Manny Legace Gets the Nod Against Canucks
by Bob Wage on Dec 4, 2009 3:59 PM EST
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PrintCoach Paul Maurice said that Manny Legace would start in net against Vancouver tomorrow afternoon. Michael Leighton, who was ill today, should be the backup. Obviously, this start could be huge for Legace as the Canes claim they still have not made up their minds concerning which backup goalie they will keep when Cam Ward returns next week.
There were 13 fowards on the ice at practice and I asked the coach if a decision had been made who would be scratched tomorrow. Maurice said that a decision would be made before game time on that. Apparently a couple of guys were still banged up and they might choose among the healthiest.
The lines were pretty much set except for one. Jussi Jokinen and Sergei Samsonov rotated in with Matt Cullen and Tuomo Ruutu. The other lines looked as follows:
- Staal-Cole-Whitney
- Sutter-Kostopoulos-LaRose
- Yelle-Brind'Amour-Walker
If I had to guess, Jokinen might be the odd man out unless he is 100%. He and LaRose have been out of practice all week, but he was rotated while LaRose was full time.
If not Jokinen, then your guess is as good as mine.
The defensive pairings were mixed although Maurice said that obviously Joni Pitkanen and Tim Gleason would see the lion's share of work. Could Pitkanen break the 40 minute mark? (joking) He had 33 plus the other night against the Caps. Look for Ward and Alberts to see time together and Rodney to be matched with veteran Niclas Wallin, who will be playing in his 500th game soon. More about that later.
When practice was over and I was on my way out, Eric Staal was still on the ice all by himself. He was practicing shots from tight angles and working on some moves. Is he ready to break out yet?
We will have an official game preview thread up later tonight or first thing tomorrow morning.
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The goalie situation will be interesting. I’d be very surprised if Legace get’s sent down, though, I think it’s his job to lose.
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
I think either one of them would fetch about a 4th round pick. It’ll be interesting to see what happens…
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Dec 4, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions
“No no no” as in you don’t want that to happen or you think that’s too little?
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Dec 4, 2009 5:09 PM EST up reply actions
As in “no way they’d get a fourth-rounder for either of them.” They’d be lucky to get anything, honestly … especially with teams knowing they’ll likely have to send on thru waivers.
by Cory Lavalette on Dec 4, 2009 10:27 PM EST up reply actions
Who would take either one of them? Their save percentage is on par with that of the crew of the Titanic…
by East of Here on Dec 4, 2009 11:02 PM EST up reply actions
If we traded one, Toronto would again be a good dance partner. With Gustavson situation up in the air, they could use a stop gap goalie. I heard they just picked up this kid from the QMJHL who we might like…….LOL
Clever that – sounds like you’ve been spending too much time pretending to be Rutherford.
Hurricanes Hockey:
Never for the faint of heart.
Nor for the weak of stomach.
by Carolyn Christians on Dec 4, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions
Fourth line
If the Canes org “depth chart” holds true for the start of the game, then what a veteran fourth line we are putting out on the ice: Brind’Amour, Yelle, and Walker.
All have had letters on their jerseys before. Certainly deeper talent than most teams manage to field for their fourth.
Who was it who thought Brindy needed a Walker when he skated anyway? – but yep that’s a pretty wily group.
Hurricanes Hockey:
Never for the faint of heart.
Nor for the weak of stomach.
by Carolyn Christians on Dec 4, 2009 4:56 PM EST up reply actions
That'd be me.
Nice pickup! Wish I’d gotten to that one first…
by East of Here on Dec 4, 2009 11:03 PM EST up reply actions
Both of their salaries make them desirable, if nothing else. But I would be surprised if a team would trade anything of value for what they can probably pick up for free on waivers. They know the Canes have to make a move, one way or the other next week.
Will be interesting for sure. Maybe one of them will be included in a package with a forward?
GM of CanesCountry.com
Doesn’t Legace have a 2-way contract though? I agree that he has been the better of the two since Cam’s injury (not really Leighton’s fault since he was injured and/or didn’t get any ice time) but if JR is reluctant to let Michael go on waivers Legace may be the odd man in Albany.
Or they could hold onto both of them, but I don’t think that would make much sense for more than a week or two, too many injuries among the skaters.
by JBK on Dec 4, 2009 7:17 PM EST up reply actions
you are correct, Legace has two way, Leighton has a one way, and that will be part of the equation
GM of CanesCountry.com
An in case you hadn’t noticed the last 36 hours, deals and moves can happen in an instant…(“buckle up” was the headline earlier this week)
Hurricanes Hockey:
Never for the faint of heart.
Nor for the weak of stomach.
by Carolyn Christians on Dec 4, 2009 9:08 PM EST up reply actions
Ya know, i really thought JR would do soemthing this week, at least salary wise. He has to fish or cut bait a little next week with Cam coming back, but Manny on the 2 way, prretty much nullify’s the urgency..
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
Anybody know what Jeff Gillooly is up to these days?
by East of Here on Dec 4, 2009 11:07 PM EST up reply actions
Damn the luck.
THAT guy was a problem solver…
by East of Here on Dec 4, 2009 11:55 PM EST up reply actions
Plus, Corvo goes on LTIR. That helps with cap issues. Unknown if Corvo was one of the limited number of insurance policies on players held, or if any real cash relief is there to be found.
Sooner or later, they do need to adjust their expenses downward. Not drastically…just proportionally. Then then they up the entertainment value later by show casing new players, raising the revenue side on the walkup crowd. Target result for the season, as close to cash flow neutral as possible, with improvement of org assets via trades/draft.
Successful workout.
Judging from their usual ineptness, I fear their cost cutting measures.
I am NOT paying $7 for a Guatemalan bratwurst.
Nope. Not gonna do it…
by East of Here on Dec 5, 2009 12:14 AM EST up reply actions
I am having a hard time figuring out why Samsonov and Jokinen would rotate on the Cullen/Ruutu line. I realize it is a crazy year and all, but Jokinen is one of the leading scorers on the team. If he is healthy, surely he is not healthy scratched. Similarly, Samsonov, if healthy wouldn’t be healthy scratched, would he? I am very confused yet again.
Jokinen’s banged up …
I think with Brindy-Yelle-TK line playing so well together, the top candidates for a scratching are LaRose and Samsonov.
by Cory Lavalette on Dec 4, 2009 4:42 PM EST up reply actions
Except this morning (and above) it was Brindy-Yelle- Walker and then TK up with Sutter…(which I kinda like).
I would also like to see Sutter and Jussi. Wasn’t Jussi’s dad a coach in Finnland? Seems like they might share some common thinking. I noticed them exchange a few words a couple times today at the breaks.
Hurricanes Hockey:
Never for the faint of heart.
Nor for the weak of stomach.
by Carolyn Christians on Dec 4, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions
Uhh what line is playing so well together? Come on Corey!
by THE_NEW_CANES on Dec 4, 2009 5:49 PM EST up reply actions
haven’t been watching?
Line was minus-2 vs. WSH, but one goal was when AWard left Backstrom alone in front while wasting time hitting someone way up in the zone, other was on the Pitkanen turnover that led to a 2-on-1. They’ve got something there in a limited energy role.
by Cory Lavalette on Dec 4, 2009 10:32 PM EST up reply actions
John Stevens Fired
Flyers coach John Stevens has been fired. NHLN reporting that TSN is saying that Peter Laviolette will be the Flyers next head coach. They have a press conference scheduled for 8pm.
Pete looked like he was fired up…
Frees up money for coaching
Mo can go, now!!
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
In my opinion, Leighton, LaRose and Cullen will probably be traded. However, Cullen isn’t going anywhere until the trade deadline, because that is when he will be worth the most. I like Cullen a lot, but he bolted once for money, he is likely to do it again. I’m sure Rutherford would want something for him this time around.
No way Leighton will be back next year, so he is gone within the next week along with LaRose. I do not believe Rutherford really wanted to sign Chad back last year, especially after he tested the market. He really brought him back because of his fan popularity. But, with the team performing badly, and LaRose having bad numbers, it will be easier to part with him now.
Corvo will be a top priority in the offseason. Rutherford will pay him. We don’t have the depth on defense. The three wild cards are Whitney, Walker and Brind’Amour. I can see Whitney retiring at the end of the year. Brind’Amour… he hasn’t been the same since he injured his knees. Time to retire. Walker may be resigned.
On Cullen, you need to listen to his call in interview on NHL Network a couple weeks ago. Sounds like he’s eager to prove he belongs in Carolina.
Hurricanes Hockey:
Never for the faint of heart.
Nor for the weak of stomach.
by Carolyn Christians on Dec 4, 2009 5:46 PM EST up reply actions
Good point.
Hurricanes Hockey:
Never for the faint of heart.
Nor for the weak of stomach.
by Carolyn Christians on Dec 4, 2009 6:24 PM EST up reply actions
I think there is a point during a player’s career where he realizes it is in his interest to play for an organization he knows and that is a nurturing organization as long as the reduced price isn’t stupidly low. Cullen did sound like he was trying to prove himself. To me, the way he is playing, he is trying to show Jim Rutherford he is too valuable to trade.
I agree about keeping Corvo. But for the right offer he could go too.
Everybody else over age 30 can go. Cullen will be 34 next year. Gone. Walker, Whitney , Cole, Samsonov, see ya. Yelle, AWard, Wallin, of course. Rod, thanks for everything. TK’s right on the border. Toss out LaRose and Leighton to avoid age discrimination issues.
I don’t mean any of that to sound harsh, and I’m sure there are some salary issues which would make it hard to deal a couple of them (Cole, Sammy). But I’m prepared/willing to lose any/all of them.
Carolina Hurricanes...2011 Stanley Cup Champions
I believe championships are won with a team that has the right balance of youth and experience. We still have a very good core of experienced players. Remember two years ago when we just missed the playoffs (final game lost to Florida). We were having a terrible season, lots of injuiries (again). But somehow, between the veterans and the kids from Albany, we put together a great early spring. I think that was Rutherford’s biggest mistake this off season…. Stacking the roster with veterans. You need a Cole, a Samsonov and a Walker to mix with the kids. Not everyone needs to go.
I agreee not everyone needs to go. But it’s OK with me if they did.
Lot’s of folks are defending Whitney , Cullen, etc as indispensable parts. With the previously noted exception of Corvo, I think they can go. The ‘Canes have numerous “veterans” at a young age who’ve proved themselves in the Playoffs. Staal, CWard, Gleason, Ruutu, Pits, JJ. That’s a pretty good core right there. Enough of a core? Probably not.
So...
you pretty much want us to suck for another 4-5 years? Kinda like the sharks all those years with all those young players?
getting rid of veterans is NOT going to solve our problem – b/c even some of our young guys are not playing to their potential. Staal returned, and he’s not playing that good even after getting healed up.
No i don’t want us to suck for 4-5 years. But I’m ready for JR to deal any/all of the >30 players he can get a decent return for. Except maybe Corvo.
And how Did the Sharks turn out ?
Dreger says on his twitter feed that AWard and Walker are “available” – not sure this is old news or something specific in the works.
Hurricanes Hockey:
Never for the faint of heart.
Nor for the weak of stomach.
by Carolyn Christians on Dec 4, 2009 7:52 PM EST up reply actions
I disagree and think some of the players are must keep. Sutter is an absolute must keep. I think Cam and Gleason are, too. While has the big money contract and would bring a good return, I don’t think we could ever trade and even break even. Timmy is final about there. After this year he is going to be the solid journey man D-Man we have been wanting. Again, he wouldn’t be tradable and get an equal return. Sutter is flat out gonna be part of the future and is one of the best players we have.
I would also pose Ruutu as being a key piece. He brings an interesting skill set to the table that would be sorely missed. I’d like to see Cullen, Pits and Jussi stay, but there be some trades they could be useful in. Rodney seems like he is akeeper, would like to see him for a 20 game stretch with good minutes.
I gotta tell you that if this season taught anything is that veteran savvy means shit if they can’t play the game. I wouldn’t call the Pen’s a partucularly veteran group, but they have some good years going. Same with Chicago. The new NHL has moved the game from veterans and moved it to the skill guys. Crosby, Malkin, the Son of the knuckle dragger are all pretty young and among the most successful. Kopitar is kid and is among the points leaders of the league.
You look at our veterans and what do you see? Not much. Maybe we need to bring in compitant vet’s, but I think this squad needs to widdle down the mistakes and folly of believing the veterans can help.
I dunno, I would be in the camp of trading everybody over 30 if we can get good returns.
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
Not All Veterans are Created Equally
I agree with Paladin6 that there is a new world order in the NHL; and being a veteran in and off itself is insufficient. I continue to be mystified at the lack of winning play by the Hurricanes’ older veterans. It isn’t as if the veterans on the team are mailing in their effort which I thought was the case through much of 2006-2007.
I am convinced that in combination with key, ill-timed injuries, the wretched play by Aaron Ward, Brind’Amour, and Wallin (again I realize others may vehemently disagree with regard to Wallin’s play) had sucked the energy out of the team. Then when LaRose went into a ridiculous scoring slump, and Yelle started taking penalties, the whole losing thing spiraled out of control. What I hoped and expected was that key veterans would have responded by scoring goals.
As it is, the team is really at a pre-season level of confidence. It seems a consensus that the Hurricanes ought to use this year to trade away highly paid and under-performing veterans; and to use the draft choices and prospects obtained to build the next generation of Carolina Hurricanes. I think the law of unintended consequences is at work. Next year was going to be a rocky ride, I thought. With the collapse this year coming so early in the year, and with some luck, next year will be vastly more successful. This year can be the year that younger players get to learn the NHL ropes. Next year can be the year, the younger, faster team gets to show what they can do.
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