Highlights of Jim Rutherford Press Conference
by Bob Wage on May 29, 2009 2:02 AM EDT
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PrintCarolina Hurricanes General Manager Jim Rutherford held his end of season press conference yesterday. While there were not any bombshells dropped, you could read between the lines a bit to see what the direction of the franchise will be this offseason.
When asked if the team got lucky at the end, or is this really a good team?
This is a good team. But most importantly, the team has a lot of character and heart. They have a will to win.
When asked if Rod Brind'Amour would have to earn a spot next year at training camp?
Nothing here but Ward and Staal is cast in stone. With the emergence of Jokinen this past season and having Brandon Sutter, our depth at center is now better than ever. For the first time in his career, Rod will not be slotted in a position when the season starts. He will have to fight for a job and earn his ice time in training camp just like everyone else. Spots are wide open in training camp.
After being asked repeatedly if they were going to sign Paul Maurice to a new contract?
The goal is to bring back the entire coaching staff intact. It's just not an automatic though because we are still in the interview process. They have good chemistry and we were very pleased with the way they worked together. Jeff Daniels will return as head coach at Albany. Even though the team did not make the playoffs, we think that he did an outstanding job there.
When asked about Erik Cole?
When we traded for Cole, we lacked size and needed to improve team speed. Those needs have not changed. While his performance was disappointing in the playoffs, it does not make him a bad player, nor does it eliminate him from being re-signed next season. But as with any of the free agents, it depends upon how much their agents have them valued at.
When asked which prospects would have the best chance to make the team next season?
Well, Conboy will be there for certain. He already has a one-way deal. Rodney and Carson have both played very well and should be in the mix. But who we are most excited about is our next group, Boychuk, Bowman, and Mike Murphy. The hard thing will be to determine if they are better off staying here, or getting more experience at a lower level.
Listen to the entire interview here and check out the player interviews as well.
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He’s always up late doing stuff … better man than me!
by Cory Lavalette on May 29, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Way Off Topic
I think I found a new hockey place to blog on.
“Winging it in Motown”
Sorry Bubba and Cory, they have a picture of one of their site managers. Her name is Christy and she’s real cute. I don’t think you guys could compare.
Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!
also off topic:
with all the talk about players going to the khl
when does the hockey world take note and do a champions league ala european soccer.
or maybe just a “world series” between the nhl champ and the khl champ.
The majority of players going there are also-rans in the NHL. Outside of Radulov (and I guess Zednik), the KHL is getting players on the downside or peeking over the hill.
by Cory Lavalette on May 29, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions
The trend seems to be toward the KHL trying to woo current NHL players though. Sure, guys like Federov are not exactly at the height of their powers, but it seems like the eventual goal is to be able to compete for the top talent. Curious to see how this develops in the coming years. Would a thriving KHL be good or bad to the NHL?
I mean, I don’t really know much about the biz of big time sports, but from what little I know about the KHL, it’s conceivable that they could expand into Scandinavia or Eastern Europe as well, right? But, I don’t think they’re that big yet, looking at the team stats on Wikipedia, they play in rather small arenas, which i guess would limit the revenue somewhat.
It's a Putin pipe dream,
literally. Built off of oil from the Arctic shelf.
Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!
They’ve already had problems paying their players and instituted pay cuts across the board. The KHL isn’t nearly the concern it was a year ago. Many would say the SEL is still a better league, too.
by Cory Lavalette on May 29, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
although both Fedorov and Kozlov from Washington claim they are going to the KHL next year. Perhaps a negotiation ploy?
and Jack Johnson as well :-)
GM of CanesCountry.com
Sounds like Jokinen is all but a done deal. They have him on our center depth chart already for next year.
agreed. Rutherford mentioned his name two or three times yesterday, plus Jussi is very happy here. Seems like just a formality to get him signed.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Think this could maybe get us a team Finn discount on Ruutu as well?
I hope so
by Iggy Reilly on May 29, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
The best thing Jussi has going for him
is his ability to play either wing as well as center and do them well. That is a huge bonus.
Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!
it’s easy — after the overtime-only playoffs — to forget about his shootout abilities, too … those are points in the standings that he contributes to.
by Cory Lavalette on May 29, 2009 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Exit interviews
They’ve also started putting the videos from today up on CanesVision. Did these sessions really not happen “at all” last year thanks to Laviolette? Unquestionably such a great way to close out the season and get everyone focused on the goals for next year.
This has gotta put the players in a much better mind-frame over the summer break than last year when they were left to stew on the what-ifs and disappointment from the way the 07/08 season ended. I predict this will be one awesome and exciting training camp come September.
Also – very cool that they’re (the Hurricanes) posting them online. After the ride they took us on since December hearing their “insiders” viewpoint adds a lot.
Can’t wait to buy the DVD (hope they make one like they did in 06)
by Carolyn Christians on May 29, 2009 12:41 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah- these interviews are awesome. As a fan I love to hear what is going on so I too am in a better mind frame over summer break. I definitely feel more informed this year about the direction they are headed in.
by PittsburghCaniac on May 29, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s pretty hardcore about what Rutherford said regarding Brind’amour. I’m all for Roddy retiring so we can get some youth in there but I didn’t expect Rutherford to cast our captain in with all the guys struggling to make the team. I’m glad to see it. Sounds to me like it will come down to Sutter and Brind’amour battling it out for our final Center position. If Sutter beats him, what happens to Rod? Forced retirement? We cut him?
I’m glad to hear that Jussi’s probably coming back. I’m most nervous about getting both LaRose and Ruutu back. The fact that Rutherford said Conboy is a lock to make the team makes me more nervous that we’ll get both Rosie and Ruutu.
I’m also excited to see Bowman and Boychuck…any info on Mike Murphy?
If making a team means "paying one's dues"
That would be a group that Conboy is on
Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!
I think Rod would hang ‘em up if he feels like he doesn’t have a chance to earn third-line minutes. Jokinen is a winger, too, so don’t count Rod out of that spot.
Conboy’s a lock b/c he has a one-way deal this year … he gets paid the same no matter what. That doesn’t mean he couldn’t be a scratch.
I think Boychuk will make the team, Bowman won’t. I’m curious to see Murphy again. I talked to him a couple times in person before the season at prospect and training camp and he is so thin. I think he needs to get bigger, but the kid can stop pucks. He’ll need pro experience, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he leapfrogged Peters in 2010-11.
by Cory Lavalette on May 29, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
When, in your opinion, does Peters or Murphy replace Leighton as back up for Wardo?
I’m not counting Rod out, and I really hope he can return to form. He just struggled mightily this season. I mean his plus minus rating was awful and he just looked so slow and out of sorts when I watched him. Maybe I’m being to critical of him, but I know I’m not the only one of this opinion. I just don’t want to see a situation where he takes a spot away from a younger more talented kid who could be more productive for us.
Why don’t you think Bowman will make the team? Isn’t he a year older than Boychuk…I believe I heard from either you or Bubba that he had the most upside of the two. Is Sutter going to make the team and will he ever be anything more than a 3rd line center?
I like Bowman better, Cory prefers Boychuk. Bowman did not have a great camp last year, but I think they both have an equal shot to make the team. Depends who has their A game this fall.
I believe Murphy will be backup in another year. 2010-2011. Leighton is on board for next year.
GM of CanesCountry.com
You can't use words like "slow" and "out of sorts..."
Without even mentioning that he’s an old player who was coming back very quickly from a pair of knee surgeries.
by MichaelProcton on May 30, 2009 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Tough call. Murphy will still be so young in two seasons (he’s just 20 now) that they might think him playing games in the A will be more valuable than him backing up Ward. Peters may never get to the NHL, so they might look to FA after this year for a fill-in until Murphy is ready. 2004 draft pick Magnus Akerlund is a dark horse. He’s playing in the SEL as a backup and could be one of those guys who comes out of nowhere.
by Cory Lavalette on May 30, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn't say it was negative...
He just said that he still has the capacity to be a valuable palyer and that he doesn’t have a preconceived notion of what his value will be.
Murphy will probably battle to be the #1 in Albany, and if he doesn’t win that job, he’ll probably go to Florida to play more often.
by MichaelProcton on May 30, 2009 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions
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