Canes Country: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: The Pros and Cons of an 18-game NFL Schedule

Clicks and Clippings: Who said Summer would be boring?


Countdown Clock 

 

Believe it or not, since the last Hurricanes game April 4th till Full Training Camp starts at noon on September 17th, we've made it about two-thirds of the way through the summer! July has been chock full of interesting developments with all the activity going on on Edwards Mill Road. After all, it's the season when the Leagues's General Managers are making headlines.

First off - Canes Country has just learned that, thanks to the efforts of our readers and others supporting Katherine Fritsch's hope to sing the Anthem at an Atlanta Falcons game, her vote count soared today to 4th place before the online voting closed. That met the cutoff and the11-year old in pink cowboy boots will indeed be singing for a game by special appearance on Sunday, November 7th! Her family asked us to relay their appreciation. Congratulations KK!

When it comes to GM's, as we've noted for weeks, the Southeast Division has the most new faces at the table. According to NHL.com, four of the seven most compelling franchise honchos are Carolina's Southeast rivals. And considering the criteria, we can be glad the Hurricanes' Jim Rutherford is the only one in the Division who isn't listed. Seven GMs who figure to keep life interesting - 2010 Offseason News  Although the regular season is still two months from starting, the seven GMs highlighted by NHL.com are intriguing figures. 

After the jump, a video of the kids working out off-ice at prospects camp and a few various and sundry links that will help you pass the time and keep you in the right mood.

Star-divide

 

Looking forward to new faces

If you hadn't seen this, you'll enjoy a chance to see the prospects at Conditioning Camp earlier this month really pumping iron. Head Trainer Pete Friesen said  afterward that this diverse collection of hockey players were in the best shape of any group he's seen in Carolina - see for yourself. APC Conditioning Camp video from CanesVision:

 



Cory Lavalette doing what he does best - offering up great insight on each of the new players that Jim Rutherford brought to the organization at the Draft: Hurricanes 2010 draft review - Hockey's Future After a horribly disappointing 2009-10 season, the Hurricanes had 11 selections in the weeks leading up to the NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles. 

Penguins' development camp by-product of salary cap - Canes Country will be exploring this topic closer to home soon, but this was an interesting perspective on why now, more than ever, NHL teams are investing all they can in Prospects Camps this summer.

Yes, sounds like they're gonna miss him: Cornell hockey prepares for life without Riley |  The Ithaca Journal With Riley Nash's decision to leave college for Carolina, the Cornell coach puts his most optimistic spin on the news: "It presents a lot of opportunities for other guys that wouldn't be there," Schafer said. "With Riley coming back, he eats up a lot of minutes on the power play and penalty kill and different aspects of the game, and (he) played with our best offensive players. It moves everybody up the depth chart. It's a fresh start for a lot of guys."

For those of you who worry that Jeff Skinner may still be too small for the NHL, here's one writer's argument to refute that excuse: Puck Prospectus | Up and Coming: "Too Small for the NHL" is a Cop-Out Whenever I read some scouting report that says a player is "too small for the NHL", I can feel my blood pressure rising.

This story was tweeted and mentioned in the comments, but if you didn't catch it, take a look at one writer at The Hockey News who explains why the Canes will surprise some of those who are quick to dismiss the team now: The Boylen Point: Hurricanes timed to return to NHL playoffs The Hurricanes franchise has made a habit of inconsistency, which is why they can't be taken lightly in making predictions.

With the realignment of the AHL this summer, one blog put together this Google Map showing the geographic distribution of all thirty teams. The Charlotte Checkers look about as lonely as the Oiler's new affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons.Then I noticed the Abbotsford Heat. Eegads! 

And please remember , if you haven't seen it already, to check with the Canes Country Survey from Monday. Here's the story telling you what we hope to put together for the Charlotte Checkers Home Opener on Friday October 15th. 

Updates on a few Former Canes

USA Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2010 Announced to include five more American-born individuals who've contributed to the sport. Art Berglund, Derian HatcherKevin HatcherDr. V. George Nagobads and Jeremy Roenick. Kevin Hatcher played for the Hurricanes back in 2000-01 season. Those of you who've read "Boys of Winter" will remember the name of Team USA's Olympic physician, Dr. Nagobads, who served in that capacity from 1968 to 1988. Any guesses on how many minutes into his speech Roenick will tear up?

CSN Philly's Sarah Baicker did this feature on Michael Leighton last week: Goalie Coach Reese Awaits Full Year With Leighton Flyers Goaltending coach Jeff Reese is looking forward to getting a full year to work with Michael Leighton -- and so is the goalie himself. 

Guess who's moving to Nuremburg [Germany]? 194 NHL games: Ryan Bayda's coming! The Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers have taken a very experienced winger for the new DEL-season under contract. Ryan Bayda, with a resume of 194 NHL games for the Carolina Hurricanes, is coming to Nuremberg. [in German -you'll need a translator - or this link from Canada]

Phoenix Coyotes hope Ray Whitney provides late magic  Coyotes hoping veteran winger Ray Whitney continues his trend of playing some of his best hockey late in his career.

Some interesting reads around the league

I loved Edmonton blogger Derek Zona's take on the statistical necessity of having Finns on the team if you expect to play past April: Finnish Minutes - The Key To The Oilers Playoff Success - The Copper & Blue The Oilers won't have a Finn on this year's roster. If not, they aren't making the playoffs. Also interesting (in an uncomfortable way) that Zona is setting his sights on Joni Pitkanen and Jussi Jokinen, both free agents next summer, as the solution to what ails Edmonton.

Well written piece on the legal technicalities of the Kovalchuk Quandary. Sports Law 101: The NHL CBA and Ilya Kovalchuk - The Phoenix Pub So, the NHL put the kibosh on Kovalchuk's unprecedented 17 year deal with the Devils, and it appears that the NHLPA is going to appeal. 

Another PR casualty of Tuesday night's Twitter frenzy that accompanied the "Kovalchuk Rejection" was the untimely disappearance of the twitter account of the Coyote's Paul Bissonnette. Puck Daddy went so far to eulogize its demise this morning. Eulogy: Hilariously outrageous Twitter ramblings of Paul Bissonnette - Puck Daddy. The Hockey News' Adam Proteau had a less hilarious, but just as disappointed take

Finally, one of our members, jb_online has brought a great cause to our attention. He has donated one of his prized game-used sticks, this one from #26 Erik Cole, to benefit Hilltop Home, a private, nonprofit residential center that serves children with severe developmental and medical disabilities. The auction begins this weekend, and closes July 31st. Please click over to get details on how you can support the cause here.

0 recs  |  Comment 33 comments  |  Add comment |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Haven’t noticed any mention before, but the Rec Zone schedule shows Hurricane skate starting August 23rd. Camp Rosie?

by ncyankee on Jul 22, 2010 7:25 PM EDT reply actions  

HeHeHe Camp Rosie !!!

Thanks funny…but you could be right in that thought…Great Job HM2 great Job…catcy Y’all later…Be Safe !!

And if it Aint Hockey,It Aint Nothin !!
That Checkers 3rd Sweater ROCKS !!!

by CaniacSteve on Jul 22, 2010 7:34 PM EDT reply actions  

yessss

glad to see i made it into the video again this year :D I’m in the green shirt in the background at 1:27 and 2:33!

by ECUCanesFan on Jul 22, 2010 8:07 PM EDT reply actions  

Very nice HM! Great stuff as always :D

I’m not a lawyer by any stretch of the imagination but I do like some of the geeky legal stuff regarding contracts so I especially liked the Sports Law post, great find! I don’t completely agree with the author though, I still think the NHL has a better position than what is represented in the article.

One thing I just came across… Bob posted about a week ago that some of our prospects were invited to the USA and Canada WJC development camps. Just saw an article from NHL.com that we are representing Suomi as well! :D

Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU

by LTD on Jul 22, 2010 8:42 PM EDT reply actions  

FINN POWER: Congrats to Tommi Kivisto (who played for Suomi last year in Saskatoon) and Rasmus Rissanen on the invites. Worth a tweet, I’d say!

(You can see them both in the video at APC – Kivisto is the only real blond kid, Rissanen is a little harder to identify.)

Twitter @HMof2

by hockeymomof2 on Jul 22, 2010 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

Done!

Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU

by LTD on Jul 22, 2010 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

Ha! me too. Funny that they’re playing the Team USA guys twice: Alt, Dumoulin, and Faulk. That’s FIVE Dmen from the Canes.

Twitter @HMof2

by hockeymomof2 on Jul 22, 2010 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

Oh sorry, I thought you meant for me to tweet it…

Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU

by LTD on Jul 22, 2010 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

good for double coverage

Twitter @HMof2

by hockeymomof2 on Jul 22, 2010 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

Congrats to KK!

"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."

Count Down to the Hurricanes '10-'11 Season!

by Cyn4Canes on Jul 22, 2010 9:54 PM EDT reply actions  

Whats everyones opinion on Fabian Brunnstrom?

by TylerA7707 on Jul 23, 2010 10:52 AM EDT reply actions  

I’ll bet if you search his name on the blog you’ll find ADog has paragraphs on this particular player…

Twitter @HMof2

by hockeymomof2 on Jul 23, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions  

he has blazing speed!

by TylerA7707 on Jul 23, 2010 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions  

He also used to obsess on Brunnstrom as the ideal power forward that is the missing piece in the Canes top 6.

Twitter @HMof2

by hockeymomof2 on Jul 23, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions  

Over on defending Big D were cutting deals, sun chips and debating about whos bbq is better while trying to package a deal with “Bunny” (as they call him). Its been pretty entertaining!

by TylerA7707 on Jul 23, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions  

a funny comment from over there regarding the new deal…

“Maybe he can earn his keep doing Ribeiro’s hair or something.”

by TylerA7707 on Jul 23, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions  

Brunnstrom and the Canes

True enough. Brunnstrom was and still is a player I’d love the Hurricanes to obtain. At his present one year contract price, he is affordable. It is still my view that the Hurricanes need a big, fast power forward who will hit to take some of the hitting burden away from Ruutu in particular, but also Cole. Keeping Ruutu and Cole healthy are really important; as demonstrated by what happened in 2008-2009 when Ruutu and Cole got hurt in the playoffs; and in 2009-2010 when Cole broke his leg in the second game of the series.

  Fast, big, strong power forwards who are affordable are difficult to find.

by abramsdoug on Jul 23, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

Also, such a player will help keep other teams from taking cheap shots are the other forwards.

by abramsdoug on Jul 23, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

It is still my view that the Hurricanes need a big, fast power forward who will hit to take some of the hitting burden away from Ruutu in particular…

While this is certainly a need, Fabian Brunnstrom is not the solution that springs to mind when “hitting” is being discussed.

23 hits in 55 games played in ‘08-’09.

44 hits in 44 games played in ‘09-’10 for 481st in the league.

Not sure “power forward” is the best description of whatever it is that he brings to the table.

Unanswered questions are far less dangerous than unquestioned answers.

by Elsker on Jul 23, 2010 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

There is not a question in the world that Brunnstrom is one of the most clear under-achievers in terms of talent/performance. I think he does have potential to be a much, much better player. He is in the coach’s doghouse and it shows. If the best Brunnstrom can do is how he is playing, you are correct, Brunnstrom is not the player the Hurricanes need.

by abramsdoug on Jul 23, 2010 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

Article on Brunnstrom and his re-signing

http://tinyurl.com/275qjda

I thought this article was well-balanced with regard to Brunnstrom. The entire article is well worth reading.

Here is one quote that seems accurate:

This article struck me as a balanced assessment of Brunnstrom.
“Brunnstrom’s a talented player with some very good offensive skills. He’s shown flashes that he can play and produce at the NHL level, but doing it consistently has been another matter. It can take time. Whether time will help Brunnstrom get there is in the to be determined category.”

by abramsdoug on Jul 23, 2010 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

If you’re not following the Zetterberg nuptials either on twitter or on Puck Daddy, well, you should be.

Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU

by LTD on Jul 23, 2010 12:29 PM EDT reply actions  

For the record, this gets weirder every time I see it. The explanation of the theme only confuses me more.

"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."

by caniacgirl on Jul 23, 2010 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

In other news… I just put up a new FanPost about it, our illustrious owner will be in town Monday to reveal some plans for the All-Star Game.

Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU

by LTD on Jul 23, 2010 4:40 PM EDT reply actions  

Our Owner? are we slaves? (don’t answer that)

Twitter @HMof2

by hockeymomof2 on Jul 23, 2010 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

Wow. O_O

I really, really, really hope none of you took it that way.

Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU

by LTD on Jul 23, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

Owned?

Or pwned? :-D

Unanswered questions are far less dangerous than unquestioned answers.

by Elsker on Jul 23, 2010 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

LOL! that’s more in the spirit I intended. Sometimes his absentee status doesn’t help my perception of Mr Karmanos.

Twitter @HMof2

by hockeymomof2 on Jul 23, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

Agreed. At the same time though, I don’t find myself liking him any more when he is here.

"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."

by caniacgirl on Jul 23, 2010 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

And I like his son even less.

"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."

Count Down to the Hurricanes '10-'11 Season!

by Cyn4Canes on Jul 24, 2010 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions  

Actually the Cole stick is currently Nate’s, I’m donating the next one. BUT thanks for the post!! We are hoping this will go well for the Hilltop Home.

by jb_online on Jul 24, 2010 8:11 PM EDT reply actions  


User Tools

Welcome to Canes Country, a hockey blog, information hub, and community center for fans of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Start posting about the Hurricanes »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Helsinki_av2_small
What Happens in Helsinki - Episode 5: Drumroll, Please!

Recent FanPosts

Small
Riding The Storm Out
Cc_cory_small
Hurricanes, FSC To Broadcast 65 Games, All In HD
Small
UFAs Available as of July 1, 2010
Small
First post...Helsinki
Small
Unsigned UFAs as of August 1, 2010
129014380557248155_1__small
Jussi's Brother
36903_812100092859_11830055_44039379_1632442_n_small
Ooof. ASG Prices in...
Small
Reality Sucks...Ray Whitney Is Really Gone!
Desktop_hurricanes_logo_small
Weekend Wonderings: Five-Year NHL Trends and Streaks To Think Over

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recent FanShots

O K folks i am officially bored, but i did find this on...
Checkers Tickets on Sale
Checkers Sign Brad Herauf to One-Way AHL Contract
New Katherine Fritsch Article
Rod Brind'Amour will be there
Checkers add Rookie Forward Matt Beca
Charlotte Checkers sign Defenseman Elgin Reid
Checkers Sign Mike McKenzie and Bobby Goepfert
Checkers Sign Jacob Micflikier
Canes Sign Picard?

+ New FanShot All FanShots >

Carolina Hurricanes Roster

# Pos. DOB W H
Brett Carson 27 D 11/29/1985 210 6-4
Erik Cole 26 LW 11/6/1978 205 6-2
Joe Corvo 77 D 6/20/1977 204 6-0
Patrick Dwyer 39 RW 6/22/1983 175 5-11
Tim Gleason 6 D 1/29/1983 217 6-0
Jussi Jokinen 36 LW 4/1/1983 198 5-11
Tom Kostopoulos 29 RW 1/24/1979 200 6-0
Chad LaRose 59 LW 3/27/1982 181 5-10
Manny Legace 34 G 2/4/1973 200 5-10
Alexandre Picard 45 D 7/5/1985 215 6-3
Joni Pitkanen 25 D 9/19/1983 210 6-3
Brian Pothier 5 D 4/15/1977 204 6-0
Tuomo Ruutu 15 LW 2/16/1983 200 6-0
Sergei Samsonov 14 LW 10/27/1978 188 5-8
Bobby Sanguinetti 0 D 2/29/1988 190 6-3
Eric Staal 12 C 10/29/1984 205 6-4
Brandon Sutter 16 C 2/14/1989 183 6-3
Cam Ward 30 G 2/29/1984 200 6-1

SBNation.com Recent Stories

PHILADELPHIA - MAY 16:  A fan of the Philadelphia Flyers holds up a sign reading "Next Goalie" behind goalie Carey Price #32 of the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wachovia Center on May 16, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Habs Finally Lock Up Carey Price, Sign Goalie To Two-Year Deal

National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman answers questions during a pre-game media availability before the Pittsburgh Penguins season opener against the New York Rangers in a NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) +25 updates

Ultimatum? NHL Reportedly Threatens To Toss Out Kovalchuk, Luongo Deals Without NHLPA Concessions

Photo +1 updates

Report: Donald Fehr Hands NHLPA List Of Conditions On Becoming Union Leader

More from SBNation.com >

More great SB Nation Blogs

SB Nation Local

Baseball

Football

Basketball

College

Hockey

Soccer

Combat Sports

Golf

General

Tags


Managing Editor

Bob_small Bob Wage

Chief Editor

Cc_cory_small Cory Lavalette

Contributors

Helsinki_av2_small LTD

Under_dawgs_jpeg_small hockeymomof2