FanPost

TRACKING THE BLUE PRINT FOR NEXT SEASON -- A STATUS REPORT

I wanted to create a fan post to track the progress of rebuilding for next season. I included below a list of steps I predicted were needed, and I have added a couple more steps. I wanted to review where the Hurricanes were in that process:

his season:
(1) Cole returns; -- status: Cole should return within the next two weeks or so [on schedule]

(2) Tlusty gets time in Carolina; statuts: Tlusty is playing this afternoon [on schedule]

(3) Boychuk gets time in Carolina; status: Boychuk is playing this afternoon [on schedule]

(4) Walker is traded by the deadline; Status: Walker is on I.R. [not yet traded]

(5) Brindy becomes the invisible man on the ice. Status: Brind'Amour's time on ice is steadily being reduced and is now around 4 to 5 minutes a game even strength [on schedule] (healthy scratch is preferable to the inability of rolling a strong fourth line with Brind'Amour in the lineup)

END OF SEASON

(1) Taylor Hall (or Tyler Seguin) is drafted; status: Hurricanes are almost a lock to finish 30th or 29th and to be able to draft Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin (or perhaps Cam Fowler -- although if I were Rutherford I would draft Hall if available and if not then Seguin)

(2) Wallin is not re-signed; Status: no public statement of intention whether or not to re-sign Wallin

(3) A. Ward is not re-resigned; Status: no public statement of intention whether or not to re-sign A. Ward

(4) Yelle is not re-signed; Status: no public statement of intention whether or not to re-sign Yelle

(5) add puck moving, scoring defensemen who can take long minutes and score on power play; Status: no public statement of intention

(6) trading Cullen for draft choices, younger player, or prospects; Status: no public statement of intention; but Cullen mentioned in trade rumors without indication from Rutherford that Cullen is untouchable [Cullen is playing his best hockey in years. Cullen has the speed and intellect needed for Maurice's system. His age, lack of inside physical game, and lack of crushing checking are factors that could argue for trading him to a run and gun team like Philadelphia where other players can play the role of physical forward and he can be a slashing, break away forward. He could also help mentor and settle down the young, talented forwards coming up from Albany and this year's draft].

(7) trading Whitney for draft choices, younger players, or prospects; Status: no public statement of intention; but commentators are saying Rutherford wants to re-sign Whitney and that he is not available [very valid argument exists to re-sign Whitney as a tutor for the many fine, young forward prospects and as a leader in the locker room and on the ice. Equally persuasive argument exists for trading Whitney at the deadline and re-signing him next year; strong argument for going with youth and trading Whitney. Whitney has earned loyalty of the Hurricanes organization and he should return to coach or go into management after his career ends.]

The unknowns or riding the wave of hope:

(1) Will Corvo be re-signed or will a scoring, puck-moving defenseman be part of a trade? Status: No public statement of intention. Good arguments exists for either decision by Jim Rutherford.

(2) Does Jim Rutherford feel in his heart of hearts that in the new NHL the prototype hulking beast power forward is critical? If so, there are a list of prospects available [see long post on the subject]. Status: no public statement of intention. Jim Rutherford has said publicly that he intends to build a bigger team. The Hurricanes organization lacks the jumbo sized power forward in their system -- unlike Penguins, San Jose, Washington, Phoenix, and Columbus who are stocking their AHL teams with large, aggressive power forwards.

(3) Will Cullen be traded for younger player, draft choices, or prospects? [see discussion above]

(4) Will Whitney be traded for younger player, draft choices, or prospects? [see discussion above]

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& {EARLIER POST}

Blueprint for Next Season

It’s a blueprint. Let’s see how the blueprint is followed. I predict as follows:

This season:
(1) Cole returns;

(2) Tlusty gets time in Carolina;

(3) Boychuk gets time in Carolina;

(4) Walker is traded by the deadline;

(5) Brindy becomes the invisible man on the ice.

End of Season:

(1) Taylor Hall (or Tyler Seguin) is drafted;

(2) Wallin is not re-signed;

(3) A. Ward is not re-resigned;

(4) Yelle is not re-signed;

The unknowns or riding the wave of hope:

(1) Will Corvo be re-signed or will a scoring, puck-moving defenseman be part of a trade?

(2) Does Jim Rutherford feel in his heart of hearts that in the new NHL the prototype hulking beast power forward is critical? If so, there are a list of prospects available [see long post on the subject].

I just don’t know whether Jim Rutherford is on board about the need for the power forward. I can’t get a sense from his public statements on the subject. If Jim Rutherford puts his mind to solving a problem, he is excellent at doing so.

In short, it could be a one year return to the playoffs, IF the blueprint gets followed and IF the Hurricanes stay relatively healthy and IF Maurice is a playoff quality coach for this particular team. Otherwise, Maurice gets fired in December, 2010, and the Hurricanes are back in the playoffs in 2011-2012.


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