Clicks and Clippings: Muller time
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 30, 2011 4:45 PM EST
in Hurricanes Newsstand
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PrintWith the coaching decision made and the Kirk Muller era in Raleigh at hand, the news is flowing fast from the Carolina Hurricanes these days. Without further ado:
Today's practice and the newest of the new stuff
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Twitter / @mikemaniscalco: The #NHL will not issue a suspension for #NHL_Canes defenseman Derek Joslin on his hit on Kris Versteeg last night. More details here on Shanahan's explanation from NHL.com.
- Fast tempo at Muller's first full practice - Chip Alexander, CanesNow Muller said before practice he and the team watched video and discussed the 3-1 loss Tuesday to the Florida Panthers -- for Muller, his debut game as the Canes coach and his first as an NHL coach. "We went over the good stuff and the bad stuff and stuff we need to work on," he said. "We've got a lot of things to work on but we've got to find ways in the meantime to get some wins." ★★★★
- Twitter / @MikeSundheim: Jussi's wife, Salla, is having a baby today! RT @ice_chip: Jokinen not at practice. UPDATE: it's a girl!
- Jim Rutherford on NHL Home Ice (XMRadio) Late this afternoon Audio [12:44] ★★★★★ The GM's blunt comments on Tomas Kaberle are honest and stunning (starting at 7 min mark).
- Jim Rutherford called in earlier today to SPORTSNET 590 The FAN, Toronto (Audio - about 7 minutes) ★★★★★
- Kirk Muller interview on The David Glenn Show Click on "Hour 3". It's right off the top and lasts 15 minutes or so. ★★★★
- UPDATE (Thursday 9am): Kirk Muller was on NHL Live, interviewed by Ken Daneyko yesterday evening. Here's the video [6:20]. ★★★★
"He came into camp and he didn't prepare himself properly.. He enjoyed his summer..... I don't know what's gonna end up happening right now, we've got young players like Justin Faulk....Joslin. [Kaberle] may very well get lost in the shuffle..... He got off to a slow start, totally by his own doing, and now he's gonna have to figure out a way to get out of it or he won't be playing with the Hurricanes for long."
Recaps and Reactions to Muller's Opening Night
- Panthers spoil Muller's debut behind Hurricanes' bench - Chip Alexander, NewsObserver.com If Kirk Muller was disappointed, and he had every right to be on such a special night, he masked it well....It was a game like so many this season for the Canes, with a few lapses proving costly, power plays coming up empty and players walking about with angry eyes and pained looks in the locker room after it. ★★★★★
- Canes Misfire To Start Muller Era - David Droschak, HurricanesBeat.com ★★★★
- Kirk Muller era begin - Matt Karash, HockeyBuzz.com Quick take on the game last night from a good friend of the blog. ★★★
"We’ve got to work on it," Muller said of the power play in what was the understatement of the night. "A power play can give you momentum even if you don’t score on it. The tough thing tonight was we were so good 5-on-5 but the power play just didn’t create any momentum for us. We needed more net presence; we’re just out of sync."
Another debut
And, lost in the bigger story behind the bench, let us not forget that the Andreas Nodl era began last night too. What he sounds like, describing his unusual day yesterday, Audio from Brian LeBlanc, 00:46 ★★★★ and what he looks like:
via Jamie Kellner
Reactions to the Carolina coaching change from near and far
Around town
- Muller starts clean slate - Chip Alexander, NewsObserver.com ★★★★★
- Canes Decision could Impact Checkers - Paul Branecky, GoCheckers.com ★★★★★
- Coach to Canes: Have fun - Luke DeCock, NewsObserver.com For now, these are small tweaks. Bigger alterations are probably a week away; the Hurricanes have consecutive off days next Tuesday and Wednesday, not much time, but enough for a quickie midseason training camp. ☺
- Muller Brings in Fresh Perspective - Michael Smith, Tracking the Storm An excited, confident first-time NHL coach provides the Canes with a different look behind the bench. ★★★
- Muller To Stress Accountability - David Droschak, HurricanesBeat.com ★★★★
- The 10 Reasons Paul Maurice Was Fired - David Droschak, HurricanesBeat.com ★★★★★ in which Dro ends with:
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Coaching vs. Payroll - Kurt Dusterberg, HurricanesBeat.com ★★★★
No, coaching is not the culprit around here. It's the payroll. That's not a criticism. It's not even a taboo topic among management. It's just a reality. According to nhlnumbers.com, the Hurricanes have the third-lowest payroll in the NHL at $50.64 million, about $2 million above the salary floor. There are 17 teams that spend more than $60 million — with an upper limit of $64.3 million.
- Carolina opportunity has Muller raring to go - Kurt Dusterberg, NHL.com which includes an inset column which I'd say is must read ★★★★★
Staal, for one, said had he gotten off to a stronger start this season Maurice's departure may not have been necessary.
"Naturally you're going to feel that," Staal said. "If things are different and I'm 20 goals into a season and we're five games above .500, then we're in a totally different situation. But we're not and I'm not."
Defenseman Bryan Allen was more blunt about Maurice's firing.
"He took the fall for everyone," Allen said. "At the end of the day, it's the players in here who let him down."
The match-up between the two coaches was also unique in that it provided some immediate insight into potential changes in the organizational coaching philosophy. Daniels noted that he and Muller employed different styles of play in their three meetings this season, which could be significant as AHL clubs typically employ similar structures as their parent clubs so that prospects develop in a manner that will best prepare them to make the transition to the next level.
"It’s about culture and it’s about pride," said Muller, who is good friends with Ray Whitney. "At the end of the day, the teams I was able to be successful with had a real concern and pride to play for each other. It is a team sport and if everybody buys into the same philosophy, everyone has the same goals and everyone is willing to make the same commitment, it is really simple. It’s simple to say, but not always easy to do.
10) The Record: In the end, Maurice is a .500 coach who, to his credit, won himself a three-year contract with the team’s hot run near the end of the 2008-09 season. The reality is this: In the salary cap age, it’s much easier to fire your coach than trade under-performing players.
"It was different this time, though," the GM said. "The last time (in 2004), it was his first time (being fired). This time, [Maurice] was more of a veteran type who understood it better."
Rutherford acknowledged some responsibility for the team's early season woes too. With the fourth lowest payroll in the League, he knew there was little margin for error with his five free-agent signings in July, a group led by struggling defenseman Tomas Kaberle.
"Maybe I didn't bring in the right players," he said. "But you don't know that when you go into free agency, and we're dealing with the second and third tier of the free-agent group".
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Jeff Gravley: Muller meets the Hurricanes - WRALSportsFan.com VIDEO [1:30] Kirk Muller met with his new team for the first time since he was hired.
- Carolina Hurricanes bring Muller in, send Maurice out - Peter Koutroumpis, Examiner.com A coach is merely an individual who sets a tone and provides a strategic direction for the players to follow in search of success – the rest has to come from them.
- Canes fire Paul Maurice; hire Kirk Muller - Chris Vitiello, Independent Weekly Here's a suggestion for Muller. Take the captain's "C" off Eric Staal's sweater. Let him be just a player. Make Jeff Skinner or even Jay Harrison, who seems to be stepping up in the locker room, another alternate captain and play for a while without a captain. Then, in April, put the "C" on the most appropriate player.
Outsider observations
Kirk Muller, the great communicator, faces his Eric Staal problem - Puck Daddy Muller's job is to make [the Hurricanes] better than average, and in the process jumpstart Staal's season -- and that's going to take some psychology. ★★★★
Jeff Marek and Greg Wyshynski on the coaching changes - Audio podcast ★★★★ Starting at the 11:40 mark, they chat about Muller. Then Chip Alexander's segment begins at 14:30, runs about 5 minutes. Marek and Wyshynski stay on the Muller topic to 26:30 or so.
Some highlights - both humorous and real: Did Brett Sutter ask Rutherford if his dad could have the job? Caps were interested in Muller a couple weeks ago, never got to the interview stage. Wysh thinks he would have been best because of the 2010 series when MTL beat Caps. Good for Canes, maybe?
From the very funny Down Goes Brown, after the photo of Maurice's whiteboard message to Muller went viral in the twitterverse this morning: Of course, Bruce Boudreau did something similar for Dale Hunter:
Looking to tomorrow night
It looks like Marc Staal will be traveling to Raleigh with the New York Rangers, though there is no time table for his return to playing. The Rangers are riding high after a decisive bout over the Pittsburgh Penguins at home last night:
Blueshirts United – "Killer Instinct" That was the message ...before the Blueshirts headed down to Raleigh for Thursday's clash with the Hurricanes. "It is vital to this team to not take it easy and not go lightly on an opponent that is maybe wounded and kind of weak right now," said John Mitchell.... "We have to keep the killer instinct going and go, go, go and go hard because every point counts..."
Don't forget Jordan Staal will be here Saturday. And we should probably bear in mind that back in August we learned that Eric and Tanya Staal were expecting their second child, in early December. So there's that, too.
Prospects
Good to see him recovering ahead of schedule: Ryan Murphy on invitation to Team Canada Selection Camp - VIDEO from Kitchener Rangers ★★★★★
Victor Rask is expected to be named to Team Sweden in a couple weeks. Till then he's doing great things in Calgary for his WHL club: Road warrior mentality has Hitmen on fire - Calgary Herald - just for the ★★★★ lead photo.
Men's Ice Hockey November Recap : The Ivy League Harvard junior defenseman Danny Biega is tied with Cornell junior forward Greg Miller for the Ivy League lead in assists as both players have eight helpers on the season. Seven of Biega’s eight assists have come on the power play.
Stat check: Frölunda’s Frederik Andersen leads all goaltenders in save percentage with his 94.26%. His GAA, 1.58 in 17 games, is also the lowest in the Swedish Elite League.
This and that
The Business Of Hockey – Forbes.com has their "scorecard on the business of the NHL" with the Canes ranked 23rd out of 30, with a value of $58million - which is confusing to me, but there's no supporting explanation to the table I could find. Whatever the case, $58Mil bears no resemblance to the valuation of $240mil reportedly used when the new minority ownership group was brought in last this month. ★★★
**UPDATE Somebody fixed their error and the current value is now shown to be $159million. Another page on this is up here.
November 2011 Monthly Report - Tracking the Storm Looking back at the second month of the 2011-12 season for the Carolina Hurricanes. ★★★★
Skinner proving he is real deal - Patrick Hoffman, Red Light District When pundits expected him to hit a wall in his rookie year, Skinner proved doubters wrong. When everyone outside of Raleigh half-expected Skinner to suffer from a sophomore slump, he (so far) has proven those doubters wrong, too. ★★★
Now for something completely different
It's long, but worth your time, like meditation. A Theory of Ice: On Seeing ★★★★★
It’s just you and me here, now, on this blog, so let’s be honest with each other: we do not really want to watch hockey that way. That way of watching hockey is hard. You know how sometimes you’ve got a game on and the color dude is speculating about some potential trade and they cut to a shot of the GM sitting in some dull beige box, glowering down at the ice with an expression that somehow conveys both depression and constipation? That is what serious, analytical hockey-watching looks like. It is not fun.
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You may be right, but you also might want to listen to Rutherford’s call on 590 linked at the top. He doesn’t agree with that theory (BTW neither do I) and he explains why.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 30, 2011 5:03 PM EST up reply actions
Isn’t the Staal’s baby due very shortly as well? Maybe once the newest Cane is born, that will be a new start for Eric too!
It’s up there – due early December (sheez – only like 2500 words above, you didn’t read every one??!! =D )
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 30, 2011 5:51 PM EST up reply actions
Thank you Carolyn
Fantastic collection of stories, video, and audio clips as usual – and I haven’t gotten through half of them yet! I always appreciate everything you post – thanks again!
Question about our Prospect?
With Brandon Sutter, Dwyer, Stewart, Brent, Nodl & LaRose (who most believe it a bottom 6 player) all signed beyond this year, filling up our bottom 6; what does this mean for our prospects?
What happens to Tlusty, he is a RFA at the end of the season?
Where do players like Dalpe & Boychuk get NHL experience, the top 6?
What about Brett Sutter & Bowman? They are RFA at the end of the season. Do they not have a place on next year’s squad?
What about Nash, who many believe is close to being ready to handle a bottom 6 center spot?
If LaRose is truely a bottom 6 winger, then the only 3 forward spots that will be open (assuming no one is resigned) next season are in the top 6 and we sure haven’t given our prospects a lot of time to see if they can handle that. Either JR is going to be pulling off some trades that include our bottom 6 or prospects OR we are going to be going into next season with an even larger questionmark in our top 6? I’m really interested to see what JR has planned or I would really like to know what he is thinking.
"We've got to risk implosion. We may explode into the biggest fireball this part of the galaxy has seen, but we've got to take that one in a million chance."
-- Captain Kirk in Star Trek 'The Naked Time'
All good questions, well articulated. A lot of moving parts. It shall be interesting to track – though I have no idea what Rutherford has in mind. I’m thinking with Muller, whatever was happening previously, is also subject to change in the next 12 months.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 30, 2011 5:59 PM EST up reply actions
Very interesting question...
….so what does that mean for next year. Assuming that we have a top 6 of:
XXX/Staal/XXX
Skinner/Jokinen/XXX
(okay, so I’m partial to the Skin/Finns line)
That leaves 3 Top 6 slots open. If the bottom 6 looks something like:
Stewart/Sutter/LaRose
Dwyer/Brent/Nodl
(assumes Tlusty is either traded or not re-signed)
We’re already set? Are we finally going to play some youth?
That does leave a lot of “asset management” issues outstanding. Not to mention we now have a significant number of promising prospects that are either ready or close to being ready. We all know about Boychuk, Dalpe, Bowman, Nash, and even Samson. Don’t even get me started about Victor Rask, who may be the best of all of them (he of the 23 points in 26 games with the hapless Calgary Hitmen). Possible fringe guys like Terry, Matsumoto and even Justin Shugg continue to try and make cases for themselves. And that’s just the forwards….
Our blueline cupboard is pretty full right now. Faulk (probably up with the big club to stay), Murphy, Dumoulin, Biega, Levi, Alt, and even Michal Jordan (with Bellemore being a sleeper) are all progressing nicely through the system. It won’t be very long before these guys are banging on the door, working for and looking for their opportunity. With 5 blueliners signed through next year, when do some of these guys get their chance?
In the end this situation calls for creative asset management. There should be trades for players and picks. We should be in the running for a Paul Stasny or a Bobby Ryan. We should be looking to sign an elite defender in the off season. We essentially have $38 million committed for 2012-13, leaving $16 to sign 4 players (20 man roster and assuming a $54 million self-imposed spending cap). That’s a lot of dough for significant upgrades.
Let me put it a different way. If Dalpe and Rask made the big club next year we could still have Ryan on the roster and sign a $6 to $8 million defenseman. Or we could re-sign Ruutu….but with all that talent down on the farm we either need to move some of them for picks or use prospects and picks to try and get elite talent now. Those seem like the only options.
NIce collection of links / stories
Going to take me awhile to look / listen to everything here. My afternoon is free so this will be enjoyable!
Megaweapon… Megaweapon… Megaweapon…
Apologies – it really was amazing how much has come out in the last 36 hours. Tsunami.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 30, 2011 6:33 PM EST up reply actions
Kudos to JR
He laid it on the line where Kaberle is concerned – good on him – it’s about time!!
Did JR watch any of the Bruin’s playoff games last year. Kabs is playing now exactly like he did then.
I had read massive numbers of articles, posts, etc. during Kaberle’s last couple of years with the Leafs and then the outpouring of criticism when the Bruins paid a king’s ransom for Kaberle. Other than the connection to the Maple Leafs, I couldn’t see much reason for the signing of Kaberle. What really surprised me, however, was that after Kaberle and his agent committed to having Kaberle come to the Canes training camp in NHL condition, Kaberle obviously was really out of shape. Not exactly the way to repay either Rutherford or Maurice for their willingness to take him on as a player.
Exactly my thoughts…anyone who watched the Bruins after Kabs came on board,particularly during the Cup run could see he was a complete non factor. I think some folks at the time attributed that to the fact that he didn’t fit the Bruins “system”. Reality was he was probably out of shape then too! My daughter and I saw him at Bruegger’s at North Hills a few hours before the Canes first practice of the season…she looked at me and said," he is certainly not built like a hockey player…he looks out of shape"
Oh for the wisdom of a 14 yr old!
by Canes-Bolts4ever on Nov 30, 2011 9:21 PM EST up reply actions
wel once again Miss Carolyn
you out did yourself..Thank you as this is what makes Canes Counry the best team type blog in the eastern confernce!!! thank you !!
9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!
Well....
Maybe we should sign Biega for the PP right now.
Everyone is looking for an excuse for Staal’s slow start. The only thing that has changed is he’s not having games once a month where he racks up 4 or 5 points. He’s still giving the same half ass effort, rarely gets back on D and pouts. It’s the same Staal, just with more money in his bank account,
If they knew anything about the game, they'd be in it
by Killswitch on Nov 30, 2011 7:44 PM EST via mobile reply actions
They’re reporting a dozen NHL scouts at the Checkers game tonight.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 30, 2011 8:14 PM EST reply actions
Paul Branecky is being coy with that information. (again from twitter)
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 30, 2011 8:39 PM EST up reply actions
He and I have been back in forth the last several minutes on twitter – you can go see the conversation at my twitter page. Without repeating it all, he says there are usually at least 5 there, and that it seems more tonight, maybe because the way the schedule worked out, scouts had time to fill between games. Really doesn’t think it’s meaningful.
And he’s also a veteran PR guy who knows how to distract and deflect.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 30, 2011 8:50 PM EST up reply actions
Philly needs D help. But have CAP issues. So can’t afford big name. But Gleason, Allen might fit their needs. I suspect that any deal would need to involved multiple players going from Carolina. It could be Voracek since they only have him under a one year contract. Allen and say Boychuk for Voracek under those circumstances might fly. Philly is deep at forward.
Pure speculation on my part.
Voracek
Voracek for a dman and say Boychuk or Bowman would be hard to turn down for Carolina. Allen has been playing great. Rask’s play in the WHL makes trading a forward prospect easier to do for the Hurricanes. I really hope Jim Rutherford holds on to the 1st round pick for 2012.
why would we give up
a Dman and a great prospect for a one year rental when we aren’t even going to the playoffs?
The Condor. #63.
by DidJussiThat? on Nov 30, 2011 11:36 PM EST up reply actions
Just to get me all confused
this is the former coach/GM for the ECHL Checkers who now does color w/Shaya on radio broadcasts: RT @Wilkyhockey: @HMof2 longest list of scout requests our Media Relations guy has ever had. It was at 12 as of 4pm
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 30, 2011 9:42 PM EST up reply actions
If they are accurate as to what Ducks want for Ryan, then no way he is coming here. 2nd line center plus 1st rounder plus a prospect. Rich!!
That would be something akin to Jokinen, McBain and the 1st round pick in 2012. I wouldn’t do that deal if I were Jim Rutherford.
Depends upon where that pick is in the first round..
Do you honestly believe JR and PK are gonna let us completely tank the rest of the season and not make a push even if we don’t make the playoffs? Attendance is shrinking which means lost $$$ and fan support…If they really wanted to tank the season they could have kept Maurice on board. I predict they make the push. This means we may not end up with a Top 5 or 6 pick which could translate in to another developmental prospect in juniors or Charlotte. Bobby Ryan is 24 yrs young….lots of goal scoring ahead and more importantly PROVEN. Good thing I am not a GM. I make that trade
by Canes-Bolts4ever on Nov 30, 2011 9:43 PM EST up reply actions
These discussions show why being an NHL GM is such an art rather than being purely scientific. There are so many moving parts. My guess is that there is no trade for Ryan because there is a real chance the Hurricanes could potentially get a player who becomes a superstar to go with Skinner. If Staal is able to go to his natural level, which is strong, strong player; but not the guy expected to carry the team every single game, he will be far happier and far better as a player.
Id like to think that Doug but it simply never happens. PK’s #1 goal will always, always be to push for that extra couple million in Playoff money. Now that he has multiple new investors, I bet this sentiment is redoubled.
There are too many teams willing to lose and build through top-5 picks. The Canes will undoubtedbly be fighting for the 8th Playoff spot by the last few games.
by JussiJuice on Dec 1, 2011 11:16 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I read 2nd line center, top 4 defenseman, and high draft pick or promising prospect.
Would anyone actually take that? I know he’s a good player but that is asking a lot.
Ryan is one of few players in the NHL with 40+ goal, 90+ point potential. For comparison, he holds much more skill than Staal.
by JussiJuice on Dec 1, 2011 11:18 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I saw the part about Muller being “good friends with Ray Whitney”. Maybe we can get Whitney back with Muller’s urging? :D
Ready for the Canes to win the Cup again! :)
yeah but...
He’s a veteran. I bet they would if we made it a good trade. For a younger player.
Ready for the Canes to win the Cup again! :)
it will improve staal at least for the next 2-3 seasons.
Ready for the Canes to win the Cup again! :)
I don’t think Whitney will be playing for an additional 2-3 seasons….his contract is up after next season and realistically if we were to acquire him it would just be continuing the cycle we have been on. Reacquiring aging veterans that have had success here with the hope they have something left in the tank. Then if we lose, we’ve taken a step back and blocked the progress.
Say No to Retreads; New Coach, Lots of Prospects; Turn the Page
I’d be happy if Jim Rutherford learned his lesson after Aaron Ward and Kaberle. It’s time to stop going back to retreads and players on the significant downward slope. Youth is fleeting.
It's sad though...
When we have youth not stepping it up and veterans out there we could get back who are playing much better than the younger guys are.
Ready for the Canes to win the Cup again! :)
It makes no sense in the least to trade away prospects before Muller has a chance himself to teach them, coach them, and play them. One of his strengths is working with young players. The Hurricanes need a top six forward to step up and score goals. There are some goal scorers less than three hours away who cost a fraction of Ryan.
From Holmgren in Philly: "Holmgren said the Flyers will “ride it out” with rookie defensemen Marc-Andre Bourdon and Kevin Marshall manning the blue line. But don’t expect that to be the case for long."
“Holmgren said he has been working the phones. The people that I talked to, it seems like everybody is looking for defensemen, not looking to trade one,” Holmgren said. “With defensemen, it’s not like they grow on trees. I’m not sure if anyone really has an excess of defensemen right now.”
So the good news is that they are looking for D help. We have some we can give up. The question is would they give up a quality forward like Voracek?
Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/20111130_Flyers__Nodl_claimed_on_waivers_by_Carolina.html#ixzz1fFMfmlkj
Watch sports videos you won’t find anywhere else
"Holmgren said. "With defensemen, it’s not like they grow on trees. I’m not sure if anyone really has an excess of defensemen right now."
I will hold on to this as my best hockey news I’ve seen all day.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Nov 30, 2011 9:49 PM EST up reply actions
I think they now have about $5mil. But they don’t need offensive D….. need stay at home type. Gleason or Allen would fit the bill.
Trading Gleason or Allen for Voracek makes the Canes a Much Stronger Team
If, which is a huge if, the Hurricanes could trade either Gleason or Allen for Voracek, it would help long-term for the Hurricanes. Both Gleason and Allen are UFAs at the end of the season. Allen seems to be more consistent; but Gleason is a great leader and perhaps he’s just trying too hard.
We’ll be seriously low on the defensive d-man end though.
by NorwegianCaniac on Nov 30, 2011 11:14 PM EST up reply actions
With emergence of Harrison that is less of a risk. And you have to give up something to get something. In my opinion we desperately need help up front. Can’t win many games when you only score one or two goals. And it is painful to watch.
Yeah – Voracek is playing really well for the Flyers right now. I wouldn’t mind seeing him in a Canes uni…
He is playing well and has a niceyear skillset but he is not enough to turn the Canes around nor is he the 1st line winger we really need.
by JussiJuice on Dec 1, 2011 11:22 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I tend to agree. He would be a nice complimentary player, but he’s no where near the difference maker that a Ryan would be.
"We've got to risk implosion. We may explode into the biggest fireball this part of the galaxy has seen, but we've got to take that one in a million chance."
-- Captain Kirk in Star Trek 'The Naked Time'
I want more guys like Joslin willing to dump a forward now and then and not worry about fines, etc., as long as the hits are within the rules. No head-hunting, mind you, but throwing a shoulder, standing someone up at the blueline would be a welcome change, IMHO…
LET'S GO CANES -- THE SEASON AIN'T OVER YET!!!
+1
I always thought he had promos, but I have really liked his game since he’s been given the PT. He really makes movie Allen or Gleason a reasonable idea. I’d hate to see them go but it may be necessary. Joslin has better wheels than both, and more “sneaky” offensive ability as well. And he’ll go with a player when needed.
i like your spirit stinky, season is not over yet. The 7th and 8th spots are often not won but more of a case of who blows it less. We can have a run like the Leafs did last season and make it in. It’s a bright new day around here!!
no s**t, right?!?!?
SE division is pretty much Florida’s to lose, despite Washington’s roster and Tampa’s recent history. I honestly feel that if we move someone for a top 6 guy, bring up some of the Checkers to increase our team speed, Cam regains his form (and covers up the glove side high garbage he’s been giving up lately) we can make a little run and surprise people. You never know — our record is so bad we’re due to see a steady stream of backup goaltenders in non-division games, and if some key players on other teams get injured (not that I’d want that certainly but it does happen) things could open up. What a story that will be!!!
LET'S GO CANES -- THE SEASON AIN'T OVER YET!!!
by Capt. Stinky on Dec 1, 2011 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
Practice at RCI
I attended practice today over at Raleigh Center Ice. Carolyn asked if I’d post a quick recap, and I wasn’t able to do it in time to make Clicks & Clippings, but I think she had plenty of fine content regardless (and well done as always).
Practices over at RCI are typically a little more laid back than at the RBCC. Fans and media are closer to the players, and there is usually a good bit of light-heartedness, smiles, general goofing around. Today was no exception and the atmosphere was very relaxed, although there was a sense of getting down to business.
As previously reported, Jay Harrison was present for full practice, and Jussi and Joni were absent. The forwards were color-coded by lines as they were set in last night’s game. My guess is this was more to help the new guy, who is still calling players by number instead of name.
First impression, the tempo was more intense. Drills for the first 20 minutes were just the basics but left little time for rest, it seemed more players were moving on the ice at all times. Before breaking for water and the next whiteboard session, everyone was treated to a few sprint laps. So by the time they broke up into smaller groups, the players were feeling the intensity.
Second impression, Muller is much more hands-on in terms of personal style. Not easy for me to describe, but for those who have watched Tom Barrasso with the goalies, much more like his style in terms of side-by-side presence. After the main drills broke up, Muller pulled ten players together (12, 13, 15, 23, 27, 28, 44, 51, 53, 59) and worked with them for a full 40 minutes on focused offensive set-up – passing, positioning, net presence. It wasn’t intense as much as it was deliberate. While this was going on at one end of the ice, the other three coaches had the rest of the team working at the other end of the ice, but honestly my focus was on Muller’s group.
The team was pulled together one last time before practice broke up, just a little over an hour after they started. Several players stayed afterwards as they always do for individual practice. Something I’d never seen before… when the players scrummed around Boucher to pepper him with a few shots, Dave Lewis and Tom Barrasso both jumped into the scrum as well. I have no idea whether it was completely impromptu, but it was good to see the two of them having a couple of laughs.
Of course, as always, I’ve posted a few shots on flickr, so here ya go.
Sounds like the pepper drill was the kind of thing we see at the end of warm-ups before a game – love watching that when Boucher can keep it out of the net with about a dozen guys trying to get it in…
It is the same pepper drill they do at pre-game warmups. They do it often after practice too. Just never saw the coaches jump in as well, before today.
by Jamie Kellner on Dec 1, 2011 12:37 AM EST up reply actions
Awesome – thanks so much for doing this.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Dec 1, 2011 7:52 AM EST up reply actions
we're not getting Ryan
Eklund says we’re the most likely place, so you can put it in the bank that he’s not coming here.
The Condor. #63.
Bruce Boudreau Hiring Probably Ends the Hunt for Ryan
I have to believe Bruce Boudreau will be given a chance to coach Ryan before any move is made. Voracek might be more of a possibility.
Yep, tough break. But I always doubted he would ever be traded.
by hurricane9 on Dec 1, 2011 7:03 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Closing the Talent Gap
The Hurricanes organization has tended to overlook the role of talent in assembling a team. Having over-achievers is important as a component part of a team; but talent with character over the course of a season will prevail. The reluctance of the Hurricanes organization use either Dalpe or Boychuk in the top six is both unfortunate and instructive. The situation of inadequate scoring punch put the Hurricanes in a crisis. It was an obvious problem from the time Cole was not signed.
Even now the Hurricanes organization is searching for a trade partner while keeping Dalpe and Boychuk in Charlotte. It is long past time to reunite Skinner/Ruutu/Jokinen and bring up Dalpe or Boychuk.
Staal between the two Z’s. Can’t be any worse than what we’ve seen and could be interesting. I doubt we’ll ever see it. But if it worked they could the Killer Z’s line.
Zac and Zach
There really is no other course of action. Jim Rutherford’s hands are tied. He can’t get a decent value when other GMs feel he has to make a deal. It’s already about a season late for putting Dalpe and Boychuk with Staal. Last season should have been the time when the Hurricanes laid it on the line for Dalpe and Boychuk and put them together with Staal. It should have happened this season before the season was all but destroyed. There is one certain way to find out if Dalpe and Boychuk are going to be top six forwards for the Hurricanes and that is to play them with Staal. Muller needs to know whether Dalpe and Boychuk are in his future and whether they fit in his style of play.
I really am for the kids getting top 6 opportunity, but I really thought the course was going to be; have Dalpe start out on the 3rd line, gain some experience, and then get inserted in the top 6. The way the Canes keep stockpiling bottom 6 players; what are they going to do with the prospects? Are they just going to throw them in the fire (top line)? IMO, this organization has really mismanaged a lot of their prospects.
"We've got to risk implosion. We may explode into the biggest fireball this part of the galaxy has seen, but we've got to take that one in a million chance."
-- Captain Kirk in Star Trek 'The Naked Time'
Conditioning stint
Someone who hasn’t played much can be sent to the minors for a conditioning stint without being subject to waivers. I don’t suppose we could do something like that with Kaberle and pound him into shape down there? Maybe we’d have to sit him for an extended period first (pounding him into shape up here) and then send him down for the conditioning? Grasping at straws…
Then again
If someone took him on waivers going down we might be happy, eh? The problem would be if he’s subject to re-entry waivers coming back up. Hence the conditioning trip idea.
More pipedreaming
How about Carolina and Washington trade overpaid players – Kaberle for Semin? Semin is a UFA so we resign at a more reasonable rate or let him go. Washington buys out Kaberle at end of season. The 2+ mil difference in salary can partly compensate Washington for their buyout of Kaberle so perhaps we provide a pick and/or add’l player.
I know it’s a very silly idea but with the Ryan fantasy now apparently dead, I need to drum up another fantasy.
Let's go Hartolina WhalerCanes!!!! I am a big fan of the Canes, but I still have some residual Brass Bonanza Blue and Green in me.
As I understand it, players have to be placed on Injured Reserve to get the conditioning stint as you suggest.
Personally, Europe sounds like a perfect option for Kaberle. Swiss League, maybe.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Dec 1, 2011 10:06 AM EST up reply actions
Mr. Kaberle, Your Ticket to Zurich is Ready
Kaberle in the Swiss league is perfect. He can excel on the larger ice and play beautiful, limited contact hockey. He has no personal pride and insufficient sense of professionalism to come to the Hurricanes out of shape. If somebody has been hurt and is rehabbing an injury it’s understandable. Being too lazy to get in proper condition is weak. I hope this experience will persuade Jim Rutherford to stick with young prospects and players like Joslin or Harrison over players beyond their prime who are willing to game the CBA and the system by signing huge contracts and feasting in the off-season.
JR’s vert strong, but accurate and refreshingly straightforward statement gives me hope that Kaberle’s time here will be over soon. I had been feeling somewhat bad for him, thinking time was just catching up with Thomas, but reading JR’s statement made me loose all empathy. He really doesn’t need to play. Let him watch from the press box until JR can resolve this.
Is Kaberle’s contract signed at an age that means we have to count him on the salary cap even if we bought him out?
I want to say that kicks in at 37, but I might be wrong. Not like we need the cap space, just wondering.
I think that is for retirement. I think buyout is 1/3 under a certain age and 2/3 over a certain age and that amount gets spread out over a certain number of years against the cap.
Let's go Hartolina WhalerCanes!!!! I am a big fan of the Canes, but I still have some residual Brass Bonanza Blue and Green in me.
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