Jim Rutherford Happy With Draft, Thinks Jussi Jokinen, Joni Pitkanen Could Be Back
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 25, 2011 3:24 PM EDT
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PrintCarolina Hurricanes Jim Rutherford was very pleased following the 2011 Entry Draft. Not only did Carolina draft six players they are happy with, but Rutherford said pending unrestricted free agents Jussi Jokinen and Joni Pitkanen could both be back in a Hurricanes sweater next season.
On the draft, Rutherford was especially content with Carolina's first three picks. He said Carolina had Kitchener defenseman Ryan Murphy, whom they selected 12th overall, ranked sixth on their draft board, while second-round pick Victor Rask was, at one-time, considered top-10 pick whose struggles with consistency led to him falling to the Canes in the second round. Rutherford also said that third-rounder Keegan Lowe was a vastly improved player the second half of the 2010-11 season.
"They fell very nice for us this year, especially in the first three rounds," Rutherford said.
But while the weekend was about the future, the news that both Jokinen and Pitkanen — and perhaps still Erik Cole and Chad LaRose — could possibly be re-signed may have been the biggest news. Just days ago, the departure of the two Finns seemed imminent. But Rutherford said discussions this weekend with their representation opened the door for their return. He said he had scheduled calls with most of Carolina's free agents on Monday and that decisions on all of Carolina's free agents should be resolved by Monday or Tuesday. Jokinen's potential signing, he said, would likely close the door on a return by Cory Stillman — who has still not made a definitive choice to play in 2011-12 — but would not keep Carolina from being active on July 1.
Rutherford said it is still a priority for Carolina to add a backup goaltender and depth center when free agency officially opens Friday. With the cap floor set at $48.3 million, Carolina will have money to spend, and Rutherford said he expects to the team's budget to be "a couple million" above the floor.
Other notes from draft weekend:
• Rutherford has already spoken to Rask's agent and it's possible the Swedish forward could come to North America next season. Rutherford said Rask would be here for prospect conditioning camp, then perhaps play in the Traverse City prospect tournament and join the Hurricanes for their NHL camp. Rutherford said Rask would be given the opportunity to make the team, but if he didn't he could, as a European player, be assigned to Charlotte. Rask could also be chosen in the CHL Import Draft (likely to an OHL team, Rutherford said) and would therefore be eligible to report to a junior team, if necessary.
• Speaking of prospect conditioning camp, Rutherford said it would be held July 9-14. Given the RecZone's financial issues, it's unclear where the on-ice portions of the camp will take place.
• Rutherford said he was unsure if Plymouth goalie Matt Mahalak would be the Whalers' No. 1 goalie next season, and that the decision would be up to the coaches. That being said, he did admit he supposes they have a little pull given that Canes CEO Peter Karmanos Jr. owns the team.
• Rutherford said he understood the perception that Carolina is interested in player bloodlines when drafting, but said that, first and foremost, the players are evaluated based on talent. Brody Sutter, for example, was on their board as being anywhere from a fourth- to seventh-round pick.
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Finns may return??
What could have happened? Did the budget go up (partialy caused by the increase in cap and “floor”) or planned trades dried up (Philly’s various trades to move expensive contracts), or REASON has suddenly returned (NAAAH unlikely), or ?
What say yee?
What could have happened is right. The doomsday/budget-team/bye-bye Finns talk is gone. Interesting that Rutherford says the players’ agents were out of touch for a month. Wonder if those agents were aggressively in touch with other teams and found nobody willing to pay what the agents were sure they could get. Or maybe as you say it was the higher salary floor that changed the picture.
Suddenly things look vastly brighter for next season. If the top 5 scoring forwards are returning and Dalpe and Boychuk come to camp in great shape, stronger and faster, and earn spots and then earn their keep, the Canes will look like a playoff contender. Yes, there are problems to solve, but it looks as though the best of the prospects will compete to fit in around the returning vets instead of taking their place with almost no NHL experience. Now I’m even optimistic that the Canes will find a way to re-sign Ruutu.
I wonder who the Canes will pair with Pitkanen. As has often been said, it needs to be a strong defensive defenseman who’s fast enough to get back when Pitkanen joins the rush and there’s a change of possession. No pairing with Pitkanen seemed to work last year. In a way it’s unreasonable to single Pitkanen out since the whole Canes’ D struggled.
If Pitkanen returns, will the Canes be keeping all the offensive D in the system? Pitkanen, Corvo, McBain, Faulk, Murphy and Sanguinetti make quite a list.
The Rask pick is really interesting. A year ago he was expected to be competing with Landeskog and Larsson to be the first Swede off the board, according to Red Line Report. He clearly had a disappointing season though he always did well in international tournaments. If there was an attitude problem the Canes seem like the last team that would take a chance on Rask. I’m sure the Canes did their homework. That makes me hopeful Rask can be a second-line center in a couple of years.
by curiouscanesfan on Jun 25, 2011 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
If Pitkanen is resigned and so is Joslin, we will have 7 defensemen (8 with Murphy or any other NHL ready defenseman). I don’t see a budget team who can’t afford to sign their important free agents paying a player to sit in the press box. So if he is signed, I would expect JR would try to trade away a defenseman. Since we will have a surplus of offensive ones, that defenseman could be Corvo. He’s in his final year and is definitely the most expendable.
by hurricane9 on Jun 25, 2011 5:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Perhaps I’m showing my ignorance, but I didn’t think that agents and other teams can discuss any players currently under contract until July 1.
Couldn’t it just be that JR sent out his initial offers/feelers and the agents just didn’t reply thinking JR would blink first?
I didn’t think that agents and other teams can discuss any players currently under contract until July 1. – that was my understanding as well.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Jun 25, 2011 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Correct … but surely there are unofficial ways to express your interest.
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 27, 2011 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions
I would imagine there are, but this comment seems like it would have tampering written all over it.
“Wonder if those agents were aggressively in touch with other teams and found nobody willing to pay what the agents were sure they could get.”
Yes it does sound that way and I was unaware of the rule that prohibits that kind of contact. Sorry for the confusion. I was trying to guess what might bring down the asking price for the players who had been out of reach. It’s hard for me to imagine Rutherford deciding to pay more for the same free agents or the agents deciding to ask less without some significant events in between.
by curiouscanesfan on Jun 27, 2011 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d say its more likely that Rutherford’s public statements about Jokinen and Pitkanen were to show the agents that he was serious when he said “no” to what they were asking and to maybe give them a bit of a reality check that might get them back to the table.
That and the announcement that the cap floor would go up to $48.3 M.
I think the fact that the cap floor increased was the biggest change. We had to increase payroll.
by Colossal Caniac on Jun 26, 2011 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Fun With Numbers
Sign:
Jokinen (3 years, $3.25 million per), Sutter (3 years, $2.25 million per), Bodie (1 year, $650k), and a 4th line Center (1 year, $750k) on offense.
Pitkanen (4 years, $4 million per) Joslin (2 years, $750k per) on defense
Team:
Jokinen – Staal – Dalpe
Boychuk – Skinner – Ruutu
Bowman – Sutter – Tlusty
Bodie – 4th line C – Samson
Gleason – Corvo
McBain – Pitkanen
Joslin – Allen
Harrison
Overall Cap: $45.6 million
Still about $3 million under the Cap Floor. If our budget is a few million above the floor, we need to spend more cash. Plus our defense is exactly the same (we need a rebuild).
Now…
1) Sign Erik Cole (2 years, $3.5 million per).
2) Trade Corvo, Allen, Boychuk for picks/prospects. Pick up a D like Kevin Bieksa or James Wisniewski (est. 3 years, $5 million per).
3) Ryan Murphy makes the team (signed at EL 3 years, $1.5 million w/ bonuses).
Cole – Staal – Dalpe
Jussi – Skinner – Ruutu
Bowman – Sutter – Tlusty
Bodie – 4th line C – Samson
Pitkanen – Bieksa/Wisniewski
Gleason – McBain
Joslin – Murphy
Harrison
Overall Cap: $49.2 million (about $1 million above the floor)
Now that I really like.
This lineup has a lot of skill but not much grit. Ruutu kind of, Bowman maybe. But where’s the gritty forwards in this lineup?
by hockeythoughts on Jun 26, 2011 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
True… Bieksa/Wisniewski definitely adds some snarl to the D corps (as well as Joslin’s continued presence over a year) but the forwards are a little lackluster.
There aren’t many UFA forwards that can add without subtracting skill… Maybe replace Tlusty with a guy like Chuck Kobasew or Brooks Laich (who will be a hot commodity). Or look to the trade route with Corvo, Allen, and Boychuk. Pick up a guy like Daniel Carcillo, Dustin Brown (if LA was after Brad Richards and wanted to clear space), Cal Clutterbuck (Minny said anyone was available but would be expensive), or Brian Boyle/Ryan Callahan (same Brad Richards situation for Rangers).
Brad Richards
For those wondering, adding in Brad Richards and subtracting out Eric Cole would only raise our Cap to $51.9 million (“a few million over the Cap Floor”). Richards is reportedly seeking a 8 year, $50 million deal ($6.25 million per year).
Skinner – Richards – Ruutu
Staal – Dalpe – Jussi
Bowman – Sutter – Tlusty
Bodie – 4th line C – Samson
Murphy..
While his skill is undeniable, i’d say he needs at least a year of “defensive training, and strength work” to be able to compete against the strong/ big forwards in the nhl!
Agree. Murphy will have to dazzle in camp and through the first 8 games to earn a spot and prove he’s not an impossible defensive liability. Dazzling seems to be what he does best though. Murphy might just pull it off.
One of the Canes’ huge defensive issues last year was getting the puck out of their own zone. One reason the Canes allowed so many goals was playing too much of the game in their own end. Faceoffs were a big part of the issue, but there were a lot of nights when the Canes had possession in their own zone and just couldn’t get the puck out. Murphy seems to be able to skate the puck out against anybody.
Also, when he joins the rush, he puts tremendous pressure on the opposing defense. They’ll have to be wary if Murphy is out there with speedy forwards. Other teams may not be as comfortable spending the night deep in the Canes’ zone.
Or Murphy may just be so overmatched physically that his survival depends on going back to junior. Watching the preseason this year should be great fun.
by curiouscanesfan on Jun 25, 2011 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
It can be done – it has been done. Though I always worry about the young guys when they rush to get into the league. Alot can be said for “on the job” training and being thrown into the fire can often times temper the player – good or bad.
I agree that the preseason is going to be ALOT of fun to watch.
"It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times..."
by Gramm Matthew Esq. on Jun 25, 2011 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
not larose
I think id rather keep Allen and get rid of pitkanen. And please DO NOT sign larose. Leave room for someone else
LaRose at the right price for the right role would be a good thing. At double the right price for a spot on a scoring line LaRose will be a drag on the budget and the offense.
by curiouscanesfan on Jun 25, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
A good friend of mine and longtime Pens fan has for the last couple seasons – since Dan Bylsma really took over – wanted LaRose to either be traded to the Pens or sign there. He seems to believe LaRose would work well under Bylsma’s coaching. My friend seems to have more faith in LaRose than I do.
"It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times..."
by Gramm Matthew Esq. on Jun 25, 2011 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Skinner
Skinner gonna be 2nd line center this year or u think he’ll be a 1st line winger. I like a Staal- Skinner- juice line. I don’t believe he’ll be a 2nd like winger next season anyways. If I was coach id have Skinner and Staal practicing together at least to maybe create a Magic connection. But I guess Im just a racecar driver and know nothing bout it
This fan shall wait
and see so i don’t get my hopes dashed too much !!
What did you do during the summer when the playoffs are over ?
Go Canes & Checkers !!
Pitkanen
Pitkanen has unique hockey skills..and he is young..with the new coach to round out his game I say give Joni and Jussi 7.5-8mil total per year and let them divide it up how they can ;-)
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=567387&navid=mod-rr-headlines
This article from E.J. has some good things to say about the defense that J.R. is building in Carolina. It’s number 1 in his 5 thoughts regarding the draft. Thought some might find it interesting…
Thanks for the link, CF1. Good things indeed.
by curiouscanesfan on Jun 26, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't mess with JR
I hope Francis is paying attention to JR on how to negotiate as the GM. I love our Finns but no way they’re going to get the asking price they wanted and figured out, hey maybe I do love Carolina!! Tee hee. I’m very happy we picked up Murphy as well. Maybe another Skinner on Def/Off. Who knows.
Is there tampering in the NHL?
. You can credit new Sabres owner Terry Pegula for helping to close the deal that brings hard-nosed, veteran defenseman Robyn Regehr from Calgary to Buffalo.
Sabres GM Darcy Regier says Pegula reached out to Regehr, who wasn’t ready to waive his no trade clause. The long-time Flames defender was seeking other possible trade options. Apparently, Pegula’s sales job convinced Regehr to make the move east. The Sabres fan turned billionaire owner hasn’t been afraid to do things his way.
If we can beef up the team, I think we have a great future!
*YAWN*
so JR talks about resigning two guys who were cogs in the machine that finished out of the playoffs two years in a row. Excuse me for not jumping for joy.
as painful as it may be, if he isn’t going to spend $$$ on higher quality free agents, let Jussi and Joni walk and bring up talent. It’s what we should’ve done last year.
two cents…
"We've got to look at this," Columbus general manager Scott Howson said Monday after exit interviews with the players. "Because whatever we have right now isn't working."
by Sergeant Stinky on Jun 26, 2011 7:20 PM EDT reply actions
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