Cory Lavalette on Sep 17, 2008 4:48 PM EDT

[caption id="attachment_1429" align="alignright" width="100" caption="Williams"][/caption]

A cluttered forward corps has quickly become a question mark. First, captain Rod Brind'Amour needed to have his repaired left knee scoped to remove torn cartilage. Now, the Canes lose Justin Williams long-term to a torn Achilles tendon.

We could talk at length about the void that losing Williams creates, and also the unfortunate luck he's had in his young, but productive career. But for right now, let's look at the options to replace Williams in the top six — presumably on Brind'Amour's wing.

First off, it's hard to replace a guy like Williams — but you can hope to find someone that will be productive in his role. Patrick Eaves could be the frontrunner to take over his spot. While Eaves' Canes career got off to a rough start due to injury, he possesses the speed, scoring ability and smarts at both ends of the ice that fit so well into the Carolina's gameplan, specifically to someone playing alongside Brind'Amour.

Veteran Scott Walker is a possibility. Walker is a three-time 20-goal scorer who's grit and effort are an asset on every shift. Could a Walker-Brind'Amour-Tuomo Ruutu line wreak havoc on opponents by using a vicous forecheck?

Could future stars Drayson Bowman or Zach Boychuk make the team and step into a role like this? Can Ryan Bayda parlay his play last year as a third-line cycling machine into a top-six role? Could Chad LaRose get another shot at big minutes? What about the recently signed Matt Murley earning a spot on the roster, or maybe Dwight Helminen?

Or do the Canes dip into the past and use Matt Cullen at the wing and allow rookie center Brandon Sutter to play as a third-line pivot? Would Bobby Hughes be healthy enough and ready to step in and play fourth-line center, or does brief 2007-08 recall Joe Jensen get the promotion?

Finally, what does this mean for Jeff O'Neill?

Fortunately for the Canes, they have a lot of options. Unfortunately, none will truly replace Williams.

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Comments

I can honestly see O’Neil playing alongside Brindy. They know each other and have played on the same line before. It would probably be the best bet in my opinion.

by Ivan on Sep 17, 2008 5:35 PM EDT reply actions

Jeff O’Neil would be a terrible mistake. The key to dealing with an injury this crucial is to either go out and get a real first or second line RW through either FA or a trade, OR bring in one of two kids and use the season as a way to give them experience.

by repenttokyo on Sep 17, 2008 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

I think the kids proved themselves worthy last season – I agree with Repent, and maybe a deal will open up now regarding that extra defenseman the ’Canes are carrying.

by marc on Sep 17, 2008 9:15 PM EDT reply actions

O’Neil may be a decent option. He plays well with a good
passer (like Brindy) and still has an NHL caliber shot.
If he’s in shape and willing to work the defensive end of
the ice, he could fill the void.

Of course, some of you will never cut the guy some slack no
matter what he does …….

by JohnS on Sep 17, 2008 9:30 PM EDT reply actions

How about rounding up some priests, rabbis, shamans, and healers, and haul them around to the RBC center, the Rec Zone, and each and every player’s homes to do some exorcisms and lay down a few blessings.

In the meantime, someone better quarantine Staal or he could be next.

Light a candle and say a prayer. We might be screwed.

by AD on Sep 17, 2008 10:23 PM EDT reply actions

O’Neil could fill in nicely, but I think the only reason he is back is because no one else wants him. I always gave him the benefit of the doubt until he ripped the fans for having a parade the year we were runner’s up for the Cup.

Hard to forget that!

Let’s just hope The Iron man Brindy can rally the troops. It’s tough to see Justin go out again.

by Caniac N it to win it on Sep 18, 2008 6:53 AM EDT reply actions

I think we all need to just see what happens at camp first. If we have an in house option, I’d rather see us keep whatever flexibility we have in D. Also, a lot of folks wants to bag on O as a possibility, and you may very well be right. But we have to see where he’s at now, before we can definitively say he ain’t the solution. Personally, I would love to see Drayson Bowman in Canes sweater, but I know there is a huge difference between offensive production in the juniors and the NHL. Regardless, I think the kid could be ready, and could surprise the **** outta some people. He was a killer in camp last year, and only got better during the course of the regular season in Spokane.

While this does suck, camp is going to be alot more interesting this year!

by wylde4canes on Sep 18, 2008 8:27 AM EDT reply actions

1) Thats a tough injury to come back quickly from. Its probably the worst lower extremity injury to sustain(apart from a total rupture of an ACL) 6 months is a conservative estimate
2) The silver on the lining is the timing. He might be back for the stretch run. Also being that he missed so much time last year the team already knows they can compete without him in the lineup, but geez, does this guy have any luck other than bad?

by fauxrumors on Sep 18, 2008 8:47 AM EDT reply actions