Cam Ward Out At Least Three Weeks With Leg Injury
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 8, 2009 9:15 PM EST
102 comments
If there are hockey gods, as some believe, they may be telling Carolina GM Jim Rutherford that it's time to cut his losses. Cam Ward, who left Saturday's game in Columbus after having his upper left leg cut by the skate of Blue Jackets winger Rick Nash, is expected to miss a minimum of three to four weeks — if not longer.
Ward will meet with the Dr. Marty Isbell, the team's head orthopedic physician, Monday after the goalie returns from Columbus. Ward is staying in Ohio a second straight night so that he does not risk infection from the stresses of travel, the release from the team said.
The dilemma? What to do in his absence.
Will Carolina look to backup Michael Leighton as the No. 1 and recall Albany starter Justin Peters? Or will they explore the free agent or trade market for someone to share the load with Leighton, perhaps veteran Manny Legace (as suggested by Canes Now) or a platooning player like the Islanders' Martin Biron?
For a team on a 12-game losing streak that is already without star center Eric Staal, the loss of Ward is a huge blow, one that puts into the question the direction Rutherford should take with a last-place team stocked with veterans on expiring contracts and young players on the cusp of earning full-time NHL jobs. There's also the growing pressure on coach Paul Maurice, who is in the first year of a three-year contract earned following Carolina's run to the Eastern Conference finals last season.
The reassignment of rookie Zach Boychuk to Albany leads one to believe Rutherford has not yet given up on a season that is just 16 games old. But with just seven points — four less than Toronto and Florida, who sit just ahead of them in the standings with a game in hand — and a fragile team psyche that now must try to overcome the loss of its starting goalie, time is running out for the Hurricanes to turn around their season.
The good — if there is any — news? The NHL's GM Meetings are this week in Toronto, a perfect opportunity for Rutherford to gauge what kind of market there is for reinforcements or a fire sale.
But right now, the bad news is overshadowing any silver lining.
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I don’t see why they should sign another goalie if Cam is only out 3-4 weeks, this makes me think things are much worse than reported.
minimum 3-4 weeks … his meeting with Isbell will lead to more answers, I’m assuming.
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 8, 2009 9:26 PM EST up reply actions
Yes … it’s always curious to me that he gets the insider status when he’s not on the beat anymore (Hockey News Canes writer, then this). i’m not saying he’s still not tuned in to the team and what’s going on, but it must be weird for Chip.
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 9, 2009 9:04 AM EST up reply actions
The NHL network put more perspective on the “Minimum 3-4 weks” theory…. (which would be a maximum of 5 weeks to never)
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 8, 2009 9:29 PM EST up reply actions
I always take the time tables they provide as a guess and not a hard and fast rule. Plus you still have to factor in the time it takes him to get back to game form again. So I would be seriously surprised if he is back in 4 weeks let alone 3.
But I’m thinking JR is still in denial or maybe bargaining and isn’t quite ready to give up on the season just yet.
NHL “on the fly” said he could miss anywhere from 15 to 40 games (if I heard correctly…)
What if sending Boychuck down is not a sign that Rutherford still has faith in the team? I mean… I wouldn’t want him to get accustomed to losing…. so send him down to Albany where they do not go on 12 game losing streaks causing their fans to go on 12 game drinking binge
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 8, 2009 9:27 PM EST up reply actions
we have a decent backup….. who has only started 2 of the last 900 games…..
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 8, 2009 9:30 PM EST up reply actions
how would we even know if he is decent? he’s decent at wearing a ball cap on the bench, throwing pucks to kids, hasn’t been given a real shot yet IMO. we are already at the bottom looking up whats it gonna hurt?
Ok, but you have to admit-throwing the pucks to the little kids is kind of cute. ;)
Sorry just trying to lighten the mood.
The Leighton/Peters option
I will personally be fine if the answer turns out to be Leighton with Peters as backup.
Here are Leighton’s stats. Yes, not so great at the NHL level, but look how few games (other than with the Blackhawks when they…were not good) he had with which to work.
On the other hand, when he was playing at the AHL level, the numbers are very good, in a league where it’s tough to have very good goalie numbers at times. In particular, scroll down and check out the playoff numbers. He’s go to in crunch time.
Finally, here’s Justin Peters’ Albany River Rats stats for consideration.
Not bad. I could live with this. Let’s see what we got, not only with Justin, but to give Mike Murphy the reins in Albany so that the org can really see what we have in goalie assets.
After all, sooner or later, one of those two goalies stays to back-up and challenge Cam, and one goes in trade for another asset at some point down the line.
I guess it all depends on how JR feels about the season. If he thinks there is still a chance to save things, then I fully expect him to sign another goalie because let’s face it a month without Cam may be kill any last bit of hope we still have. On the other hand, if he, like most of us, sees the writing on the wall, then I think it’s going to be Leighton and Peters.
I would be fine with going with Leights and Peters since making a trade at this point will probably entail us giving up more than we’re getting back (same goes with signing a FA-we’ve got to clear cap space somehow) because everyone will see it for what it is-desperation.
I’m still shocked that people think there is a way to dig out this season. Our players are still skating into each other, the ‘star’ players are all hurt. The good guys get sent down. If you have to count on other teams to lose so you can catch up it most likely won’t happen. We can’t even get one point in 12 games, there’s MAJOR problems.
by canescup on Nov 8, 2009 9:53 PM EST via mobile reply actions
it's like effort, speed and enthusiasm
are detriments.
Age, lethargy and slowness-of-foot? Sign the guy!
by DidJussiThat? on Nov 8, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks for keeping up on this HM and Cory and everyone else who has been contributing information.
For those that don’t know, I am totally out of the loop in Savannah right now, but will be returning on Tuesday night.
My bet would be that they sign Legace. No one knows for certain how long this injury will keep Ward out and they have too much money invested in this season to throw in the towel yet. But this is just a guess.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Seems to be a good time to be out of town for us Caniacs. I’m up in Penguin-land for the next week, myself. Trying to follow things as best I can.
by Pirate Caniac on Nov 8, 2009 11:10 PM EST up reply actions
Can someone explain how the Cap is calculated for injured players?
Here’s what I’m wondering: If Staal is out a month, 1/12th of $8.25mil is nearly $700,000 (or if it’s based on a guesstimate of only 8 games it would be 1/10 of his cap hit, like $825,000). If Ward misses 20 games, that’s 1/4 the season, 1/4 of the cap hit and over $600,000.
Does that give us some room to fit another goalie in for over $1.5mil?
This is more about cap space than cashflow, which might be another can of worms. How’s Compuware’s stock looking lately?
So I'm guessing this would be "bottom"?
I think it’s more complicated than simply reducing the cap space by amount of IR time or games missed. Keep in mind, Cole was out of commission for a couple of weeks but the Canes did not put him on the IR until they called up Sutter. That would be two weeks of wasted reduced cap space if it mattered. Staal is not on the IR. I’m not sure that Michael Ryan is even on the IR officially, for whatever reason and he has not been able to play all year.
Your earlier question about insurance also has a convoluted answer. My understanding is that each team gets their own policy with different stipulations. They can cover certain players, or a certain dollar amount. It depends upon what they choose and what they want to pay for on premium.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Thanks – now go get ready for the golf course in the morning….Sheez!
So I'm guessing this would be "bottom"?
by hockeymomof2 on Nov 8, 2009 10:42 PM EST up reply actions
Bob, there’s never been any kind of news release I could find on Michael Ryan but he is asterisked on the roster as being on IR and this is in his notes on the ch.com website FWIW:
* Has missed 11 games due to injury (concussion: 10/2-10/28)
* Was placed on injured reserve prior to the start of the season after suffering a concussion in an exhibition game at ATL (9/21)
Sisu
I wonder if he is the next David Tanabe (without the drama)
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 8, 2009 11:19 PM EST up reply actions
Playoffs ?
Traditionally it takes 93-95 points to get the 8th spot. Let’s say we need 94 pts. ‘Canes have 7pts with 66 games left. So we need 87 pts in 66 games. Imagine a 40-20-6 record to finish the year and we’re still short a point. And we’re not gonna finish like that. We’re done. It’s just math at this point.
Cam Ward is the top story at TSN.
Entitled “Missing a Month”.
Look at Jussi’s face as he sees what’s on the ice.
For once, several good things in the comments about the Canes. Check out who wants to donate their goaltender in the comments as well. Lots of interesting displays of fan dis-loyalty.
(BTW – everyone behave themselves, this story is generating a lot of hits on Canes Country – so put on your best Sunday behavior. No hottie comments GF’s. And somebody lock up Paladin. Signed, hockeymom)
So I'm guessing this would be "bottom"?
Way to take all the fun out of things HM. ;)
Seriously though, every picture/video clip I see from last night makes things that much more real and heartbreaking.
Definitely, w/o a doubt. Toskala is a mess and pricey.
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 9, 2009 9:06 AM EST up reply actions
I bet they would have cancelled practice today if one had been scheduled. If we don’t have a team psychologist, now might be a good time to hire one.
So I'm guessing this would be "bottom"?
by hockeymomof2 on Nov 8, 2009 10:55 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe a grief counselor would be more appropriate. This could be the kind of thing that really breaks the camel’s back.
Call FEMA they do hurricane relief, have shrinks, have body bags, can screw about anything up, sounds like they may already be involved….
A
I told you not bringing the kids up was a mistake...
Can they make one available to all the fans, too? This season is very likely to cause a lot of PTSD in the Carolinas.
by Pirate Caniac on Nov 8, 2009 11:13 PM EST up reply actions
Might need to change Canes Country’s name then. “Caniac Group Therapy Grief Counseling Sessions”?
by Pirate Caniac on Nov 8, 2009 11:17 PM EST up reply actions
Actually, here's a good place to start getting your head looking the right way:
Go back to September 1st here at Canes Country and re-read the post entitled Five Reasons Bubba Loves Hockey.
Maybe you want to add your own list there now, if you didn’t back then. We still got hockey, Caniacs. We still got the Hurricanes. We’re good.
So I'm guessing this would be "bottom"?
by hockeymomof2 on Nov 8, 2009 11:19 PM EST up reply actions
We do have hockey…. but we do not have the Hurricanes….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 8, 2009 11:20 PM EST up reply actions
Mateo – I’m afraid we’re not on the same page there. Would you rather have the Flyers or the Rangers?
So I'm guessing this would be "bottom"?
by hockeymomof2 on Nov 8, 2009 11:22 PM EST up reply actions
LOL…. I could do without their fans…. but their teams have an identity…. our team retains an identity for (at most) 40 minutes…. It’s heartbreaking. It really is….
in 02-03 at least you could have some compassion on this team because even in the worst of time they still played hard… they just were not good enough.
the 09-10 Hurricanes are good enough…. they just refuse to work hard and play on the same page…together… they act like they are afraid to have a team identity….
I have never seen anything like it.
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 8, 2009 11:25 PM EST up reply actions
You’re dead-on about the identity crisis. Wanna bet by the end of November they have found that identity? Talk about testing your mettle and getting your house in order. This ought to do it. No more monkey business, time to grow up. This all just got real simple.
(See photo of Cam with his team above)
So I'm guessing this would be "bottom"?
by hockeymomof2 on Nov 8, 2009 11:32 PM EST up reply actions
Nah, I’m good. But thanks!
Being a Browns/Indians/Cavs fan, I’ve written off my share of seasons over the years. Never has kept me from wearing my team colors with pride and following them. My fandom has an iron will that can only be broken by the unspeakable.
Plus, as I’ve posted elsewhere, might actually be to my benefit the way they’re playing. If they give some better deals on tickets I might be able to go to more games than I originally thought.
by Pirate Caniac on Nov 8, 2009 11:26 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, and I also happen to be up in the Pittsburgh area currently, and wearing my Canes hat with pride everywhere I go. ;)
Amazingly, I haven’t had any comments about it yet…
by Pirate Caniac on Nov 8, 2009 11:27 PM EST up reply actions
If they give some better deals on tickets I might be able to go to more games than I originally thought.
That’s the spirit! Exactly!
So I'm guessing this would be "bottom"?
by hockeymomof2 on Nov 8, 2009 11:29 PM EST up reply actions
We are done and it is time for a fire sale.
Dump Corvo, Samsanov, and LaRose. Retain Cole, Whitney and Ruttu b/c we need some vets. Recall Boychuk & Bowman again (why he was sent down I have no clue) and bring up Rodney and Carson and start getting this group of guys ready for next season; their is no better experience than on the job training ? What is JR scared of ?
As for the Goalie spot why is everyone so high on Justin Peters and not Mike Murphy ? Murphy can play and hopefully is the next Irbe for sure.
Let him play and I have seen Peters in action and let me tell you he is not going to be the answer between the pipes even at the backup goalie spot.
Go Canes and did I mention it is time to fire Maurice ?
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Nov 8, 2009 11:12 PM EST reply actions
Murphy’s struggling in the AHL. He’s not ready – yet.
So I'm guessing this would be "bottom"?
by hockeymomof2 on Nov 8, 2009 11:20 PM EST up reply actions
Sammy needs to stay and Mo isn’t the problem.
by canescup on Nov 9, 2009 7:32 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Not trying to be Mr. Negative, but anybody that doesn’t realize this season will not result in the playoffs is on something. This organization needs to find out what it has in the minors. I’m pretty sure Leighton will not be back next year. So is Peters the backup next year? He needs some NHL games to determine that. If not, we will know we need to sign someone. If JR signs another goalie for this season, I think he is trying to SAVE HIS JOB. Maybe PK is pissed at the money he spent this year on players and coaches and is blaming JR for the early season failures.
If the Org is reading: Please see what the kids have! I will still go to every game possible and buy enough overpriced beer to pay for your hairplugs.
by PackPride17 on Nov 8, 2009 11:14 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Puck Daddy adds: “3.18/.885 in 28 GS for STL last season. But of stop-gaps available, not bad choice.”
Makes me wonder why we just don’t stick with Leighton.
by hockeythoughts on Nov 9, 2009 8:55 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t know what Muir is thinking with this article … it’s been talked about for a long time how this coming year’s draft is thin on talent.
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 9, 2009 9:09 AM EST up reply actions
So us, the Pens, the Wings are all injured along with several other players. Man what a year. I watched that NHL Live deal.; Interesting in that I agree with thw two talking heads. I think JR will make a large deal, that from the guy on the right and the dude in the middle says teams will look to pick his pocket.
And my favorite quote “And Sutters been the best player on the ice”
No shit.
As they were talking about who needs to lead the team out of the funk, Wardo was first, then Staal. Then they said the veterans like Whitney and Rod and Walker. As the spot went on Walker “is the only old guy playing well”.
You could here the utter disbelief and despondant tone in DeCocks voice, too.
Well, JR, when you find yourself in a hole, you quit digging. You don’t have the luxury of then just sitting and thinking about it. Make something happen. Mathmaticly this season is a month from being over. No wins this month and it will beyond money to reach the PO’s. You get to make that journey without Cam Ward, good luck.
A
I told you not bringing the kids up was a mistake...
New goalie = new attitude?
If the boys can figure-out how to play hard from the defense-out, we can start stealing a game here, a game there, until we start chopping-up the season into 3-game stretches. If we get to the point where we are winning 2 out of 3 on a regular basis, they we have a glimmer of hope…
Prediction
When we do play ourselves out of a playoff spot; here’s what happens:: We start winning. The pressure is off, veterans who are UFA start playing hard to get that last mega-contract, some Rats will be here to stay and the fans will start filling the seats.
It will not be a totally lost season financially but in retrospect, we will call it a rebuilding year.
A rebuilding year to me would mean getting a quality selection in the upcoming draft to add to the rest of the players who will come up. But if we play ourselves out the playoffs this month I don’t even care if the team surges in January or February. Just means we get a lesser player in the draft. All around, it’s bad.
by hockeythoughts on Nov 9, 2009 9:40 AM EST up reply actions
Here’s an ineresting stat or so.
We have allowed the most goals in the league. Is that a commentary on Ward, the D, both or what?
There are 9 teams with as many or fewer goals ahead of us in the league.
3 of our points, 1 shy of half have come from losing efforts. The Leafs are the only other in this illustrious category.
We are the only winless team on the road and in a 4 way tie for worst at home.
While it’s lies, dam lies and statistics. We really are the worst in the league across the board. I remember once we said “get back to the simple things” plural. At this point maybe just pick one.
This just gets worse and worse…
A
For a storm to suck this hard, it must be a black hole
For some reason I feel Legace will be our #1 goalie and Leighton staying the backup. Its obvious they do not trust him as a #1 goalie.
by canescup on Nov 9, 2009 9:39 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Maybe. They might end up competing to see who will be number 1 while Wardo is out. Legace one night, Leighton the next, then based on results a number 1 will emerge. May end up being competition to see who will be the backup after Ward returns.
by hockeythoughts on Nov 9, 2009 9:43 AM EST up reply actions
Need to play Leighton a lot. Now or never. I hope he’s the next C.Anderson. If he’s the next J.Graham we’ll know soon enough.
There’s no playoffs this year. It’s tryouts and Chemistry 101 for next year.
Life's hard, it's harder when you're stupid.
by drifterscape on Nov 9, 2009 10:03 AM EST up reply actions
I’d like to hear Cory’s take on this and if he thinks there is a better option than Legace or if Rutherford got the best he could under the circumstances.
I’ll have more on the signing later …
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 9, 2009 10:04 AM EST up reply actions
Not sure how many people are part of the Canes' official message board, but for this you may want to join:
Go here to send Cam some well deserved get well wishes. The whole thread will be printed out and hand delivered to Cam and Cody. They’ve done it in the past and the players have always really appreciated our kind words.
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