Clicks and Clippings: Road Warriors

by Carolyn Christians on Oct 14, 2010 4:04 PM EDT in Hurricanes Newsstand

The word is Sergei Samsonov will play tonight, and Patrick O`Sullivan will be a healthy scratch. Rookies Jeff Skinner and Zac Dalpe, both born in Ontario, are making their North American NHL debuts. Skinner is looking forward to having his family on hand at ScotiaBank Center tonight. Wouldn't be surprised if Dalpe's parents are nearby. Skinner was the center of attention with the media after practice today [photo], and probably not for the last time this season.

Game previews and other news in Ottawa

Hurricanes vs. Senators - 10/14/2010 -NHL.com's game Preview

Hurricanes Start North American Road Trip With Visit To Ottawa - Canes Country The Carolina Hurricanes kick off a five-game North American road trip in Ottawa against the winless Senators.

Audio links, after practice today, from Coach Paul Maurice [here], Eric Staal [here], and Jeff Skinner [here]. Also this Sens blog post includes some video with the Canes, on the scene in Ottawa today:Canes Blow Into Ottawa " Scoreottawa's Blog

Canes Now - Canadian media interested in Canadian kid Skinner, at 18, is the youngest player on a young team. The Canes' first-round draft pick, a native of Markham, Ont., will be playing his first NHL in Canada and will have his parents and a sister in the stands at Scotiabank Place

Hard Hits Feature: Players facing former teams - HurricanesBeat.com by Kurt Dusterberg Payback Time Road trip will feature grudges with former teams

For those with Dish Network bad news: Canes Now - DISH, FSN remain at 'impasse' | newsobserver.com blogs You might see if you can watch on Center Ice?

From Ottawa's local paper:

Leclaire gets the start | Ottawa Sun The last time Leclaire faced the Hurricanes was on Feb. 4th in Raleigh. He was coming back from a concussion, gave up two goals on five shots and was pulled from the net early in the game.

And Sens ready to roll? | Ottawa Sun Will a players-only meeting in Washington go down as the Senators’ great, season-saving turning point?

** LATE ADD: Didn't catch this earlier, but TSN has this 3-minute video preview of tonight's game with a fair amount of focus on Skinner.

After the jump some more on the expectations of Maurice and company as they begin the season again, this time in a real NHL rink in the heart of Ontario, Canada. Plus news from the Checkers, the prospects, and a few other stories around the League.

Some Canes links from yesterday you might have missed

Great insight in this audio link with General Manager Jim Rutherford with an Ottawa sports Radio Station Team 1200 [here], courtesy of Go_shelf in the comments of a post yesterday. And here is Maurice [here] and Skinner [here] after practice Wednesday, before heading to RDU to fly to Ontario.

Canes Now - 'Good vibe' Canes go back on road | newsobserver.com blogs

Hurricanes' next test - five more road games - NewsObserver.com The Carolina Hurricanes had a day of sun and relaxation Monday, participating in the Kids 'N Community charity golf tournament at Cary's Prestonwood Country Club.

Video and a slideshow from the K'nC Golf event Monday, courtesy of the Canes.

Rookie Excitement

The Hockey News: Special Features: VIDEO: THN Puck Panel – Rookie report With another strong crop of rookies starting this season in the NHL, Puck Panel host Ryan Dixon is joined by writers Ryan Kennedy and Ken Campbell to discuss the young guns and why kids today are more ready to make the jump than ever before.

Rookies Already Filling The Void On Many NHL Rosters - From The Rink Many NHL rookies are eating up early season ice time left behind by departed and injured players.

Red Light District: Trusting Youngsters If there is anything that can be learned from the last two Stanley Cup champions, it is that building from within and through the draft rather than free agency or trades is the way to go.

AHL news

There is tremendous anticipation for the game tomorrow in Charlotte, the first AHL game for the team in that city. I've put together a Game Guide you can print out to have with you, keeping in mind most of the players have all new numbers. Roster guide for Checkers vs W-B/S Penguins Oct 15, 2010.

The Charlotte Checkers Allow Wilson Into Their Locker Room. | FOX Charlotte Hockey season is back! The Charlotte Checkers have their first home game on Friday, October 15th so Wilson went to their training facility to get a peek behind the scenes.

Charlotte Checkers 2010-11 preview - Hockey's Future The Carolina Hurricanes figure to benefit greatly by having their AHL affiliate about 160 miles west of Raleigh

And Sandpiper has her Photo-set of the Checkers game Sunday at Springfield up on flickr - always a treat to see the game through her lens.

YouTube - Checkers announce roster, inaugural AHL season begins this weekend. Jeff Daniels and Casey Borer live in the studio.

Prospect News

Austin Levi and the Plymouth Whalers are supporting a great cause with their annual Pink Out! game this weekend. Check out the pictures. Whalers Work As Waiters Tonight at CJ's Brewing Company | MLive.com The Whalers Pink Out! effort for Breast Cancer Awareness continues tonight as the team will be working as waiters at CJ's Brewing Company at Compuware Arena from 4:30-7pm. Tips earned from the event will go towards the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. Another story here: Plymouth Whalers let the pink go to their heads | Asheville Citizen-Times .

UMD Bulldogs - Men's Hockey Freshman Justin Faulk's first career goal turned out to be the game-winner Saturday night.

Boston College Retains No. 1 Ranking in USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's College Hockey Poll where highly regarded Canes defenseman prospect Brian Dumoulin's BC Eagles collected 507 points, including 31-of-34 first-place votes, to claim the top spot.

Other player interviews you'll want to read...

...all from veteran NHL'ers starting the season with new teams. They have very different stories to tell.

Time was right for Wild's Cullen to go home - NHL.com Matt Cullen signed with the Wild during the offseason figuring it was the right time in his career to play hockey in his home state of Minnesota.

Duthie: Going 1-on-1 with the Maple Leafs' Kris Versteeg This week, Toronto Maple Leafs forward and part-time rapper Kris Versteeg.

Rehab for a broken leg and a broken heart | StarTribune.com Five months have passed, but the pain is still so agonizing Kurtis Foster can barely talk about it

The Road less traveled

Finally, in keeping with the headline, let's not forget less than two weeks ago, these same players were making NHL history in St Petersburg, Russia. Canes Vision put together one awesome video of their sightseeing trip in the beautiful city.

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Comments

Man, I really wish O’Sullivan would get a shot on a scoring line. His skills don’t translate well to the 4th line. He’s got to have an opportunity to succeed where his skills are.

www.prosportsblogging.com

by Great Ice-Pectations on Oct 14, 2010 4:23 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed. Im wondering why he is not moved to 1st line tonight in LaRose’s place, then putting Rosie in 3rd line and scratching Dwyer. OF all the options O’Sullivan is the one whom you would think would be the best fit there.

by Blacklisted on Oct 14, 2010 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d guess it isn’t so much about Patrick as it is about making sure guys like Bowman and Dalpe get as many games in as possible, get comfortable, and find their stride so the team can decide who stays and who heads to Charlotte. I doubt the ‘Canes have soured on O’Sullivan after 2 games on the 4th line.

www.prosportsblogging.com

by Great Ice-Pectations on Oct 14, 2010 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d guess it isn’t so much about Patrick as it is about making sure guys like Bowman and Dalpe get as many games in as possible, get comfortable, and find their stride so the team can decide who stays and who heads to Charlotte.

I would even go so far as to say those guys are playing better than what JR anticipated. It’s put JR in a bit of a difficult spot of having signed a kid who played lights out in the pre-season and not having room for him on the NHL roster right now, but not wanting to subject the kid to waivers in fear of losing him.

Don't trust me. I have psychological issues.

by C-Leaguer on Oct 14, 2010 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Very true. And now that Samsonov is healthy, he needs to see some ice. I’m not worried about O’Sullivan, I’m just anxious for him to get a chance in the top-6 because I know he can pot 25 goals. 2 games in the ‘Canes lines certainly aren’t in cement.

www.prosportsblogging.com

by Great Ice-Pectations on Oct 14, 2010 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree that there is not really a sign of dissatisfaction with O’Sullivan. What I’ve been hearing over and over from Mo and Staal is that they expect to have their hands full with the Sens coming out of the gate likes hellsafire tonight, and Mo being Mo he’s thinking Defense first. If he puts in Samsonov, he can’t take out wings like Bowman, Dalpe, Dwyer, TommyK or LaRose who are all steady PK types now. Should he have scratched Skinner rather than O’Sullivan?

Maybe there’s even some interest from somewhere for a trade of Samsonov (Pure speculation, but that would certainly be a good thing from JR’s point of view) so they need to showcase him a bit.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Oct 14, 2010 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

You make solid points.

www.prosportsblogging.com

by Great Ice-Pectations on Oct 14, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

except the Skinner part, I think he’ll play well, he’s a big gamer.

by Go_Shelf on Oct 14, 2010 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I think she was saying they wouldn’t scratch Skinner, making Sully the obvious choice.

www.prosportsblogging.com

by Great Ice-Pectations on Oct 14, 2010 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions

yes – sorry if the wording was fuzzy

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Oct 14, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions

HMof2: dead on right about the thinking of the Hurricanes Brain Trust re: O’Sullivan. In J.R.’s dreams, Samsonov plays great and is traded at the deadline to make room for players like Boychuk or Nash.

by abramsdoug on Oct 14, 2010 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Hard to believe any team would be asking about acquiring Samsonov. If anything i could see them showcasing him and then waiving him in the hopes a team might bite.

by Killswitch on Oct 14, 2010 6:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Skinner’s getting a lot of attention up there, got to wonder how he’s going to handle it.

by Go_Shelf on Oct 14, 2010 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

With a smile :)

www.prosportsblogging.com

by Great Ice-Pectations on Oct 14, 2010 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

If he does more power to him. The kid looks young enough that he can’t drive after 8:00 p.m. unless it’s too and from work. I must admit, I’m pretty impressed with how he’s handling himself both on and off the ice. I still worry about him holding up for an entire season, but that’s just because he’s 18 and not anything specific I’ve seen about him. As someone who has been leaving the door open for the possibility of him returning to the Kitchener Rangers I’m starting to think that there’s no way he should go back, no matter what the record of the team.

Don't trust me. I have psychological issues.

by C-Leaguer on Oct 14, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he has way more to learn in Raleigh than in Kitchener, even if he burns out a little early. It’s a way for him to see what it takes to go 82 games + at this level and better prepare for it next year.

www.prosportsblogging.com

by Great Ice-Pectations on Oct 14, 2010 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

The word was Sunday from Rutherford that Skinner’s a lock to stay the season.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Oct 14, 2010 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

N&O:

http://blogs.newsobserver.com/canes/rutherford-safe-to-say-skinner-will-stay

by Go_Shelf on Oct 14, 2010 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Jim Rutherford on Skinner and Maurice on Skinner

Jim Rutherford was indeed quite clear that he expected Skinner to stick the entire year with the Hurricanes. Maurice had an interview this morning and basically said, he trusted Skinner on the ice no matter what the situation was in the game. Sounds like Skinner’s a lock for this season.

by abramsdoug on Oct 14, 2010 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I am kind of stunned that Sully got scratched. I feared for Bowman to be honest, but yeah. I don’t know, I just don’t feel he deserved to be scratched before getting the shot at the top lines. If he ever does, he will most definitely pot more goals than Sammy will this season.

by NorwegianCaniac on Oct 14, 2010 5:05 PM EDT reply actions

O'Sullivan versus Samsonov

I think if all things were equal, O’Sullivan would score more goals. I see the decision to give Samsonov his opportunity as a decision based on Samsonov’s salary and his potential to return to form during the contract year. Samsonov had a great pre-camp and was skating like a wild man. I would like to see what O’Sullivan can do with Staal/Cole; and believe he could help that line get into a scoring groove.

by abramsdoug on Oct 14, 2010 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it is more that Mo feel comfortable with Sammy. The salary doesn’t have much to do with it because both are still earning a NHL paycheck tonight. Also both are on contract years. The only thing, other than Mo’s comfort level, that I can see is if they are trying to showcase Sammy to get the ball rolling on trading him.

Please Mo, take those POS's off Staal's line and put the more skilled POS with Staal!

by PackPride17 on Oct 14, 2010 6:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

It’s nice to hear that the discussion this year (so far) is " who to sit out " as opposed to “whom are we going to find to play.” That may mean the ’Canes are in pretty good shape, talent and injury wise.

by Franklnc on Oct 14, 2010 6:12 PM EDT reply actions