Winnipeg Jets at Carolina Hurricanes, in Charlotte, NC: Game Preview

by Carolyn Christians on Sep 25, 2011 8:01 AM EDT in Hurricanes Game Related

Today marks a couple of firsts for hockey in North Carolina as the Carolina Hurricanes will play in Charlotte's Time Warner Cable Arena, the home of the club's AHL affiliate Checkers - a first for ~~an NHL game in the Queen City~~ the Queen City's new Uptown arena or for the Hurricanes franchise [*see ed note below] . The Canes welcome the Winnipeg Jets, (who many of you will recognize as the former Atlanta Thrashers), back to the humid climes of the American Sunbelt, for what is the New Jets first match of any sort vs a Southeast Division team.

The Canes are now at 0-2 in the preseason, with losses to Buffalo and Nashville in the last week. Based on practice reports Saturday, Coach Paul Maurice was not pleased with the players' effort Friday night vs the Preds, particularly in transition, unable to quickly move the puck up ice. With many of the same players on Maurice's roster card this afternoon, the group should be primed to make good on their lackluster showing at the RBC Center Friday.

Cam Ward is slated to start in goal and play the full sixty minutes. He gave up one goal on 21 shots in the first two periods vs Nashville, and looked quick and fluid after missing the first several days of Training Camp with "upper body stiffness".

I have the expected line-ups and some notes after the jump.

If you're headed to the game, Canes Country's Guide to 2011 Training Camp - Week 2 is updated to reflect the most recent roster cuts - you can download the 4-page .pdf and, if you like, print it out for reference.

Maurice is bringing some of his top veterans to Charlotte for this game, though he is allowing a few of the most impressive prospects more time to show what they've learned and to see if they are able to maintain the NHL pace. Both Ryan Murphy (age 18) and Justin Faulk (19) will get another game to build on, as they challenge for a spot despite Carolina's completely stocked collection of puck-moving defensemen.

With 36 players still on the Camp roster after yesterday's cuts, there are still 16 sitting out. Many of those playing the Jets today will not be the on the plane to Winnipeg for Wednesday's rematch. Maurice indicated to the N&O's Chip Alexander that "a young group would go to Winnipeg next week, calling it the 'final dance' for some players before a roster cut."

The Hurricanes now count four forwards with various minor injuries who are being held out till they're 100%. Wings Chad LaRose and Patrick Dwyer were back skating with the team this weekend after taking a few days to recover from "tweaks" in Monday's Sabres game. Centers Tuomo Ruutu and Tim Brent went down Friday, each with lower-body injuries, and are taking time off for what we're told are simply "precautionary" reasons.

With second line center Ruutu held out, Riley Nash, age 22, gets a tremendous opportunity today to prove his skills when given a pair of NHL wings at his sides, namely Jeff Skinner and Anthony Stewart. Nash, a native of Western Canada and a former first round pick [Oilers, 21st overall in 2007], has emerged this week with the conditioning and confidence to compete with the other top prospects vying for a spot with the big team.

Another forward getting a longer look is Brett Sutter, who, at 24, is 20 months older than cousin Brandon. Brett Sutter (wearing #42) will play on Matsumoto's wing. Displaying grit, hustle and great hockey sense, Sutter seems to be an ideal fit in an NHL checking line role. We might see him last a little longer in camp, in part due to the injuries to the NHL regulars.

Based on reports from yesterday's practice, it looks like these will be the forward lines. If the Canes announce anything that is different this morning, I will update it.

Alexei Ponikarovsky - Eric Staal - Jussi Jokinen

Jeff Skinner - Riley Nash - Anthony Stewart

Jiri Tlusty - Brandon Sutter - Zac Dalpe

Brett Sutter - Jon Matsumoto - Jerome Samson.

Defensive pairings are somewhat less certain, but I would expect them to look something like these:

Joni Pitkanen - Tim Gleason

Tomas Kaberle - Justin Faulk

Jay Harrison - Ryan Murphy

Cam Ward will start, and should stay in for the entirety of the game.

Because the Winnipeg team is playing three road exhibition games in three days (this is Game 2, Day 2), they have split into two squads and several of the more well-known former-Thrashers are not going to be on today's roster for the game in Charlotte. Among those missing are forwards Andrew Ladd, Evander Kane, 2011 1st round pick Mark Scheifele, and familiar face Troy Bodie, who is with the team on a PTO, trying to earn a contract for the year.

While the talents of Ladd and Kane will be missed, the Canes will be up against some strong defensemen in Dustin Byfuglien and Zach Bogosian. Nik Antropov and Alexander Burmistrov will be the Jets leading forwards, while goalie David Aebischer is on a PTO with Winnipeg after a few seasons in Europe playing in his native Switzerland.

The Canes' Anthony Stewart was part of the Thrashers organization the last two seasons, but in June as an RFA, he was not tendered a qualifying offer by the new management in Winnipeg, a decision that seemed to surprise many, Stewart most of all. Will that motivate Stewart to give a little extra on the ice in his first game against his former team?

According to Illegal Curve, a Winnipeg Hockey blog, these are the players who are in Charlotte today:

Forwards: Nik Antropov, Alex Burmistrov, Kyle Wellwood, Tanner Glass, Jason Jaffray, Eric O`Dell, Riley Holzapfel, Kevin Clark, John Albert, David Koci, Shawn Weller, Shayne Wiebe, Marco Rosa, Travis Ramsey

Defensemen: Dustin Byfuglien, Zach Bogosian, Mark Stuart, Randy Jones, Arturs Kulda, Brett Festerling

Goalies: David Aebischer, Peter Mannino, Chris Carrozzi

* * * * * * *

UPDATE: As of 4:30, another change in the availability of a video stream. It seems there are technical problems and the video stream is now in doubt. This is what happens when you do something the first time. Of course, back in 1994 there was NHL hockey in Charlotte and hardly a soul saw it happen or remembers, so there's been a bit of progress. If they can get it working, we'll let you know as soon as they say.

~~Good news for those who didn't get to Charlotte today: Just saw a tweet from the Canes that they expect to stream the game at CarolinaHurricanes.com.~~

~~Today's game will not be televised or video-streamed but~~ Also, you can listen to the radio broadcast on 99.9 the Fan online here. If you're among those who will be at the TWCA today, here again is Canes Country's Guide to 2011 Training Camp - Week 2.

Bob will be making the trip and will host an open thread starting at 4:45. He will be making live updates during the game from press row.

UPDATED :

* After a lot of googling by Chasing Checkers and with the help of specifics provided by possum187 (who has been following hockey in Charlotte for nearly 20 years it seems), we have the details on two previous NHL preseason games in Charlotte. Boston vs Florida, 9/14/97 and Nordiques vs Capitals, 9/21/94.

Morning links

Paul Branecky looks at the prospects who are looking to make the leap to Raleigh: Hopefuls to get shot alongside Canes' Stars in Charlotte - Paul Branecky, gocheckers.com Faulk, who has impressed ever since Carolina drafted him after Skinner in the second round of the 2010 draft, will have a tougher time cracking the NHL lineup to start the season due to the simple numbers game but has not looked out of place thus far.

This preview takes a good look at the relationship between North Carolina's two largest cities and how hockey connects them: Canes head to Queen City | CharlotteObserver.com Eric Staal likes the thought of the Carolina Hurricanes playing a preseason exhibition game in Charlotte, even if it means an extra time commitment during training camp.

The story goes on to quote Checkers coach Jeff Daniels:

"I think to have the big team come down and play the day before our camp builds the excitement, and builds the commitment the Charlotte Checkers have and the Carolina Hurricanes have to building hockey in North Carolina," Checkers coach Jeff Daniels said. "Over the years you'll see more players make the jump up to the big team. "People get a first taste of watching a Dalpe, a Bowman, and then the next thing you know they make the big club. I think it's a win-win for everybody."

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Comments

Thanks for the great write-up

Faulk with Kaberle will be interesting. They’re both puck-movers but also have good size. Wonder how they’ll fare against Antropov?

Let’s hope Nash has a breakthrough game and Dalpe confirms that he’s ready for big TOI. On the fourth line, I’d think Samson will have to outshine Sutter to have any chance of sticking around. The way Sutter has been playing, that won’t be easy.

The Canes’ talent pool has been rising and status-quo performance isn’t enough to hold your position.

by curiouscanesfan on Sep 25, 2011 8:29 AM EDT reply actions

Too bad they can't develop young players to save their life.

;)

Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.

Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!

by MichaelProcton on Sep 26, 2011 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Historically, the Canes have developed very few players. For the most part, the players have either arrived NHL-ready or they haven’t made it. It’s also true that the Canes have never had a system with this much talent so they’ve probably had fewer chances to develop players than most NHL franchises.

The next two years will be the test of how good the Canes are at turning good prospects into good NHL players. They jury is out on Boychuk and Bowman but it’s beginning too look as though odds are against Boychuk and Bowman will probably be a role player. Nash is improving but the jury is out on him too. Dalpe is looking like the one forward prospect who’s certain to get big TOI this year. It was encouraging that PM tried Dalpe on Staal’s line. If you count Tlusty as a prospect, he got significant AHL and NHL TOI with the Leafs before coming to the Canes.

What’s most surprising to me about the prospect situation is that it’s beginning to seem possible that Faulk and Murphy may be two more guys who can jump straight to the NHL, like Staal, Sutter and Skinner, bypassing or almost completely bypassing the AHL. There are no spots for Faulk and Murphy on the Canes. I doubt the Canes would make room for both. The Canes need the toughness that guys like Allen and Harrison provide.

Still, the Canes must be thinking how nice it would be to carry Murphy as a 7th defenseman and play him in certain situations. If either Faulk or Murphy does make it this year, he will go on the ledger as a great draft choice, not a talented prospect that the Canes shaped into a successful NHL player.

by curiouscanesfan on Sep 26, 2011 7:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Isn't that part of player development?

Scouting is a hugely important part of talent acquisition. Further, dismissing the idea that players who are capable of playing in the NHL from the start are finished products from the time they are drafted is ridiculous.

Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.

Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!

by MichaelProcton on Sep 26, 2011 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I keep seeing people say the Canes haven’t developed many players, but just off the top of my head here are a few:
Jeff O’Neil, Sami Kapanen, Chad LaRose, Craig Adams, Cam Ward, Eric Cole, Nick Wallin, Andrew Ladd, Marek Malik, Geoff Sanderson, Joe Vasicek, Brandon Sutter, Eric Staal.

So I don’t get it.

by 210beer on Sep 26, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

You couldn't possibly be right.

If they were good, it was only because they were NHL-ready from the womb. Had nothing to do with the Hurricanes.

Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.

Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!

by MichaelProcton on Sep 26, 2011 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Chad Larose was NHL ready from the womb? He was an undrafted free agent. O’Neil, Kapane, Cole, all need time to develop. Oh, wait a minute, I see what you did there . . .

Had me going for a second.

by 210beer on Sep 28, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I wonder whose “final dance” will be today in Charlotte. I’m guessing some guys are cut after the game and staying in Charlotte.

by Crazychf on Sep 25, 2011 8:36 AM EDT reply actions

If they want two full practice rosters in Raleigh than they need to keep them all for a couple more days – perhaps to determine who gets to play in Winnipeg. I just read that Mike Murphy will back up Boucher there.

Chasing Checkers put up a post listing those in Charlotte w/Daniels tomorrow. 8 forwards, 6 D and a goalie.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Sep 25, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

NHL in Charlotte

The Queen City has hosted NHL preseason games before. The last was Boston v Florida in 97-98. Joe Thornton and Sergei Samsonov were taken 1st and 8th overall, respectively, in the draft that year by the Bruins.

by possum187 on Sep 25, 2011 9:53 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks for the info – That’s interesting – I couldn’t find that in any of my searches, but understood from other sources that this was a first, apparently they were mistaken.

What arena did they play in then?

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Sep 25, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

The successful NHL preseason games were played at Independence Arena, now Bojangles Coliseum. Bruins/Panthers is one and Caps/Nords is another. I’m not sure season the Nords were here buy Don Beaupre was in net for Washington and Sakic played for Quebec. There was also a game scheduled to be played at the now-demolished Coliseum that was cancelled because of poor ice. Rumor is that George Shinn purposely broke the ice system because he didn’t want hockey there. That would have been the Gretzky-era Kings vs the Rangers. Disappointingly enough, I couldn’t find anything on my quick Googling either. Not much time today before our tailgate to look, but I’ll follow up if I can find Internet proof. I was at the Bruins game, so I can assure you it happened. I have a Bruins Pooh bear jersey auto’d by Samsonov, Thornton, ex-Checker Robbie Tallas and the Mr Raymond Bourque (who watched from the stands) from it.

by possum187 on Sep 25, 2011 12:43 PM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions

Anything to add to the “lore” of hockey in North Carolina is always appreciated. All of this may have laid the groundwork for Karmanos considering where he wanted to relocated the Hartford Whalers. As you say, the internet is weak on links for this kind of thing (preseason hockey before 1995) so I appreciate what you can bring.

A fanpost (on the right) would be an excellent forum if you feel like you have the time and see who else may emerge out of the woodwork for Charlottes’ non-Checkers hockey history.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Sep 25, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I picked up some notes in the updates above. Again thanks for the tip. Not many of us have been following Charlotte Hockey’s scene that long.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Sep 25, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Dalpe

Is he really 6’1"? I thought I remembered them talking about him being sort of stocky for his height. Could have sworn he was shorter than that.

by Gunning For The Cup on Sep 25, 2011 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

I think he was shorter about the time he was drafted, but had a growth spurt.

Here's the SKINNy, the All-STAAL game was CAMtastic!

by PackPride17 on Sep 25, 2011 10:57 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yeah, that’s about right. He was listed at 6’0.5" in his draft year.

CanesCountry.com: An Eye On Carolina Hockey

by Cory Lavalette on Sep 25, 2011 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Just updated to include that I will be hosting an open thread from the game starting at 4:45. Please join in.

Editing Manager of Canes Country.com

by Bob Wage on Sep 25, 2011 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

Going to miss tonights game but maybe if I hurry home late I’ll be able to catch the 3rd period. Pretty cool the people in Charlotte will get some NHL action.

It’ll be interesting to see what Riley Nash can do with Skins and Stewpot. Though I’m itching to see what Dalpe can do if put on a line with 53. A few people have thought that Brandon Sutter is going to put up alot more points this year – I can see that happening with the right combo on his line, Dalpe could sure help. I’m hoping Tlusty can have at least a couple moments of sustained brilliance this season if he’s indeed all healed up and healthy.

"It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times..."

by Gramm Matthew Esq. on Sep 25, 2011 12:42 PM EDT reply actions

There will be a video stream

Kyle Hanlin, Canes Media guy, just tweeted today’s game WILL be streamed on CarolinaHurricanes.com. I’ll update the story above too.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Sep 25, 2011 1:17 PM EDT reply actions

Life is good!

Harrumph

by ivyleager on Sep 25, 2011 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

that’s awesome, thanks a bunch.

by Go_Shelf on Sep 25, 2011 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Sad faces

Well – now they’re not so certain and Kyle Hanlin just tweeted that now it didn’t look likely, though they were working on it. It will be on radio at 99.9, with the Stormfront starting shortly (at 4:30).

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Sep 25, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions