Hurricanes Continue to Toughen up with Andrew Alberts Signing
by Bob Wage on Jul 16, 2009 10:39 AM EDT
81 comments
In just two days time, the Carolina Hurricanes are evolving in front of our very eyes. Gone are the days when teams might take liberties with the boys wearing the sightless eye. With the acquisitions of Tom Kostopoulos Tuesday and Andrew Alberts yesterday, the Hurricanes not only added two players who led their respective teams with hits, they also added two players who won't hesitate to drop their gloves to stand up for their teammates.
After totaling 44 fighting majors during the 2007-08 season, the Hurricanes only had 26 last year. Wade Brookbank led the way with six fights followed by Tim Conboy with five. Last season, Kostopoulos had seven and Alberts had three. While they might not be distinguished pugilists, they will mix it up when needed. The Hurricanes had the second fewest fights in the league last season, ahead of only Detroit who had 11. The Ducks led the league with 82 skirmishes.
But forget about the fights for a moment. The two new players are both big, strong, and physical. They won't be bouncing off when they lay the body on opponents. When Jim Rutherford told the media earlier in the year he wanted to address the team's size, he apparently meant what he said. Alberts is listed at 6'5, 218. But unlike Anton Babchuk, who is also listed at 6'5, the Minnesota native uses his size to gain a physical advantage.
Don't be looking for the blueliner to light the scoring lamp though. It might be an interesting bet next season to see who scores first, him or Tim Gleason.
One might look at the salary committed for this season, (48 million), compare it to what the Hurricanes proposed budget was, (50 million), and assume that the team must be about done signing players. But according to the club they are still looking for another blueliner and Dennis Seidenberg is still in the mix. Of course Tuomo Ruutu still needs to be signed as well, and that will certainly be for more than two million.
It would seem that the possible buy out of Frantisek Kaberle is all but a certainty now. And there could still be a trade or two looming before September. But next year's roster is beginning to take shape and the good news for fans is that management has addressed the perceived weaknesses from last year.
Will the additions be enough for the Canes to give the Capitals a run for the Southeast Division championship next season?
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this looks good
I think we are better off having more defensemen who look after their own defensive zone and dish out some punishment rather than adding another puck moving defensemen who has a cannon shot from the point. Neither Corvo or Babchuk did much with their huge shots during the playoffs but the Canes did have trouble (especially against the Penguins) defending their own zone and making players pay with punishing hits. Moving more in the Gleason direction and less in the Corvo/ Babchuk direction for this upcoming season is a step in the right direction— although I still like having players like Corvo and Babchuk.
by hockeythoughts on Jul 16, 2009 11:10 AM EDT reply actions
good move
I like this signing. Gives the Canes another “defensive” d-man, this one with size and physicality, for the blue line. Now we can have solid defensive guy in each top 4 pairing (along with Gleason), which was something that was missing last season. Sieds tried to fill that role, and did an admirable job, but he’s just not big enough or strong enough to do it night in and night out. Now we can match an offensive defenseman (Pitkanen, Corvo) with a defensive d-man in the top 4 (Gleason, Alberts). Plus Corvo and Pitkanen both can play with a nasty streak at times as well.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d still love to resign Seids, that would be some quality depth for sure.
With the addition of Kosopoulos and Alberts, I don’t think we’ll get pushed around quite as much, and won’t have to have Walker and Gleason stand up for everyone else on the ice all the time. I like the fact that both are tough guys who also bring a skill level to the ice besides just goonery.
-m
I dunno about Alberts as an every-night top 4.
He’s probably not as consistent as I’d like.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 16, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
have they addressed all issues?
I applaud JR for the recent signings… overall this offseason has gone exceptionally well in my opinion, with the expectation that Rutuu will indeed get signed. I think the improvements to the defense were needed and management is filling the holes. However, one thing I remember from the playoffs was a need for another elite scorer to back up Staal. A good 1-2 punch so to speak. Will someone on the current roster step into that role? Or is there a need to sign another top forward? Bubba, any thoughts on that?
Need or not, it ain't happening.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 16, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
lifelong Flyers fan here
The only thing that just got tougher was your ability to keep the puck away from your opposition…not to be a downer, but I’ve watched Alberts for the last several seasons and the kid is a human turnover machine…he’s been EXTREMELY frustrating to many of us Flyers fans…yes, he has some grit and he can lay the lumber when the opportunity arises, but trust me when I tell you, there are more Flyers fans happy to see him go than bummed about this…take that for what it’s worth….
by sykk_of_it_all on Jul 16, 2009 11:46 AM EDT reply actions
Human turnover machine, didn’t you flyers fans say the same thing about Joni Pitkanen? Also, how many turnovers could the guy have to still finish +6 as part of Philly’s third pairing?
Perhaps our offensive lines are strong. smart and fast enough to help him out a little bit better…?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 16, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
I personally was bummed to see Joni leave…I don’t think the organization was patient enough with him….
As far as Alberts numbers, yes he was a plus 6 but that can be a bit deceiving…remember, there were stretches where the Flyers were scoring a TON of goals this past year, not to mention that because he was part of the third pairing, he wasn’t always facing the opponents top guns…check out the overall numbers for shots on goal against the Flyers for last year….our goalies were facing 40+ shots a night on a very regular basis….any way you slice it, there were D-men not getting it done and Alberts was certainly one of them…
I’m not saying it’s a bad signing for you guys…I think we’ve all seen players struggle in some systems and flourish in others, and I truly hope he works out for you….but, as I said, the initial reaction from Flyers fans at this point seems to be one of relief…
by sykk_of_it_all on Jul 16, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
A lot of time turnovers and shots on goal are a product of the system the team plays.
Corvo and Pitkanen both came to us with the reputation of soft play and pension for turnovers. Both have worked out well here, D-men are going to have turnovers that’s just the way it is. Forwards commit plenty of turnovers as well, just that most of them are not 20 feet from their own end.
Alberts
Another Flyers fan here.
Alberts began and ended his career here by turning the puck over too much. However, for the bulk of his time he was pretty solid. He’s not a top-4 guy by any stretch of the imagination, but he’ll be fine on your third pairing. I would have been happy to have him back but the acquisition of Pronger and the team’s tight cap space made him expendable.
For some reason, I’m not surprised to see that he’s going to Carolina… maybe because you’ve got infinity billion ex-Flyers on your roster (or at least had). But I’m sure he’ll fit in well with the team.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
totally agree with you….there’s no way I’m blaming all of the turnover and SOG issues we had on one guy….our D as a whole has been a big source of frustration for us of late….I guess it’s just that as a result of that we’re happy to see some re-vamping going on….
And I’ll reiterate that hope Albie works out well for you guys…
by sykk_of_it_all on Jul 16, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for the insight and goodwill
Good luck with that Briere salary next couple of years. My Grand-dad is prolly rolling around in his grave cussing at that one.
Good point about who he was matched up with.
There are some that call Anton Babchuk a great two-way player because of his +15 against 3rd and checking lines.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 16, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah… Anton Babchuck thinks that +15 and scoring 16 goals means that he should be half owner and made team captain….
He also thinks they should give him a championship belt that reads “greatest defensman in the universe.”
Poor Anton…. If only he didn’t have a poor attitude….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jul 16, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
To be fair 16 goals and a +15 should merit more than a $1 million dollar offer. I’m beginning to wonder if JR didn’t make this offer to Anton to get him to go away.
I think he did it because it was the Maximum that he was REQUIRED to offer him in order to retain his rights…..
Babchuck did it to himself. I do not feel sorry for him….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jul 16, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
*Minimum. And you're right.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 16, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
No… No… I meant Maximum (well… and minimum)… he was not required to offer any more than $1-million…. and he knew that there were no arbitration rights…..
Check mate….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jul 16, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions
You're right, it SHOULD have.
But he also should have reported to Albany when he was assigned down there and should have not run off to Russia. Everybody has choices. Babs made his.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 16, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't want to say Babchuck isn't partly to blame
Babchuk has made some bad decisions, not doubt. It’s just I think JR had the idea in mind to go after Kostopoulos and Alberts all along. He made contact on July 1 with both parties. I think the offer to Babchuk was about trying to get him to leave.
I can def’ly see that. Knowing that JR contacted both their agents that early, like you said…..
I’m still wondering who the remaining top-4 D is gonna be. Maybe they’ll wait til they have Ruutu sewn up and then try a trade.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 16, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, in the sense that I think he is setting up to trade his rights, you are correct. He made the offer simply to keep Babchuck’s rights, so we either get a pick for him if someone else signs him, or we can trade the negotiating rights.
Or, if he signs for the deal he's merited in the CBA, we have a decent defenseman.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 16, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions
You also have to keep in mind that by the time July 1 had come around Babchuck had already refused his qualifying offer…..
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jul 17, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions
77 days 9 hours 27 min....
And listening to Rutherford, Babchuk is history in Raleigh – they even have him at #10 D (5th line – as in Albany???) on the Hurricanes website depth chart (guess they can’t eliminate him off the roster till he signs somewhere else?)
My point: all this Babchuk speculation and debate is purely academic. New subject.
The Canes roster has been updated to include Kostopolous, #29. And Boychuk is now #11 (guess Williams won’t be boomarang-ing back like Cole…?)
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 17, 2009 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
No, they can't kick him off the roster.
By offering him the $1 mil offer, they retained his rights.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 17, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
So, if no trade happens & Babs doesn’t sign with another organization, can I infer (with a wide grin) that JR will be sending him off to Albany to make room on the Raleigh roster?
(Sorry, Babchuk fans – couldn’t resist that…)
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 17, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions
We have his rights...
But he’s not technically a member of the team unless he signs the offer, which he apparently won’t. So we don’t have to worry about those kind of on-paper transactions.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 17, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Discipline?
One thing I was proud of last year was the Canes’ league leading lowest PIM. Do you think that priority will be abandoned? I like that we’re no longer deserving of the rep “candy canes” but I don’t really want us to be the Wade-Ave-Bullies either. That’s the pendulum swinging too far.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
I don’t think the discipline will change, I think what you will see is more hitting by the Canes and fewer cheap shots taken by other teams. If Kostopoulos and Alberts where in the line up last year there’s no way Weight puts that hit on Sutter.
I put this somewhere else, but I’d love to hear the “unofficial” reaction of Mo, Staal, Whitney etc to these additions. I imagine they’re all smiles like kids with a new set of toys, all sorts of wonderful new possibilities appearing on the horizon. Is Mo in town these days (prospect camp and all)? – seems like he ought be moving to NC before school starts next month.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 16, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
as far as discipline-
Alberts had 61 PIM last year, lower than I thought he would have. For comparison, Gleason had 68. Kostopoulos had 106, but was in several more fights. I don’t think their past PIM’s raise any red flags.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Thanks for that – I guess there have been so many hockeyfight youtube links the last couple days my brain got to swirling a little with concern about too many changes for this middle-aged Caniac mom.
Carry on, JR. I’m still with ya.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 16, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Weight would put that hit on any player that was in his crosshairs that night
That was simply a hockey play. Unfortunate for us but that hockey. The difference IMO is Weight would have paid an immediate price for the hit clean or not
Sorry, no.
Not even CLOSE. The day that a blindside elbow to the face becomes a “hockey play” is the day players like Orpik and Avery become the superstars.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 16, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
That was a legal hit
Weight didn’t leave his feet. He didn’t go head hunting. Sutter, being a rookie, went down low. Not to say Weight wasn’t culpable and couldn’t have done something else, but by the letter of the law in the NHL that was a legal hit.
Swenksta, you make a good point about maybe the hit happens, but he suffers immediate pay back. I actually wrote something for Bubba’s blog about my frustrations with Lavi and his inability to answer the bell when it came to physical play. His inability to let his players stand up to physical play coupled with his style is the reason I think he lost the boys. It was just too big of a price to pay night in and night out. Losing the battle to win the war is fine and good, but it does require winning some battles.
Yes, indeed...
the hit in question was clean, if unnecessary. Sutter dropped his head at the last minute and Weight followed thru with the elbow, he did not lead with the elbow.
MP do you think the Kronwall hit on Havlat in the playoffs was a dirty hit/play?
Weight’s hit was clean but unnecessary, IMO. He didn’t even think of playing the puck, and if Sutter HADN’T gone down low to try and reach for the puck, Weight’s hit would’ve been away from the puck.
Life goes on, I’m sure Sutter is over it, but hopefully not forgotten about it.
by Iggy Reilly on Jul 16, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree as well
It was clean. Sutter going low + Weight already lining him up = Something that looks like a dirty hit.
Satan is just a coping mechanism for monotheists.
I say no.
Here are the differences:
- Kronwall hits him from straight on. Havlat saw (or should have seen) Kronwall coming and chose to try and make a play on the puck anyway. Weight came from cross-ice and Sutter never had the chance.
- Kronwall delivers the hit with more restrained form. He hits high (around the head), but does so with the forearm. Weight comes and delivers the brunt of the blow with his elbow directly to Sutter’s face. Further, the arm comes up in unnecessary fashion.
Either way, I think it’s silly that the NHL pretends it’s concerned about its players when these kinds of plays just continue to happen.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 16, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Sutter made a rookie mistake
Sutter saw Weight coming and tried to push the puck past him at the last second and duck around. Unfortunately for him Doug skated through him cleanly. I’m sure he learned from it and will appreciate the speed of the NHL more.
Weight comes and delivers the brunt of the blow with his elbow directly to Sutter’s face. Further, the arm comes up in unnecessary fashion.
The blow of the elbow to the face was due to Sutter ducking down at the last moment in an effort to reach for the puck. The arm coming up is just the natural follow thru of the collision.
“Kronwall delivers the hit with more restrained form”-he left his feet during the hit!
Sorry, do not agree.
His feet were in touch with the ground when contact was made. When you hit something and can’t continue down or forward (restrained by the ice and Havlat), your momentum has to go somewhere, in this case, up. Simple physics.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 16, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Haha.
I hated physics, trust me.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 16, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
completely legal. should have been retaliation for it however.
by packpigskinfan25 on Jul 16, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't know where people decided to come down on legal/illegal.
I never questioned the technical legality of the hit. But it was, as others have said, dirty and unnecessary.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 16, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think these recent guys play "undisciplined."
I think they play gritty and send messages when they’re warranted. There’s a difference.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 16, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks Flyers fans for your input. Alberts is earning third pairing money, although he might be called upon to fill in the top four at times. I’m sure he has his faults, but the Canes desperately needed someone who was able to move bodies out of the crease and he seems to fill the bill for that need.
GM of CanesCountry.com
+1 thanks flyer fans. I’m used to live in philly but I don’t remember alberts. Given the track record of former flyers I think he should do well. Brind’amour was a very solid player up there and became a star down here, j.will had his first 30 goal year down here ( that deal was robbery) and joni is doing well. No If we could have only salvaged pavel brendl (sp) lol.
Thanks again guys for the insight. I am lookin for good things from him. Did he play under Hitch? I’m sure alberts will play beter under mo. Our system is designed to make under talent dmen look good.
(Fellow canes fan, don’t hang me yet but can you say nic wallin??? Or even babs or sieds?)
by CarolinaCanes on Jul 16, 2009 1:36 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
With Alberts, maybe Gleason doesn't have to be the defender who fights
As tough as I think Gleason can be, I didn’t always like the idea of Gleason being our toughest defender— the one who would drop the gloves. Gleason is our best shut down defensemen, I think. Maybe Alberts fills the fighting defensemen role now.
Good point. I think Joni showed some “nastiness” a couple times, and that didn’t really seem comfortable with him. I think these 2 guys in particular (Pits and Gleason) will appreciate not having to carry the payback/intimidator responsibility all the time.
And now we don’t have to dress Brookbank. I used to laugh at his stats" typically somethng like TOI of 1:46 then PIM of 10:00.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 16, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Showed nastiness, sure...
But he’s had just one fight in his career, and that was the AHL, where it was probably one of those ridiculous five-fights-at-once events that you see down in the minors.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 16, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I can believe that.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 16, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Joni is a sneaky bastard.
Anyone remember his stick delivered to someone’s face in the Boston series?
Maybe it was Pittsburgh on second thought….regardless, the guy is sneaky.
Sneaky – in a good way?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 16, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh yeah.
I’m not even saying he makes a habit of plays like that. He is certainly capable of being a nasty guy, and gets away with it most of the time.
You won’t see him railroad a guy into the boards from behind, but he is certainly talented with his stick, offensively and defensively.
gotcha.
=D
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 16, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions
ha, ha...
“talented with his stick”
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 16, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I like this signing here. JR finally got a guy with size to clear out the net for Wardo. As with Tommy K, not a flashy signing by any means, but it is the little bits and pieces that make it all whole. I love that fact that we have a few guys with size on the team now, and not just having to call up Conboy every time to deal with an aggressive team.
Turnover issues aside, I just hope this doesn’t become another Josef Melichar experience. I doubt we could find another trading partner as dumb as the dolts to load off and inefficient D man.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
Even though I don't think he's hit his full potential yet...
I think Alberts has already shown he’s a much better player than Melichar had ever shown.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 16, 2009 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions
off topic, but of interest
Dwight Helminen signs with the Sharks: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=284828
Well I guess we had a few young 4th line centers to spare. Good news for Sutter. (even Brindy?)
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 16, 2009 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Helminen is garbage ! Alberts with crack the starting four !
Alberts gives us the physical blueliner we need and have needed since the trading of Brookbank and even back to the Stu Grimson days. I cannot wait until a certain play with the Caps gets his head rocked ?? Any guessing ?? First name is Donald come on now !!! Helminen sucks who cares if he is gone.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Jul 17, 2009 1:07 AM EDT reply actions
Brashear? He is a Ranger now.
I wouldn’t say Helminen sucks; out of all the reserve forwards and minor leaguers the Canes shuffled through this year I thought he was one of the best (but that’s not saying much, is it?). He just didn’t bring anything special. He seems like one of those guys who has talent and will consistently put up good numbers in the AHL but never really stick in the NHL—Patrick Dwyer, Brandon Nolan, Mike Angelidis, and Keith Aucoin to name a few from recent River Rats rosters (alliteration FTW!). I think what set Bayda apart from this crew was the physical game that he brought this past season.
I was really confused about your name—“Panthers Fan”—until I remembered that there is a Panthers football team, too! duh, right? :P
by nomadologist on Jul 17, 2009 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions
helminen might get alot more playing time.. .. This is the team that had claude lemieux on their fourth line is not???
Im glad he gets the chance to mae the bigs for good (well as long as he can manage to stay) I there is too much depth up the middle here, and im sure he had very little if any trade value. Good thing all the way around.
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