Devils at Hurricanes: Game Day Preview

by Bob Wage on Dec 26, 2011 12:03 PM EST in Carolina Hurricanes Game Day Previews

The Carolina Hurricanes, (11-19-6) begin a busy stretch with the first of four games in six nights tonight, as they start things off against the New Jersey Devils, (19-14-1) at the RBC. The Canes have already lost twice to this team earlier this season, both times in Newark, (4-2 and 3-2).

Tim Brent will return to the lineup tonight and Riley Nash was reassigned to Charlotte. Look for the following lines, (from CH.com).

Bowman, Staal, LaRose
Ruutu, Jokinen, Ponikarovsky
Dwyer, Sutter, Tlusty
Stewart, Brent, Nodl
Gleason, McBain
Spacek, Allen
Faulk, Harrison

It has been confirmed that Cam Ward will start in net for the Canes and according to Fire and Ice, it looks like he'll be facing Johan Hedberg.

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2011 - Cam Ward	31	1764	11	14		95	3.23	929	834	.898	1

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2011 - Johan Hedberg	17	995	10	5		40	2.41	461	421	.913	2

Hedberg is 13-7-2 with two shutouts lifetime against Carolina.

Fire and Ice also has the Jersey lines as follows:

Parise, Henrique, Kovalchuk
Sykora, Elias, Zubrus
Tedenby, Zajac, Clarkson
Sestito, (Boulton, Carter, Janssen)
Salvador, Fayne
Volchenkov, Foster
Urbom, Taormina

For more info on the Devils and this game, check out the fine preview over at In Lou We Trust.

Tuomo Ruutu is currently the hottest of the Hurricanes and has points in four straight games, (3G 2A).

Nodl, Harrison, and Jokinen each have points in two straight.

There will be no local television for this one, but the game will be on Center Ice. You can also listen on 99.9 The Fan. We will have our game thread ready to go at 6:30.

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Comments

I’m ready for a ten game winning streak so we can get back into things.

I'm trying to be positive here, so if you're not go PUCK yourself.

by canescup on Dec 26, 2011 12:10 PM EST reply actions

Top Six Forwards

It really is like Sesame Street for the Hurricanes top six forward lines, especially with Skinner unavailable: which one is not like the others, which one does not belong? The Hurrricanes have improved significantly since Muller and MacLean arrived. To the coaches’ credit, they did not play the blame game; and managed to avoid a team meltdown while changing approaches with 40% of the season gone.

I suspect Jim Rutherford will start moving players soon and will continue to do so this season until the end of the trade deadline. What I hope is that Rutherford has his eye on the talent meter more than the salary meter. For a team that is thin on upper end talent at forward, lowering the talent level is an awful idea. Again, Ruutu stands out as a “must re-sign at all costs” player. Whatever the fair market value is for Ruutu, even if a moon shot, Jim Rutherford needs to sign him. This season is a testament to how much the Hurricanes need physical right wings with skill. It was a mistake by Jim Rutherford not to have a replacement in mind when Cole was not re-signed. It should be a lesson learned.

Meanwhile, with the players presently on the roster, I’d rather see Nodl or Stewart join Staal and Bowman on the first line. I don’t see LaRose as any kind of long term solution as a top six forward; so I’d rather experiment than keep coming back to a line combination that is inherently limited and flawed. One approach simply does not work. At least try some other approach even if the result is no better than the one that flopped.

by abramsdoug on Dec 26, 2011 12:17 PM EST reply actions

What is market value for Ruutu?

When Cole left for $4.5mil few felt he was worth that much. Ruutu is a UFA currently at $3.8mil. How much more do you offer him to stay? What will the most desperate team offer him to leave? Do you match it?

by surgalt on Dec 26, 2011 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, Match the Most Desperate Team

Yes, the Hurricanes are in a situation that they need to match the most desperate team because in reality no matter how desperate a team is to have Ruutu, the Hurricanes are even more desperate to keep him.

by abramsdoug on Dec 26, 2011 3:13 PM EST up reply actions

What if the match is $4.5 mil? Is Ruutu as valuable to this team as Cole would have been?
(Cole has 13goals/10assists, Ruutu has 12goals/8assists both in 36 games).

by surgalt on Dec 26, 2011 3:21 PM EST up reply actions

Ruutu is still only 28 Cole is 33 that’s why JR passed on Cole 4 yrs for $4.5m. I would offer that for Ruutu as the upcoming UFA pool is weak this year.

by hellfish on Dec 26, 2011 3:36 PM EST up reply actions

I would say this year’s FA market is weaker than last years, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Ruutu gets 4.5+ on the open market. If JR wants to avoid bidding wars and if he has learned from his mistakes, he has to start negotiations during the season.

by hurricane9 on Dec 26, 2011 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

I’d pay 4 years $18 mil to keep Ruutu.

by Gillimus on Dec 26, 2011 4:13 PM EST up reply actions

IMO, in a word, yes.

In more than one word… He’s 3 years younger, he’s been as consistent (probably more so), he’s more versatile up and down the lines (and in the shootout), he doesn’t stink on a line with Staal, he has an outstanding work ethic, and is a great locker room guy.

Of course everyone knows he’s my favorite so you’ll take my comments in that context. I don’t think he’s irreplaceable, but I do believe he would be a hard gap to fill if he was traded.

And I personally don’t think he’d walk if the offer was somewhere in the range of 3 years at $4-$4.25m. I think he’d stay and not test the market, similar to what his fellow Finns did.

Of course, I’d extend him now, but our GM isn’t likely to do that.

twitter @jbk_ltd

by Jamie Kellner on Dec 26, 2011 3:41 PM EST up reply actions

Hopefully Ruutu’s agent, unlike Cole’s, will give Rutherford his salary expectation and start the ball rolling on his resigning. The market value for 1st/2nd line wingers is higher than previous years and whatever the number it will be numbing. Let’s hope that JR recognizes the ante is up for good wingers.

by surgalt on Dec 26, 2011 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

Ruutu is 5yrs younger than Cole.

by hellfish on Dec 26, 2011 3:54 PM EST up reply actions

Just a detail

Cole turned 33 in November, Ruutu turns 29 in February. Like JK I want Ruutu back no matter what it costs. If he is worth $4.5 to resign, it will cost at least $4.5 to replace him.

by surgalt on Dec 26, 2011 4:04 PM EST up reply actions

Another point. I suspect JR has been taking a “wait and see” approach to Muller’s system to determine where the fits are. I’d have to say that so far, the Finn fits.

twitter @jbk_ltd

by Jamie Kellner on Dec 26, 2011 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

Well damn. I thought Cole was 31, not 33. Then it matters even more.

I know how old Tuomo is ;)

twitter @jbk_ltd

by Jamie Kellner on Dec 26, 2011 4:26 PM EST up reply actions

Also, I think he becomes even more valuable to us because we lost Cole.

twitter @jbk_ltd

by Jamie Kellner on Dec 26, 2011 3:43 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly.

by Gillimus on Dec 26, 2011 4:14 PM EST up reply actions

Rosie on first line

I can’t help but think that Staal must be asking for him on his line. Nothing else makes sense. Note, I’m not suggesting that it makes sense to allow the players to select their line mates, that’s the coaches job, but nothing else in my mind can explain letting Rosie stay in that slot. I love the guy but in the right place and even a new fan would quickly deduce that he just doesn’t have the talent to be in that slot.

The team has improved and the game is much more interesting to watch. With the change in divisions next year if the Canes don’t get serious about investing in talent I would guess they are gearing up for a move. There is no way this team will contend or hold the fan base if they don’t declare a direction and work toward it.

by playwithpride on Dec 26, 2011 1:07 PM EST reply actions

Wondering...

If it’s another experiment by Muller. He seems to be doing the same thing that Paul Maurice would do, except I think he’s not going to do it all season unless we have injuries. I gathered from listening to him do interviews he wants a solid line pairing like almost every top team in the league. We just don’t have any top tier wingers to play with Staal. :(

Ready for the Canes to win the Cup again! :)

by thebl4ckd0g on Dec 26, 2011 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

Agree about Rosie

I think we all like him as a player, but he belongs on a 4th line where he could play with that energy and probably do some damage against other teams 4th line. I still would like us just to bring up the kids and lets use this season to see who can or can’t play at this level!

by Matt Katlen on Dec 26, 2011 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

By keeping Rosie with Staal, the effect of Bowman on that line becomes easier to evaluate. Changing 2 players might make the Bowman effect harder to reconcile. The next move would then be to find the other wing to go with Staal and Bowman should that experiment be judged successful.

by surgalt on Dec 26, 2011 3:17 PM EST up reply actions

Rosie’s 5th in points and 3rd in goals on the team. If Jussi and Ruutu are going to stay together, you HAVE to put someone with Staal who can produce points. Sadly for the Canes and their lack of depth, that someone is LaRose.

by Gillimus on Dec 26, 2011 4:20 PM EST up reply actions

Trade rumor

So I have a Sabres fan that says a rumor in Buffalo is a trade between these two teams. Roy, Stafford and Miller for Staal and Ward. I dont buy it but that would be a WOW trade. I cant see either team trading their goalies. Anyone heard this on this end? I love ruu, but with him being a UFA I would be surprised if he is still here after the trade deadline. Ruu, Gleason and Allen would probably bring a decent return. Of course it does not mean we can not go after Ruu in the off season, but realistically these are our best tradable players.

by Matt Katlen on Dec 26, 2011 1:30 PM EST reply actions

when you’re done buying crack from that sabres fan tell him that trade ain’t never gonna happen

LET'S GO CANES -- THE SEASON AIN'T OVER YET!!!

by Capt. Stinky on Dec 26, 2011 1:47 PM EST up reply actions

I would only assume...

That a trade like that would happen only after Jim Rutherford did a ton of crack lines himself.

Ready for the Canes to win the Cup again! :)

by thebl4ckd0g on Dec 26, 2011 1:58 PM EST up reply actions

I didnt say i like it

Just a rumor and wanted to see if it any legs. Like I said I cant see Buffalo trading Miller nor the Canes trading Ward.

by Matt Katlen on Dec 26, 2011 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

Well nonetheless, it was an interesting first post to Canes Country. Welcome! I don’t think you’ll find that your rumor has any legs.

twitter @jbk_ltd

by Jamie Kellner on Dec 26, 2011 2:57 PM EST up reply actions

The talent pool is too shallow

Ruu and Staal are the only two you can argue are legitimate top 2 line material forwards with Skinner being out. So if you get rid of half of that talent you better get a boat load of youngsters in return. The Juice without Skinner looks lost, I can’t figure out why you wouldn’t try him with Ruu and Staal on a top line.

As for the D, Gleason just doesn’t seem to be the player he was but we can’t be the only people to notice. I would hate to lose Allen because of his size but at this point, its not doing us all that much good so this fan would just like to see some evidence of a long term plan.

by playwithpride on Dec 26, 2011 3:02 PM EST up reply actions

Arguably, when all were healthy, Ruutu Jokinen and Skinner were our best line. Any changes to this line to help Staal’s line simply became robbing Peter to pay Paul.

by surgalt on Dec 26, 2011 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

I was suggesting a solution for the here and now. The Skins and Fins line was the best but if I were the Canes I wouldn’t rush back Skinner so you’ve got to do something now.

by playwithpride on Dec 26, 2011 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks for posting. I do think Jim Rutherford is going to shake up the team; but I would be very surprised if Skinner, Staal, Ward, or Sutter are traded. I hope you will continue to post regularly.

by abramsdoug on Dec 26, 2011 3:15 PM EST up reply actions

I highly doubt that would happen. Trade our two top players for a flakey goaltender trending downwards and two middle of the pack forwards? Not happening

by hurricane9 on Dec 26, 2011 3:41 PM EST up reply actions

Well, the Canes would get better with that trade, in theory. Roy has put up numbers close to Staal’s average (70+points), and Stafford is not far back. Miller for Ward is about even, except for Miller being about 3.5 years older. As much as I dont want to see the Canes trade Ward, this isnt the worst trade.

On the other hand, trades like this never happen.

by prplmnkydw on Dec 26, 2011 5:12 PM EST up reply actions