Hurricanes Will Not Qualify RFAs Jiri Tlusty, Troy Bodie

by Cory Lavalette on Jun 27, 2011 3:52 PM EDT

Forward Jiri Tlusty, who was acquired for former first-round pick Philippe Paradis in 2009, was not qualified by the Hurricanes, making him an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Enforcer Troy Bodie was also not qualified, but the Canes are said to still have interest in keeping both. (Photo by LTD)

Much like a year ago when Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford opted to not qualify restricted free agent defenseman Brett Carson so the team could avoid a potentially binding arbitration award, the Canes have decided to not extend offers to forward Jiri Tlusty and Troy Bodie, meaning the duo will become unrestricted free agents as of July 1.

That doesn't necessarily mean the two forwards have played their final games as Hurricanes, as Rutherford mentions in this article on the team's Web site.

Last season, Rutherford gave Tlusty a one-year, $500,000 deal that lowered the Czech forward's NHL salary significantly but assured him that he would not be subject to a two-way deal that would pay him less if he was assigned to the AHL.The 23 year old showed flashes of fulfilling the potential he had when Toronto selected him 13th overall in 2006, but injuries seemed to derail him any time he began to build confidence.

Tlusty was acquired from the Maple Leafs in December 2009 in exchange for 2008 first-round pick Philippe Paradis, who seemingly quickly fell out of favor with the Carolina brass. Tlusty was expected to battle for a top-nine spot among the forwards last season, but he averaged less than 10 minutes of ice time a game and finished the season with six goals and six assists in 57 games.

Bodie was claimed off waivers from Anaheim in November to add a physical presence on Carolina's fourth line. He did that, piling up 10 fighting majors in 50 games with the Canes, adding a goal and two assists. Bodie was in the final year of a two-year, two-way contract last season that paid him $500,000 in the NHL and $75,000 in the AHL. But he spent the last 13 games of the season in the press box as a healthy scratch, playing his final game of the season March 12.

Carolina still has interest in both players, but both players will be free to test the market Friday.

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Paul Branecky also mentions in his article that Justin Pogge will not be back (no surprise) and that the team would try to bring back Casey Borer, Nick Dodge and Bryan Rodney, while no decision has been made on Zach FitzGerald. Personally, I was wondering about Borer.

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by Cory Lavalette on Jun 27, 2011 4:04 PM EDT reply actions

Fitzgerald

I made it to just one Checkers game last year and Fitzgerald was the most memorible player in that one game. A fight and an assist… certainly he seems to be a crowd favorite.

by My1canes on Jun 28, 2011 7:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Regardless of if he stays or goes, Tlusty should be remembered as a revolutionary in the Raleigh internet searching world.

Still not a crook!

by TrickyD26 on Jun 27, 2011 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

Tlusty sucks

The guy was traded here for Paradis of whatever the draft picks name was that we took in the first round and basically had zero idea how to use him and traded him away. He has never made the NHL or done much as a pro for what I have seen and heard.

Bodie and Tlusty could be brought back b.c. honestly who wants either LOL. Bodie is just a big grinder on the 4th line and Tlusty may never reach his once promising ceiling he used to have.

Time is running out for Tlusty in Carolina he needs to prove he belongs on this team at the NHL level.

by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Jun 27, 2011 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

If Tlusty doesn’t make it, it’s sad for the Canes to get absolutely nothing out of that recent first round pick that started out as Paradis and became Tlusty.

by curiouscanesfan on Jun 27, 2011 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed… I really wonder what not qualifying these guys means for the Canes. These are two spots that I had filled in on the Roster as young, cheap, bottom-6 guys. If this means we are re-signing all of LaRose, Cole, Jokinen, and Dwyer to big contracts then I think it is a mistake. I can only hope they just have a few bottom-6 guys they like that are becoming UFA’s or feel that guys like Brett Sutter or Matsumoto are NHL ready.

by JussiJuice on Jun 27, 2011 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Drayson Bowman is a ready replacement for Tlusty and Brent Sutter could take Bodie’s place.

by Chuck Burns on Jun 27, 2011 6:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Bowman and Tlusty both played last year… He really isn’t a replacement. Without Tlusty and Bodie we have:

? – Staal – Boychuk
Dalpe – Ruutu – Skinner
? – Sutter – Bowman
Sutter – (4th line C) – Samson

I don’t see Cole, Jussi, LaRose, and Dwyer all fitting in (JR said he hopes to sign all 4 by Friday). Boychuk doesn’t even make sense to me on the top-line but there really isn’t anywhere else to put him. Unless they plan on sticking Dalpe, Boychuk, and Bowman all back in the AHL next year which would be just stupid.

by JussiJuice on Jun 27, 2011 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Your lines assume we don’t resign any of our other pending free agents, which means you have to go after Brad Richards merely to make the cap floor. Also, you are right that both Tlusty and Bowman played together, but when they did, Bodie was a healthy scratch, so effectively you still only need to bring up Brent Sutter.

by Chuck Burns on Jun 27, 2011 9:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

But if JR does re-sign Jussi and Cole your two question marks are gone…

by Squeaky83 on Jun 28, 2011 8:46 AM EDT up reply actions

The Canes will blow off a 1st round draft pick who played well last year despite coming back quickly from a major knee injury and then missing significant time with a shoulder injury. Why? Supposedly fear that an arbitrator might decide Tlusty deserves a gigantic contract based on his injury-riddled season. Fat chance.

Karmonos must be about ten cents from bankruptcy. The team is struggling to make the cap floor because it just doesn’t have enough money. It’s willing to let assets walk for nothing rather than run the slightest financial risk.

And Sutter’s apparent preference for a short-term contract in preference to long-term membership in the Canes’ “core” may indicate that players and agents don’t see a future with a team that constantly says it’s a budget team and can’t pay what other teams will. It’s unfortunate, all the more so because the Canes don’t seem to have the means to do anything about it. Karmonos might have better luck selling 100% of the team since it appears nobody is interested in 49% when he retains control.

by curiouscanesfan on Jun 27, 2011 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow.

Aren’t you the same person who just two days ago said “Suddenly things look vastly brighter for next season”?

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by Jamie Kellner on Jun 27, 2011 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, I said that based on the Canes’ sudden reversal and willingness to re-sign free agents that they had been saying are out of reach. Obviously I found failing to qualify a recent 1st round pick shocking when it wouldn’t take much money (by NHL salary standards).

This is very different from risking the loss of Brett Carson or Troy Bodie. This is running a substantial risk of losing a valuable asset for absolutely nothing when you could eliminate the risk for very little money. The only explanation I can think of for such a borderline self-destructive decision is not having the money to do otherwise. JR’s statement that the salary floor is making things tough on the owner fed that opinion.

Tlusty will probably have takers now that he comes free. For example, Ottawa is trying to upgrade its forward corps in a hurry and won’t have to give up a thing to give Tlusty a whirl.

by curiouscanesfan on Jun 28, 2011 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

We got Joni and Dwyer back. Does that pull you back off the ledge or are you still out on it?

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by Jamie Kellner on Jun 28, 2011 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

;)

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by Jamie Kellner on Jun 28, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree for the large part… Tlusty still had plenty of promise and at the very least could have been traded to try and recoup some assets.

Matthew Hulsizer just dropped out of the Phoenix Coyotes bidding because of the city and building lease causing issues. But he said that he still wanted to own an NHL team. Wonder if it is getting to the point with PK that he is tired of losing money and considering selling. A rich owner that would spend to the Cap could near instantly make this team a Cup contender.

by JussiJuice on Jun 27, 2011 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think they are letting Tlusty walk due to a lack of money, as Tlusty would take a near-minimum contract. He is being let go because there is just no room for him moving forward. As JJ showed earlier, there are really only 3 spots open on the team, and there are at least four free agents in front of Tlusty. Tell me why letting Tlusty walk is for finances, other than the fact that they don’t want 3 healthy scratches a game?

And I Sutter’s preference is actually more ilkely to do with the fact that he is getting very close to an age where he could be a premier 3rd line center or a 2nd line center and also gain UFA rights. Right now he is a RFA and would likely take a smaller contract that what he deserves. If he takes a short term deal until he gets UFA status at a time where he is more important, he is going to make more money. Why would he take a reduced salary long term deal? That is stupid.

by hurricane9 on Jun 27, 2011 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Don’t forget Ruuty “only wanted a one-year deal” two years ago (even though HE never actually said that) and ended up with a very nice three-year deal when all was said and done.

Then again, just as some owners and GMs (ours included) have hesitated to sign a lot of long-term contracts due to the impending CBA renegotiation, perhaps some players feel it’s not in their best interests to sign long now either.

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by Jamie Kellner on Jun 27, 2011 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Diff. situation tho … Sutter would probably not do long-term deal b/c he’ll be worth more in a couple years. I wouldn’t look much into it on the “he doesn’t want to be here for the long haul” level. Cam and Eric both got shorter second deals.

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by Cory Lavalette on Jun 28, 2011 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Agree

Especially coming off a lower ofensive production season than he did previously, his value on the market is less, I wouldn;t want to lock up a lower paycheck for a long period if I believe in myself and believe I’ll improve and be worth more.

Sign for a couple of years at a decent raise, then see where I am after that hoping I proved I’m worth more. I’d play it just the same way.

by Squeaky83 on Jun 28, 2011 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions

My point on the different situation was more that there is still a lot of posturing going on.

All we’ve really heard about anyone’s status is what JR has specifically (or unspecifically) told the media.

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by Jamie Kellner on Jun 28, 2011 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

They could be even cheaper options now.

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by Cory Lavalette on Jun 27, 2011 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly.

More money for Jussi ;)

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by Jamie Kellner on Jun 27, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Tlusty

My impression is that the Hurricanes may re-sign Tlusty to another one year deal, offering a one way contract at $500,000.00. Tlusty has plenty of size and talent. He underwent a serious knee injury then had an upper body injury. It’s way too soon to designate him as a flop. I think it is more like the Brett Carson situation in which he was not given a qualifying offer but was re-signed eventually.

by abramsdoug on Jun 27, 2011 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Damn Bieksa signed :(

by Kyle13 on Jun 27, 2011 4:32 PM EDT reply actions

$4.6 million/year. I wonder how that factors into Pitkanen’s contract. On one hand, Bieksa is a comparable player to Pitkanen, but on the other hand, he definitely took a hometown discount (and said so himself) and his stats were worse than Pitkanen’s.

by hurricane9 on Jun 27, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Could be why JR said today that one of Jussi and Joni are suddenly not near signing again.

by Gillimus on Jun 27, 2011 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Only JR didn’t say that. He mentioned no names. Chip is the one who said it was “believed” to be one of them. Could just as easily be Erik Cole. There’s rumor that the Flyers may be interested in him.

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by Jamie Kellner on Jun 27, 2011 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed… Could very well be Erik Cole that JR was speaking of.

by JussiJuice on Jun 27, 2011 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

What Not Pogge?

I thought he did pretty well over the course of the regular season with the Checkers.

Was it because of his outbursts? I have no problem with what he did…shows a passion to win not just a “golly gee we fell short…what time is our tee-off?”

by WStout on Jun 27, 2011 5:10 PM EDT reply actions

I would be looking at Hedberg or Alex Auld

I would prefer to have Auld but perhaps Hedberg could be a great backup I mean he carried the Devils a season ago with Martin Brodeur was down with an injury. Also what a Giguere ? also could be a guy suited for the backup role at this point in his career as well.

As for Pogge his outburst clearly have made Canes management sour on him, plus J. Peters will be returning to the Checkers to split time with Mike Muphry the Canes long term solution for a backup goalie in about another season or so.

I think Backup goalie is the first signing JR makes outside of keeping his own select few of free agents.

GO Canes

by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Jun 27, 2011 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Isn’t this more about needing to create an AHL spot for Peters than to ditch Pogge? With Peters and Murphy in Charlotte, Pogge wouldn’t play.

by curiouscanesfan on Jun 27, 2011 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Peters will be in the AHL next season, so there is no room for him

by hurricane9 on Jun 27, 2011 6:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I expected this announcement to go along with some signings… Hopefully we will get some news on that front tomorrow.

by JussiJuice on Jun 27, 2011 6:44 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks alot

Cory, i appreciate the efforts and am NOT totally surprised at JR doing a “carson” on either one of them…but my hope is the #19 does return and gets a shot instead of the press box …but I’m just a fan…what do i know ?? Was somewhat surprised the pogge is going but then i had a brain fart and remembered that Peters is going to go to charlotte so it was and had to be pogge as my wife saw what i just typed and asked me where he would go…I said I nor anyone here knows/knew for sure…it is funny seeing HMof2 & LTD using their real names out here…not that it really matters but i just thought it seemed a wee bit odd…and sorta out of place…why ?? heck i can’t say…after all I’m a man …and we know less …or so i have been told a time or 2…HeHehe…

What did you do during the summer when the playoffs are over ?
Go Canes & Checkers !!

by CaniacSteve on Jun 27, 2011 11:37 PM EDT reply actions

I just have to say, I’m really baffled by this move. Jiri Tlusty has skills and untapped talent. Between injuries and surgery recovery, he hasn’t really had a fair chance to show his stuff. I understand the whole arbitration thing, but I just don’t think that’s germane in this case. He’s a good 3rd/4th liner that has some realistic potential. This feels like a simple mistake to make room for some sort of UFA signing to get us to the salary floor, again trading our future for a short term financial management misstep.

I can understand Bodie as I believe Brett Sutter is the perceived replacement for him. I just don’t think you let a 1st round pick go that easily.

Just my two cents….

by NotOpie on Jun 28, 2011 12:09 AM EDT reply actions