Everybody Needs Somebody - The Trade Deadline Approaches
by Bob Wage on Feb 23, 2009 3:01 PM EST
Email
PrintAs the trade deadline approaches, the fine line between teams being buyers or sellers is becoming more defined. Hockey fans should be looking for more trades coming up within the next week or so. If you are a fan of the Hurricanes, you probably already have an opinion of what the team needs and who could provide that help.
This morning on 850 The Buzz, Chuck Kaiton surmised that the Canes would be looking for a defenseman, disregarding the fact that they lost forward Justin Williams for at least a month. One would have to assume that if the team was looking for a defenseman, he would have to be a big, physical player. The Canes already have plenty of puck-movers and slick skaters on the roster.
Of course the addition of Jussi Jokinen has been huge because the player is talented enough and versatile enough to be moved from winger to center and be productive. But is he good enough to push the Canes over the hump?
We'll run a quick poll here. What do you think? Should the Hurricanes make a move and if so, what type of player should they target?
50 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I’m the first “no” I guess … I don’t think the future can be mortgaged for this season. One player won’t make them a Cup contender — the core guys now are the ones who can do that (if it’s possible). The one guy I think they could afford to move and not take a hit was Borer, and that’s not happening with his injuries following the bus accident.
CanesCountry.com: An Eye On Carolina Hockey
Looks like Cory and I could have a Canes Country Clash over this topic. :-)
Everything is relative of course, but I voted yes, they need a physical forward. Right now they only have Ruutu and Eaves who consistently put on a good forecheck. (If that new forward can score, that would be nice as well) Although I can see an argument made to add a big, tough defenseman to clear the crease when the need arises.
Making the playoffs is huge for the franchise financially and everything should be done within reason to make that happen, especially when the team is so close. Draft picks are a crap shoot anyway, very few stick with this organization. Just don’t trade a 1st or 2nd rounder unless you get equal value in return. (highly rated prospect)
GM of CanesCountry.com
I guess my question then is … who? And who sis for this new player?
CanesCountry.com: An Eye On Carolina Hockey
sits, not sis
CanesCountry.com: An Eye On Carolina Hockey
by Cory Lavalette on Feb 23, 2009 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
I didn’t say it would be easy, hence my disclaimer, everything is relative. But what if Erik Cole was available? Can you make room for him on the roster?
Rutherford would have to get creative, there are no clear cut choices out there. You can make room for the newcomer by trading one or two roster players, like what has been done in the past.
One might assume that Scott Walker could be back soon, but with his symptoms, he could be right back out of the lineup. He is an unknown. Williams is an unknown. Even if both of those players can come back, how effective will they be not having played in so long?
If you can pick up a decent forward, then Mike Ryan or Ryan Bayda sits.
If you had the choice, would you rather have Gary Roberts or Mark Recchi in the lineup or Mike Ryan? While Ryan has looked good, he has yet to score an NHL goal. But those are the tough decisions that have to be made.
GM of CanesCountry.com
For me, neither Roberts or Recchi are difference makers at this juncture. IMO, the team would not make the playoffs because they acquired either.
As for Cole … he has three goals in his last 17 games, doesn’t bring that physical game every night and, like I mentioned below, I’m guessing the price tag is too steep. No. 1 on my wish list (as far as what I think the team can afford to acquire as far as what they’d need to give up) is Laperriere. He can play forward or wing, will do anything to win, and brings toughness/fighting. Maybe it take a third rounder to get him, if that much. I wouldn’t be surprised if Laperriere was an influence on Gleason from their time together in L.A., either. They’re similarly wired players.
CanesCountry.com: An Eye On Carolina Hockey
by Cory Lavalette on Feb 23, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions
I would not over-pay for Cole either, I agree with you on that.
It’s tough to say what the team needs just after they won 4 of 5 games. Maybe they don’t need anything. lol
But then again, look at the teams they beat.
Laperrierre might be interesting, or how about Antoine Vermette?
GM of CanesCountry.com
What I would like to see
AO
Find a guy that hits and scores.
and never gives up.
He has carried his team. Staal did last year, I’m hoping to see him shine more.
A
Big no from me on Vermette. Just another second or third line winger to add to a team overloaded with them. He could also be another Patrick Eaves in that he really has had one or two good seasons with a team that was one of the highest scoring in the league.
I would personally love more Eaves-like guys. His contributions to the team are understated. He’s just not scoring a lot, but he hits, plays smart in his end and always hustles, plus other teams have to at least respect his skill set.
CanesCountry.com: An Eye On Carolina Hockey
by Cory Lavalette on Feb 23, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions
I said he could be like Eaves in that his scoring numbers were inflated by the team he played on, not in any other way. Also, Vermette will make $3 million next season. If we want to pay someone that to score 2 goals (like Eaves has), we might as well go ahead and figure out what to do with the #1 overall pick in 2010.
At some point we need to stop collecting all these stopgap forwards and put that money together to get a legitimate first line winger. Plug in players with entry level contracts like Sutter, Boychuk, and Bowman to fill out the depth of the roster (talking about next season now obviously).
by DaleCooper on Feb 23, 2009 6:09 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’m for a physical d-man. The change in the team’s attitude when Conboy is up is tangible. Kaberle is just taking up space at the moment, albeit paid space, so scratch away. That, and we seem to carry plenty of injuries on defense, so he wouldn’t be extra for long. We’ve got to add some size to our roster, at a reasonable price. I guess I don’t care if its on the front or back end. Defense just seemed logical because it would be easy to make room.
I am firmly against mortgaging the future. I would be fine with more of a lateral move like last year’s Commodore/Stillman for Corvo/Eaves deal. I can’t say I really understand why Kaiton thinks we would move for a d-man. We’ve got Pitkanen, Corvo, Gleason, Seidenberg, Babchuk, Wallin, Kaberle, Carson, and Rodney all able to play at the NHL level, and the first 5 in that list are doing quite well.
What we really seem to need is a forward who can get in there and finish hard and score. That said, there aren’t many of those to go around and the price will be high, so maybe it makes more sense to go for a gritty defenseman who can give us a little more physicality on the back end and will probably come at a reasonable price.
will be a steep price. Edmonton is looking for a d-man since Visnovsky went down, and I don’t think Carolina has a match there.
CanesCountry.com: An Eye On Carolina Hockey
by Cory Lavalette on Feb 23, 2009 4:02 PM EST up reply actions
NO!!!! Unless you just don’t like Ruutu…. or good Draft Picks…. The price for Cole far exceeds his worth at this point…
not to mention he is unrestricted at the end of the season and there is no way we could ever re-sign him…
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Feb 23, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions
So far the results of this poll are surprising to me. NEARLY EVERYONE seems to think that Tim Conboy needs to stay up w/ the team…. however the poll states that more people want us to trade for a physical forward… If we did then there would be no room for #38 on the team…. unless he is expected to fall back to Defense on a full-time basis… We already have almost too many forwards…. We will have Scott Walker coming back eventually….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Feb 23, 2009 4:07 PM EST reply actions
Walker has barely produced points all year. Do you think he will be up to snuff, even if he is 100% healthy?
GM of CanesCountry.com
Williams as well I think it’s tough to count on either of them, otherwise you have last year all over again. Players coming back from injuries who aren’t ready or who have not regained their touch yet.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Scott Walker has never put up huge Numbers….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Feb 23, 2009 5:16 PM EST up reply actions
BTW, I love Detroit. I think Liddy and Rafalski are the best D duo in the league. It’s awsome to watch. They ain’t big and don’t hit much. The puck isn’t in thier zone long enough for any nasty to go down. I think our D core can be that good in maybe two seasons together. What we need is a scappy little sucker like Holmstrom or Franzen. Ruutu may be that guy….
I voted for a scorer, but I think unless something huge comes around, we are going to see this team working thier ass off trying to sign Ruutu and Larose, I don’t see a trade that would come close to keeping those two guys.
A
Physical Forward
Reason – powerplay. To make the final push for the PO’s, we have to start clicking on the powerplay. Our PP looks the best when we are moving the puck and screening the netminder, letting Corvo or Babs (even Sieds) shoot. Only a few guys (mainly Ruutu) are willing to go to the front of the net and take a pounding so Corvo and Babchuck can unleash their bombs. I think we could defiantly use a physical forward who is not afraid to get in front of the net and take a beating.
I’m not quite sure of the numbers, but I can almost guarantee that the ’Canes are in the top 3 teams in the east (probably top 5 in the nhl) at drawing penalties. That is where we have a definite advantage. However, we just don’t take advantage (hello…0 for 8 or whatever it was).
Put a big physical forward in there and I’m betting the PP takes off.
that PP help may be in the works
I’d like to see Sutter rotated in. I think the guys we played were playing well, just didn’t burn up the twine. I think the way they moved it around it’s just a matter of time and timing and we get a PP that is deadly. Remember most all of these lines and pairings haven’t even got a season together. I’m really kinda liking what I am seeing. The other thing I notice, is Mo is having fun. For a guy with no certain future, that gave up Lavi sit on your ass paychecks, that says something. Love him or hate him, he ain’t stupid. I think he sees the potential of the team. Just is he the guy that will get them to become more than the individuals. I think with the latest news, this team still has a shot at making the PO’s. I think we can win the division, but, Boston is going to the big dance from the East. I’m betting Detroit will be the team from the west, don’t think the sharks can take them 4 outta 7. A divisional win will go along long way to signing LaRose and Ruutu. I think next year, as long as nobody screws the pooch, this team with a year and a PO berth behind them, get it together. We have way more depth than any division rival and stand pretty well in the conf. I dunno, I’d call it a wait and see.
A
Stats
The canes are #1 in the NHL in Power Play oppotunities, but 6th worst in league in PP% (converting on the man advantage).
I am just not sold that “we have the guys, but we can quite put it together”. Just a little help on the PP would go a long way in helping us make the PO’s. IMO, the reason that PP% is near the bottom is because we are missing another guy (other than Ruutu) who will wreak havoc above the crease on the man advantage.
Also the help is needed now, if we want to make the playoffs; we have to get better NOW on the PP. Not wait until the guys we have can put it all together.
Just my opinion
Deadline
We are 21st in scoring and 25th in PP scoring. The playoffs are all about special teams
and goaltending (Canes are 15th in goals against). All the Patrick Eaves and Ryan Baydas of the world won’t get it done. Either a playmaker (like Recchi) or a forward with attitude willing to take the punishment can make a difference.
On the back end, one physical stay at home banger (like Aaron Ward) would be a huge help. Unfortunately for us, Ward plays in Boston now.
I don’t see JR willing to spend the $, players and/or draft choices to make a deal that
really helps.
what about in no special order:
antropov?
ryan smyth?
tkachuk
colby armstrong,
scottie upshall?
just names rumored to be being shopped
The question is, are you willing to give up a lot? And are you wiling to sacrifice the re-signing of Ruutu? Or even trading Ruutu to get one of these guys? The price for Antropov is supposedly a first, and he’s the bottom half of that list in value.
It’s easy to say add this guy, bring on more salary, but the reality is the team is on a budget and unless the team looks like a legit contender (like when they added Weight and Recchi) PK is not going to allow a significant amount of salary to be added on.
CanesCountry.com: An Eye On Carolina Hockey
by Cory Lavalette on Feb 23, 2009 7:53 PM EST up reply actions
I had this horrid dream last night that we traded Ruutu and Gleason for Tkachuk
by Andrea's evil twin on Feb 24, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions
We need a goal scorer
Somone who can create and put it in the net. We know that our defense will be solid under Maurice, but our offensive system flounders when not hitting on all cylinders. We need someone who can create opportunities if the forecheck isn’t clicking, or the passing isn’t quite there. Don’t ask me who, the poll question was just “what.”
Still not a crook!
"Who"
Cullen is having a time at a level few other players ever attain. Ray and Sami move the biscuit as well or better than most. Staal has to bang out points, not just be a threat. We need what Rod used to be to fill it out. I like the D minus Wallin and Kaberle. I think they just need a little time together. Boston’s about the best team in the league and we played them well for 55 minutes.
A
I voted for physical forward just because the Williams/Walker injuries might leave a little space up front, but I don’t think it matters whether it’s a forward or defenseman. We just need physical presences in front of the net at both ends, and I’m not sure how long they’ll keep Conboy up here… If they keep him up here, we might not really need anything. Except to make sure we sign Rosie and Ruu at the end of the season.
by Andrea's evil twin on Feb 23, 2009 8:23 PM EST reply actions
we have room...
and lots of it…… on the blue line. (IMHO) there are three spots that can be vacated at the drop of a dime. Ill keep Sieds on as a number 6 and Babs if we have to. But there is room to be had back there. We have room up front aswell. But I think a fast Dman that is solid in his own end and is physical will have a bigger impact for this club.
but where to find said player?
by CarolinaCanes on Feb 23, 2009 9:04 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t forget that Jamie McBain, Brett Carson, Bryan Rodney and (hopefully) Casey Borer are all in the wings, and I’m sure JR regrets still having Wallin and Kaberle on the payorll when he could have cheaper (and arguably better) with the team. With Corvo, Pitkanen and Gleason all signed thru at least next season (plus Wallin and Kaberle, though i wouldn’t be surprised if one or both were bought out), plus Seidenberg (UFA) and Babchuk (RFA) as possibilities, I think the team will be very careful about overstocking the blueline when there is some solid talent available at a good price.
Conboy, fwiw, is more an Ian White type IMO, who will fill in on D if needed but will prolly be a fourth-line winger on his one-way deal next season.
CanesCountry.com: An Eye On Carolina Hockey
by Cory Lavalette on Feb 23, 2009 9:12 PM EST up reply actions
Doesn't the current administration
seem to be against enforcers? Perhaps Conboy is a little more versatile than Brookbank was, but Jim and Mo seem to shy away from tough guys.
Still not a crook!
I think the thing Conboy has is his versatility and that he can actually play a bit (Brookbank couldn’t, IMO). He’s also got that bit of crazy in him — he bangs bodies when he gets out there and isn’t scared of anyone so he brings energy. Brookbank kind of trolled the ice and just waited for a fight.
CanesCountry.com: An Eye On Carolina Hockey
by Cory Lavalette on Feb 23, 2009 10:12 PM EST up reply actions
sure … Boulerice, Langdon, Grimson, Scott Daniel, Kelly Chase …
CanesCountry.com: An Eye On Carolina Hockey
by Cory Lavalette on Feb 24, 2009 8:33 AM EST up reply actions
Sorry, I should clarify – I was just thinking for the rest of this season (and playoffs!!), not long-term (just to the end of the season when I would hope signing R&R would be the highest priority – but making it to the playoffs would help with that too)
by Andrea's evil twin on Feb 23, 2009 9:44 PM EST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Wild’s Marek Zidlicky drinks Lou’s Kool-Aid, waives no-trade for Devils
- Tuesday’s Three Stars: 4-spots for Kovalchuk, Spezza; who throws a strawberry on the ice?
- Henrik Lundqvist survives Zdeno Chara shot to back of head for save of year candidate (VIDEO)
- Red Wings set NHL record with 21 straight home wins; Steve Ott: ‘That’s a phenomenal feat’
- Puck Previews: Red Wings go for wins record; Brian Boyle hates Bruins; Ruutu out 3 weeks
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Wings set NHL record with 21 straight wins at home
- WHL Roundup: A look at Tuesday's games
- Gallagher has hat trick and SO winner, leads Giants over Americans 5-4
- Thunderbirds end seven-game home losing streak with 4-3 SO win over Rockets
- Nabokov makes 37 saves, Parenteau scores winner as Islanders beat Jets 3-1
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
