Hurricanes Newsstand — May 29
by Cory Lavalette on May 29, 2009 12:57 PM EDT
in Hurricanes Newsstand
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PrintThe Carolina Hurricanes players and front office continue their exit interviews today. The general vibe seems to be that the team would like the same group back next season, and the players who have the option to leave want to stay.
Right now everyone is saying all the right things. But as they say, money talks. But players like Jussi Jokinen, who got his groove back in Raleigh playing with two fellow Finns, and Erik Cole, who returned to the team that drafted him after less than a season in Edmonton, would likely look beyond the dollar signs to stay with the Canes.
Also, Peter Laviolette is pursuing the Minnesota Wild's coaching vacancy, telling the Star-Tribune:
"It's a terrific, prime position for whoever gets the opportunity there, but nothing at this point officially has happened yet. I'm definitely interested in coaching again. Minnesota is one of the premier jobs out there, so if there was a possibility, it's certainly something I'd like to explore."
Canes Country: Highlights of Jim Rutherford Press Conference • Hurricanes’ First Offseason Acquisition? New HD Scoreboard For RBC Center
News & Observer: Expect Canes captain to return • Jokinen hopes to return • Focus turns to coaches • Canes start next task • Cole expects to be back • Tough timing for Cullen • Wallin, Corvo talk defense
CarolinaHurricanes.com: Cole Expects to Return Next Season • Coming Back a No-Brainer for Captain • Jokinen Hoping to Stay • Rutherford/Maurice Conference Notes • Exit Interview Videos
WRALSportsFan.com: Stories, video and audio
850 The Buzz: Brind’Amour Will Have To Fight For Spot?
Puck Daddy: The breaking of Cam Ward • Eulogy: Remembering the 2008-09 Carolina Hurricanes
Yahoo! Sports: Cowher underfire for supporting Hurricanes against Pens
Star Tribune: Laviolette in the hunt for Wild coaching job
St. Paul Pioneer Press: New Minnesota Wild GM Chuck Fletcher taking his time to find a new head coach
Post-Bulletin: Laviolette in the hunt for Wild GM position
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I’m not trying to hate on Lavi or anything, but the idea of him taking over such a defensive minded hockey club is absolutely LAUGHABLE.
But that might be
just what the Wild need.
Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!
I try not to get involved in
“As the Puck Turns”, but I take it Lavi’s leaving was not as amicable as Mo’s first bye-bye?
Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!
how much longer
is Lavi on the Canes payroll?
Maybe Colorado would enjoy the big hair?
Sutter sounds ready to move out of NJ (by mutual agreement). Who else is in the market for a coach? Seems like they’re all in the West. I don’t pay attention as much to those headlines.
by Carolyn Christians on May 29, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Two years...
Although in some cases, that payment ends if/when he gets another coaching job.
by MichaelProcton on May 29, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
ugh. Seems like it would healthier for everyone for him to get a real job; we all need to put this one behind it. Kind of alimony.
I thought the exit interviews provided some insight to how the players felt about the December change. I inferred that they all were really struggling, mentally mostly, under Lavi and that they believed that Mo’s arrival (w/Francis, Rowe,et al) was about the best thing that ever could have happened to them, not only as a team, but individually. There was definitely a feeling a gratitude about that move from almost everyone who mentioned it. It was real obvious in Rosey’s comments.
by Carolyn Christians on May 29, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
If you read what Criag Leopold, who sold the Preds and bought the Wild, is saying, he wants a more up-tempo team. That sounds like Lavi.
by Cory Lavalette on May 29, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s exactly the reason why they would hire him. That style has worn out its welcome for the most part in Minnesota. Unfortunately for them if they make this move it’s probably too little too late to entice Gaborik back.
Agreed Dale. As far as experienced guys, it’s really only Lavi, MacTavish, Dave Lewis … who would you pick?
by Cory Lavalette on May 29, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
From TTS
Maybe a little insight to what Mr Rutherford’s thinking on the RFA and UFA’s
Reading to the end and perhaps between the lines, LaRose, Cole, Ruutu and Jokinen are staying. Bayda, Babchuk and Seidenburg are much more likely to move on.
Last, love this quote from Ruutu when asked about his connection with the fans (keep in mind there’s not much about Tuomo I don’t love):
“Every time you get a chance to hit, you have to hit because you know they love it, and they’re going to cheer for it” he said. “When (my parents) came over they were a little surprised at what was going on because they were booing at you, but I told them it’s not booing.”
Yep. Definitely, not booing.
RUUUUUUU!
by Carolyn Christians on May 29, 2009 1:51 PM EDT reply actions
Bubba, Scott and I will soon have a UFA/RFA primer of what we think will go down. FWIW, my list matches what you’ve posted above.
by Cory Lavalette on May 29, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Cool with me. Also sounds from Cole’s interview that they could offer him anything north of $1.5mil and he’s gonna sign it (I exaggerate only slightly). He also sounds ready to improve his game and earn his place. Definitely more humble than I would have expected.
by Carolyn Christians on May 29, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Thay haven’t put anything up for Kaberle, Walker or Conboy either. Has Babchuk already had his interview with JR? Walker and Conboy are done deals. Wonder what the plans are for Kaberle.
I thought it was interesting to see Wallin side-by-side with Corvo. Wallin almost seemed like a mentor for Corvo, who was a lot less certain about how to answer questions and hadn’t quite put the Penguins debacle behind him. (it was hard not to remember that 2nd intermission interview with VS from Game 3)
Bayda’s talk was very brief and didn’t really focus on the future of the Canes either. Not a real confident session.
by Carolyn Christians on May 29, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I wonder if Babchuk’s influency in English has something to do with that. The few times I’ve seen him interviewed, he seemed really nervous.
by nomadologist on May 29, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Sovietsky Sport 21 May 2009 -
Washington forward Michael Nylander and Carolina defenseman Frantisek Kaberle might become players for Avangard Omsk this summer.
Apparently...
There’s a possibility, if a buyout can’t be reached or a trade can’t be made, that we could loan him to a KHL team and get some cap relief. I’d imagine that’d also cut back on the payroll as well.
by MichaelProcton on May 30, 2009 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions
As a Canes follower, I would never concern myself with the cap. They’re more concerned with actual dollars.
by Cory Lavalette on May 30, 2009 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Right...
But I wouldn’t think we would pay the full salary if he wasn’t playing for us, yes?
by MichaelProcton on May 31, 2009 3:35 AM EDT up reply actions
I imagine he’s either be loaned or suspended. In either case, he’d come off the cap.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 1, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually,
I thought it was Wallin and Kaberle that showed the best poise in the series vs the guys who I want them to lose to the Dead Things
Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!
Easier to show poise against third and fourth liners for half as much ice time.
by Cory Lavalette on May 29, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Like it – and that’s a pretty good team isn’t it (I’ve heard it more than once – like maybe Jagr’s team?)
by Carolyn Christians on May 29, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
bubba, do you think if larose gets the raise here in carolina that he might hit a little bit of a plateau coming off the signing and needing to find his role now that he isnt so “undrrated”?
does he continue to move his feet and fight the way he did even though he doesnt need to (contract and reputationwise) maybe as much because of his recent spotlight?
If Chad LaRose becomes complacent then I think we have bigger problems to worry about, like the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
Chad has always struck me as a very hard worker, so I doubt that will ever stop. But he might have reached a plateau regarding his goal scoring. That can happen to any player, but regarding his skating and work ethic, I would be shocked if Chad changed much after a long term contract.
But one never knows. That’s the risk a GM takes with a 3 year deal.
GM of CanesCountry.com
He was only moved up off the 4th line in JANUARY!
He could easily hit 25 or even 30 goals if he’s playing top 9 minutes for 82 games.
by MichaelProcton on May 30, 2009 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions
But it’s not like his production skyrocketed when he was given more ice time. From the beginning of the season to Dec. 31, he had 9 goals in 37 games. From Jan. 2 to the end of the season, he had 11 goals in 44 games. And he made no improvement in his assist total from the previous seasons, even though he played in 81 games games this season. and only 58 last season. He produced at 0.23 goals per game this season and 0.19 last season, not a huge increase. I don’t see him becoming a consistent 20 goal, top-six forward. He’s a great third-liner and penalty killer, and can jump into a scoring role if need be, but I think he’s always going to be a role player. I don’t say that to belittle him; I just hope that GMs around the league realize that and don’t try to throw big money at him thinking he’s about to break out and become a consistent 20-25 goal sniper. I’d love to see him back with the Canes for a few more years at $1-1.5 million per.
by nomadologist on May 30, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Chad averaged 15 minutes a game this season. That was eighth among forwards … so he was in a top nine role (and Cole was 7th, but be replaced Williams .. so that’s a wash). Cullen averaged about 1:30 more, but played in 12 fewer games … and outscored him by three goals and 12 points. Sorry, but I’d be shocked if Chad ever broke 20.
by Cory Lavalette on May 30, 2009 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Fine...
But you have to think about how much of that time was spent on the PK. He was fifth in that category behind Brindy, Staal, Eaves, and Bayda, and his ratio (9.4%) of time spent on the kill was third behind only Eaves (14.2%) and Bayda (17.3%.)
by MichaelProcton on May 31, 2009 4:01 AM EDT up reply actions
And the Cullen comparison is pretty unfair...
When you consider that Cullen spent 142 minutes on the PP to Chad’s 38. That’s almost four times the minutes, and it’s barely more than Eaves or Bayda got.
by MichaelProcton on May 31, 2009 4:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Chad doesn’t belong on the PP … that’s why he has zero career power play goals. I don’t see any way he ever becomes a 25-goal guy … this year, IMO, was his banner year. That doesn’t mean there isn’t value to what he does (there is), b/c his hustle and PK skills are great. He just doesn’t have great hands. Go back and watch all his goals from the year on NHL.com … I’d be there aren’t a whole lot of wrist shots that beat the goalie or deke moves. Most are garbage goals. They’re worth the same as pretty goals, but Larose isn’t exactly Tomas Holmstrom in size. He’ll be hard-pressed to match 19 unless he manages an absurd amount shorthanded. Again, not a knock on what he brings … but Chad knows what he does well.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 1, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Sounds like we have a “Clash” on our hands.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 2, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree w/ Bubba … Chad will always be a hustle guy, I think. But to expect 19 goals down the road might be much. He had a lot of “right place, right time” goals, and not a whole lot of “wow, what a shot” efforts. It says a lot that he scored 19 on pretty much effort.
by Cory Lavalette on May 29, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Chad's whole game depends on hustle
hck, his survival out there, at his size, depends on being the fastest, first to the puck, get out of the way, and be the one who hits instead of get hits.
If he slacks off, someone will break him into little pieces.
by DidJussiThat? on May 29, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
DId you see the Fan Poll on the ’Canes homepage asking who we most want to see back next year? LaRose way out in front (37%), then Jussi and Ruutu (about 24% each), with Cole bringing up the last place at 15%. Ouch.
Interesting that Seidenburg, Babchuk, and Bayda are not a choice. (0% chance I’d say)
by Carolyn Christians on May 29, 2009 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I can’t imagine a logical person wanting Chad more than Tuomo. Nothing against Chad, but Ruutu is a speciman.
by Cory Lavalette on May 30, 2009 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
"Ruutu is a specimen"
hahahaha love this description, hope you don’t mind if I use it myself sometime ;-)
by Jamie Kellner on May 31, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
of course … if Tuomo was a baseball player, he’d be called a “five-tool guy.” Not much he doesn’t do well, he just needs to put it all together.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 1, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
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