Sunday News
by Bob Wage on Dec 14, 2008 8:52 PM EST
24 comments
For the first time in what seems like forever, the Hurricanes have a Sunday off. The team did have something to announce though as Bryan Rodney returned to Albany. Here's more information from the Carolina press release-
Rodney, 24, played in two games during his first career NHL recall, earning a +1 plus/minus rating and averaging 14:31 of ice time during road games in Philadelphia and New York. Prior to his recall, Rodney had totaled eight assists in 17 games with Albany this season. The London, Ont., native split the 2007-08 season between the ECHL and the AHL, joining Albany in December when the River Rats were left shorthanded because of a flu bug. Rodney went on to notch 15 points (4g, 11a) in 42 regular season games for Albany and led all River Rats skaters with six points (3g, 3a) in seven playoff games. In 67 career AHL games with Hartford and Albany, Rodney has earned 26 points (5g, 21a) and totaled 36 penalty minutes.
The organization gets more and more impressed with this kid each time they see him. He might be back in Raleigh, sooner rather than later.
In other news around the league....
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Chicago Happy with Ladd Deal-
According to this article in the Chicago Sun Times, the Blackhawks are very happy with the player they received for Tuomo Ruutu. Carolina's first round pick in 2004, Andrew Ladd has been on a hot-streak of late (3 goals and 5 assists in last five games), and he recently had a four point game. (1 goal and 3 assists).
Of course the Hurricanes are pleased with Ruutu as well. This was one of those trades which benefited both teams and both players.
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Avery Done in Dallas-
We have not talked much about the Sean Avery fiasco on this blog, but as everyone knows, the "maverick" has gone out and gotten himself into trouble again. Apparently, his time in Dallas is over one way or the other. Getting rid of him will be expensive for the Stars though, and they have one other problem: who will take him? He's an awfully expensive agitator even at half his current salary.
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NHL Finances-
There is quite a bit of conjecture going around the league about the economy and the various ways that it might affect the NHL. Obviously, there is little argument that times are tough out there. One new idea was just brought up today. Larry Brooks of the New York Post suggests a league wide, price freeze. He thinks the league should lock in all ticket prices right through the playoffs, as well as next season.
I doubt the owners of many teams will agree with his idea, especially Washington owner Ted Leonsis. The fan friendly team chairman recently mentioned in his blog that even if the Caps run the table in the playoffs and have a seven game Stanley Cup Final Series, he will still lose an estimated five million.
If one can not make money under that scenario, how can you make money? Ted answers that question here.
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Ladd is a streaky scorer. I still think we got the better of this deal.
by repenttokyo on Dec 14, 2008 10:07 PM EST reply actions
The reason Chicago has the answer the Ladd-Ruutu deal question is b/c it’s clear Ruutu has been the better player. Does that make Ladd a bust? Of course not. I’m sure the Hawks are happy that got a serviceable player back, and at a cheaper price, given their cap woes.
by Cory on Dec 15, 2008 8:47 AM EST reply actions
Ladd-Ruutu is harder for me, if we can not resign Ruutu. Otherwise I still like the trade.
If I can steer the conversation for a little bit, how does everyone feel about the coaching change 3 weeks later?
I feel like the NYR game summed up my feelings. The same problems existed as existed before, only the game has gotten less exciting. We still have our big o’fer in the 5 on 3 stats for the year, despite another full 2 minute 5 on 3. A big goose egg with the man advantage for the night as well. Turnovers ending up in the back of our own net. Again we gave up the first goal, and yet again we were physically controlled throughout the game.
So what did the coaching change achieve? As far as I can tell it was a slight step backwards, if for only the fact that they brought in a coach that our fanbase already has a distaste for and we really don’t have results to show for it.
by wylde4canesHatesJR on Dec 15, 2008 9:14 AM EST reply actions
I think with Cam in net, the record would look a lot better. Leighton cost the team (not on his own, but if Ward was in playing as he had been and did vs. NYR, I think they win) two games.
Oh, and it feels like forever, but it hasn’t even been two weeks yet.
I think the coaching change achieved a change in voice (needed). Is he the answer long term? Maybe not, but that’s why he’s on a balance-of-the-season deal now and not a multiyear one. If they can get the PP going, I think they’re playing well enough to wins games.
by Cory on Dec 15, 2008 9:21 AM EST reply actions
I agree that had Cam been in net for the last Phlly game, it probably would have been a win.
MY biggest problem with this is not even the results in the W-L-OTL brackets, but in some of the decisions that are being made. #17 is getting CRAZY ice time, despite the fact he is obviously not the same player, right now at least, from a year ago. I am not one for advocating he give up his C, but I don’t think riding him that much is doing much to help him find his form (or to get his knee right again, which I think is the problem).
Also, how the hell do you put LaRose in the press box?
Patty Eaves is still without a goal and mostly floats, yet he is still getting a regular shift, while Rosey has been relegated to spectator status.
Also, how in the **** is Brandon Sutter supposed to get better without ice time. Only Orr, Rodney and Conboy saw less ice time.
This team needed a new voice, I agree, but this was not the one they needed. I think this is a wash at best short term, and possibly harmful long term.
by wylde4canesHatesJR on Dec 15, 2008 9:39 AM EST reply actions
Stats don’t tell the whole story (and can even be misleading), but here’s a comparison between the two for this season:
Ladd 28GP 6 G, 11 A, 17 Pts, 12 PIM, +13, 0 PPG, 51 Hits, 5 Blocked Shots, 13:39 TOI
Ruutu 27GP 10 G, 9 A, 19 Pts, 31 PIM, +3, 3 PPG, 72 Hits, 11 Blocked Shots, 18:06 TOI
by John on Dec 15, 2008 9:43 AM EST reply actions
Something I never liked about Mo is that he rides the old guys and doesn’t rely so much on the younger players…. I also don’t like the decision to put LaRose in the press box… and for some reason his ice time has gotten less and less throughout…
it was clear that on Saturday a forward needed to be scratched to make room for defensive reinforcement… (it made sense to dress 7 d-men on Saturday just to be safe) It should have been Eaves as the scratch….
And for the Love of Gordy How… Play Conboy 40 minutes per game!!!!!!!
by Mateo on Dec 15, 2008 9:58 AM EST reply actions
Hahahahahahah!!!!!
For the love of mentally challenged people… Gordy HOW???
How should I spell his name???
HOW???
I’m stupid!!! I apologize… I’ll go back into my cave now…
by Mateo on Dec 15, 2008 9:59 AM EST reply actions
I think Eaves is playing well right now and with confidence. To scratch him over LaRose would’ve been it for him, I bet. Plus, IMO, Chad’s played his worst hockey since the coaching change. Not that he’s been awful, but just not like he had been.
by Cory on Dec 15, 2008 11:38 AM EST reply actions
Lol Mateo
The ice time is bugging me, too. It just doesn’t make sense. I can’t accept that any of the coaches really think Brind’Amour should be playing that many minutes (or in my opinion, playing at all). I believe Brind’Amour himself calls the shots on his minutes & he’s been given the authority to do so. BTW the turnover on the pp Sat. made me scream (literally).
Sutter HAS to get more minutes, there’s just no two ways about it. If he’s not playing it could seriously hinder his development. On a personal level I want Conboy out there more too.
I didn’t like making LaRose the scratch, either, and I say that as someone who thinks he tends to be overrated by a lot of fans. Maurice made the comment that LaRose was a better player than he thought he was. That indicates to me that 1) he never thought LaRose was any good to begin with and 2) although he’s now modified his opinion somewhat he still doesn’t truly believe he’s that important to the team.
by Sunny on Dec 15, 2008 11:44 AM EST reply actions
Good point, I had not considered that Cory.
by wylde4canesHatesJR on Dec 15, 2008 11:51 AM EST reply actions
LaRose hasn’t seemed entirely comfortable since Mo took over…. I wonder if the coaching change got into his head a little… From all accounts He and Lavi had a very close relationship and it was Lavi who gave him his first real chance to play full time on the big team….
I remember in the cup run coach Lavi commenting that LaRose had practically begged to be put into the games…
I’m sure he’ll be working hard once he returns to the lineup…
And for crying out loud… Put Conboy in for 40 minutes per game!!!!! And pair him up w/ Gleason….
by Mateo on Dec 15, 2008 12:53 PM EST reply actions
I said this in the forum and I will say it here:
I personally think Rosy getting scratched is an FU from management for taking them to arbitration. Mo-Ron are company men and will do what ever JR tells them, no questions asked. This was always the issue with Lavi, he is no ones yes man. Its cost him his Job twice now.
Lavi is the only person in the entire organization who really believed in #59 and now its clear.
Also, I would not be the least be surprised if it is another way to say " FU " to the fans too. This team wants out. They brought back a guy the fans hated to coach, a style of play the fans hated to watch, and now they are healthy scratching fan favs. These guys DO NOT want to be here anymore and are laying the ground work to kill the season ticket base, plead poverty and apathy to the BOG, and to reward PK for being a Salary Cap hard ass by letting him move to Hamilton. We have 2, maybe 3 years left before they are the Hamilton Hurricanes.
by Douchebag St John on Dec 15, 2008 12:53 PM EST reply actions
I think that is a bit of a jump, personally.
by wylde4canesHatesJR on Dec 15, 2008 1:00 PM EST reply actions
They didn’t go to arbitration. They agreed to a one-year deal. Carolina hasn’t gone to arbitration since before their first Cup finals run, IIRC.
by Cory on Dec 15, 2008 1:18 PM EST reply actions
But they were headed to arbitration before the ONE YEAR deal was signed… everyone knows that if things were comfy between Rosey and Jimmy it would have been a multi-year deal… there is no doubt in my mind…
But it’s like I mentioned earlier… Lavi and Rosey had a good relationship… there were times when you heard coach talking about LaRose and he sounded like a father talking about his own child… And LaRose played well for him… But something has been “off” since the coaching change..
I’m still not 100% sold on Douchbags Hamilton theory…. but nothing would really shock me at this point… I think that missing the playoffs 2 (going on 3) years in a row is tanking the STH base more than anything….
I’ll bet anyone a dinner at Rey’s Restaurant that they go up on our ticket prices again next season…. And LaRose will end up signing w/ whichever team picks up Laviolette…
by Mateo on Dec 15, 2008 1:31 PM EST reply actions
Russell- I’m no Avery fan, but it would not be boring with him around here..L
Interesting perspective Douchebag but to play Devil’s advocate…..
1. Rutherford did not have to sign LaRose. Why give him a contract for 875K if they were upset with him about filing for arbitration and never wanted him to begin with? Just let him walk.
2. Why re-negotiate the lease on the RBC this summer and sign for another 20 years if they intend to move? Leases can always be broken, but it seems like a lot of trouble for nothing if their intention is to move.
While the re-hiring of Maurice is somewhat of a mystery, it’s a bit of a stretch in my opinion, to say that they want to fail on purpose. Besides, they don’t need to fail to move, they can move right after winning the Cup if they really want to. Nothing is holding them back. Why throw away money to do something that they can do in any event?
One other thing, getting any team into Hamilton will not be easy. The Maple Leafs will fight that tooth and nail. I think if the league really wanted someone in Hamilton, the Preds would already be there. (but then again, I could be wrong..:- )
by Bubba on Dec 15, 2008 1:43 PM EST reply actions
Plus, if Rutherford like Ontario so much, he would’ve taken the Toronto job ;)
by Cory on Dec 15, 2008 1:54 PM EST reply actions
If you remember JR in the press conf. when hiring MO got pissed off when someone refered to N.C. as NOT BEING A HOCKEY MARKET. This topic gets pretty old, AGAIN Canes will not move or be sold. There is about 5 or 6 teams alot worse shape then the Canes.
by canescup on Dec 15, 2008 3:04 PM EST reply actions
Bubba,
C-Leaguer said something about you not being able to walk away from an award of a certain amount? I defer to him when it comes to the CBA. He explain that this is why we signed Rosey, rather than get stuck with a deal for more money they couldnt walk from. Either way, I still believe this an up yours for the threat of arbitration.
by Douchebag St John on Dec 15, 2008 3:28 PM EST reply actions
I admit I don’t know all the ins and outs of all the arbitration rules, and I can’t remember the exact situation with LaRose. I also agree that one reason Laviolette is gone is because he is not a “yes man”.
One thing for sure, LaRose has been pretty much stuck to the bench since the coaching change.
by Bubba on Dec 15, 2008 4:21 PM EST reply actions
I thought Tannabe went to arbitration to get his settlement from the ’Canes (this year)??
Anyway, I agree, LaRose is one of the best energy guys we have.
I think there is cancer in the locker room. That’s why Mo is here. I thought the way rosey was treated was nasty and the one deal was kind of an insult. Sammi and Ruutu I also think were not treated as well as should be. I think the Roddy ice is also insane, I love Rod, but he ain’t making it.
I guess it all goes back to what I was saying around the coaching change, all of two weeks ago. PK and JR are pretty much going live and die together. I don’t see PK firing JR under any circumstances. Right or wrong, just the way I see it.
I do believe the team is being set up to either shit or get off the pot. If they don’t start pulling together, kiss a slew of them goodbye. Look at St. Louis think Eric Staal. They’ll keep Sutter and all the guys on entry contracts and will whore the rest out to the highest bidder. Bring in guys at the end of their carreer on the cheap and try to rebuild. The fan base will come and go. Think about it, I hate these guys sometimes, but I ain’t going anywhere else to watch hockey. It’s all about the team, they either want to be here and play or they don’t. If this group can mesh and stay healthy, they will be good. If not the roster will be very diff. next year. I know that goes against an earlier topic, but maybe not if you think about it. They are locked into these guys and probably going to lose a couple in the off season. So if they miss the playoffs again and the bonus money, they are going to have a fire sale. They about 4 weeks to get it together or we are going to witness the dissmantling of JR’s handy work.
As for the team moving, I’d say the franchise is in the top three for a move. I don’t think it’s gonna happen this or next season. An empty house and a shit team next year and it’s gonna be tough to keep this team here. Far too many markets want a team and and if PK can’t pony up the coin, there are alot of other places that will.
I dunno, I’m leaving the jury out until Jan. That’s when the trades start to fly. Right now, I could see a couple multi player trades going down. I also have hopes they will improve and maybe we get some better cohesion and effort. We aren’t out of it yet, but the momentum isn’t real impressive either.
WTF about the Sharks? 24 out of 29 or something? Jeezuz them guys are a roll.
Anyway, few more weeks, then we will see the wisdom or failure.
A
by Paladin6 on Dec 15, 2008 4:59 PM EST reply actions
The ‘Canes need to get a move on, make some trades, fire another coach, something… they need a shake up and fast!!! April is coming very quickly and it’s the same ‘ole BS product, just a different day. Anytime your team is below the top 15 in PK and the PP.. you got problems. If the owner wasn’t so cheap and JR so naive (ie; trading for injured players), we would probably be competing with San Jose for the top spot in the league (possibly). I used to get excited on gameday. Now, I just feel like it’s gonna be one of those loooonnnnnnngggggg nights and it really bothers me! Even at the games, the fanfare (which used to be great) is stale (and quiet) because noone knows what to expect from the team. Personally, I think our team is too old, now I know we need veteran players… but come on, not injured vets!!! I’m sick of those 3rd jerseys too, nothing but a waste of the teams money!!! I just want them to either step up or step aside.. if they aren’t gonna make the playoffs then at least get us a top 5 draftee!!! Maybe then we can be focused on a positve future instead of thinking we can win now!!! Pass the torch Rod, let the younger generation of ’Canes take over!!!
by thankyoucomeagain on Dec 16, 2008 1:02 AM EST reply actions
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