Injuries?  Baby?  Personal?  The C?  Whatever it is,  the Canes new Captain has been electric since the 20th, with 7 goals in 5 games.  I missed tonight's game but Chuck K made it sound like Eric really imposed his will on his power play goal.  Add the fact that Cam Ward seems to be on fire at the same time (8 goals allowed in 5 games) and JR's decision to make Staal and CWard the franchise cornerstones starts to look prescient.  If Staal begins to carry this team and Cam continues his stellar play the Canes have a huge upside...not the playoffs but close.  Will JR sell parts for prospects and sabotage a period of better play for 10-11? Will the pieces left behind continue their valiant effort?  A very difficult balancing act remains for Rutherford.  As a fan, winning is so much better that losing, but losing holds out the possibility of a high draft pick, some hockey player who might make my team better next year.  What do I root for?  Losing...with the hope of a Taylor or Tyler?  Or winning...with the joy that brings?  We all have to answer that question for ourselves, but the question we don't have to answer is whether or not we are fans.