Waiting for the Axe to Fall: Will Jim Rutherford Clean House?
by abramsdoug on Jan 30, 2012 8:13 AM EST
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PrintWhile waiting for the inevitable trades, I started imagining what might happen in a full house-cleaning by Jim Rutherford. I recall last season after a lackluster performance by the Hurricanes in a game against Toronto, Jim Rutherford came into the lockeroom at intermission and said he would have to blow up the team if it did not perform. To me a full bore house-cleaning is not guaranteed, but it is a genuine possibility.
I started thinking from a reverse engineering standpoint; and started to look for young prospects who could be game changers for the Hurricanes. I did not focus on the probabilities of obtaining these prospects or the cost of doing so. In terms of the draft, the consensus opinion seems to be that to obtain Ruutu, Gleason, Allen, Spacek, or Harrison would take either two first round draft picks or a first round draft pick and a top prospect. I speculate that Jokinen could be obtained for the same high price, although because Jokinen has a three year contract, I think that is less likely.
From the standpoint of adding high end, if not elite, talent to the Hurricanes, I look to future stars. In my view, Johansen, Couturier, Brett Connolly, Zibanejad, Scheifele, Landeskog, Bjugstad, and Burmistrov all fall in the category of superb prospects who could make a very positive impact on the team.
Assuming the various hockey commentators are correct that the Flyers are interested in Gleason and Ruutu, then potentially Couturier would be in the conversation. The Senators apparently are also interested in Ruutu, which might bring Zibanejad into play. Columbus is also apparently preparing to conduct a major rebuild. It is hard to envision Johansen coming into play; but then again a player like Ruutu has the character to go with Nash and help the team rebuild. I can't fathom how Columbus can weather a three to five year rebuild. Florida has Bjudstad and could potentially look toward Gleason or Ruutu as key players for a playoff run. I don't see any scenarios where Scheifele, Landeskog, or Burmistrov become available. Brian Burke is a strong-willed, self-confident, and creative GM. I could envision Burke deciding he wanted Gleason or Ruutu. In that scenario, Colborne and a first round pick might become the price. Kadri also potentially might be available depending on how intensely Burke wanted to make a deep playoff run.
The 2012 draft class is also quite strong. The various scouting services are literally all over the board in listing the order of players from #6 to #30. As a result, if Jim Rutherford goes the full rebuild route, in addition to the Hurricanes' first round pick the Hurricanes might have first round picks from trading Ruutu, Gleason, Allen, Spacek, and possibly Harrison. With five first round picks in 2012, the Hurricanes could reload the talent base significantly. It is likely the Hurricanes will have a top five draft pick, and depending on the Hurricanes luck in the lottery, Yakupov, Girgorenko, Galchenyuk, and Forsberg are likely to be available. I am leaning toward Galchenyuk or Yakupov at the moment.
Additional high impact players likely to be available for the Hurricanes if they obtain four more first round picks might include: Girgensons, Gaunce, Faksa, Kerdiles, Frk, Matheson, and Wilson, among others. From this perspective, the Hurricanes could by revamping the team dramatically increase the high end talent available at forward in the organization. In less than a month, Jim Rutherford's plans will be clear. In the meantime, the waiting is the hardest part.
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The devil you know vs. the devil you don't
By the end of the month we will feel like a house cleaning has begun just from the likely loss of Ruutu, Gleason and Spacek. Allen will have a say if and where he goes because of his NTC. After this dust settles and the returns are in hand the next stage begins. The newly recieved puzzle parts will be tested to fit in the Muller style and holes will need to be filled, talent level raised and budget meet. In the past on this team budget has always mattered and that is unlikely to change. With league revenues up, Fehr getting the players in step, there will be no decrease in the salary cap. Best for the Canes might be a larger increase at the floor than at the top. History says there will be no blockbuster free agency resignings unless they are for Ruuto or Gleason. Due to the budget, tradeable assets will likely not used if they provide real player value next season. For this reason, it is unlikely players like Harrison and Jokinen will be traded until late next season. JR will search the league for players who are good but salary cap victims of the team that can no longer keep them or not a fit in the system they employ. As you said waiting will be the worst part. Watching will be harder when other teams make moves we envy. But at the very worst next season is already greatly improved because of changes behind the bench that happened 25 games ago.
I think you’re valuing Harrison and Spacek too high, I don’t see any GM in there right mind that’ll give up a 1st round pick for either of them. JR would be crazy to deal Harrison anyway because he isn’t going to get any better defenseman than Harrison for the amount of money he’s making. I’d rather get our high draft pick (top 5) and accumulate top-end prospects or actual roster players rather than low first round picks. The only reason I’d want a load of picks is if JR packages a bunch together to get in the top 3 of the draft. I think this team needs immediate help for next year (we’ll probably be without Ruutu, Gleason and Allen) and not hope that a guy we draft pans out and makes the roster two or three years down the road.
The waiting is the hardest part though. I’ve been of the opinion that the rebuild that is finally taking place should’ve happened a season or two sooner.
"I'm not going to waste my time with Tuukka Rask" - Cam Ward
by anonymousJ on Jan 30, 2012 10:47 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Agree wholeheartedly with this post.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 30, 2012 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
A real house cleaning
would be dealing someone like Staal for a butt-load of players/prospects/picks. He is the most gifted offensive talent on the ’Canes, no doubt, BUT…if the offer was right, and JR truly was house cleaning, that would be a mega deal to generate a huge buzz for next season, ticket sales, etc. — depending on who we would get, mind you.
Day dreaming in that scenario, I would also see JR cleaning house with Ruutu, Spacek, Gleason, Allen, Jokinen, and a couple of prospects led by Boychuk. That would leave a leadership vacuum filled by Sutter (the new Captain), Skinner (who would get an A), Harrison (the other A) and Ward. In terms of attitude and effort, those four cannot be beat. I would love to see what the locker room would be like — and how that attitude would transition onto the ice — without the specter of Staal bearing down on everything.
It would be interesting, that’s for sure…back to sleep now!
"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011
Canes & Kardashians
Without a clear perspective of JR’s insight on budget, player contracts, or internal player value… I think the Canes ‘backend’ is starting to form into something that is very attractive (if thats what you like). It has been sometime since we have had a defensive streak worthy of note within the NHL. In the last 8-10 games we have established ourselves well on the PK and ‘goals against’. I like our ‘backend’ and believe it can be an integral piece in forming a very good team. Two obvious areas in which we have been depleted over the last several years.. is at forward and team leadership. The ultimate question for JR is how do we maintain some substainance on defense while seeking solutions on offense?
First two years have an NTC.
HE’s off the market.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 30, 2012 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
Got it.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 30, 2012 3:13 PM EST up reply actions
Gleason signs contract extension
Guess he’s staying. Also, this was in the N&O today. Anyone else heard these rumors about spending?
There also have been rumblings the Canes have decided to loosen the purse strings in the offseason and be in the bidding for some top-dollar free agents such as a Zach Parise.
Read more here: http://blogs.newsobserver.com/canes/canes-go-back-to-work-amid-rumors#storylink=cpy
my hopes and wishes...
for Ray Whitney back if we make a playoff run next year would be awesome. :)
Ready for the Canes to win the Cup again! :)
by thebl4ckd0g on Jan 30, 2012 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
I choked on my coffee when I read that…….I have no idea what it means or how that translates to what is happening right now. If this turns out to be real with aggressive action on JR’s part we have a brand new ballgame in town.
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC
by hurricanefever on Jan 30, 2012 1:08 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe
all dependent on “season ticket sales” and “new TV deal”. SO if JR doesn’t go out and get us that top six forward (and maybe another if Ruutu walks) then we’ll be blaming the fans for not enough ticket sales and weak TV deals….
…and further stay as an 9-12 position, outside the playoffs, spoiler team with great coaching….
And what if he signs that player and we have to trade them quickly because we simply can't afford them?
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 30, 2012 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
Check CH.com.
Rutherford mentioned specifically that with some new revenue sources from TV and radio deals, we may be able to get involved in the bidding for such players.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 30, 2012 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
Well Since Gleason is signed
we know he’s off the table..that would leave the likes of Ruutu,( I’d hate to see him go) Allen,and the likes of Boychuk,nash,and sad to this..Sanguinitti..and IF The Juice Goes and we leave LaRose and we end up keeping him…I know some folks from my region who have & are STH’s would boycott and not waste the $$ renew them..unless the canes got another top shelf ( top 4) scoring/power foward who like Ruutu does get in the garbage areas more often than not..and aside from Weber or Murphy..the pickens for the canes rather "thin wallet’ will be limited,and i wouldn’t be so fast to count on seeing any TV &Radio money helping the team out as far as getting players go…the front office maybe rather reluctant to give some of it up. But this fan will wait and see..Thanks Doug for tossing this out here for us fans to talk/discuss…
9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!
honestly
we need to trade either dwyer or larose. I like them both, but they are the same player on the ice. i know a lot of other people feel that way, but 1 of them has to go.
Ready for the Canes to win the Cup again! :)
by thebl4ckd0g on Jan 31, 2012 12:08 AM EST up reply actions
There aren't really enough STHers that they should be predicating their moves based on them.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 31, 2012 12:29 PM EST up reply actions
Which forwards need to go?
Our forwards:
Sutter
Skinner
Staal
Ruutu
Jokinen
Nodle
Tlusty
Brent
Dwyer
LaRose
Stewart
Samson/Nash/Bowman/Dalpe
Of the mix you take the top 3 out, the rest are pretty much interchangeable at this point…
"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011
You wouldn't increase that down to four and five?
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 31, 2012 12:30 PM EST up reply actions
during this season jokinen/ruutu/tlusty et al have been used all over the place line-wise, i.e. interchangeable
"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011
by Capt. Stinky on Jan 31, 2012 2:51 PM EST up reply actions
The “real” question is what UFA project(s) is JR going to sign this offseason. When Ruutu is traded for a 2nd round pick, I assume that Chad LaRose will take over his spot as the team’s power forward. So what underperforming project will be acquired to fill out our roster; Niklas Hagman, Brad Boyes, Dustin Penner?
JR; please dump some players and bring the kids up to stay!
If all we can get for Ruutu is a 2nd-rounder, I would hold on to him.
Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.
Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!
by MichaelProcton on Jan 31, 2012 8:32 PM EST up reply actions
Agree For a 2nd rnd pick Ruutu will stay ,and if JR moves Jaro that will give enough room to resign Ruutu ,or very close anyway ,and with moving Allen for sure.
if we resign Ruutu I will personally send you a $20 bill in the mail
"The Carolina Hurricanes will keep President and General Manager Jim Rutherford for at least four more years after resigning him to a contract extension that runs through the 2015-16 season."
by Capt. Stinky on Feb 1, 2012 10:47 AM EST up reply actions
Dallas Stars Owner: Stars have to be Middle or Top of Salary Cap to Be Competitive
The reality of the situation is that the Dallas Stars new owner has captured in a short paragraph a simple truth about the Hurricanes. Unless Peter Karmanos is prepared to have the Hurricanes organization spend where in the same range as the Dallas Stars, that is from the middle to the top of the salary cap, the Hurricanes face a huge uphill battle and will constantly be short of the pieces the team needs to consistently compete for the Stanley Cup.
The Ruutu situation is a classic example. By all accounts Ruutu wants to be paid at a competitive rate, but there is no indication he would reject a fair market value offer by the Hurricanes if he does reach UFA status. The question is whether the Hurricanes will make that kind of offer, either in the form of an extension or if Ruutu is traded and goes to UFA status as an UFA. If one goes to www.capgeek.com to look at UFA wings, it is not a pretty picture. Parise is the prize of the UFA pool. Semin is available but he’s performance has been the definition of inconsistent, if not entirely indifferent. Ruutu would be considered perhaps the second most prized UFA wing under age 30.
The Hurricanes have the best young talent in the system they’ve ever had; and the Hurricanes organization appears poised to add even more talent in the 2012 Entry Draft. It’s going to take the addition of elite talent either through trades or more likely through one or two UFA signings to have the right balance of young, highly talented players and some young elite veterans. If that does not occur, it’s entirely possible the Hurricanes organization will waste the talents of Staal and Ward in their prime.
by abramsdoug on Feb 3, 2012 7:14 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Those words sound eerily similar to the Buffalo GM’s words when he got his “checkbook opened”. Words mean nothing, intelligent decisions mean everything.
I will give you a statistic anomaly……..if all 30 NHL teams spent to the cap then there will still be 14 teams who do not make the playoffs.
Ruutu is not Parise…….Ruutu is not Semin when Semin is playing his A game.
Now saying all that it seems JR has had informal discussions with Ruutu’s agent so as reported on NHL Live last night. For JR to admit that is interesting. Either he is sending that signal to the rest of the GM’s about moving quickly or he has decided to really understand what it would take to retain Ruutu and then make a decision. JR continues to adapt.
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC
by hurricanefever on Feb 3, 2012 8:55 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed…..much better…..perhaps he knew that his agent and JR were talking?
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC
by hurricanefever on Feb 3, 2012 9:54 AM EST up reply actions
"if all 30 NHL teams spent to the cap then there will still be 14 teams who do not make the playoffs"
You are absolutely correct. But it would be the teams that have shown an ability to outperform the money they have spent who would come out on top. The Hurricanes have consistently ranked at the top of this ratio since the lockout. Money, of course, does not win games in and of itself. But it sure as hell makes it easier, and gives you a lot more wiggle room if you have an injury to a Ward or a Cole or a Staal.
I gotta stop takin' my baths durin' Peter's shenanigans.
by MichaelProcton on Feb 3, 2012 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
My point exactly……how well the money is spent should be paramount in fans eyes, not how much. Detroit is and has been a classic example……..cap.geek currently ranks them 19th in spending…….Florida and St. Louis 21 and 22 respectfully…….Good decision makers so far with the money they have spent. There are just as many teams who spend much more but who currently achieved less, far less. No one has yet said that spending to the Cap will guarantee a Cup, and no one will. I am focusing on what JR actually does to work his way out of this mess……not how much his spends. I will then focus on what happens with the new team for the first 20 games or so in the new season before judging the effectiveness of his decisions. Results don’t lie but it is simple to say results can be fixed with more money. Just not true. Results can be fixed with a more intelligent application of money. I want to see just how much intelligence there might be………..
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC
by hurricanefever on Feb 3, 2012 1:37 PM EST up reply actions
But low spending will always hamper us.
Rank is important, sure, but the five spots between us and StL is nearly $5 mil. That’s a player or two who could make a HUGE difference. It is almost impossible to use floor money intelligently enough to compete.
I gotta stop takin' my baths durin' Peter's shenanigans.
by MichaelProcton on Feb 4, 2012 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
Spending money wisely is definitely the key to all of this and in someways the Canes have spent poorly. Instead of biting the bullet and signing/trading for a true top 6 player; this offseason JR signed resigned two 3rd/4th liners in LaRose & Dwyer that many thought/think are very similar players, then went out and signed two projects in Stewart & Poni to replace a 50+ point player in Cole. Not exactly with best way to use the limited money we had. If we had just re-signed Dwyer; we would have had at least $4.1 million to sign another impact player and allow for space for some of our prospects who clearly look like they are NHL capable.
The 3 teams you used for examples are tough ones, because this season makes everything look different from other seasons. Normally Detroit has been near the top of the salary cap, but since they resigned many star players to long-term (lower cap figure) contracts; as the cap increases, it makes their cap figure look so much better. Florida and St. Louis have not been that good over the past couple of seasons. Both spent lower amounts because of financial reasons and their players are currently overperforming. If Florida and St. Louis did this consistently, then it would be a trend that they are smart with their money. But as it stands right now, this season is an aberration. The higher cap teams generally get the better players and are more likely to make the playoffs on a consistent basis. There is always the years that things don’t gel or injuries occur, but generally the high budget teams get that extra playoff revenue.
JR; please dump some players and bring the kids up to stay!
There is a difference between production and "looking like you are NHL-capable."
As poorly as Ponikarovski and Stewart have done, they’ve still scored at as high or higher a rate as Dalpe, Boychuck, and Bowman.
Hi, my name is Michael Procton, and I will mindf*** you with logical yet (often) pessimistic retorts until the cows come home. Good Day.
--by Aisander D on Feb 4, 2012 7:59 PM EST
I gotta stop takin' my baths durin' Peter's shenanigans.
by MichaelProcton on Feb 6, 2012 12:14 PM EST up reply actions
This.
I gotta stop takin' my baths durin' Peter's shenanigans.
by MichaelProcton on Feb 3, 2012 1:27 PM EST up reply actions
Ruutu's value
If you look at the 50-60 points scorers his value fall between $4-5m at best ,and Jokinen who has a cap hit of only $3m ,and has scored over 50pts 3 times ,and 65 in 09-10 ,Ruutu has scored over 50pts twice and has a cap hit of $3.8m(4.4m salary) ,so realistically I would doubt he get’s over $4.5m which is well within JR’s budget ,as you have to remember other GM’s have a point per dollar evaluation as well for example Jeff Carter make $5.25m ,and has scored 84pts JVR makes $4.25m and has yet to top 40pts ,but he’s only 22 ,so imo Ruutu is not getting a penny over $4.75m ,and 4yrs max …The Habs gave Cole $4.5m for 4yrs last year ,and most say they overpaid ,and Cole has pretty much the same stat numbers as Ruutu or Jokinen ,also the GM’s will have to consider the cap ceiling ,and floor dropping $2-3m as rumored.
The problem with the FA market is that someone will almost ALWAYS overpay.
Cole has the same scoring numbers, but he’s nowhere near the defensive and physical presence that Ruutu is. Ruutu will get more on the open market. Mark it down.
I gotta stop takin' my baths durin' Peter's shenanigans.
by MichaelProcton on Feb 3, 2012 1:12 PM EST up reply actions
totally not missing cole this season
seriously. glad he’s gone, over-paid in montreal to be sure
"The Carolina Hurricanes will keep President and General Manager Jim Rutherford for at least four more years after resigning him to a contract extension that runs through the 2015-16 season."
If Ruutu get's over $4.75
The GM that does such a deal should be fired before the ink dry’s…Gauthier in Montreal will get the axe for all his bad contracts including Gomez and Cole’s deals.
I don't disagree, particularly with our cap constraints.
I gotta stop takin' my baths durin' Peter's shenanigans.
by MichaelProcton on Feb 4, 2012 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
Cole has the same scoring numbers, but he’s nowhere near the defensive and physical presence that Ruutu is.
I can’t completely agree with this statement. While Ruutu delivers more hits than Cole, Cole is somewhat close to Ruutu’s totals. Cole is actually outhitting Ruutu this season. And in regards to defense, I think Cole is actually more defensive than Ruutu. Cole played on the PK, Ruutu does not. Cole often played during the end of close games, Ruutu didn’t play nearly as much in those situations.
Ruutu is younger and is a hell of a player, but he and Cole offer very similar things. Cole probably will offer more goal scoring & can play in more situations. Ruutu is going to be more of a physical presence. I would expect Ruutu to recieve a very similar contract to Cole, maybe a little more (and just a little more) because of his age.
JR; please dump some players and bring the kids up to stay!
I would also say that Ruutu is a safer buy on the FA market...
He’s only had one major injury in the last six seasons. Cole had two or three in that span, depending on how you want to calculate it.
Hi, my name is Michael Procton, and I will mindf*** you with logical yet (often) pessimistic retorts until the cows come home. Good Day.
--by Aisander D on Feb 4, 2012 7:59 PM EST
I gotta stop takin' my baths durin' Peter's shenanigans.
by MichaelProcton on Feb 6, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
Belling the Cat
If one assumes Ruutu is traded because the contract price is too high, which less expensive forward with size, speed, skills, and physicality can the Hurricanes obtain and what will it cost to do so? From the UFA list, who’s the choice?
There you go implying a direct dollar cost again……
How about UFA and RFA and those who have term left on current contract. How about a deal that “buys” a current player with term left, say one or two years. How about JR “buying” that player from the current team……..saying using the #1 pick in a package this year if it buys a 1st line winger
Anything is possible and many options are on the table or will be on the table……
If Ruutu is traded the return may help with a new deal now or at the draft or in the summer……
Again, anything is possible and likely part of JR’s list of tricks.
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC
by hurricanefever on Feb 3, 2012 2:50 PM EST up reply actions
Anything is Possible
It is possible that a GM would suddenly decide that he would trade Malkin for Chris Terry. It’s possible that Getlaf would decide he had to play for the Canes and would work a trade. The point is that looking at UFAs, there are no UFAs other than Parise that look to be a significant upgrade, unless one also includes Semin. If one looks at the UFA list, Ruutu looks like an excellent choice.
Anything is also possible in working a trade; but it is not likely that a contending team is going to trade a roster player for Ruutu. In short, the choices are limited; and the talk about Ruutu being too expensive often fails to include a feasible, less expensive alternative.
Anything is Possible
Yes it is, anything is possible. JR seems like he has a set of personal rules that are important to him. Be it good or bad, he is what he is. I don’t see him as a someone who thinks in a linear mode (only able to think about point A to point B) but one who thinks somewhat in a 3-D mode (If I do A what happens at E, if I do not do A what are the risks at E. Can B and C help me at E). It only takes one variable to set off multiple options and JR passed that point when he retained Gleason I think.
It is easy to make a decision on Ruutu if you only think in terms of UFA. But it is something entirely different if JR aggressively goes to other GM’s with a deal worth serious consideration even if it is outside of the mainstream of conventional hockey logic. JR has a rather unique opportunity to sell some assets for that winger for Staal that he can put on the table to those other GM’s. That could even be made to another team who decides to sell before the deadline. The Canes have harvested over the last several years more good prospects through the draft and trades than they ever had before. I would not be surprised if before the draft he packages some of those assets which could include the Canes 1st round pick and buy his new winger. I would hope that he at least tries. Would a true, proven and productive 1st line winger signed for a couple of years worth such a sacrifice. I would think so, if he makes an intelligent decision. The real possibility is there.
There is another side to this coin. The above really assumes no budget increase. If some of the second hand reports of TV/radio revenue are correct and the new money from those new contracts are designated to buy talent then JR does not need to sell assets, he just keeps them. Under this logic, it might be possible the new money might can be used partly for Ruutu. In other words, is Ruutu that 1st line winger or not in JR’s eyes. Just speculating, of course.
On an aside. The quote from ESPN.com on the Gleason trade was also telling about the man.
The deal includes a no-trade clause for the first two seasons of the deal, but it doesn’t kick in until July 1. Because of that, Gleason’s veteran agent, Pat Morris of Newport Sports, protected his client by getting in writing Rutherford’s assurance that he wouldn’t move Gleason between now and July 1.
Rutherford looked Gleason right in the eye and promised him as much.
“I shook Jimmy’s hand, it was a promise,” Gleason said. “You have to respect that, obviously. Jim is well respected by myself and my family. We were happy to get the negotiations finished.”
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC
by hurricanefever on Feb 3, 2012 5:20 PM EST up reply actions
Jim Rutherford and Creative Thinking
I have enormous respect for Jim Rutherford’s intellect and his ability to think outside the box. Uniformly, people say he has ideas running through his mind constantly and is willing to explore every alternative. Historically, other than trading for Glen Wesley, Rutherford has not been a fan of trading his first round draft pick. I doubt that happens in 2012.
Often I hear Jim Rutherford say about trades that the rumors can’t be right because he hasn’t yet decided himself what he wants to do. What I do think is that there are very few choices available to Rutherford. In the end, there are only so many forwards even potentially available who will be a significant upgrade of talent over Ruutu. The UFA market of elite forwards is very limited in number and other than Parise, they have some issues of concern.
It also depends on the Hurricanes’ organization’s time horizon. PIttsburgh set itself for years by having a series of awful years that gave them Crosby, Malkin, J. Staal, and Fleury. The Hurricanes have Skinner, Sutter, and Faulk as budding young NHL stars. A top three pick would add elite talent. Another similar disappointing year in 2012-2013 would yield one more elite talent. It would be very painful for all involved to go through another year far outside the playoff battle.
In some ways, I am surprised Ruutu has not already been traded with Jim Rutherford taking the tack that he can always try to re-sign Ruutu if Ruutu goes into free agent status. In other ways, I am surprised Jim Rutherford didn’t find a way to re-sign Ruutu to an extension.
Um Doug?
Hate to break this to you, but if the Canes do nothing but let a few of the one year young vets go, and bring up Samson, Bowman and Dalpe, or even just two of those three with our current coaching staff we are unlikely to be a bottom five team. Of course we are equally unlikely to be a playoff team…. But we’re close.
Another Draft pick that performs like Skinner, a trade or UFA winger added (as well) and no wa we’re lottery…
Equal replacement value
i was throwing imo what he’ll get anywhere ,and yes i have said many times that if Ruutu gore than JR will have 2 forwards to bring in instead of one ,and may likely not get a equal value with the two he would have to bring in for about the same price ,so JR could look at Boyes/Penner/Hemsky etc or a less costly RW like D.Jones ,or a center like Grabovski which are less at the moment ,but could be up come summer time ,as of right now the one’s I like are.
1.Grabovski
2.Penner
3.D.Jones
Grabovski is having a good year and 28 seems like a consistant player at $2.9m
Penner would be a risk ($4.25m) ,but if he can bring back his 45-61 points he could fill the void if the Canes lose Ruutu ,but would cost about the same…Will be 30 in sept.
D.Jones has been injury prone ,but did score 47pts last year in 77 games ,and will be 28 in aug. Has size at 6’2" 210lbs
I would hope to keep Ruutu as there’s not alot of better options that are better ,but just as good or a little less than Ruutu in production other than Parise
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