Looks More Like Anton Babchuk Is On Way Back To Raleigh
by Bob Wage on May 18, 2010 11:13 AM EDT
42 comments
Carolina Hurricanes beat reporter Chip Alexander has been busy today and updated his Canes Now blog regarding the Canes. He also Twittered some news, although none of it was necessarily new or breaking.
(edit) But while there might not be much new, it's good to know the latest and greatest.
The news update included:
As we reported after the end of season press conference, Carolina GM Jim Rutherford is attempting to re-sign defenseman Anton Babchuk. Apparently that process is progressing but is still not complete. It certainly does look like Babchuk will be back though, since his name is now listed on the Hurricanes depth chart.
Also, Rutherford met with Rod Brind`Amour and Ray Whitney since the end of the season, but nothing new has happened on either front. Whitney would like to stay here and the Canes would like that as well, but for how long? That is the magic question.
Apparently, the Canes might consider moving up in the draft to get one of the three top rated defensemen, (this was also mentioned by Paul Branecky last month), but they are happy at the 7th spot as well. (Interpret that anyway you would like.)
Rutherford still would not commit to whether the organization is looking to draft a defenseman or a forward with their top pick.
The team will play an exhibition game in Russia against a KHL team, but the details have yet to be firmed up.
In other news:
Jussi Jokinen scored two goals as Team Finland moved on in the World Championships yesterday with a 5-2 win over Slovakia. Oskar Osala has also played in recent games and has been a physical presence.
Team Canada, who is led by captain Ray Whitney, advanced to the next level as well.
The San Jose Sharks are trying to find playing time for their seven defenseman, and Niclas Wallin is feeling the pinch.
"It's hard," Wallin admitted. "You just want to play hockey. I don't really have an answer for you. It's obviously easier to play if you're out there every second time, every third time. It is what it is. I think we're doing a pretty good job. If that's what (McLellan) wants to do, that's his decision and we'll go from there."
The playoffs continue tonight with a doubleheader starting at 7. Can Michael Leighton continue to shine?
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Anyone think there is a chance Picard and the #7 is enough to pry #4 from Columbus or # 5 from the Islanders? Assuming the Canes sign Babchuk, Picard is sort of the odd man out.
I just wish JR would have given up Ray Whitney for Lent.
I don’t see much value in Picard. I would think that Columbus could get a better deal than that if they are interested in moving in the draft…
by caniac4ever on May 18, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
- should be enough with #7 to move up to #4. Columbus may prefer a player as opposed to a middle second round pick.
I just wish JR would have given up Ray Whitney for Lent.
I agree that a player and our pick is enough to get their pick. I just don’t think Picard is that player.
by caniac4ever on May 18, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I could leave Babchuk in Russia. I like the idea of bringing up a prospect or another free agent. I assume Gleason, Pitkanin, McBain, Carson will be a given. Whether Picard and Pothier stays is going to depend if Babs get signed early.
Is it October yet?
by hotchipsnsalsa on May 18, 2010 12:03 PM EDT reply actions
Babs is no savior...
But as a third-line guy who won’t make much, he should be able to earn his salary.
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
by MichaelProcton on May 18, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Chip Alexander Tweets
Bob, I thought it was helpful for Chip to talk with Jim Rutherford and get an update. Although most of us believed Jim Rutherford intended to try to sign both Babchuk and Whitney, the confirmation from Jim Rutheford is significant, I think.
After all, I recall being seriously questioned about Whitney’s intentions with respect to re-signing. I would think Jim Rutherford’s statements are supportive of the view that Whitney and the Hurricanes are going to try to work a deal. Similarly, having Jim Rutherford throw out the possibility that moving up would be done, if at all, to get a top three defenseman, is significant as well.
From reading Chip’s tweets it seems your comment may have been taken as a criticism of Chip. I didn’t take it that way; but reading it from his perspective, I can see how it read somewhat harsher than intended.
It was not meant as criticism, but my article was rushed and was poorly worded. Agree with you that any update is worthwhile, especially this time of year.
Editing Manager of CanesCountry.com
Bob, i know this has absolutely nothing to do with this article, and i appologize about that, but something has been bugging me. I recently read an article on “The Hockey News” by Ken Campbell about NHL teams potentially up for sale. I believe it was posted on the 10th of this month. While the majority of the article focused on several other teams, it did mention the Canes as one of the teams that might be put up for sale in the near future. Is this just pure speculation on his part or is this something to be concerned about? Just one of those little things that get under your skin and you gotta ask about, if you know what i mean. I’ve heard nothing even remotely being mentioned along these lines except from this guy. Do you have any insite to add?
FYI, here’s a FanShot Bob posted on that topic about a week ago.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
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Jim Rutherford's Comments
In thinking about Jim Rutherford’s comments I think he was inviting offers from any teams 1 through 6 to see if they were interested in making a deal. I know if I were GM at #7, I would not be looking to trade assets to move up (other than to #2 and that is not happening). Boston is in a world of hurt at the moment and they see Seguin as the savior of the franchise. There are going to be some truly impressive players available in the second round.
Gudbranson, fills a role on this team right now. If the Canes gave up #53 for a guy who can play on the second pair right now I wouldn’t mind one bit. The cupboard is fairly full right now. The Canes have 6 picks in the top 85. Moving a middle second rounder to get a guy that fills a need on the big league club right now still gives the Canes two picks in the second and third, which is a big enough net to capture at least one decent player.
I just wish JR would have given up Ray Whitney for Lent.
Good point.
If ever there was a time for us to move up, now is it.
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
by MichaelProcton on May 18, 2010 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Trade up
Assuming we try to move up for a D-man at draft, i’d be surprised if we were to move any young players in the process ie. Picard!! Why would you do that when he could still develop into a good player? More likely imo, we add an xtra draft pick or two, or Cole (salary dump), or combo of both, eh?!
Because Picard hasn’t proven to be anything better than a 5 or 6 dman and we also have a number of young players that have not proven they can play at the NHL level. You either play the waiting game and hope they develop or move up in the draft where history shows that the closer you get to number 1 the better the player you are getting, I know there’s exceptions and I know that you can sometimes find great players in later rounds, but on the whole, the closer you are to #1 the better. I’m not suggesting we sell the farm and forfeit the future, but I think with the number of good prospects we have and the number draft picks we have this year, if the right deal came along we can afford to give a prospect(s) and a draft pick(s).
Exactly. If Babchuk comes back it’s not to be a seventh defensemen. He’s going to be in the top six, and given his skill set on the third pair as Joni and McBain have similar, but superior, skill sets. I don’t see the Canes matching Babchuk and Picard. Both are too offensive minded. Carson is the more likely match with Babchuk. That means Picard is sent down to the minors, and I’m not certain he will sign a two-way deal.
Is Picard better than every second rounder? Probably not. He is better than a good number and he is ready to go right now. So the question is does a team what a pick that might be better or a player that’s a known quantity and ready to go right now. I’d much rather move out Picard than a pick as a second round pick can be returned to his junior team while a spot has to be found for Picard right now.
I just wish JR would have given up Ray Whitney for Lent.
OK but we all know D-men can take awhile to develop! He’s only 24, and if he’s never better than 5or 6, that still isn’t all that bad! Of course our opinions are irrelevant, because JR will make that call, lol!
18 year old defensemen
If all the “sure bet” defensemen who flopped in the NHL were lined up against the “sure bet” defensemen who became stars, the flops sadly would vastly out number the NHL all stars. I believe Gudbranson, Fowler, and Gormley will be NHL defense stars; and I would be happy to have them. I wouldn’t take the risk of trading second round picks to take them because the Hurricanes need another big, fast, scoring forward and another second round pick more than they need to take that defenseman and the risk inherent in any young defenseman, no matter how innately talented. As for Picard, I think he has far, far more upside potential than Harrison. I don’t get the beatdown Picard is getting by some people at Canes Country.
Whereas I would do the exact opposite.
The “bird in the hand” of one of those top-3 D-man prospects would far outweigh any perceived value of a second-round pick, where success ratios take a dramatic drop. Those “two in the bush” (#7 and second-rounder) just don’t equal the value of the bird I would have in hand.
We don’t really need quantity at this point, we need quality. If JR can indeed trade up for only picks, then he’ll do so, in my opinion.
It’s when it might start costing him prospects that he might pause. But, I’d want to talk even then.
With one of those top-3 D prospects in hand, we’re only a skilled first-line winger away from really having something. And that winger is not going to be found in the mid-to-late second round, except by incredible luck.
More suscinctly: Look at the last 7 drafts inside the top 5 (picks 1-5) and count how many are not roster players in the NHL. Then compare that to how many of top 5 from the 2nd round are roster players (31-36 picks). I don’t think you have to be a statistician to figure out that you’ll most likely get a much better player at picks 1-5 then 31-36 (or where ever our 2nd round picks are).
Doug, first, I think you’re vastly over-rating the players that will be available at #53. Big, fast, scoring forwards tend to go before then. Second, the Canes still have #37 and #46 to take this big, fast, scoring winger. Third, the team has an immediate need at defense that Gudbranson can fill. Fourth, the team has a number of forward prospects, not to mention added another big body in Jared Staal for a fifth round pick.
Who is denying that Picard is more talented than Harrison? I’m not. Harrison’s name hasn’t been mentioned anywhere so far. The fact is Picard will struggle to find a role on this team next season. Babchuk, Joni, and McBain are ahead of him on the depth chart for puck movers/offensive defensemen. Picard is an arbitration eligible RFA. He’s played a little under 193 games in the NHL. I’m not sure he’s going to willingly take a two-way deal, which is what JR will want to give him if(when) he signs Babchuk.
As for Picard’s upside, he’ll be 25 in July, he’s played almost 200 games in the NHL. He’s probably what he is. His upside, if any, will probably be unrealized. He’s a fine third pair guy, but that’s it and it’s all he’ll likely ever be.
I just wish JR would have given up Ray Whitney for Lent.
Been out all day and just got back to my desktop. Clicking on the depth chart link I don’t see Babchuk’s name. Hmmmm. Someone on Edwards Mill put the cart before the horse? (I’m guessing it was there when Bob linked it)
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
The Juice is turning into quite a trouble maker for Finland. So far in the Finland – Russia game, he’s gotten 2 minutes for checking to the head and neck area, a 10 minute misconduct to go with the checking to the head penalty, and 2 minutes for roughing.
Osala got 2 minutes for holding.
by silent_shadow36 on May 18, 2010 4:07 PM EDT reply actions
He’s trying to make up for the lack of Ruutus on this year’s roster.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
Or he’s been reading ADog too much and thinks that’s what’ll be required to gain a roster spot in Raleigh next year. (jk!)
Olympian Tim Gleason in Vancouver: "I don’t care what anybody says, to watch an exciting hockey game, there’s nothing like it."
by hockeymomof2 on May 18, 2010 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
The Finns All Have Quiet Mean and Tough
All our Finnish players have a great edge to their play. I would call it quiet mean and tough. They pick their spots, but will lay big hits on. Ruutu is of course more extroverted in his massive hits; but Jokinen has plenty of understated physicality. Now a Finn hit sandwich with Osala and Ruutu demolishing somebody would indeed be a thing of beauty.
I don’t know what’s gotten into him, he’s very not-Jussi like. I’ve never seen him get violent with another player after the whistle before, yelling and everything, it was weird.
by silent_shadow36 on May 18, 2010 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Wait, seen? Is this being televised or streamed online?
I just wish JR would have given up Ray Whitney for Lent.
It was streamed online, but it’s over now. If you would like, I can post a link for their next game (if I can find one that works)
by silent_shadow36 on May 18, 2010 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t on the NHL Network. I tend to move away from them when the playoffs get to this point.
I just wish JR would have given up Ray Whitney for Lent.
Normally I would have too, but the playoffs have made me very mad this year. So I figured I’d watch Jussi and Osala instead.
And I just remembered that I won’t have access to a computer Thursday morning, so you can usually find the game streams on channelsurfing.net.
by silent_shadow36 on May 18, 2010 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m a little surprised about the Babs news, but if affordable it would be a decent move. I would also rather stay at 7 and pick up Connolly than trade up for one of the defenseman, but trading up is not a bad move. I just think we could get a good defenseman (although it would be one that takes a little more time to develop) in the early 2nd round or trading up to get back into the 1st. I don’t think the quality of forward will be available in those spots.
Now if we do trade up to get Gudbranson and resign Babs, our defense next year would look quite impressive.
Gleason-McBain
Pitkanen-Gudbranson
Carson-Babchuk
(Rodney, Borer, Harrison)
We would basically have 2 1st pairings with a very good 3rd pairing.
Triple Gold Juice - It's Potent and Guaranteed to Help You Score!
by PackPride17 on May 18, 2010 6:46 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Based on everything I’ve read, he is. But no one for sure until he shows up for training camp. I do believe he would be given every opportunity to make whatever team selects him.
Triple Gold Juice - It's Potent and Guaranteed to Help You Score!
by PackPride17 on May 19, 2010 8:24 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Connolly
Connolly is projected to be NHL ready; but his conditioning and performance at the combines will provide much more insight in that regard. There are only good choices for the Hurricanes and it is only a matter of personal preference in terms of moving up and trying to get one of the top three defensemen or staying put and going for Connolly, Johansen, or Niederreiter. Any player the Hurricanes pick in the first round will improve the team, either in 2010-2011 or 2011-2012.
wow, I sure do miss
all the great debates here. as far as JR sayig that he is working to get babs back on the roster…you can take that to the bank…but IF babs does sign, that is and will e a different situation…goig on as if JR DID NOT sign Babchuk….then moving up is a viable option….I,myself…. I’ll just sit back nd relax…july is still what 6 weeks away yet….time to go to the game thread…
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