Next Season Could Be Special One For Caniacs
by Bob Wage on Feb 9, 2010 7:00 AM EST
104 comments
While this season has been mostly full of bad news and disappointment, next year could very well be one for the ages for fans of the Carolina Hurricanes.
First of all, the team is expected to start the season off in Europe, most likely Helsinki, Finland. The news has not been 100% confirmed yet, but the Finns on the team are certainly looking forward to the possibility. I asked Jussi Jokinen about the opportunity and he said that he was very happy about it.
"This would be a once in a lifetime opportunity, we are very happy it looks like this might happen." When asked if he thought many friends or family would be in attendance, he laughed and replied, "Oh yes, as a matter of fact my mother has already gotten calls about getting tickets."
While playing a couple of games in Europe would be an exciting franchise first, there is also a good chance that the Hurricanes could be awarded the All Star Game. This would be a huge boon for the local area as well as for fans.
Last month, Jim Rutherford personally delivered a proposal to host the event at the league's office. Gary Bettman has said repeatedly that Carolina was due the classic, it was just a matter of the area having the infrastructure to support it. That time has come.
On January 22, Cory was one of the first to break the news about the Hurricanes possibly having an affiliate in Charlotte. While it was never confirmed by any of the head honchos, that possibility seems like a reality now. Management of the Charlotte Checkers is holding a press conference on Wednesday and it's widely expected they will make the official announcement at that time.
At long last, fans who enjoy watching the team's prospects will soon be able to follow them more closely and can even make a short drive to watch them in person if they want to. As we have advocated on this blog for years, this set up would be a win/win for fans and for the franchise.
If the Hurricanes continue to struggle on the ice this year, they will qualify for a high quality draft pick this summer. That will provide a major source of excitement all by itself. The team should have room on the roster for a high quality rookie next season and perhaps the franchise will have a player with a legitimate shot at winning the Calder Trophy.
The news has been pretty dire in Raleigh most of this season and now Cam Ward has joined the long list of wounded players. But while the next couple of months could be tedious ones for fans to get through, it looks like next year will be an unforgettable one, regardless how the team performs on the ice.
And at least one pundit is already looking for the Hurricanes to make a nice rebound. Anyway you look at it, happier days are just around the corner, Caniacs.
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while i thank you for the efforts and informaton, but sadly this is still nothing more than idol speculation at this point. While i too as a fan wish and hope so, until the ink has dried on the contract, that the Checkers next season do become the canes AHL tam,that Jussi’s mom will have the tickets in her hand…all we have is hope…hope that all of this will come to pass and not could,would or might &maybe…we Hurricanes fans have this year especially been promised the world and all we got was cold can of beanie weenie…again NOT trying to rain on anyone’s parade but when you got hard evidence & proof positive…then come and wave a Big mac in front of a bunch of starving fans…and speaking of news…anything else about possible or probable trades of A.Ward & etc..?
don’t mind me…just tired of the "soap opera " style of informatin gathering…instead of what is actually wrong with LaRose,Cole and Walker and why they won’t be back until and after the olympic vaction, and who is going as a spectator to the olympics…gee no one here seems to ether know or care…Thanks for leting me have my say…not being ugly…just tired of the speculitive wordsmanship that don’t tell us anything that inspires hope …but i’m a fan, what would i know ? Go Canes !!
If you think you can't, you won't !
I have a very good feeling it will be announced Sunday or Monday.
Canes vs. the Minnesota Wild. We will probably also play a few preseason games against local teams over there as they typically do every year.
If the AHL affiliate indeed moves to Charlotte, that would be awesome. We could start organizing Canes Country road trips to watch the prospects play! As long as we’re hoping for good things to come, wonder if TWC would televise any of their games.
Canes Country Road Trips to Charlotte
That idea is great. Also, high speed rail to and from Raleigh/Durham would be an excellent mode of transit. Perhaps the Hurricanes and Checkers/Rats organization would cooperate with buses, etc.
I was just saying the same thing to my wife on Sunday! Too bad it’s a number of years away.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
It would be next season – wouldn’t it?
GM and soothsayer of the Unofficial Hurricanes' fishtank.
Up this week: Introducing Sutter-fish.
by hockeymomof2 on Feb 9, 2010 11:57 AM EST up reply actions
I’m guessing he was referring to the “high speed rail” being a number of years away.
They’re working on upgrading the corridor…but at “railroad speed” for those that have ever worked with that industry, which means turtle-slow.
It will be a while before we see true high-speed performance, if ever. Too many towns being split by what is essentially a freight rail corridor being converted to a passenger rail corridor.
Lots of road crossings for a high-speed train to navigate, not to mention local political jurisdictions.
High Speed Rail
One of my closest friends from college is NC’s guru of trains. He is making superhuman efforts to get the Raleigh to Charlotte passenger train route in place for high speed rail. The idea is to get from Raleigh to Charlotte in under two hours. That goal, I am told, is attainable sooner than one might think. Already a number of Raleigh business people take the train to and from Charlotte.
Biggest hurdle to me, outsider looking in, is how to navigate through the center of these small town’s downtowns along the existing route at true high speeds, without having to slow down and lose momentum.
That, and a narrow right-of-way corridor, that may not be the ideal scale for such speeds.
But, keep throwing money and political will at it, and eventually it WILL exist.
As you’ve figure out I was referring to the HSR. The Raleigh to Charlotte corridor is relatively free of bi-secting cities, but there are still a number of at-grade road crossings that would have to be changed, many of which are in downtown areas where other options aren’t possible. For those local to or familiar with the RBC, think of the train crossing on Blue Ridge near Hillsborough. Ten years would be an optimistic estimate of the time to get the corridor built. Even still, it would be nice.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
For anyone who wants to know more about it, the Southeast High Speed Rail website has some good info: http://www.sehsr.org
The stimulus money allocated to us a couple weeks ago was a huge win, and should help get the ball rolling.
Next Season
I agree with the sentiment of the article. This year was a resounding disappointment in many ways; but I think the three main personnel gaps will be filled from draft picks, Albany, trades for prospects, and perhaps an UFA signing or two. As we have discussed in many different posts at Canes County, we should see next year: (1) a top pick in the draft who is a franchise player and who will take some of the scoring load off Staal or if Cam Fowler, a franchise defenseman; (2) more exciting offensive firepower from Albany: (a) Boychuk; (b) Tlusty, © Bowman, and perhaps (d) Dalpe; (3) an improved fourth line with Samson/Dwyer/Kostopoulos ready to be a rolling fourth line; (4) some more size and Ruutu-like warrior approach to hockey coming either from the draft, acquisition of prospects, and perhaps a trade; and (5) another puck-moving defensemen — as mentioned either (a) Cam Fowler; (b) Rodney, © McBain, or (d) a prospect or UFA.
Although the defense was very porous at the start of the season, the defense been much improved over the past twenty games or so. As others have stated better than me, the best defense if a good offense — score early and often.
These next few weeks before the trade deadline will be interesting and will be a stepping stone toward the future.
Good article. If all these things come true, it will definitely be a very exciting season. Let’s just hope the guys can get excited and play like we know they can too! Even if Raleigh does get everything you were talking about, it still makes me nervous for the actual season. I mean, look how excited we all were about this one. But there’s nothing we can do other than keep our faith and consistently cheer on our Canes!!!! :)
according to the times union article ( albany NY newspaper..0 the currentvowner Mr. Robb had been trying to find a local buyer for the team…now why he wants to dump the team it doesn’t say nor in my phone calls have been able to find out as no one is talking…so and again, i am NOT trying to be sour grapes…and IF the deal to bring the rats to charlotte will be great…and seeing i live in W/S heck i could do a bus trip and etc from time to time…so for this fan it could be a winning situation for charlotte & the rats as a team. But what will the "checkers do as a team…haven’t heard anything from any source from ECHL on down to willi the wino sitting on the corner about the possible fate of th4 checkers…hell finding our the governors bra size was easier than geting information on this topic…sigh…at least there is some decent news possibly coming huh ?
If you think you can't, you won't !
he’s been saying for a while that he would only sell to someone who would keep it local, but he hasn’t found anyone who’ll do it … I think anything now is simply a smoke screen for the move to Charlotte.
by Cory Lavalette on Feb 9, 2010 10:27 AM EST up reply actions
Do they even need a smoke-screen? As I understand their contract with the Rats is up this year, they won’t be affiliated with them and they don’t really need to move the team. They could feasibly just make their own team in Charlotte if I am not mistaken, I think this happens quite commonly from year to year in the AHL.
Let the good times roll! I think if Cory doesn’t write an opinion of what will occur if these things don’t happen all of these things will come true! :)
"Last season we couldn't win at home and we were losing on the road. My failure was that I couldn't think of any place else to play." - Harry Neale
AHL checkers?
i dont think the checkers become ahl franchise just because they announce affiliation.
until the news is announced that an AHL team will be in charlotte, there wont be any call ups to raleigh from charlotte right?
the checkers would be more like the other team karmanos owns.
The behind-the-scenes mechanics are that the Charlotte owner would purchase an existing AHL franchise (maybe Albany, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be), secure the Canes’ affiliation for that franchise (the agreement with Albany expires after this season), move that franchise to Charlotte, and transfer the ECHL Checkers’ lease, off-ice staff, name, identity etc. to that franchise. (That still leaves him needing to account for the ECHL franchise somehow, whether by selling, moving or accepting a franchise suspension until he gets a deal he likes.)
There’s no sense confusing the general population with all that detail, though. To people who are just looking for something to do on a Friday night, the marketing message will be that the (same old, been there since the mid-90s) Checkers are moving up a league and affiliating with the Canes, who you can watch on TV or drive 2.5 hrs to go see when your Checkers make the bigs.
That 17-year-old Hokie sitting in the rafters in Greensboro didn't see any of this coming.
also with cam wasrd out and possibly trading away still cullen, whitney, corvo + we could again fight for the bottom spot.
but knowing this team, we will probably go on a ridiculous winning streak with all the kids in the line up.
At the least Peters should get a decent try-out. However, since the Olympic break is coming up that may only last for the next three games. Ward could be ready to go come March 1.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
No fan support?
My concern is if we did get the All-Star game here it would be more bad media for the Canes. I’m not sure we could sell out the game and the hockey media would kill us. The Canes have been here 11 seasons now and can’t seem to sell out a regular season game. Also if the AHL team is that close it could pull some of the attendance away with cheaper tickets.
Don’t get me wrong I would like all this, just think it could go a different route.
Staal + Jussi = GOAL
by canescup on Feb 9, 2010 9:50 AM EST via mobile reply actions
We'd sell it out.
For one thing, there wouldn’t be close to full capacity available to the Canes’ ticket office to sell in the first place — large chunks of the lower bowl would be held by the league for corporate sponsors, other teams’ VIPs, etc.
For two, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Canes force full STHs at or above a certain price level to purchase ASG tickets (er, I mean, include with your season ticket package!). They’d certainly roll that into a season suite lease, I would think.
That 17-year-old Hokie sitting in the rafters in Greensboro didn't see any of this coming.
There won’t be a problem selling out the all-star game because fans will come from all over the country especially from Washington, Nashville, and Atlanta all within driving distance. And if folks from Toronto, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and NY come down to watch a regular season game then they will come to watch the all-star game.
"Last season we couldn't win at home and we were losing on the road. My failure was that I couldn't think of any place else to play." - Harry Neale
by hotchipsnsalsa on Feb 9, 2010 10:02 AM EST up reply actions
I have to disagree. The tickets may be cheaper, but you still have to drive 3 hours so it’ll end up being the same after gas money. Plus it’ll get the people in Charlotte hyped up to see a major league game if they start getting into the minor games. And we have sold out before….just not as much this season. People will be coming from all over to see the All Star game if we get it.
Correct me if I am wrong but I don’t even think Season Ticket Holders get their spot guaranteed for the All-Star Game. Maybe they get a slightly early pickings of decent seats but as far as the event goes I don’t think anything is guaranteed. In fact I was talking about it with someone the other day and I’m pretty positive that Luxury Box owners would not get their box for the event.
Yeah, I’d be shocked to learn that STH’s get their actual seats. Surely those in the lower bowl will be relocated somewhere, at a minimum, to open up blocks for all of those outsiders that want in the doors.
I would be happy to just get the right to buy a ticket without having to go through a lottery.
I talked to my ticket rep a few weeks back about this. They haven’t decided anything as of yet. When it was in Atlanta anyone with any ticket package got the opportunity to buy tickets. I doubt that would be the case in Raleigh. My guess is that all full STH’s will get the opportunity to buy a ticket, but I could be wrong.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
Hard to sell out a game when the team is doing so poorly right now though. I myself won’t drive the 60 miles to see them fall on their face 3 out of 4 times. Just a matter of how well the team des.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
Fan Support
I am hoping that the draft will yield at least two first round picks and that the Hurricanes organization can use that situation to create some buzz in the community.
First Round Picks
Seems to me that if we can trade Whitney, Corvo and Cullen, we should be able to get multiple first round picks. This may mean trading the player, then giving up a second or third round pick to move up to a first round pick.
Three first rounders would be great.
Oh, and who’s up for a little road trip to Europe next season?? :)
I’m seriously aching to go if that’s where we start out.
Oh, I’m definitely there. Already have the time off work, already have the passport renewal paperwork in order. If my son has to repeat the third grade due to extended absence, well then, so be it. ;-)
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
Waaayyyy more education to be had participating in this excursion to a different latitude/attitude than could possibly be found spending those days in a local classroom.
A little tutoring on the back end with some catch-up cram sessions and there should be no damage and lots of memories.
Oh for sure. You can tell I’m guilt-ridden about being a bad parent.
Oh, and one more thing. Happy to serve as a Canes Country foreign correspondent and field photographer as needed.
:D
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
IS THAY YOU JIMMY!!!!!
“Reading departure signs in some big airport reminds of the places ive been”
As a jet setter myself I would have to agree.
by CarolinaCanes on Feb 9, 2010 3:49 PM EST up reply actions
Just seeing this post. I’ll do what I can. I’m pretty active on many of the message boards and tend to hang around the RBC Center a lot, so I’ll happily pass along any information I get. May set up a Facebook page or something (not sure how to do that?)
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
If you didn't catch my other comment...
The STH folks at the RBC center last night said they’ll be arranging trips and were taking names of folks who were interested and wanted to hear more. You may want to call your account manager and see if they’ve got the skinny yet.
by Raccoon Fink on Feb 10, 2010 8:30 AM EST up reply actions
Anyone know when they are supposed to announce where the All-Star game will be next year?
I would hope we could get some players to play on our home ice if we did. Would be embarassing if we had the All-Star game only to have no one there to represent us.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
The way the All-Star Game is set-up these days with the “Fans” voting in the starting lineup is a joke seeing as cities like Chicago and Montreal have voting huge drives and you end up with someone like Komisarek as an All-Star Starter.
Unfortunately after they do this it really only leaves room for the NHL to pick the best player from each team so that everyone has at least 1 representative. It’s less about the best players in the NHL and more about pleasing everybody.
They ( the NHL) probably will announce soon as the winng arena/facility needs time to organise their events calender and scheduling…after all it all about the money isn’t it ? Speaking of money…IF…the current Checkers owner & friends do buy and move the rats to charlotte as the francise contract with the rats doew end at the end of this season…when does the echl contract the checkers has end ? this year or later down the road ? Anybody know or how to find out ?
If you think you can't, you won't !
Just got the tweet that Karmanos is meeting with the media today at 2 pm.
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
Maybe they’re announcing Helsinki
GM and soothsayer of the Unofficial Hurricanes' fishtank.
Up this week: Introducing Sutter-fish.
by hockeymomof2 on Feb 9, 2010 12:49 PM EST up reply actions
Never been so glad to be mistaken in all my life!
LTD dancing around the building.
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
by LTD on Feb 9, 2010 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
Quick, you guys with press creds, there’s time to remember that you have a ’doctor’s appointment’ and skip work for this!
RUUUUUUUUUUU HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
by LTD on Feb 9, 2010 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
HEY
if they can put on ice in las vegas for the rangers and kings
they can put ice in carter- finley
but back to this topic, next year could suck just like this year, too early to tell.
by Capt. Stinky on Feb 9, 2010 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
I love Jussi.
I’m glad to see he’s so excited for this.
Now how about that Team Finland roster spot at the Olympics, eh?
Here's to all us girls who love hockey...and the men who play it.
by Brad_Richards_Rocks on Feb 9, 2010 12:46 PM EST reply actions
Forslund just got on NHLNetwork/XMRadio
GM and soothsayer of the Unofficial Hurricanes' fishtank.
Up this week: Introducing Sutter-fish.
Ive heard him before
It’s a little scarry to be honest
by CarolinaCanes on Feb 9, 2010 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
The big NEWS is Helsinki is official
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=516907
GM and soothsayer of the Unofficial Hurricanes' fishtank.
Up this week: Introducing Sutter-fish.
The Carolina Hurricanes and Minnesota Wild will play two regular-season games against each other at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland, on Thursday, Oct. 7 and Friday, Oct. 8.
LTD – time to get to work……
GM and soothsayer of the Unofficial Hurricanes' fishtank.
Up this week: Introducing Sutter-fish.
Quick Kayak search
$981 Multiple Airlines
10/5/10
RDU 2:35p
HEL 8:00a
10/11/10
HEL 10:35a
RDU 4:30p
(13h 00m)2
(15h 30m)
HOLY CRAP I AM BESIDE MYSELF WITH EXCITEMENT.
HELSINKI HERE I COME
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
by LTD on Feb 9, 2010 1:16 PM EST up reply actions
Finland Here We Come
Kukla is reporting that the Finland adventure is a done deal – vs The Wild
http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/six_teams_head_to_europe_next_season/
-martin
Some nice quotes from Joni in the Helsinki games article. And at the bottom, there’s this:
Douglas Murray would be the only Swede playing for the Sharks, but the Blue Jackets could have Kristian Huselius, Fredrik Modin, Sammy Pahlsson and Anton Stralman. Murray, Pahlsson and Modin are slated to play for Sweden in the Olympics.
I hope Nic Wallin is still with them – from the sounds of it (Listen to the real Kaiton on 620 the buzz this morning), the Sharks realy want him and were willing to pay big bucks ($2.7mil for a one year extension).
GM and soothsayer of the Unofficial Hurricanes' fishtank.
Up this week: Introducing Sutter-fish.
Look what I found:
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=616
They have a button below the video field to watch the Karmanos press conference at 2pm.
Cool.
GM and soothsayer of the Unofficial Hurricanes' fishtank.
Up this week: Introducing Sutter-fish.
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