Canes Informal Skate Opens in Full Force

Thanks for the great report, Bob and LTD. It’s exciting and encouraging that so many players are in Raleigh and training.

However, this was definitely a good news/bad news report and the bad news is very worrisome.

Among the good news, Samsonov’s participation came as the most pleasant surprise. Did he participate in this camp from the outset before last season, or is he training harder for a break-out contract year? If the latter, Samsonov might add some of the scoring that the Canes’ need.

The bad news starts with Tlusty but also is a reminder about Ruutu’s injury. It’s great that Tlusty is here in Raleigh and working hard to rehab his knee, but every ACL injury is serious. All of the athletes I’ve followed have needed more than one season after an ACL injury before their play returned to a high level.

Despite Tlusty’s optimism about rapid recovery, the likelihood of typical ACL recovery time casts a pall over his season and could substantially change the Canes’ lines. Among the young forwards, Tlusty has the most NHL experience. Except for Osala, Tlusty is the biggest.

If Tlusty can’t help the Canes at all this season, Ruutu’s health becomes an even bigger concern. The Canes may be going from having too few open slots for young forwards to too many, and from too little size and grit up front to a critical shortage. Tlusty and Ruutu are two of the Canes’ bigger and more physical forwards. I’d hate to see Ruutu reinjure himself trying to be a one-man wrecking crew in the first week of the season. Ruutu might have extra adrenalin from playing in Helsinki, increasing the risk of reinjury.

I’m also concerned about whether the Canes will ever get any benefit from the trade for Tlusty. Isn’t Tlusty on a one-year contract? If he doesn’t play this year due to injury, or becomes effective only at season’s end, will Tlusty be a free agent?

is anybody else…not necessarily worried…but a little concerned why staal isn’t there?

im not saying im worried he might be injured or something…but he IS the captain of the team, and he really should be asserting himself, especially with some of the younger guys.

I know cole and larose have been around for a long time and participating in camp brindamour since they entered the league essentially, and im glad they took charge to lead it, but i really feel staal should BE there at the least

I wouldn’t say worried, but bothered. There was a recent discussion here about who (other than Staal) would be wearing a letter. Opinion here seemed to be heavily for Gleason and Sutter. Neither of them are here either. Ruutu and Jokinnen had supporters also, but I can somewhat understand their absence. It seems there is a shortage of “leaders” at present.

With Dalpe, Nash, Matsumoto, Dwyer, Matt Kennedy and Staal participating on the ice and Tlusty in the weight room, it makes you wonder why the other forward prospects are not at the Rec Zone.

I don’t know if Skinner could come if he chose to, but Boychuk, Bowman and Osala should probably worry about falling behind. Dodge is another guy who might be well served to participate.