2010-11 Canes Country Exit Analysis: Bryan Allen

by Bob Wage on Jul 22, 2011 11:30 AM EDT in 2010-11 Exit Analysis

Next up we will review the performance of Carolina Hurricanes defenseman, Bryan Allen.

The Hurricanes acquired Allen from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Sergei Samsonov on February 28 of this past season. Most Carolina fans seemed pretty happy with the trade and the blueliner waived a no-trade clause in his contract to relocate, so apparently he was happy with the deal as well.

Allen was originally drafted by the Vancouver Canucks and was the fourth overall pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He was eventually dealt to Florida in the Roberto Luongo trade and then signed a five-year deal with the Cats during the summer of 2007.

Coincidence or not, after the acquisition the Hurricanes finished the season 11-6-2 and the team was able to reduce their previous shots against and goals against averages.

Bryan Allen

#5 / Defenseman / Carolina Hurricanes

Height: 6-5

Weight: 226

Born: Aug 21, 1980

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2010 - Bryan Allen	19	0	5	5	4	19	0	0	0		8

The Good: Allen brought a much needed physicality to the Carolina blueline. He has the ability and willingness to clear the crease when necessary. He is good at using his strength to hold up opposing forwards along the boards and can strip the puck from them. He is a difficult player to play against and can get nasty and mean at times, as he gets under the opposition's skin. Allen will also drop the gloves to stand up for a teammate and has 14 fights in the past two years with a record of 3-8-3 according to HockeyFights.com. He blocks a lot of shots, (103) and will be among the team leaders with hits, (118 total last year).

The Bad: The defenseman can be undisciplined at times and can take too many penalties. He is quick for his size, but can be beaten by smaller, faster forwards. Allen's not necessarily known as a puck mover, but he will take a hit to make a play and usually has a good first pass out of his zone. He's never really been known as an offensive guy, so you can't count on many points out of him. He's had to fight some injuries in his career and had major knee surgery and missed 80 games in the 2008-09 season. Last season he broke his foot and missed nine games in December.

The Money: This is an important season for the blueliner. He is in the final year of his five-year contract which will pay him $3.15 million. His cap hit is $2.9 million.

What's your first impression of the defenseman? What grade would you give him for his first 19 games as a Hurricane?

Poll

How would you grade Bryan Allen's 19 game performance for the Hurricanes last season?

A

87 votes

B

279 votes

C

46 votes

D

3 votes

F

2 votes

417 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I don’t have much to add as your assessment was pretty dead on. I just hope he can stay healthy this year.

by sunshine12 on Jul 22, 2011 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

I was really excited when he was acquired, and he performed admirably. Like Sunshine says I hope he stays healthy and can put in 75+ games, as I think he can make a very valuable defensive contribution and help Cam out so that he hopefully doesn’t have to carry the team as much as he had to last season.

by Kubota on Jul 22, 2011 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

I gave Allen a B because he does have limitations, but within those limitations he was excellent, especially at clearing the crease and letting opponents know there would be consequences for messing with Jeff Skinner. The Canes had or have other players willing to stand up for teammates, but Allen seems to be more of a deterrent than Bodie or Harrison.

by curiouscanesfan on Jul 22, 2011 12:25 PM EDT reply actions

A

I have no problems with him except for his salary, but that expires soon and won’t be a hassle for too long. If he can stay healthy, I can see him as being a good partner for Pitkanen.

by hurricane9 on Jul 22, 2011 12:31 PM EDT reply actions

B

He filled his role and made the Canes tougher to play against. I will be interesting to see how he plays in a contract year. A #4 overall pick with a second big contract should be a top 4 Dman.

Then again, he may just be a placeholder and the cost of dumping Samsonov’s forward slot for Stillman.

If Allen can be a physical, defense-first guy that plays smart his size adds an extra layer of value.

My expectations for the coming season is to see him in a top 4 role on the D, block shots, clear the crease, and eat up space. He’s gonna take stupid penalties and he’s gonna get beat by some forwards, but he represents a change in the make-up of the Hurricanes — size matters.

by Gillimus on Jul 22, 2011 12:42 PM EDT reply actions

And he’s dreamy too!

Satan is just a coping mechanism for monotheists.

by wilmnoca on Jul 22, 2011 12:49 PM EDT reply actions

Stay Healthy my Friend (Mr. Allen)

To borrow the line from the Dos Equus commercial. I am hoping that he will play hungry this year, with it being the last of his contract. I also hope he plays with a snarl – we need that on our defense (keeping Gleason out of the sin bin).

I voted B, but it is a partial B – we improved getting rid of Sergei, which is another bonus.

by jbwhite99 on Jul 22, 2011 1:29 PM EDT reply actions

for a second I thought you said “plays with a scarf”. I was like, honestly, wth does he need a scarf for…

by Caniac1026 on Jul 22, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Plays with a scarf.

I like it. It will be Canes Country code for someone with a little grit. Gleason’s talented, but he’s best for the team when he’s playing with a scarf.

by Gillimus on Jul 22, 2011 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions

B

Good trade and good character guy. Happy to have him.
I wish I had a crystal ball to see what our D-corps looks like 2 years from now.

by Caniac1026 on Jul 22, 2011 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

Thought he played well down the stretch last season and I look forward to see what he can do next year. The team needed another “shutdown” defenseman who could play big minutes to take some pressure off Gleason and Allen gives them that. I’m expecting him to have a bigger role on the PK next season with Corvo gone so I look forward to see how he handles that task. Shouldn’t be too different from what he did in Florida the last couple years.

www.shutdownline.com

by MyFriendCorey on Jul 22, 2011 2:19 PM EDT reply actions

I too gave

Mr. Allen a “B” and like others here i too am hoping he stays healthy and with our new Defence Coach maybvew he can "channel more of the BS penalties he took into more postive work and efforts which will result in more WINS!!! And for the canes…isn’t that what the team and we fans needed the last 2 years ? A few more wins ?? Good assesment Bob !! you have my hearty thanks…and be advised still no responce from the powers that be…on what i shared with you about…Go Canes !!

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

by CaniacSteve on Jul 22, 2011 4:52 PM EDT reply actions

Allen = A from me

I really liked how Allen played for the Hurricanes. He did an excellent job of clearing the crease. He brought a tough, burly, attitude to every game. I thought he skated quite well for his size. I hope the Hurricanes will keep him for the long haul He had a reputation for taking some ill-timed penalties, but I recall only two or three instances where I thought he let his emotions run away with himself.

by abramsdoug on Jul 22, 2011 5:41 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with you, Doug. I gave him an A also based on the job he did while with us.

by Canesfan1 on Jul 24, 2011 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions

B from me. But I think our d definitely looked alot better with him patrolling the crease. I’m looking forward to see if he gets paired with Joni or kaberle after camp. I think his hard edged defense first mentality will allow either of those guys to play their natural game.

by OzzyCane on Jul 22, 2011 11:50 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

He's a keeper!!

I voted B… but i want to change to A- … one too many “dumb” penalties for a solid A, however i’m happy with his game and hope a full year will convince any doubters… which i’m happy to see aren’t too numerous!!
our D may be a pleasant surprise this year, as i see a nice mix of speed/ grit/ toughness/ talent/ passing etc.
The future also looks bright, with the possible additions of Faulk, Sanguinetti, Murphy, and / or Dumoulin…

by randycane on Jul 23, 2011 12:07 PM EDT reply actions

I voted B as well

Allen is a good second line d-man for the Canes. He doesn’t put up much on the stat sheet as far as goals or assist but hey that is not what he is here for. Allen was brought here to play solid in our own end, improve our terrible shots blocked category and basically be the throwback old school defensive minded d-man that is he is.

Stay healthy ALLEN we need ya.

by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Jul 23, 2011 5:27 PM EDT reply actions

Starting to Get Very Interesting in Direction Defense is Taking

Jim Rutherford essentially revamped the defense this past season and through this off-season. I had heard from various commentators that he was not happy with the defense after twenty games or so in 2009-2010. If actions are any indication, those assessments seem on point.

Now the Hurricanes have as players I’d categorize as players the Hurricanes organization seems to view as team leaders or keepers for the long haul: (1) Pitkanen, (2) Kaberle, (3) McBain, and (4) Gleason. Allen and Joslin also seem to be players that the Hurricane organization likes for their gnarl and physical presence. Then looking to the prospects who seem to be players the Hurricanes organization view as part of the Hurricanes future, there are (1) Murphy (2) Faulk, and (3) Dumoulin. Harrison is well-liked as well. Then, too, Sanguinetti is well-regarded. It may take Murphy and Faulk a little time to get to their game, but they are keepers. Dumoulin will likely make a push in a year. It’s no wonder Corvo asked for a trade. There was not going to be room for him at the trading deadline.

by abramsdoug on Jul 23, 2011 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions