No Big Changes Planned on Defense
by Bob Wage on Apr 23, 2010 3:12 PM EDT
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Paul Branecky, chief blogger for the Carolina Hurricanes website, had an update yesterday which delved into what the Carolina brass is thinking regarding next season's blue line.
As we mentioned previously here at Canes Country, the team currently has three defensemen under contract, Joni Pitkanen, Tim Gleason, and Jamie McBain. The coaching staff is very happy with McBain and it seems like the youngster has already played his way into the lineup for next year.
The next three starting spots are up for grabs.
The Canes are very interested in bringing back Anton Babchuk and Jim Rutherford said that there was interest on the player's side as well. Babchuk has had an up and down career in Carolina and is a polarizing figure within the Caniac Nation.
A couple of months ago, we published an article and a poll about possibly bringing the defenseman back here and the comment section was extremely active as fans left a variety of opinions.
If the Hurricanes can not come to terms with Babchuk, then they might re-sign Brian Pothier, the veteran who was very steady in his short stint in Carolina. It does not seem like Rutherford will sign both of these blue liners though.
The club has a couple of restricted free agents to sign, including Brett Carson, Casey Borer, and Alexandre Picard. Carson and Picard are the likely candidates to fill out the last two spots on the blue line.
Players who hit the free agent market include, Jay Harrison, Bryan Rodney, and Tim Conboy, any of whom could be re-signed. Management is still talking up Harrison. Branecky quotes Rutherford with the following.
"We’ll see when Albany’s season ends, but he did a good job early in the year, battled an injury all year and I thought he played well at the end of the season," Rutherford said of Harrison, who logged 38 games with Carolina. "He’s a big guy, he’s physical and is certainly capable of getting into the top six."
The general manager tipped his hat a bit when mentioning the draft. Apparently, they are very high on defensemen Cam Fowler, Erik Gudbranson, and Brandon Gormley. It looks like if any of those blue liners are still available at number seven, the Canes will grab him. And if that happens, the player could very well start for the team next fall.
But several mock drafts have those defensemen already chosen by time Carolina picks at number seven.
Finally, Rutherford said that he will not be active on July 1 when the free agent period kicks off. Don't expect any huge signings. He might take a look to see who is still available in September and pick up a player who brings good value. Does this sound familiar?
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He might take a look to see who is still available in September and pick up a player who brings good value. Does this sound familiar?
I am sure some 35 year old hasbeen, some 33 year old neverwas, or some 30 year old injury reclamation project will still be available then. When spend money to win, when all that matters is turning a profit after all.
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 Apr 23, 2010 3:15 PM EDT reply actions
When spend money to win
Why spending money to win. Stoopid intuitive text.
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 Apr 23, 2010 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I am willing to give Rutherford benefit of the doubt. He did sign what many other organizations considered a never was in the name of Jussi Jokinen. Who got to Carolina clicked with our program and fan support and has turned out to be a great find.
I am not saying every move he makes will work out as well but sometimes he makes moves that many deem are questionable that over the long run turn out really well for the Canes. Another example, Jack Johnson to get Tim Gleason, many thought him crazy because JJ was one of the hottest prospects around, yet I doubt there are many Caniacs who would undo that trade. So even when I doubt him I am willing to give his decisions time to play out a bit to see if they were really good or bad for the team.
Gleason versus Johnson
Great point about Jim Rutherford. Every wise sage of hockey castigated Jim Rutherford for that trade; yet, even though Johnson has an endless fountain of talent, Gleason is a player around whom Stanley Cup championships can be built. I think Jim Rutherford’s has a great strength in being able to see the potential of players; and particularly players who have an inherent will to win at all costs and who rise to the occasion. He seems to be able to put aside the Madison Avenue promotion of players and the glizz and to have insight into the player’s heart.
Babchuk v. Pothier
It seems that Jim Rutherford is being pretty clear that he probably would like to sign Babchuk if he can. It also seems from reading the article that the battle for the 6th spot is going to be between Picard and Harrison. I suspect that Harrison had a groin injury of some kind because he looked much slower at the start of the season than he appeared late in the season. Still, Harrison is the least gifted skater of the Hurricanes’ defensemen, but hopefully, he can improve his decison-making. Gleason was absolutely clear that he felt more grit was needed. I tend to lean toward Picard because he is a big, strong, fast skater with an excellent shot. It was hard to get more of a sense of Picard because he was hurt after nine games.
I really hope the Hurricanes will take a forward as their first round pick and not a defenseman. I understand the appeal of Gudbranson, Fowler, and Gormley; and understand it would be hard not to draft any of those three if they were available at the seventh pick. I would be very, very surprised if the first five picks are not Hall, Seguin, Gudbranson, Fowler, Gormley.
So now we know it was the right decision not to do anything with our fish called Babchuk where 51% of those polled selected:
Retain him ‘as is’, and let nature take its course. This is for the hockey gods to decide.
But if y’all have any suggestions for Corvofish and Cullenfish, do chime in.
And we won’t even try to go through the ramifications of having this swordtail named “Whitchuk”.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by Carolyn Christians on Apr 23, 2010 3:58 PM EDT reply actions
Maybe you should start a second tanks for the “once upon a time a Hurricanes” fish. We as fans never really let them go, even if their jerseys look a little different.
"The increase in pain is way beyond what you would expect a person to play with," said coach Paul Maurice. "Unfortunately it’s even beyond what Tim Gleason can play with, because he can play with just about anything."
The weirdest thing is this fish was added in when the original Whitney fish died in January, which I interpreted as a significant omen of him 100% traded at the deadline. When we got this fish, we felt it was poor form to just name him Boychuk (who wasn’t with the team that week) and ignore that Whitney was alive and well. Very well.
Now we have this weird mash-up. Makes me feel like I’m playing with fire here, for both their namesakes.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by Carolyn Christians on Apr 23, 2010 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions
As A Fan
The draft & the off season is the hardest time watching other teams participate in the playoffs. We of the Caniac nation have been there done that. But like chocolate candy,being family & loved ones,having a winning team is and can be a blessing or a curse. My gut reaction is for JR to sit down a few day right after the draft look at what he & the organization has both currently have,what we got in the draft and then call Babs in with his agent sit down and ask the 64.00 question. If he wants to stay & play for the canes, here is what the team needs & expects…and if he or his agent can’t and won’t agree then trade his rights away for someone who can & will.As far as those who were traded off earlier…( Corvo & etc) JR ought to look at each one on a case by case situation. And that would also inclue Pothier…the man in his defence do what JR and Mo asked of him, and when one was to add up all the flubs,goofs,gafs & etc from Pothier,Corvo & etc…I’d Personal wuld prefer Pothier for his stability even when all hell breaks lose & that the dam has collapsed. And with the fore mentioned others : Gleason, McBain,Pitkanen ….build around them …with what the canes do have and add on as needed & necessary. But the Babchuk soap opera has gone on long enough…but remember…I’m just a fan
Help Wanted: Iron Curtain Defence ! Only those with grit,speed and ability need apply.Apply in person to :Tim Gleason
Say it ain't so, JR
I sure hope JR is blowing smoke while working on a draft day deal that will involve some O for D assets.
Because otherwise the D is starting to look a whole lot like last season, with McBain substituted for Corvo and Carson/whoever for A. Ward/Alberts. Incremental upgrades in the skill department, but not the thumping boost that’s needed. We’re going backwards there.
Need something to tide us over until at least Dumoulin arrives, at a minimum, and around then Pitkanen could be moving on, so perhaps even longer.
I’m not a Harrison fan, at all. I know he’s Mo’s boy, but when has that criteria ever worked out for us?
I caught Harrison either red-handed or much too close to some bad moves in several games toward the end of the season to be looking forward to another season of presumably the same…and, he’s no fighter. Surely we can do better.
We’re dripping O. I’m going to be astounded if JR doesn’t turn some of that excess into D.
HARRISON AND YOUNG OFFENSIVE TALENT
Harrison at the start of the season and then at times at the end of the season was a player who always seemed on the verge of, well, causing a massive mistake. Usually, he would work his way out; but when he had the puck, my inner voice was using salty language to describe what I was seeing with him. In short, after the trades, Harrison was the only defenseman on the team who made me nervous just because he happened to be handling the puck. Maybe it was just me and I was over-reacting.
On the other hand, I will be astonished if JR does trade away his offensive talent rather than hoarding to those young players for a rainy day. I understand arguments to the contrary; but I am 100% positive if it were me, I’d hold onto the young forwards and nothing or no GM would be able to pry them away from me.
In general, I am fine with Gleason, Pitkanen, Carson, McBain, Babchuk (or Pothier), and Picard. Harrison may well do a good job, but I feel less certain that he can keep up the skating end of things. Maybe he had a bad groin and that was why he was somewhat slower and lumbering at times.
I’m not so fine with that D line-up. We’re going backwards on thump-factor and with “grit”.
And trading O for D does not necessarily mean robbing the O cradle.
If you want to see Boychuk, Tlusty and Osala as LW’s, then someone has to go to make way for them, like not signing Whitney and moving Samsonov. Jokinen is the fourth LW already under contract.
Similarly, if you want to see Bowman as a RW, then Cole needs to move out of his way, because we have Ruutu, LaRose, and Kostopoulos already under contract as RW’s.
It can be veteran O, with a prospect/pick kicker, if necessary, for that D, since all we’re really missing is a good 4/5 D-man at this point.
How much grit an thump do you think the team needs on defense? I love the way Philly plays, but that’s not going to happen here. What are you looking for when it comes to grit? A defensive guy that plays with an edge or someone to drop the gloves?
I just wish JR would have given up Ray Whitney for Lent.
Neither, really. Just a bit more substantial body that will hit throughout the game and wear opposing players down a bit.
And, when trouble brews and liberties are being taken, won’t just stand around and gawk. A bit of close-in jostling, in-your-face staredowns, face-washing (if deserved), etc. please.
We are indeed the Candy Canes at times. But, I don’t necessarily see the need for an “enforcer” at all. Those days are gone.
I was wondering if Pothier’s uncharacteristic dropping of the gloves vs Jesse Winchester in that mind-numbing Ottawa loss on Jussi’s birthday (in a SO) was part of his auditioning to stay in Carolina. Showing grit knowing that’s what management was looking for. Not sure how I feel about that strategy. Just thinking out loud.
C
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by Carolyn Christians on Apr 23, 2010 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions
We just need guys that can make first passes, separate opponents from the puck, add a little offense here & there; nothing that special. I think we’re kind of jaded because of how bad they were at the beginning of the season.
Moving Forward Veterans
Sorry, I misunderstood. You are 100% correct that something has to give with the veteran forwards, as much as I hate it in some way. Samsonov really needs to be traded if Jim Rutherford can work that out. I would not trade Cole at this point. I realize some want Brind’Amour to stay on the team, but I see him as opening a roster spot. By the end of the 2010-2011 season, and really by the trade deadline, Jim Rutherford is going to have some extremely painful decisions to make. I would however keep the young players whose have tremendous upside potential and a long career ahead of them.
I’m kind of over the whole recycling thing so the prospect of getting Babchuk back (again) is slightly less than thrilling, especially since I wasn’t a huge fan of his the first time around. I’m also not super high on Harrison. He’s decent, but I think we need to go beyond “decent” when it comes to D-men. I like Pothier and I think he brings a little of that veteran
stability our rookies may need next year.
I think that we need to really step up the blue line this offseason because unless we’re going to pull a Washington and score 6 or 7 goals a game, we’re going to need more defense than Tim, Joni and McBain can provide.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
To be fair Babchuk isn’t a recycle in the typical sense of the word. He’s never been re-acquired.
I just wish JR would have given up Ray Whitney for Lent.
You’re right. He’s more in the “burn me once shame on you, burn me twice shame on me” category and less in the true “greenest GM in the league” category.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
I’d like to think that a year in Russia did Babchuk a world of good to really figure out what he wants to do. If he wants to play for Rutherford in Carolina, I’m thinking that could remedy some of my objections that he seemed aloof and arrogant (the post season interviews from last June come to mind).
Hopefully his play and his shot have improved and involved and he is more confident and less easily rattled. Guess they can give him a tryout and see what’s different from the last time he played here. I need more information to see how I feel about this.
Kinda like Pothier. He seems to be the experienced character guy. Maybe he doesn’t have the slapshot, but w/McBain in the mix + Pitkanen, maybe that moves down in the priority list of what we need from a top-4 D.
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by Carolyn Christians on Apr 23, 2010 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I want to agree with you HM, but I’m not sure if I can yet. He already spent one year in Russia and didn’t seem to learn anything from it (in terms of what he wants and the best way to go about getting it). Maybe the extra year and experience helped, but sometimes you have to just accept that a leopard doesn’t change its spots.
I do think that if his game (both defensively and offensively) improved significantly, it may be worth bringing him over to pump up his trade value. But I don’t think I would feel any differently about our chances at the start of next season without him than I would with him.
And I like Pothier too. I think that if we have both McBain and Pitkanen, we need more shut-down guys than just Timmy. You have to have a balance back there.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
I don’t see why everyone seems to be pegging McBain as an offense-only guy. It is possible to be both offensive and a great shutdown guy and I think McBain is great example of that special kind of player.
The kid had ZERO penalty minutes playing top-line minutes in 14 NHL games and finished leading the team in plus/minus. How much more shut-down can you get??
For example, Pitkanen I would say is mostly an offense-only guy. This often results in him taking stupid penalties because he gets caught on offense and makes bad defensive plays. I think people are blowing this “We can’t have any more offensive guys because McBain and Pitkanen are already offensive” argument way out of the water.
I totally agree. McBain has a very unique combination of great athleticism and a vision of the entire rink. He has that rare ability to play defense by anticipation. Sutter has the same kind of skill/hockey brain ratio. It’s hard to find and harder still to define; but when one watches them play, you know it when you see it.
Thinking about what his statistics entail just blows me away. McBain went straight from College last year, to the AHL this year, right into the top-pairing with Pitkanen for the last 14 games of the season almost flawlessly. It seems he had almost zero learning curve, to take zero penalty minutes on top of that is just mind-boggling to me.
I don’t think there is any question that he will be a top-4 guy next year.
To add just a little to those observations, in watching the Rats games on AHLLive, when McBain first was playing for the Rats, he was somewhat hesitant at times and at others he was overly active. What struck me most in watching the games was (1) he never made the same mistake twice; and (2) he improved every game from one game to the other. There was never a Rats game I watched where he backslid at all. His improvement was constant; and that is incredibly rare in a young player. It also speaks volumes about the Rats coaching staff. They manage to teach positional awareness without killing a young player’s enthusiasm and creativity.
Fair enough, that’s a good point. I do think that you kind of blew my statement out of proportion though. I wasn’t trying to imply that because McBain has some offensive moves, he couldn’t still play shut down D. I also never said that we couldn’t have any more offensive guys.
My point was that I’d like to have another purely (or primarily) shut down guy back there because ideally you’d like to have 1 shut down guy paired with each offensive guy so that the Pits and the McBains of the world can play their game. Meaning, if you have 3 of your top 6 guys as McBain, Babchuk (or a similar player) and Pitkanen (of which McBain probably has the most sound defensive game that we’ve seen) you are going to need the Pothiers of the world as a balancing act.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
To add to caniacgirl’s thoughts and yours, JussiJuice, I agree that McBain has demonstrated responsible two-way play to date and is not an apparent defensive liability. That’s partly just his style, and probably partly his coaching, both college and AHL.
Whether he’s shutdown material yet or not has perhaps only been tested at the AHL level. I’m not sure who they’re throwing out against the opposition’s top line.
Anyone that has watched them noticed? Was it McBain when he was there (probably Carson when he was there)?
Plus, I don’t just don’t see McBain in the post-goal area activity mosh pit. He just doesn’t seem the type.
We do need a bit more of that in-your-face, don’t-touch-my-goalie type, either from the D ranks or the F ranks one.
I agree with Elsker that we need somebody in addition to Gleason who piles on in the mosh pit. Although I would prefer it to be a defenseman, I would love for Osala to continuing to enhance his mean streak. At this point, with the Albany Rats, he is the big brother who piles in there and gives some face washes to the opponents. In a perfect world, we would find a player like Harrison who is also a fast, agile skater to fill the role; or Harrison would come to camp a mean, lean fighting machine.
In a perfect world, we would find a player like Harrison who is also a fast, agile skater to fill the role; or Harrison would come to camp a mean, lean fighting machine.
That’s a mighty perfect world, in my opinion. I just do not see any of these attributes in this particular player. Average, at best.
Maybe I’m missing something, but I believe that we can do better…far better.
Harrison --- well, I am not seeing it either
If you are saying you can’t see Harrison becoming Tim Gleason in a bigger body, I have to agree. I think Harrison has improved from the start of the season; and I don’t see him as a master of disaster on the ice. On the other hand, he seems to lack the speed and agility McBain and Carson. I must be missing something because the Hurricanes organization seems to really like Harrison and his abilities.
Mo’s mixing up the kool-aid and JR appears to be drinking it. Mo does have this history of having unnatural fascinations with certain players from his past. Not sure where Tom Rowe’s opinion is on the subject or whether his thoughts are making it to JR’s ears.
Harrison was a great band-aid when we had a big ’ole defensive boo-boo that needed one badly.
But, I just do not see him as an integral part of the New Canes going forward.
+2
Help Wanted: Iron Curtain Defence ! Only those with grit,speed and ability need apply.Apply in person to :Tim Gleason
who +2?
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by Carolyn Christians on Apr 23, 2010 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
HM2
+2 went to caniac girl & you HM2…after all my post was directly after yours & caniac girls was…hmmm must be a man thing…we men seem to get things alot…sigh…I promise to try & be better…Honest !! :-}
Help Wanted: Iron Curtain Defence ! Only those with grit,speed and ability need apply.Apply in person to :Tim Gleason
Picard – let em walk, he’s turnover machine and he’s average defensively, most Sens fans couldn’t have been happier to see him leave. The only reason I say keep Harrison is he’s cheap and he doesn’t mind fighting. Gormley will probably be the most likely to be left but I’m not sure he gets past 6. I’d rather any of those dmen then what forwards will be left.
A GM could field a Stanley Cup winning team using only players whom the Ottawa fans were excited to see leave. They weren’t always wrong; but they are wrong at least as often as they are right. Corvo, for example, comes to mind. He was hated in Ottawa and they cheered his departure.
I think much of the problems Picard had in Ottawa is that he was rushed up in to the top 4 or was playing there when he doesn’t need to be. He had a good year in Ottawa in 08/09, and for all his supposed turnover issues the guy was only -2 on a team that ended the year scoring 13 fewer goals than it gave up. I like Picard as a third pair puck moving guy and an occasional fill in for the top four.
I just wish JR would have given up Ray Whitney for Lent.
Picard and Corvo
Absolutely I can compare Picard at age 24 and Corvo at age 24. That is relatively straight forward. It is entirely fair to view players at similar times in their career. What is unfair is to compare a player like Picard at 24 and a veteran at 32.
Here were Picard’s statistics in 2008-2009: 47 games, 6 goals, and 8 assists and was minus 2. Over an 82 game schedule those are quite good statistics. In 2009-2010, in 54 games he had 4 goals, 11 assists, and 15 points with a plus minus of even. By way of comparison Tim Gleason in 61 games had 5 goals, 14 assists, and was plus minus even.
We seem to be watching two very different players in our views of Picard.
Picard’s a -35 career with points/game at .29, Corvo’s a +39 with points/game of .44, the only years he’s been a minus was when he was Carolina. Corvo’s always been slated as a top 4 dman who’s PP specialist, what does Picard really have to offer, other than being young, fast, talented, and with lot’s of potential.
That analysis takes a successful 32 year old defenseman and compares his statistics to a 24 year old defenseman who is still learning. Is that any more fair than comparing the statistics of Mark Savard and comparing them to Sutter after less than a year and a half of NHL experience.
Maybe, but we can both produce self serving stats to support our arguments, based on what I’ve seen, I don’t thing Picard has the same upside that Corvo has. I think we’re better served by either paying less for a guy like Rodney or getting off of our wallet and paying one of the many UFA’s out there. I have very little confidence in Picard.
Corvo had yet to play an NHL game when he was Picard’s age.
-32 of Picard’s -35 came in his first two years playing for the two worst teams in the league in Tampa and Philadelphia. Jokinen was on the Bolts at the same time as Picard and went -16 in 20 games.
I would also note that Picard had a +/- of even this season compared to Corvo’s -10. Sure, there’s context to explain that…but there’s also context to explain the difference in career numbers.
Picard played only nine games for the Hurricanes. I happened to like what I saw; but I would like to have seen more before deciding to throw him out. I don’t see the logic in taking a 24 year old and trying to match his statistics over his career with a seasoned veteran’s statistics. I happen to agree with Kahz that if one wants to compare statistics between Corvo and Picard, one ought to match their statistics while playing at Carolina. They both are playing the same team with essentially the same teammates. As a veteran, one would expect Corvo to have better statistics than a developing defenseman. Another comparison would be to watch the games and see specific choices and plays by both.
Ray Whitney is on XM 204
Maybe they will ask Ray if he gave Jim Rutherford a green light for trades and whether he ever rejected a rental deal. Hope springs eternal.
I wish I could listen to that...
Not sure how to listen to XM radio on the internet. :(
Thank you Jim Rutherford and Ray Whitney for working together for Ray to stay a Hurricane! :)
I have this thing about being relentless in finding out the truth. I care whether or not I wind up being correct or wrong. I just want to get to the truth of the matter.
Best of luck, but I think you’re going to waiting a long time on this one, what happens within the confines of the organization should stay within the confines of the organization. They’re not a public company, I get your point, but when one player get’s offered up for another player and it doesn’t happen no one should know, that has to stay under lock and key.
Ray Whitney was asked and said he told Jim Rutherford Whitney would do whatever Rutherford felt was best
Well, here’s what Ray Whitney said in response to the question whether he was surprised he was not traded. Whitney said that he told Jim Rutherford that Whitney was fine with whatever Jim Rutherford wanted to do; and that Whitney was hearing in the media he was about to be traded. I hope there is an URL for the interview or that somebody else listened. The point, however, is well-taken that the final, complete truth may be more complicated and harder to reach.
Yep, I listened too and that’s what he said.
He said he was at the mercy of the media and was hearing what everyone else was hearing at the trade deadline, and he said that he told JR he’d do what JR thought was best. He also said that the activity at trade deadline was lower than expected. Whatever that means.
He also mentioned, and I thought this was a good point, that at his age he doesn’t need to be taking 5-1/2 months away from hockey which is one reason he’s excited to be in the Worlds in Germany.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
by Jamie Kellner on Apr 23, 2010 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Not that I have any interest in continuing to perpetuate the Ray Whitney trade deadline discussion, FWIW.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
by Jamie Kellner on Apr 23, 2010 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Whitney
Based on Whitney’s comments, it seems Whitney is really not entirely certain he will re-sign at Carolina due to the fact the Hurricanes need to get younger. He did say that he didn’t think keeping Brind’Amour or buying out Brind’Amour would have any impact on whether he can re-sign with Carolina. He seemed to be talking about team salary and not roster spots in terms of that discussion. It looks like the decision will also be influenced by whether the Hurricanes draft a forward as its first round pick or whether they pick a defenseman. He didn’t sound as confident as I thought he might be that he’d be able to sign at Carolina.
Agree, it almost seems like JR and the bunch are fine with parting ways with Whitney, which is too bad because I’ve always felt he’s special player that makes everyone around him better.
From what I’ve seen, Jim Rutherford will pretty much say what he means as it relates to his thinking about various players. From what Jim Rutherford has said about Whitney, he would like to sign Whitney, but he also realizes he may not be able to do so. To a large degree, the decision may rest with Whitney and his agent and how much they are seeking. For example, consider hypothetically a scenario where Raffi Torres or Matt Cullen would take $2,000,000.00 to sign, but Ray Whitney would not take less than $3,000,000.00. Whitney is a special player, but in an ideal world the Hurricanes would probably like to sign him for one year and then take stock of where the young forwards are in their development and where Whitney is physically. Whitney may want to test the market to see if a team will sign him for two or three years.
As much as I think the Hurricanes are a better team with Whitney, I would be disingenuous if I didn’t admit I would rather have Frolov at this stage of his career than Whitney at his age and stage of his career. Maybe, Whitney and Jim Rutherford will find common ground that enables Whitney to continue to play at Carolina.
Personally… I’d love to see them take that $3 million saved from not re-signing Ray and add it to the $1-2 million saved next season by buying out Brind’Amour’s contract. Then take that $3-5 million and sign a Zbynek Michalek, Dan Hamhuis, or Anton Volchenkov.
JussiJuice, the tone of Ray’s interview made me start thinking the very same thing. I wrote a post that implied it; but having the extra $3 million for young talent just seems to make sense if the team’s horizon is to give the kids a chance in 2010-2011; but have them mature into a Chicago, Washington, Phoenix team by 2011-2012. I think the extra money being available is logical.
I would be a proponent of the “big splash.” Use that money to bring in a player who brings buzz to the team - a Frolov or as you say, Z. Michalek, Hambuis, Volchenkov, among others. The hockey world is looking at Carolina and the more buzz that is created, the easier it will be to not only build a winning team, but to sustain that kind of team with the funding from 4,000 to 5,000 more STHs. Chicago and Washington are the kings of using buzz to generate interest in the team.
My guess is that the savings from replacing Ray with a prospect, predicted by many here, will be used to reduce the salary budget in order to meet PK’s overall org budget.
However, I do believe that if the season’s going well (playoff bound and ticket sales increasing), then you will see PK authorize the purchase of a turbocharger for our machine somewhere before the trading deadline.
That’s when you’ll see your star winger for Staal and/or the top 4 D-guy we’ve been missing, with everyone else shifting down a half-notch or so on the D for depth and improved effectiveness.
Elsker, that is indeed how it feels to be going. It is probably the most conservative business plan to approach the upcoming season that way. On the other hand, IF (huge IF) the season ticket sales were to take off, don’t you think management night approve a higher budget?
Maybe…particularly (and I don’t know the nuances of this) if the rising STH sales (probably mostly mini-packages, so maybe not that exciting) secured revenue sharing monies that were being threatened, we might see some relaxation of the salary budget.
But, there may be little need to come out that strong out of the gate. There will be deals available as teams’ season hopes become dashed in December and/or cap hit constraints become intolerable for a team that needs to make a change mid-stream.
Those that have both cash reserves and cap room will do very well around that time of year. That’s going to be us.
But, I see us testing the homegrown talent first, before reaching for outside reinforcements.
That was what I was trying to say earlier. The Canes have plenty of home-grown talent to fill out the team…
So instead of making minor adjustments by picking up cheap depth players as the Canes normally do every off-season, why not put all those eggs in one basket, use all the freed up cash on a bigger player, and fill out the team with Rats/Checkers.
I think both of you have brought up very valid points…
The All-Star game is going to cost the Canes a lot of money and the budget for next year will be reduced because of it.
On the other hand the Canes will garner a lot of attention from the league and the sports world in general for hosting the All-Star game. I think it would be a perfect opportunity for the Canes to draw a ton of new fans and attention. Maybe they capitalize on that, add another All-Star caliber player, and make this a year to really remember.
You Want ...
To quote a famous line AD…You can’t handle the truth !!! hehehe…but I am like you AD…and as Joe friday from Dragnet used to say all the time…Just the facts mam…just the facts !! be safe…
Help Wanted: Iron Curtain Defence ! Only those with grit,speed and ability need apply.Apply in person to :Tim Gleason
im sorry guys i just hate rutherford, he never signs a top 6 guy at FA signing time, hes going to draft a dman at the draft which we dont need, we need a winger to play with staal, there are 2 that are in the draft.he planing on signing whitney to play on the 1st line which is just idiotic, you dont have someone as only as whitney on the 1st line.
Good teams draft to needs.
But the true contenders, the great teams will grab the best player who is available.
Look at teh Nashville Predators- their offense is a joke. Honestly, their top line would be second on OUR team, which is obviously not a paradigm of offense either.
But look at their defense! Seriously, they make the playoffs every year, and are doing an admirable job right now because their defense is so amazing- Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, Dan Hamhuis.
Who did they draft last year with their first round pick? A defensman- Dan ellis (I.e the other side of the dan Ellis/ Cam Fowler Windsor top D Pairing).
We should take the best player available. No questions asked.
That having been said, I personally believe (having read the teams that draft before us boards) that the best player available will be Brett Connolly. Too many teams are afraid by his hip injury. Yet all scouting reports indicate that he is !@#$ing amazing, and will be that first line winger for Staal, and in my dream world Jokinen (who will break Teemu Selanne;s record for most goals scored by a Finnish Player next season die to the fact that, through ludicrous off season training, develops the speed and shot of a perennial all star).
FUN FACT- THE BUFFALO SABRES RADIO NETWORK OPENS WITH THE ORCHESTRA RENDITION OF “ROCK YOU LIKE A HURRICANE”!!!
by SouthernHockeyNutter on Apr 23, 2010 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions
My bad, thats Ryan Ellis. Dan Ellis already plays for the Predators (dont know if they are related)
by SouthernHockeyNutter on Apr 23, 2010 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d say JR is about the opposite… Just from memory it seems that he rarely has gone D in the first round. I think he has stated that in interviews a few times also, that he prefers to Draft forwards and bring in veteran D because D can take many years to develop.
Tanabe was a first round pick who should have been an all-star. Jack Johnson was a first round pick who was supposed to be an all-star. Forwards are easier to project at 18 years old. The special players like E. Staal and J. Staal, Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin, Stampkos, and the list goes on, have so much talent, it is clear they will be stars. Young defensemen are harder to predict. I think and hope Jim Rutherford will be able to grab Connolly and use Whitney’s cash to go out and get Tim Gleason’s twin separated at birth.
Tim Gleason’s twin separated at birth.
They have those? Where can I get one?
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by Carolyn Christians on Apr 25, 2010 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
I would hope that none of this means anything.
First, Carson showed that he is a very capable as a stay-at-home guy in the final pairing. He outplayed Ward and Alberts. If he isn’t part of the plan, JR is nuts.
Second, why should JR feel limited to Pothier or Babs? He should be able to save tons of money next year by playing as many as six guys who are first- or second-year players. Go pay $3 mil for a legit top-4 stay-at-home Dman.
Carson was a captain in the dub, so he get’s the leadership thing. He seems to be a guy that does whatever it takes. He’s not a flashy guy, but a reliable guy and those seem to be the guys that get you wins, which is why I hope to see him in a Canes jersey for years to come. I like Carson.
I think the bigger question is how is JR gonna build this team for 10-11? Are they gonna be built from the goalie out or built on offense?
The Canes have an elite goalie (when he’s healthy) and 2 top-4 D in Pits and Gleason. McBain projects as a top-4, but he still has to prove it. There is no one else in the organization that will be a top-4 guy in 10-11.
They have an elite center (Staal) and and 4 forwards that might project to 50 points each (Jussi, Whitney, Sutter, and Ruutu). The Canes also have several young guys that MIGHT be able to slip into the top 6 on offense, but again, none of them are proven (Boychuk and Dalpe, especially).
JR’s got some pieces and some picks to re-mold this team. It just depends on the direction he wants to go (and he’s stated publicly that he wants to get better on the blueline) and how much PK wants to spend.
EFF THE OFFSEASON!!
I, personally, have the hardest time not typing “we” and “us” when talking about the team. Sure, I’ve got a jersey, but my narrow ass is staying in the seats even if the entire team gets a game misconduct.
I agree with JR that the Canes most pressing need to become a legit Playoff team next year is to find another top-4 D. In my opinion, they seriously just need to put all our eggs into that basket and trade/sign someone big.
Personally I am really, really hoping we can steal Connolly at the Draft. If that happens, we are in serious business.
Defense
Initially JR said he would work on the defense in the off season.
And now bringing back Babchuck is all he is planning ?
I don’t see that as an upgrade that will help us make our season better
or add “grit” like he also mentioned. I think we are getting mixed
messages
As to JR not getting involved July 1 in free agency——he said that last year
and then signed Rosie and Cole after July 1—-in free agency. In no way do
I see what is being said right now precludes him resigning Cullen or even
Corvo after July 1—-if he decides to. So I really think we have no clue
what he will do !! Just my .02
GO CANES! Go Heels!
To add on to the post I made above—(since I guess we can’t edit)
If JR had notions of re-signing any players we traded,
there is no way that could be discussed by anyone in management right
now——because those players belong to another team, at least until
July 1.
JR is a sly fox. We have no idea what he is really thinking. So we will have to
wait and see. HMof2—-don’t turn loose your fishes quite yet ! You will have
time to do that in July. :)
GO CANES! Go Heels!
What's Up With Rodney
The Hurricanes seem to have abandoned any hope or thought of re-signing Rodney. Any thoughts on what is up with that?
It is odd, however, that Rodney is an AHL all-star and has speed and puck-handling skills; and I am not convinced Harrison is a better choice than Rodney, except for the size, physicality aspect. It isn’t as if Harrison is a brute on the ice, with crushing hits and a fierce upper-cut.
Let me re-phrase my much too quick statement. It’s not that he’s bad, it’s that he’s good and is going to become too expensive for the role we’re asking him to play for us.
I think there’s going to be a bidding war over Rodney that will quickly escalate his price beyond that which we will be willing to pay.
He’s Group 6 UFA, one of those protective mechanisms to give AHL’ers with talent a chance to catch a ride with a new org. Just hasn’t played enough NHL games with us for us to hold him as a RFA (if I understand this CBA provision correctly).
Someone’s going to offer him an opportunity (role, minutes, and money) that we just cannot match.
He is said to be unhappy and feels he has not gotten the love here. Maybe he is right. He is very good making that initial pass out of the D zone. Good passer in general. But the Hurricanes brass apparently doesn’t like the fact that he isn’t very physical.
He has been continually passed over for call-ups and he has seniority, I can see where he would be upset.
Also, at one point before this season started, I remember JR was quoted as saying Rodney was basically a shoe-in for our D this year. They decided to go with signing veterans instead and that also probably upset him.
trying again
does this work?
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by Carolyn Christians on Apr 25, 2010 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Draft picks
I think Fowler and Gudbrandsen will most definitely be gone. Depending how teams view Connolly and Niederreiter will determine if Gormley falls as I think he is the 3rd of the three top D.
Personally, if the big 3 are gone, I’d consider trading down with either Anaheim or Phoenix and picking up a Defenseman like Mark Pysyk or Dylan McIlrath as well as a forward. Both Pysyk and McIlrath might be as ready to start as Kulikov was.
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