Captain Eric Staal Joins Elite Group
by Bob Wage on Jan 20, 2010 2:01 PM EST
69 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes sent a bit of a shock wave through the Caniac Nation this morning when they announced that effective immediately, Eric Staal would serve as new team captain. The team's "franchise player" moved back to his natural center position in practice today and assumed his new duties as official leader of the Hurricanes.
Some fans might not be thrilled with the decision, but Staal was being groomed for the role and it was just a matter of time before he got the "C". When all is said and done, the All Star forward will probably hold more franchise scoring records than any other player, including Hall of Famer, Ron Francis. He has repeatedly come through in pressure situations for the club, including scoring huge goals in the playoffs.
Although the timing of the change was a bit unusual, as barring a trade, very few captains have been relieved of their duties in mid-season.
But Rod Brind`Amour was classy about it, as always. When questioned by the media after practice, he said the following:
It's really an honor for me to hand it over to him. Whether it was now or later, it needed to be done. I'm just happy it's him. It will be more than just a letter to him.
Brind'Amour felt that since his playing time had decreased and his role was lessened on the team, it made it more difficult to be the leader, at least in the way that he wanted to be.
Jim Rutherford said that he gave the option to the ex-captain, and Brind'Amour could have vetoed the decision. But let's face it, who would say no to their general manager when confronted with that question?
Certainly not Rod Brind'Amour.
Rutherford also explained that he wanted Staal to experience this new role while the team was going through this down period. When asked about Brind'Amour's future, he said that the ex-captain will not finish his playing career anywhere besides Carolina and he will eventually retire here. (But there was no word of when that might be.)
Reading between the lines, there undoubtedly will be some player movement in the near future and the new captain might has well get his feet wet now.
During his interview, Eric Staal was equally classy with his remarks:
I've learned a lot from two pretty good captains, and hopefully I can continue. It will be nice because he (Brind'Amour) will still be here to help me out.
Staal will join good company and will be the fifth captain since the franchise moved to Carolina. Kevin Dineen, Keith Primeau, Ron Francis, and of course Brind`Amour all preceeded him.
That's not bad company to keep at all. Will Staal ever hold the Stanley Cup over his head as a Carolina Captain? Stay tuned.
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Well.....well.....well......
I just don’t know what to say….I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning. This is PERFECT TIMING for Rod to pass the torch, the start to the ‘rebuild’ has begun. I’m disappointed in the direction this thread has gone in many levels. For now I’d like to congratulate Staal for receiving the ‘C’. You have shown in the past that you are a great leader, on and off the ice, you have earned this in so many levels. May this be the start we as ‘CANIACS’ have been waiting for. Again Congratulations.
Staal IS the next CAPTAIN........get over it!
by canescup on Jan 20, 2010 2:10 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
A cut/paste from the other thread?!? Thought you’d have more to say than that.
But, good to know you’re disappointed in us in advance. :-D
Pessimism is only the name that men of weak nerve give to wisdom.
I thought about Canescup when I read this quote….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jan 20, 2010 7:54 PM EST up reply actions
brindy’s interview is so good.
this guy is STRAIGHT CLASS
love brindamour, will wear my 17 C jersey for years to come with PRIDE
http://downloads.hurricanes.nhl.com/audio/interviews/brindamour012010.mp3
In a bit of good news … my Rod “A” jersey is now back in style.
by Cory Lavalette on Jan 20, 2010 2:33 PM EST up reply actions
I mentioned in the other thread, I was at practice at the RecZone when this all came about, so I had a chance to watch the team and digest the situation before I had access to read about it or talk about it.
I revere Rod Brind’Amour and the way he has handled this season and this situation has affirmed why for me.
I am a big admirer of Eric Staal as well, I think he is a man of great talent and character, and I have no qualms about his ability to perform his new role admirably.
At first I questioned why now, but after reading and listening to the rationale behind the decision, it makes sense to me. It sounds as though this has been in the works for some time, but perhaps Eric’s injury and family situation prevented it from happening sooner.
I think the organization has handled a difficult situation well and with respect and dignity.
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
A raw deal
Well I hate to break up the love fest, but this plain sucks. Two trips to the finals, one cup, one trip to the Eastern Conference finals, two Selke awards, etc. And this is how “Mr.”
Rutherford treats our captain? They could have easily waited until the end of the season and allowed Brind’amour the dignity he has earned and deserves. NHL ers will see this as exactly what it is, an ill timed and unnecessary petty humiliation of a fine player and captain.
What’s the point in waiting? It won’t do the team any good. It won’t do Staal any good. It won’t do Brind’Amour any good. The time is right now. Better Staal to struggle now rather then later. Better to get his feet wet now then drown next season.
This is not a petty humiliation. To think of it as such is to confuse emotion with on-ice performance. Brind’Amour has not been up to the task to be captain for a while now. It’s terrible, but it’s true. His legs, and more to the point, his knee can’t handle it. It’s awful, but it’s life. Brindy isn’t being sent down to the AHL or being waived. He’s been assured he can retire here. He was even given the chance to veto the move. It sounds to me like JR went out of his way not to humiliate Brind’Amour.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
Hearing Rod’s reaction makes me feel a little better, but what else would he say? For him to be anything other than smiles and rainbows to the media wouldn’t be appropriate. So I am still not entirely convinced he was 100% on board for this move. Regardless though, this decision doesn’t change the way I feel about the team or about the players, including Rod. Especially Rod.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
this is always posisble,
but i actually think that the thouhgt that being nice for the media is a kind of untrue.
i think that it generally is the case that people are nice, and then when something happens that isnt fun, then generally the players dont come right out and talk to the media in a sit down like this.
i think rod is fine with this.
It's a
Classy thing Rod Brind-Amour said…i have no doubt he ment it too. But to this fan, who has said this before else where …this is a marketing of the Francise called The Carolina Hurricanes, INC ( or what ever the official incorperations papers say) A young family with small children could or might be targeted …why ? It’s about the money…Nothing against Staal mind you, but the people who own the team, is looking ahead and how the market the fact that Captain Eric Staal and His Huricanes are going to come back with a vengence…that would look better or sound beter than say Time Gleason who if it was me, would have been mae captain….but i be just a fan…Go Canes !!
If you think you can't, you won't !
Gleason’s great, but he’s not a captain. An alternate on the blue line, sure. Captain, no. He’s too quiet, too shy. Charisma is defined by Merriam Webster as " a personal magic of leadership arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a public figure (as a political leader)." That’s not Gleason. We appreciate his work ethic, but the players don’t follows him. It’s not a slight against the man. Gleason is a lunch pail kind of player, and I wouldn’t want him any other way.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
Charisma?
Are talking about electing a class president or choosing a hockey player who, by word and deed, takes action when needed and for whom teammates would go to war without a second thought (in the sporting sense, of course)?
I voted “Name someone else captain” and had Gleasonen in mind because I believe he’s the player closest to the definition I tried to lay out above. That said, I’m going to support Captain Eric (it was a foregone conclusion, after all), but I had a thought. If part of the reason he was moved to (and excelled at) wing was that he was having difficulty with the responsibilities of a center, will the “C” be a bigger weight around his neck? I hope not- in fact, I hope he takes off like nobody’s business. We’ll have to wait and see.
If it's Gleason, it has to be good.
Gleasonen?
Is that some kind of wierd hybrid Finnish/American badass?
by DidJussiThat? on Jan 21, 2010 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
Essentially yes. LTD made him an honorary Finn after the puck to the face-game tying goal awesomeness. That’s his Finn name.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
by caniacgirl on Jan 21, 2010 11:04 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I still don't think he's ready...
But nothing I can do about it. Hopefully he grows up fast, stops throwing temper tantrums here and there, and makes an example of himself. Steps it up both as a player and a person on the ice. I have no question about him off the ice, he’s a great person from what I’ve heard and seen. But on the ice the rest of this season, if he wants to prove to me as a fan he deserves it, he better show it.
If Ray Whitney does not retire a Carolina Hurricane, I'll go egg Jim Rutherfords car and TP his house.
Man, first Conan now this.
Actually I’m rationalizing that Rod’s OK with this. Maybe not today, but soon. Must be a burden on someone to be the Captain and play 4th line minutes, last in +/- in the league. Hear the whispers. Hell, you know the fans in opposing barns are talking trash. Maybe now he can enjoy what will most certainly be his last couple months.
Speaking of rich boy Conan. JR and PK better pray Rods cool with this. If not Rod will stay here and next year bleed another 3+ mill out of them. Don’t see it happening, just saying.
A
Staals going to the Olymipics, BFD!
When will Staal learn that a wrap ain't really a shot?
When does last place become unacceptable?
Trade Staal for a real Super Star or a bag of pucks, trade him now.
At least he can’t hold a gun to their head like Ronnie Franchise did for an extra million or two.
And he can be bought out as Kaberle was.
by drifterscape on Jan 20, 2010 4:03 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah – and there is video of the comments released earlier.
LTD – I’ve been out most of the day – and haven’t scanned these lengthy threads. Were you at the RZ today?
GM and soothsayer of the Unofficial Hurricanes' fishtank.
Up this week: Introducing Sutter-fish.
by hockeymomof2 on Jan 20, 2010 4:16 PM EST up reply actions
Brindamour and organizational class
For those of you mourning this move, just be thankful that the organization is handling this nicely. Remember that Tampa Bay cut bait on their cup-winning captain Andreychuk in mid-season, when the man was still performing admirably as a third-liner. They waived him and forced him into retirement. Rutherford could have done this to Rod, but has not.
More comments from the Canes org… these from David Droschak who offers some interesting perspective as well.
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
I liked the nameless slam of that slime we traded to get Brindy.
by drifterscape on Jan 20, 2010 6:04 PM EST up reply actions
I voted “something not listed.”
I’m not happy with it, but in the end I think it was the least wrong thing to do.
HOWEVER, I think the way they did it was wrong. Either they meant to do two press releases, which was insane, since the first one made it seem too much like Roddy was pushed out of the way, or they got the reaction after the fact and whipped something up real quick to make it sound more like everyone was content with the decision behind the scenes.
Regardless of what happened, it was handled poorly, in my opinion. Because of the way the official word from the team unfolded, Brindy’s heartfelt comments on the situation end up sounding more like helping the organization backpedal a bad PR move, rather than what they should be: one of the classiest people in hockey passing on the mantle.
From what I’ve seen from the outside, Staal doesn’t feel like captain material to me, but enough others in the organization are saying he is that I’m willing to wait and see. Like Cyn4Canes said to me earlier, perhaps Eric was hesitant to step on any toes and push too much as a leader while Brindy still had the “C.” I absolutely hope that is the case. Staal is certainly a great player, and maybe this is what he needs to get playing at a higher level consistently.
I'm sure the blood is still dripping from the knife.......
but can we talk about the options that are left. If Rod retires before the season ends or if Rod retires after the season I’m sure the money on the books stay the same. Is there a buyout plan if a player retires before his contract is up? Or does his age when signing the contract play a big part? I know this is step one on JR’s plan for whats coming next but one has to think, would he retire just to let someone else play if the $ on the books stay the same?
Staal IS the next CAPTAIN........get over it!
My two cents...
There is obviously a vast array of opinions regarding this move. Whether you feel that Rod was treated unfairly, or the timing was all wrong, or Staal ins’t worthy of the position, it doesn’t change the fact the move has been made, and we all knew it was coming.
I have tried to look at this form an objective point of view. If Staal isn’t ready to take on the role of team Captain, isn’t it better that we see it now, when the season is nothing more than playing out the schedule?. This gives him the opportunity to learn the role so he’ll go into next season with a little experience. It also gives everyone time to see if he can’t handle the pressure. I say better now, than next year.
If Rod is the great leader and Captain we all believe he is, this can still give him an opportunity to step away gracefully. He may not like the decision, but so far he isn’t showing it, at least not publicly. Rod knows the season is over, as does JR. Rod is still in a leadership position on the team, and the players aren’t going to respect him any less because of a different letter on his shirt. He can also mentor Staal while passing the torch instead of walking away and saying “here ya go, big guy. it’s all yours. good luck.”
The winds of change aren’t always refreshing…
Should have waited...
I think that Brind-Amour’s a good guy, but they should have stripped him of the captaincy before the season started or after this season ended. I just don’t like the move. Love Staal as captain, hate the way it happened.
Dallas Stars 4 Life: Stars Blogging From Hockeyville, Iowa
I'm a girl. The screen name can be misleading, I understand.
by Brad_Richards_Rocks on Jan 20, 2010 6:25 PM EST reply actions
You Can Put a "C" on ALL of their Chests...
Mo will still be coach.
Nice of management to distract us from the REAL problem. Mo’s coaching style.
Call me any names you want…. but the coach (or coaches) should be the last to get the blame for this season…. They aren’t the ones getting paid the big bucks to go out on the ice and win the games….
The coaches make the strategy…. the players clearly did not follow the strategy the coaches put in place… End of story…
Sometimes a coaching change is necessary… but should be a last resort…. It isn’t high school sports where the parents can out a coach if they don’t like him. These guys are paid to play hockey and they have done a horrible job following the systems and the plan from day one…
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jan 20, 2010 8:04 PM EST up reply actions
Hmmmmm
Funny the oldies’ time has gone down but yet we still lose, fail to score, and are last in the league in standings and practically every category?
Second coming of 99 would not help with no DYNAMIC offensive strategy each game.
But whatever. It’s the captain. Propaganda to keep some butts in the seats.
no DYNAMIC offensive strategy each game.
Adding an adjective would indicate that there is some sort of an offensive strategy at all. We were down by one the other nigh in the third period and it was only one forward in to about the top of the circles, if we were lucky, everyone else waiting in the neutral zone, letting the other team come to them with speed. I watched the Rangers still sending two men in to attack when up by 6 last night. Its called trying to win and keep scoring, not playing " not to lose ".
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Jan 20, 2010 7:02 PM EST up reply actions
That's Been The Problem All Season
I know this is probably the wrong spot to discuss….BUT…
1. Thanks Mo. We have kept the other team break aways down to less than 5 this year – one stat you can be proud of.
2. Since you play a high forward EVERY game/shift – I would respect you more if you played 3 D-men.
I’m wrong? When’s the last time you saw a 3 forward cycle from the Canes? Or someone in front of the net for a centering pass from the corner. YOU DON’T.
BE CREATIVE….change it a little….
Does not matter who wears the C.
Let them lose all they want now…..
If they aren’t going to make playoffs…. I say tank the whole f-ing ship! I want a good draft pick!
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jan 20, 2010 8:07 PM EST up reply actions
The change is about three years overdue. Brindacoward should have stopped playing hockey for the good of hockey three years ago. He was the weakest Captian in the NHL and an embarrasment to our franchise. I use him as an example of what not to be in a Captain. Now get rid of some of the other dead weight we have had for two years and we will be good. At least we know have a leader that knows how to lead. Not the first off the ice when it gets tough or one that says nothing to anyone on the team and motivates. Good bye Rod, what took you so long to leave!
Way off topic, but most people will look here first. Per Darren Dreger of TSN:
Canes ask Whitney and Wallin to waive no trades…list of those available in Carolina is long.
23 minutes ago from mobile web
And so it begins.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
I’m almost certain Whitney will be dealt. JR will ask him to waive the clause and probably promise to give him a fair offer as a FA this summer.
Still not a crook!
I think Hell would freeze before Wallin would waive his no trade…..
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jan 20, 2010 9:26 PM EST up reply actions
What I find humorous about this whole thing...
Is that JR made the change. Everywhere else, the coach would make this decision (and/or announce it), but here, the GM makes the move? Supposedly unilaterally. No mention of asking Maurice his opinion on the matter. They went to great lengths to tell us that Rod and Eric were both consulted. Why would the coach, of all people, be left out of the loop (or at least out of the press releases) on the biggest personnel issue/move of the season?
Simple. They know that half or more of the fanbase is still pissed that Mo is back. They know that half or more of the fanbase wants Mo’s ass gone again. If Mo had made this move, the fans would burn him in effigy. There’d be an unofficial “Pitchfork Night” at the RBC next game. Mo can do no wrong. So, JR took the bullet to protect Mo.
How sweet.
Maybe a coaching change is coming in the offseason. There’t no point in firing him midseason and paying someone else for the rest of the season. Lavi is off the books now so maybe Mo becomes expendable?
Oh well, at least I can still dream…
Still not a crook!
Maybe a coaching change is coming in the offseason.
I have a bridge for sale, are you interested?
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Jan 21, 2010 12:27 PM EST up reply actions
BAD MOVE.
IMHO: First – not right time. By doing it now JR agrees that his current leaders are unable to lead. 2nd – despite last season play I still do have respect to Bridy – but now, once retired in fan’s eyes he will be remembered not as a Champion and Captain but as old looser – this is not what he deserves….3rd – It had to wait for offseason. Now about Stall – I see him as good player but to me he is not a good C – I would rather go with Tim – he shows much more dedication to the team etc… Well – all above is IMHO with full respect to all players…
All above is my personal opinion.
Thanks,
Andy_S
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