Aaron Ward Returns to the Hurricanes
by Bob Wage on Jul 24, 2009 11:49 AM EDT
128 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes are announcing that they just reacquired Aaron Ward from the Boston Bruins for Patrick Eaves and a fourth round pick. This quote from GM Jim Rutherford:
"With this trade, our defense really takes shape", said Rutherford. " Aaron played very well during his time in Carolina and had maintained that consistency with New York and Boston. We envision him complementing Joni Pitkanen well as a defensive pairing."
I guess Cory owes me a beer. :-) Two Possible Deals
We will discuss this a bit more later. The trade probably seals the fate for a Kaberle buy out now.
((UPDATE))
It looks like the Bruins put Eaves on waivers with the intent to buy out his contract. We will watch to see what happens with this development.
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Holy crap!! Wow Bubba, I think we all need to give you a beer on this one! I never thought Aaron Ward would be back after that infamous punch out incident, but I am glad he is back in a Canes uni!!!
Sorry for Eaves, but JR once again robbed the hell out of the other trading partner!! Eaves and a fourth rounder???? Wow, highway robbery. JR is a damned genius.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
Wow, no kidding, great call! Eaves was a relative disappointment, and I hope he ends up living up to his potential(as long as it’s not against us) and this trade works for both sides like the Ruutu/Ladd trade. Also I hope he and Scotty Walker get over that whole incident as well…
dont think eaves will work out quite as well as ladd did in Chi,lol. (bubba said that they plan on waiving eaves)
man bubba, I agree we all owe you a beer!!! I love it. Eaves was a depth guy but i though he did have alot of upside, anyone that has seen his wrister fall in love with the idea of him. Maybe they will waive him twice and we can get him on the cheap??
by CarolinaCanes on Jul 24, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I cannot believe what I just read............
Dear Mr. Rutherford, we as simple fans with limited understanding do bow down to your hockey genius. Holy Crap Sir.
Eh...
We add salary and lose two potential prospects. I wouldn’t quite go with robbery.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
prospects?
It’s definitely a stretch to call a 4th rounder a prospect, more like shot in the dark. Eaves can now be called a bust. He’s a 3rd liner on his BEST days.
A stretch? Hardly.
Shane Willis, Josef Vasicek, Niclas Wallin, and Brett Carson were all 4th rounders. We’ve got another couple kids who were drafted in the 4th and have plenty of potential in the system in Hughes and McCrae. And this is hardly a team that is known for its drafting proficiency. Further, to call a 25-year-old a bust seems kind of silly. He did just get 11 MPG for one of the best four teams in hockey.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
He certainly didn't net anything special in trade.
We got a relatively expensive aging defenseman they were desperate to get rid of.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 25, 2009 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions
HA! ok….. And we didnt want him? whatever…
by packpigskinfan25 on Jul 26, 2009 3:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Eaves isn’t a prospect anymore. He’s 25 and has almost 300 games under his belt (counting playoffs). I liked him and thought he could still turn into a 20-goal guy again, but he never bounced back from his shoulder troubles.
And they really aren’t adding salary b/c Eaves clearly wasn’t in the long-term plans anymore. They added $2.5M in salary this year and shed $3.1M over two seasons. Ward wasn’t my top choice, but this is a very shrewd move.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 24, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Prospects?
Eaves had enough time to prove himself………….he did…….he proved that he was not a clutch guy. A fourth round pick pans out maybe 10 percent of the time. The money was not a problem or JR would not have been allowed to add AW. He makes us tougher, and he is the stay at home guy we have needed since……………well Aaron Ward left. Love this move.
Bruins were just looking for a place to dump salary and Chiarelli wanted to put Ward in a good situation. It wasn’t about getting value back.
by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Jul 25, 2009 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions
So what’s the company line now, b/c Chiarelli looks silly signing Morris for $3.3 million.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 25, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree that $3.3 million looks steep. I was expecting Morris’ contract to be slightly less, but that is the market for puck-movers right now. They desperately needed one more guy that can move the puck from the back. Look at the Carolina playoff series. The Canes threw a solid forecheck scheme at them and they really struggled. Morris is a big upgrade from Ward in this area. Who knows where they go from here.
by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Jul 26, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree that the market is high for those type of guys … but not for a guy that took this long to sign. Teams should be getting value for their dollar at this point in FA, not paying out the nose. That’s my big complaint.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 27, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
+1
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 27, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, punch me in the eye!
The NHL can be crazy sometimes…. way to pick it Bubba!
by James The Aussie on Jul 24, 2009 12:00 PM EDT reply actions
Good Call Bubba!
I’m not surprised you got this one right! Glad to see him back. I hated the Walker situation and thought Ward made it more than it was and actually caused it, but I’m over it now.
It’s time for Ward and Walker to have a beer and dinner and let by-gones be by-gones,
My 17 yr old son is going to be thrilled, he had a pair of Ward’s old skates he wore as a Cane player.
Welcome Back Aaron!!!
Forward spot open now?
Will Conboy fill this role? I could see that happening as Maurice doesn’t play the fourth line as much as Lavi did. Will a young kid take this? Will Bayda come back? Is this Goertzen’s spot? Any chance they carry Boychuk at this spot (I doubt, but you never know)?
no way on boychuck
Boychuck will benefit more from ice time than riding the pine. I don’t see any big surprises this year in terms of folks making the team out of camp.
by wylde4canes on Jul 24, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Unlike w4c...
I think there’s certainly a chance for Zach, but if he does make it, I see him playing top-nine minutes, not on the fourth line, because, as w4c notes, that will hurt his development.. The official site lists Conboy as the 12th forward on the depth chart and doesn’t list Goertzen at all.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
maybe Sutter as fourth line center. The slot is officially open for whoever wants it.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Possibly. I’d bet it’s more for a winger though. If Brindy is a # 2 center then Jussi has to slot in somewhere. Goertzen seems like the likely choice to me, but again, I’m always wrong on these things.
Cullen
Will be the 2nd line center. If Brind’Amour plays like he did last year, he’ll be the fourth line center (which is how the ended the season). My guess is the lines will look like this to start the season:
Whitney/Staal/Cole
Ruutu/Cullen/LaRose
Samsonov/Brind’Amour/Jokinen
Walker/Sutter/Kostopolous
I have a feeling they’ll keep LaRose and Cullen together since they were playing well last year. The first month or so will be a “feeling” out for Brind’Amour – he could get sent to 4th line if he continues to play the way he did last year with Jussi moving over to take 3rd line minutes and possibly Sutter playing the wing – or even Walker moving up to third line with Conboy playing 4th line wing.
agreed C-L … I kind of wonder if the team might employ seven D to start. Getting Ward is nice, but right now there’s only two legit PP guys on D (Joni and Corvo). If they play Rodney and Wallin as the Nos. 6/7, it could work out well.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 24, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I like that idea of Rodney as a 7th d-man. I think I’d prefer Rodney playing limited minutes this year to Sutter. Sutter could use the ice time and gel with players. Rodney has pretty much done what he can done in the minors and at the least needs to be practicing with the big club every day. Not to mention, that with it being an olympic year it would be very valuable to have a defensemen who can come in a play a game now and then and give guys a breather.
I totally agree .. but that’s still just three point men unless Rodney indeed finds a spot. I think Gleason could be more offensive, but I don’t see him on the point yet.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 25, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
The official team depth chart lists Jussi as a C...
The 4th-line wings are Conboy and Kostopoulous
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I think we can say Cup Contender without looking like huge homers.
After last years post season performance, and the additions to the roster, I am throwing that out there.
Maybe a bit much
But definitely much improved. I’m still not sure that this team is on the same level as Pitt or Phily, but we should be much more competitive and able to take on Washington for the SE division and play any team in the playoffs.
Funny thing is is that they placed Eaves on waivers for the purpose of buying him out (http://bruins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=451304).
So what was the point of the trade then? I guess it is cap issues, but damn, JR is a freakin genius. Hands down the best GM in the league.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
Eaves is probably a cheaper buy out option than Ward
Money is not an issue with Boston, the cap is. So this is a cap move.
Could JR be looking to sign Eaves as a FA after the buyout (to a cheaper deal of course)? That would mean we only spent a 5th rounder on Ward.
by James The Aussie on Jul 24, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
4th-rounder...
But I don’t know if he’d want to spend even minimum money on another forward.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha..."Patrice Eaves."
Poor guy.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Good point by Forslund
Aaron Ward playing with Pitkanen should allow Pitkanen to play a more offensive role than he did last year which should help make up for some of the points that Babchuk is taking with him.
off season so far
Even Puck daddy is talking about how this off season has been a quietly spectacular one for us. I like what we have done with this team. we could still use a sniper on the wing but, our big issues was not putting pucks in the back of the net last year, it was being out muscled. We have come a long way in addressing that.
Every day that goes by...
JR and the Canes prove more and more why they were No.2 in the ESPN franchise rankings.
by James The Aussie on Jul 24, 2009 12:21 PM EDT reply actions
Dang
I just got about 5 e-mails saying Ward just got traded from the Bruins.
I’ve been a fan of his, and was glad to have him up here in Bean Town.
There’s going to be some more interesting moves up here. This leads me to believe the Kessel trade is going to get done.
Good Call, Disappointing Trade
I guess I should get over it, but I lost a TON of respect for Ward after the Walker incident.
For a veteran defenseman to make such a big deal over nothing was LAME. I thought his reaction and his statements to the media were petty. Especially when it involved his home team.
I’m not upset about losing Eaves though, I wish him the best of luck.
That didn't bother me
To me, that’s what a good player does when their team has their back to the wall. It’s not dissimilar to what Lindy Ruff did after game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. It’s part of the game, and it shows just what Aaron Ward is willing to do to help his team win.
You're right
He certainly was trying to give his team every chance possible.
It didn’t bother me too much until I watched that video of him addressing the media. I’m sure I’ll get over it, but he really rubbed me the wrong way. I thought he had better character, but maybe he is a better actor than I realize.
Kudos to JR
I just finished Moneyball and was thinking how JR is consistently able to work miracles for our team. We’re lucky to have him.
off topic but is it a good read??? always wanted to pick it up but never have
by CarolinaCanes on Jul 24, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Moneyball is EXCELLENT
And I am not a Baseball fan at all. Really really good if you are interested in business or negotiations. It is a really good story too. Highly recommended!
awesome. Thank you. I love baseball but love the business end as much if not more. so i think ill pick up a copy while im out on the town tonight.
by CarolinaCanes on Jul 24, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
It is a good read, but it is funny looking back on it now becuase it didn’t work out very well for the A’s in the long run. The one guy Bean was dead on about was Youkilis.
by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Jul 25, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions
It's interesting...
But take it with a grain of salt as a guide for building a franchise.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Part of the Moneyball issue...
Has anybody else noticed how the terms of our contracts are almost always published immediately, by the team? That’s pretty rare in pro sports these days (even though the salaries always come out shortly anyway), and I think it shows that our negotiating and pricing strategies leave nothing to hide.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate how the Bruins don’t release that info…even though like you said it leaks out.
by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Jul 25, 2009 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions
In a cap league . .
It’s just silly not to release the details of a deal. It’s now part of the game. Plus, when the cap keeps salaries down( (at least in respect to prior to the CBA), then why not publish the deals?
He is one of the most likable guys in hockey.
by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Jul 25, 2009 1:06 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm with you...
His behavior was less than classy, but let’s hope that’s the isolated incident it would seem to be within the span of his whole career.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Greetings from Arkansas!
I found Wifi if only briefly.
I got the Tweet on Ruutu right before I had to turn off the phone on the plane leaving RDU. The entire plan heard my squeal! I called out the terms in case anyone cared.
I don’t seem to be able to post from the mobile site on my cell (I have a 2-yr old Treo w/Sprint) but I’ve been reading the posts and comments (if I’m patient enough)
You called the AWard trade Bubba. I was laughing so hard in the car when that came thru awhile ago. Can’t wait to tell my boys when I get back to their grandparents where they are today.
Glad my departure was such a catalyst to ending the suspense. Again – keep up the good work.
70 d, 6h, 21 min
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
awesome to hear from you!
have a great trip!
by packpigskinfan25 on Jul 24, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
dito.
maybe when you fly back we will make another hugh trade
by CarolinaCanes on Jul 24, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
were in the state are ya?
If ya are in the Central Arkansas area, drop in at the Skatium! We have public sessions in the evening……It’s my HOME rink!
I am in Hot Springs VIllage for an 85th Bday celebration for my ex-mother in law. My boys (both born in Hot Springs) didn’t bring their skates, and with all the family here can’t get away. Maybe next time!
Expected highlight for the wkend: my 12-yr old, wondered if there really were “hot springs”. We’re headed down to check them out first hand tomorrow.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 24, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Can someone explain?
Why trade for a player (Eaves) only to put him on waivers?
by hockeythoughts on Jul 24, 2009 12:40 PM EDT reply actions
Cap issues
Boston has serious cap issues, spreading out Eaves remaining contract over 4 years will reduce his cap hit to something like 800K or maybe less. Most likely they’ve got a deal worked out to send out Kessel for a forward and a d-man, so they will trade 1 body for 2 in that move and fill the spot left open by buying out Eaves.
I think they hope not.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey Bubba
Like the countdown clock! And your number (training camp) is better than mine (opening night).
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
All said and done interesting move by Boston. eaves will almost certainly get picked up, so they have dumped a good bit of cap money. I still can’t believe the B’s did it and we got him. Looks like the band is back together. Will be a very, VERY interesting year for hockey. IO think this is the strongest roster this franchise has ever had. That said the S.E. is also about the strongest it has ever been. Gonna be some dam good hockey this year. next year will be annother nail biter of a summer. This went pretty smooth. can’t wait for tryouts.
A
The Bruins got, wait for it: “Sucker Punched” in this deal. :)
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
too much How I Met Your Mother?! hahaha. GREAT show.
by packpigskinfan25 on Jul 24, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it was pretty fair, honestly.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Fair? How is a fourth round pick and a guy in Patrick Eaves who immediately got bought out, fair compared to Aaron who was a key in the B’s D game and did a damn good job against us in the PO?
Come on MP. And to use the “prospect” argument is useless. Anyone they select won’t be playing for them for at least two to three years. Now if the guy they get turns out to be the next Great One incarnate, well then you were right, but that is unlikely to happen. The B’s were to desperate and JR jacked them for all he could.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
We get a single year of not cheap play...
frm an aging defenseman. I wouldn’t say that’s a super-valuable commodity.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 25, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Veterans are not worth anything anymore?
by packpigskinfan25 on Jul 26, 2009 3:39 AM EDT up reply actions
check out the fan post on this at Stanley Cup of Chowder. The guy is absolutely baffled on why Chiarelli did this.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 24, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
no. eaves gets bought out. just like kaberle might and how tanabe was. (that is how all that ended right. what a mess)
He will be a UFA after that and able to sign with any team/league that he wishes to.
im in favor a chad larose (last years 800k) type contract.
i would like to have him back but am in no way sad to see him go.
He's a pro athlete...
Do you think his pride will let him take such a big pay cut when we traded him away in the first place?
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
The only way I could see this trade biting us in the ass is if Ward still holds a grudge for what happened in the PO.
But I doubt JR would trade for him if he didn’t have something up his sleeve.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
I think AWard wants to be on the winning team, no matter the logo. Makes that 2nd game in BOS even more intriguing. How will the fans greet Ward? Will Walker have a littel extra protection with AWard there to “cover” for him? (Not like Walker needs anyone…)
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 24, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Ward will get a nice round of applause. Walker will get the complete opposite.
by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Jul 25, 2009 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions
I wish we could have gotten someone else, but AWard played well for us back in the day. I hope that he’s still got some fight in him and he’s learned to put his guard up while shoving people around.
I don’t think you have to worry. Aaron Ward was Charas backbone all season…. that says a lot about him…
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jul 24, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Scottie owes him one, so maybe Scott Walker can stick up for him on the ice at some point so Ward doesn’t have to worry about that.
by hockeythoughts on Jul 24, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Is it too soon to bust out the old A Ward shirts and wear black eyes with them?! =)
by packpigskinfan25 on Jul 24, 2009 1:44 PM EDT reply actions
Around the triangle… No. Iyts never too early. I might do away with the black eye if you stray too far from the raleigh area though,lol
by CarolinaCanes on Jul 24, 2009 1:54 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
GO CANE"S
Ruutu and Ward in the same day, lordy lordy
robert
Well...not quite.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Stout D
Corvo-Gleason
Pitkanen-Ward
Adams-Wallin
Do those sound like the likely pairings for next season?
Still not a crook!
I know he's new...
but his name is Alberts.
Looks good….real good. Some of the Rats will be able to fill in for injuries as well.
Don’t expect “real good”….I guess one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. You have both our salary dumps patrolling your blue line.
by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Jul 25, 2009 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions
HA!!!
I dont think Bruins fans were calling Ward a ‘salary dump’ before the off season!!
He may have been a salary dump in the literal sense of the term, but he is a quality hockey player non the less… No fault of the Canes(or A Wards for that matter) that he has a contract that was the most expendable on a team that has a salary crunch.
by packpigskinfan25 on Jul 25, 2009 4:33 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m sad to see Ward go, but he was definitely talked about all off-season as a potential salary dump. He was a pretty slid physical force on the blue line and seemed to be a great teammate, who meant a lot to the Bruins’ room.
When I said “don’t expect real good”, I was referring to Alberts, but I wouldn’t expect Ward to be the same player he was when he was in Carolina the first time.
by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Jul 25, 2009 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think the expectations for Alberts are out of line for what he can deliver. The Canes wanted a big strong guy who can play some along the boards, deliver some hits, clear out the crease, and be defensively sound while playing about 15-17 minutes a night on the third pair. He’s not going to be asked to do a lot of PK work. He’s not going to be getting top pair minutes or match ups. He’s also not being asked to be a shut down guy to let his partner go crazy offensively. Alberts’ role should match his skills.
Anyone know where the live stream for the press conference might be found?
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jul 24, 2009 3:05 PM EDT reply actions
Jeez!
I go on vacation for a week and all kinds of hell breaks loose!!! LOL!! Once again JR doesn’t disappoint..Signing RUUUUU (can’t be more excited about that), Trading Eaves for Ward (now I know why those guys NEVER sell their houses once they are traded, they are familiar with the boomerang effect here in Canes Country!!) 70 days and counting!!!! what’s next for “As the EYE turns” …. :)
Thank goodness !! Bye Bye Eaves !!!
Great post guys, man this is the first time I have ever scene a post or suggestion of a trade actually happen. Boy am I excited right now, this season is going to be a great one an with Ward back we will be the favorites to win the cup an the division. Our size is back to the way it was when we won the cup in 06’. Ward gives us the grit we need on D-fence an we can spell him w/ Alberts as our #5 d-man which is what we usually do anyway is to suit up five. Eaves never returned to the form he got to when he was with the Sens, an for that reason he will not be missed all that much, plus his salary is now off the books for us an for his role on the team an what he was making we were getting completely ripped off. All of our moves are done so let the season begin sorry Seidenberg guess you shouldn’t have tested the open market an who knows w/ Bruins buying out Eaves contract we could get him back pretty cheap if we want too, LOL !!!
Go Canes !!!!
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Jul 24, 2009 5:08 PM EDT reply actions
Anything else?
Sound like JR likes the squad we have right now. I still wonder if something else will happen. I would like to see Kaberle bought out and Cam resigned long term before the season.
I LIKE THE SQAD WE HAVE RIGHT NOW!!!!
I could see the Canes being a top 4 team in the East(if we do not win the division- that will still be a battle).
Kaberle will be bought out.
It would be nice to see Cam resigned this off season, but i would not expect it.
by packpigskinfan25 on Jul 25, 2009 4:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Kaberle Buyout confirmed
It’s in Canes Now in the article about Babchuk and Dennis buried at the bottom of the story. He’s going to be bought out next week, probably once he officially clears waivers.
Honestly
Since Glen Wesley retired, the defense has not been willing to block shots regularly. Aaron Ward will block lots of shots. The rest of the defense will see that guy doing it and it will once again be part of our game plan. That is part of toughness. We will see Corvo and Pitkanen jumping in and Ward, Nick and Alberts staying home standing them up at the line……..this is going to be some fun stuff to watch. Tight yet explosive defense, quick strike offense with power and grit, and a fast transition game. Cannot be pushed around……goal tending that will be improved again…….what holes?
what's next?
kaberle bought out, babchuk traded or in russia…Rutherford mentioned there might be some bargains in August. Any forwards out there that would bring some scoring punch at a low price or are the Rats gonna get a chance to fill that slot?
And by the way, how amazingly is the team set up to rebuild next year and 11-12? Current players signed past 10-11: Staal, Ruutu, and Tommy the Greek. Clearly they will re-sign Cam and some pieces, but cap space is cleared, the team is poised to make a playoff run in 09-10 (profit), and with the salary cap all but guaranteed to drop in 10-11, they’ll have the opportunity to pick up some cheap pieces next offseason. My only concern is, which alt jersey should I buy?
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