Crowded on the Front Line - What's Next for Jim Rutherford?
by Bob Wage on Jul 15, 2009 12:30 AM EDT
62 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes made a nice acquisition on Tuesday when they signed Tom Kostopoulos to a three year deal. By all accounts the forward is a gritty player who loves to hit, grinds along the boards, and is responsible in his own end. But how does this move shore up a depleted blueline? Only General Manager Jim Rutherford knows for sure.
If the Hurricanes can get Tuomo Ruutu to put his John Hancock on a piece of paper, they suddenly go from being a fragile team, (like many considered them to be at the beginning of last year), to being a physical team. Ruutu can hit with the best of them. Erik Cole doesn't mind using his body. Chad LaRose might not knock many off their feet, but he sure gives the effort. And now "Tommy the Greek" joins the fray.
But where does Kostopoulos fit? Assuming the Canes can bring back Ruutu, the forward lines would look something like this:
- Staal, Cole, Ruutu
- Cullen, Whitney, Samsonov
- Brind'Amour, Walker, LaRose
- Jokinen, Eaves, Kostopoulos
(Tim Conboy has a one way contract and would be a good healthy extra to be used if needed)
Not too shabby, eh? Mix and match those players any way you want to, it really does not matter. So what's the problem? Look how much money is invested in the fourth line. The franchise simply can not afford to spend so much in that area and go cheap on the blueline.
With the players currently under contract, the total amount committed so far is about 47 million. That just leaves about three million in the budget to sign Ruutu and another defenseman or two. Can it be done? Anything is possible because budgets are made to be broken, but conventional wisdom would seem to indicate that one of the above forwards will be moved. But who?
Could Rutherford be thinking about moving the tough negotiating Ruutu for a high level defenseman? If the Finn is demanding a one year deal, the Canes could very well lose him the following year as he tests the open market. It might benefit the club to trade him for an experienced defenseman who has already signed for multiple years.
Or maybe the GM will be able to pair up the oft-injured Patrick Eaves and disgruntled Anton Babchuk and trade them for a defenseman? There is also talk about buying out Frantisek Kaberle and that might free up some much needed cash for the team.
This is the time of year that Jim Rutherford earns his paycheck.
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interesting move
This one definitely caught me off guard. And I’m with you Bubba, that’s not the sort of 4th line that we are all that used to seeing in Carolina under our budget restrictions. (I sort of think Brind ‘Amour or Walker could end up on the 4th line, but as you said, we could all move them around any way we want, and not have any idea how it will actually shake out, it’s still pretty strong).
It will be very interesting to see how things shake out in the coming days and weeks.
Rutherford seems to be very keen on moving the pieces around in intriquing ways this off season.
We still need to address the blueline for sure.
Could the Canes be looking strongly at Conboy as a defenseman next season, or maybe they are convinced a couple of the young guys are NHL ready out of the gate. Would think we would need at least one veteran guy, a 3-6 to plug into the mix.
I’m thinking there has got to be a trade in the works here somewhere.
I really hope this is in no way an indication of how things are going with Ruutu.
Could be totally unrelated of course.
Definitely seems like the kids are going to spend a full season, or at least most of the year, together down in Albany. Which would be a nice luxury to have.
The wheels are turning for sure.
-m
What's the chance???
A winger won’t be moved? I think the team was burned a little last year when they missed Cullen and Walker for a while. Maybe this is a depth move and a nod to how worn out they looked against the Pens. I hope so. You know, they lost money all those years but were in the black last year and 2006. Maybe the Big K has allowed Rutherford a larger budget. It would be nice to see what Rutherford could do with extra cash since he does so well with such restrictions all the time.
Love, love, love the Canes!
With Boychuk and Bowman available for use (among others), I don’t think depth will be an issue, even with a trade.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 15, 2009 8:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Then again...
It’s tough to plug in rookies and expect no dropoff.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 15, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
JR at his best!
That’s what I love about JR he is so unpredictable and usually manages to make the right moves. I still hope he can make a trade with Eaves, he did the least as a winger for what he is paid for this team last season. I love this signing of the “Greek”, I hope he’s not part of some kind of trade package where he never puts on a Cane jersey.
I have a stupid question, can Rutuu play in a defensive postion? To me he has all the qualities of a good defenseman except size, but when has that ever stopped him?
Has a known winger in the NHL moved to a defensive position before and did well, or is that just unheard of in the NHL?
I like what Mo said last year about the 3rd and 4th lines not being set in stone and it was game to game. I noticed if a player on the 3rd or 4th line did well in a game, Mo would sometimes move them up to 1st and 2nd line minutes the next game to see if they could consistantly prove themself, it they didn’t they were back where they were. It’s fun in the summer to project the 3rd and 4th lines, but some people seriously think that it is set in stone which players will be on those lines. It’s all about how their playing in the season.
I can see the biggest argument about some thinking Brindy should be on the 3rd line, while others think he should be on the 4th line, the point is mute until the season starts.
C
The only example I can think of....
is Sergei Fedorov, though he of course played the pivot originally. But, when injuries and team need dictated Bowman moved the Russian to the back end.
Doubt this would happen with Rutuu, though. God I hope we get him signed, heck I’ll even take the one year offer if need be. Rutuu prolly believes that he has yet to reach his potential as an offensive forward. Another year playing with Staal certainly wouldn’t hurt his chances of hitting 30 goals.
IMO a trade is definitely in the works, and doesn’t involve Rutuu. My wife may stalk and inflict harm upon JR if Ruuts is not signed!
She’ll be leading an angry mob (I’ll be at her right hand).
And JR knows that.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 15, 2009 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Sami Kapanen played some D for Phily a while back. Brent Burns in Minnisota was a natural center when he broke into the league, if I’m not mistaken.
Also, Scott Walker was drafted as a defenseman and played his first NHL season as a defenseman.
You don’t see guys switching between defense and forward very often; the most common thing is for a seventh defenseman to see time on on the 4th line as a winger. Laviolette did this a lot with Seidenberg, Kaberle, and Conboy (and as we know Maurice uses Conboy as a forward, as well).
by nomadologist on Jul 15, 2009 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve always sort of hoped that Brent Burns would somehow end up in Carolina.
Although that is partially because I’m geeked on his reptile collection….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jul 15, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
FWIW, some think Riseborough and Lemaire shuffling Burns back and forth was part of the reason for a regime change …. he’s too young to be jerking around like that, esp. when he’s so promising as a D.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 15, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
He is a good young player. I’ve always thought he was the type of player and person who would fit nicely w/ out tea.
But I’m not the GM….
Plus he has an awesome reptile collection
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jul 15, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
That is quite a video. I’m tyring to think of some funny hockey metaphor for when he feeds the rats to the snakes – dangling them whole till the snakes lunge for them. But I’m a little too queasy for humor.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 15, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Hmmmm, JR traded Cole last year so do you think he is actually afraid of the repercussions of trading Ruutu?
by hotchipsnsalsa on Jul 15, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Ruutu was performing; Cole wasn't anymore.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 15, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
And I think hotchips’ point was that JR brought Cole back, almost like he was trying to correct a mistake from the summer trade for Pitkanen (who is valued certainly!). Perhaps with that lesson, Ruutu is not going to be traded no matter what we can get for him.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 15, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I read it as commentary on his consideration to fan feelings and sentimentality.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 15, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Good point – maybe the ESPN magazine recognition is allowing him to “feel the Caniac love” as a clear moneymaker (and I do think he’s not as hard-nosed an many GM’s). JR’s comments on 850 the Buzz yesterday morning addressed that a bit.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 15, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Federov and Kapanen were both elite skaters … a couple of the fastest in the league in their prime. That allowed for better recovery time with mistakes. Federov was also one of the best defensive forwards of the era, and Sami was no slouch. Ruutu, while not a bad skater, is no where in their class in speed or defensive acumen.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 15, 2009 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions
I doubt we would have done the legwork on a Kostopoulos signing if we were just going to trade him immediately.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 15, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d love to be a fly in the wall in Rutherford’s office this week. Summer is his season to shine.
Interesting comments from JR describing TommyK reported by Chip Alexander/ the N&O this morning.
“He’s a tenacious player. He’s Chad LaRose — not as good a skater but bigger. He has that kind of energy. He’ll fit in well.”
And then this:
Rutherford said the signing of Kostopoulos did not preclude the Hurricanes re-signing fourth-line banger Ryan Bayda, an unrestricted free agent. Bayda has been offered a two-way contract, Rutherford said, but elected to test the open free-agent market. “We’re keeping that door open with the two-way offer,” he said. “Ryan is a real useful player and a good guy. If we can keep him in our organization, we will, but unfortunately for him we wanted to get a little bigger.”
That $50 million ceiling is starting to look a little like smoke and mirrors.
Question: on one of these links that people have shared here the last week showing NHL team cap/salary totals, it said that an NHL roster should have 22 names. Is 22 a fixed number or a minimum? How many healthy scratches can we have, if we can’t ship them to Albany?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
Here’s an article on roster rules: http://predators.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=368222&page=NewsPage&service=page
“Teams have four different "roster" limits to balance under the league’s regulations; a 20-player "dressed list" for games, a 23-player active NHL roster, a 50-contract maximum, and a 90-player maximum reserve list.”
by nomadologist on Jul 15, 2009 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions
This article mentions that there's no limit to the NHL roster size after the trade deadline.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 15, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Then again, you can't just look at the NHL number on two-way signings.
There’s no way they budget for that full amount.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 15, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Canes Now landed an interview with Kostopoulos and has it posted this morning
He’s pretty excited to be coming here and has lots of positive things to say.
Here’s a teaser:
“Everything I’ve heard about the organization is that it’s a great organization that treats its players very well,” the veteran forward said this morning. “I understand it’s a beautiful place to live, where everyone is so friendly and the fans are great.
And it’s an exciting team. It was probably the most exciting team to watch in the playoffs last season.”
.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
I read that before coming here
He seems like he’s got a great head on his shoulders. He’s already trying to make good with the team/management/fans. That commitment coupled with his physical play should allow the Canes to still pot plenty of goals but to also give out punishment as well. Should help in those games against Philly, Boston, Pittsburgh, and maybe most importantly Washington and Tampa. It should help them to be better able to compete in the playoffs when the game gets tight and physical. This signing makes me happy that Hardichuk decided not to sign with the Canes last year.
TommyK is supposed to be on 99.9 during lunch hour. I’m streaming at wralsportsfan.com.
Compare and contrast his comments with Babchuk’s.
TK said all the RIGHT things – including praising Ward as top goalie in the NHL. Way to suck up to your goalie – smart dude!
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 15, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
what does this mean for sutter?
i was thinking he was going to play a much larger role this year…apparently not? Kinda hate for him right now.
That's a good question.
I haven’t even thought about Sutter in the past couple of weeks. It will be interesting to see what plays out with him. It’s sounding like he will be leading in Albany?
C
My guess is the only way he plays for the big league club is if one of the Centers gets hurt (which I don’t want to happen) or if he shifts to wing (which I think is a bad idea). With Bowman, Dalpe, Boychuk, etc playing in Albany next year it’s probably just as well he play there with those guys so he has some chemistry with them next year.
It would be nice for all these prospects to play together
and begin to develop a winning chemistry on and off the ice. Boychuk and Sutter are already close friends right? Whatever happens with the big club, the RiverRats should be a real strong team next year, wonder how they stack up against the other strong minor league clubs???? Cory may be able to answer this? I really hope they relocate our AHL squad to charlotte or g-boro for 2010.
I think this move is indepedant from Sutter's development...
The two aren’t mutually exclusive. Not to mention, signing another forward is a clear sign that something’s up. Either Ruutu wont be returning, he will be signed and traded, another playing is being traded (see Patrick Eaves).
Sutter is still very, very young though. It’s more important to protect your investment down the road and let the kid bulk up a bit than throw him to the wolves now. Either way… In Jim we trust!
by James The Aussie on Jul 15, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I concur...
But he was only signed to a three-year deal. You’d like to see your first-rounders have more of a chance to succeed than he’s apparently getting.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 15, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Players owe 7 years of service to the team that drafted them. When Sutter’s three year entry deal, which is the max allowed under the CBA, is over he’ll be a restricted free agent without arbitration rights. He’ll get plenty of look before he’s a UFA at age 25 or 26.
OK, cool.
Thanks for the explanation.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 15, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Something to remember
The injury Brind’Amour took really takes a full year to heal. You can get out there and play before then, but you’re not at 100%. Not to completely pass over last season, but this year will be more of a test then last year. If he plays well, then Jokinen moves to wing, the Canes are loaded with forwards, and possibly move one for another young player. If he plays the same, well, we carry as the fourth line center, leave Jokinen to center the third line, and use Brindy to win faceoffs. It will be expensive, but not a huge obstruction given the number of young players that will be on the roster in the next couple of seasons.
I know.
I’m certainly more than willing to give him the year. Not running him out of town at all.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 16, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, it sucks.
At least he’s on a two-way deal. But, as I said below, we might only get a shot to see him for one full season before we’re making contract decisions.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 15, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
But it might also hinder his development and/or our capacity to evaluate his true skills.
Somebody will take a chance on a former first-rounder who hasn’t really gotten a chance.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 15, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe JR is planning for lots of injuries now that the team is going to play with more “edge” or “grit”. ;)
(those seem to be the buzz-words this summer. When Mo came seems like all the players talked about was “time and space”)
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 15, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m a bit surprised at the length of the deal. Does this mean that Walker will not be resigned after next season? JR might be hoping Kostopoulos can elevate his game to be a cheaper Scotty Walker.
Next year will be very interesting to see who stays and who goes. It could be almost a total rebuild with all the youngsters coming up and several contracts coming to an end.
GM of CanesCountry.com
It’s definitely a possibility! Hurricanes players who will be unrestricted free agents at the end of the 09-10 season:
Ray Whitney
Matt Cullen
Scott Walker
Joe Corvo
Frank Kaberle
Nic Wallin
Tim Conboy
Michael Leighton
I could definitely see Whitney being traded to a contender at the deadline if the Canes are out of the playoff race or if they can get something big in return…no matter what happens, it’ll be a sad day when Ray Whitney is no longer a Carolina Hurricane.
by nomadologist on Jul 15, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
I can see Whitney taking less to stay here, but I can also see Whitney getting a good offer from another team. Wallin could very well go on the Glen Wesley plan where he keeps getting 1 year 1 Million dollar deals as long as he wants to play. Cullen may stay, but the Canes may be trying to push him out the door with Staal, Jokinen, Brindy, Sutter as the centers that year.
Kostopoulos has been a point/gm. scorer in the AHL.
So he’s got come scoring touch in him.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 15, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Gosh...
When you look at that depth chart, we’ve really got 10 legit scoring threats. I know you can’t even consider trading Roddy, but given his age and contract, I wish we could. The thought of having to use guys like him and Walker in roles that could be used for developing young kids like Sutter, who we might only see for one full year before we have to make a contract decision on him. The thought of leaving Jussi on the 4th line, too, is almost criminal.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 15, 2009 11:10 AM EDT reply actions
I don't think that's fair.
He certainly played well down the stretch last year. He deserves another shot, but I hope to see more of the ‘09 Brind’Amour, and not the ’08 model.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 15, 2009 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions
ok
But how much do you wanna pay a guy to win faceoff’s? I would be fine with him staying at a reasonable pay rate, but at BEST he’s a 3rd liner, prob a 4th liner. I guess we’re handcuffed with the contract though.
The Canes own depth chart shows Brindy on the 4th line.
That’s a $3-million 4th-line center.
(And I know he brings more as a veteran in the lockery room and this is a contract going back a few years…)
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 16, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
I think it's hard to put a best-case scenario on him.
He was certainly playing at top 6 level between Jan and Apr. Given the way he works, he’ll certainly come back as healthy as is humanly possible, and he gives so much on the ST units as well. Even if he is somehow restricted to 4th-line duties because we have three better guys to play C than him at even strength, he’ll absolutely be one of our top two options on the PK and probably one of our top 6 PP guys because we really struggle in the power forward department.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 16, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I was listening just now to Kostopoulos on 99.9, and apparently JR called TK’s agent at 12:01pm on July 1st. Sounds like the Canes were focusing on him from the get-go (which is partly why TK is excited to be here). It sounds like he has a family and will be moving them to the area – perhaps it was at his insistence that he got the longer contract, even at lower $.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
A guy like Kostopoulos who plays hard would certainly take length of deal over higher annual salary. He’s going to have a hard time finding a place when this deal is up, so to get three years is pretty good.
It’s interesting to hear that JR contacted his agent at 12:01. I bet the same thing happened in the Jeff Hamilton negotiations, but Hamilton took the offer immediately, as opposed to TK who probably waited to see if he would get a similar offer from the Habs.
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