Staal Leads The Way: Hurricanes 5, Canadiens 3
by Bob Wage on Feb 13, 2012 11:16 PM EST
in Carolina Hurricanes Game Recaps
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PrintTeam Captain Eric Staal had two goals and an assist while leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 5-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night at the Belle Centre. The Canes jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but allowed three straight goals to the Habs in the second period before scoring three in a row themselves in the third to close out the home team.
Jiri Tlusty started things off and stretched his scoring streak to five games as he tipped in a Bryan Allen shot just 3:09 into the game. Then to start off the second period, the Canes scored their first powerplay goal in eight games with some perfect passing when Jussi Jokinen fed the puck to Jeff Skinner, who then found Jaroslav Spacek skating in alone behind the defense. It was Tlusty's 13th and Spacek's 2nd of the season.
But the rest of the second period was all Montreal.
Within a six minute span later in the period, the home team scored three times to take the lead, two of them powerplay tallies. Former Cane Erik Cole, scored one of those goals with a laser shot from the slot area that went in off the pipes.
Facing a 3-2 deficit in the third period, the Canes stepped up the pressure and Staal took over the game.
First, the Captain tied the score when he took the puck in alone around Tomas Kaberle shorthanded. After hitting the post with another shot on a subsequent powerplay, he created yet another play with a power move toward the net. The puck ended up bouncing out to Jamie McBain and the defenseman jumped on it, to put the Canes up 4-3.
Staal also had two chances at an empty net near the end of the game. With the first chance, he tried to feed the puck to linemate Jiri Tlusty, but the play was broken up. He made no mistake with his second chance though and buried his shot from near center ice to put the game away.
The team will return home and take on the San Jose Sharks on Friday night.
Game Notes:
- Staal had one of his best plus/minus nights of the season as well and finished at +3. He led the team with 23:36 of ice time and also had a team high six shots on goal.
- Tuomo Ruutu left the game very early with only 1:45 of ice time. The team released info that he had an upper body injury.
- The team had 18 hits, led by Justin Faulk and Patrick Dwyer with three each.
- As usual, Bryan Allen led the way with four blocked shots. The team had 21 for the night.
For post game interviews, check out Canes PR.com.
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Bob, glad to see you are back – it has been quiet this last week (but Jamie and Brian did a great job)!
Sounds like Staal had a killer night – and to get Spacek to tally was great. Sounds like he didn’t get a great reception either.
Will be interested to see the UBI impact on Ruutu – I wonder what that will do to his trade availability…
Three things I learned tonight:
1. Staal is still an elite player when he brings it and plays with a purpose. He dominated throughout tonight.
2. Now I know why Stewart doesn’t play on the top line regularly, he just doesn’t have the skills and it showed when he stepped into Ruutu’s spot playing with Staal and Tlusty.
3. Montreal players go down mighty easy when touched. That tripping penalty called Samson sure looked like an Olympic dive by the Canadien player.
"I'm not going to waste my time with Tuukka Rask" - Cam Ward
Stewart has the athleticism and can definitely match pace with Staal and Tlusty but he did fan on a couple on opportunities last night for sure.
by jfhammon on Feb 14, 2012 1:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think Stewart is playing the way he needed to play all along. He has size and speed and soft hands for a guy his size. He’s stepped up his physical game and creates space for players like Staal and Tlusty. If he relaxed a bit on the tap ins, he’ll start scoring even more goals. He has plenty of goals from having good, soft hands around the net. He was pressing a little last night. He’s turned the corner however in the extra effort and hustle department.
Yeah, not saying he was horrible. I just think it was obvious why he hasn’t been on the top line and why he’ll pretty much be a bottom 6 guy. For the same reason people don’t want LaRose on the top line is the same reason Stewart isn’t there. He just doesn’t seem to have the skill set that is needed to play up there. I did like that he played with more physicality than he has in the past. He’s got that big frame, he needs to continue to use it.
"I'm not going to waste my time with Tuukka Rask" - Cam Ward
Um
a couple games out from being placed on wiavers is hardly turning the corner—otherwise he turned it last year. He’ll have turned the corner when he commits to playing the Muller way every game, comes into camp in shape and aggressively ready to go.
For now, nice improvement in play, but not what I would consider turning the corner…yet.
Cole and Staal
Well it always seemed like Staal played his best with Cole on the ice, maybe it works even when Cole is on the other team.
It seemed like after Cole scored his goal that Staal was determined not to be out done. He played a great game.
by CanesFanFromLI on Feb 14, 2012 12:26 AM EST reply actions
I’ve been a frequent Staal basher this season, and tonight was the reason. Over the last 15 games or so, there has been much less to bash. He’s been getting back on defense, coasting less, and pouting less. But until tonight we haven’t seen, this season, him take over or influence a game like he did tonight. I don’t expect any player to have that sort of game every night, but when you know its there, and its absent for so long, it gives reason to criticize. Welcome back Eric. Let’s see more of that!
Tlusty’s getting hot just might be giving Staal more room on the ice, or it might just be lighting a fire under his ass, but either way, its nice Tlusty’s game come around.
His two way game has really impressed me.
Muller began this by taking pressure off Staal and helping restore his confidence. He asked Staal to do the little things and build his game from those little things out. As with most players in a slump, scoring comes back last. Staal has been winning face-offs, backchecking, and trying to help his teammates with passings. As his game improved, many of us said he was trying to pass too much and should shoot more. Lately, he has been more selfish and has started his scoring—he’s getting more confident and more acccurate—still hitting a few too many posts, but he’s getting there.
ANd yes, having wingers who can score—Tlusty, Ruutu—who can also go to the net or create space for their linemates helps. Having good players to play off has also helped Staal’s game. (Conversely, the lack of quality players to play off of has hurt Skinner’s game—we’re still short a top six Forward… Ruutu can’t play on both lines)
Lastly, Tlusty’s ofense has been what’s come around—I also think that’s Muller. Mo wanted defense first, gritty play, and Tlusty provided that on Sutter’s line. Mo never asked Tlusty to use or develop his offensive side (what he was drafted for). Muller has. Took Tlusty time to find it/develop it this season, but right now it looks like he has both the confidence and willingness to use his skills, and we are benefitting. Adding his offensive skils to those he developed under Mo (yes, some credit) has made Tlusty a good two way forward. He’s always had the hands, I sure hope he keeps using them. (also, makes me think players like Dalpe could develop as well if given enough tiem to find their game like Tlusty has).
In one beautiful move the Captain reminded JR of two different things tonight. 1) Signing Tomas Kaberle was an extremely bad idea. 2) Trading him away (along with his contract) was a stroke of sheer genius. Great game by #12 tonight.
I also liked Samson on the line with Jussi and Skinner. Samson is one of the Checkers I’d like to see given a one way ticket to Raleigh.
The only easy day was yesterday.
Last Night's Game
At NHL Net last night, when the highlights of the Montreal game were shown, one of the commentators summarized it as “There’s Eric Staal being a man among boys.” To me it seemed as if there was some degree of bad blood by Erik Cole towards the Hurricanes. My impression was that after his goal, he was somewhat taunting Cam Ward. My wife had the same impression.
Cole then was involved in chirping with Gleason at the very end of the game. Clearly Jim Rutherford wanted Gleason and was willing to pay Gleason for a four year term; but didn’t want to invest in Cole for four years. Cole has been one of the Habs best forwards; and although I understand the arguments for letting Cole go, I couldn’t help but think that without ever having a person named Kaberle play for the Hurricanes this season and with Cole, the Hurricanes I think would be a much better team from the season’s start. The downside, of course, is that if Maurice were in the playoff hunt now, Muller would likely be an NHL coach somewhere else. I prefer having Muller as a head coach, even though I had argued to keep Maurice for the year.
Muller is the real deal as an NHL coach. He’s managed to get Eric Staal to play much more consistently in Staal’s elite mode. Tlusty has been playing excellent hockey; and in a way that does not necessarily have a lot of “look at me” to it; but when one checks his performance, he’s been making key plays.
The second line of Jokinen/Skinner/Samson had some excellent shifts. Samson helps that line keep possession of the puck in the offensive zone and that frustrates opposing forward lines because they burn their shift playing defense. I do think the absence of Ruutu after two shifts made Skinner something of a punching bag again. The second period made me think how much the Hurricanes will miss Ruutu if he goes elsewhere. I am liking Stewart’s game; and it’s quite a wild ride for Stewart to go from waivers to first line with Staal and Tlusty in the Bell Centre.
McBain, too, has been playing the best hockey I’ve seen from him. Faulk is a beast, including coming back from getting hammered by a puck. It was poetic justice for Spacek to score and for Kaberle to demonstrate his “watch me guys, I am a pylon” style of defense non-coverage. Is there a worse defenseman in the NHL right now than Kaberle?
I think Cole was just trying to get under the skin of his old teammates. Cole had a great quote in the Montreal Gazette
Cole said the Hurricanes didn’t play like the last-place team in the Eastern Conference. "When they came at us and forechecked really hard, they were a more aggressive team than we’ve seen from them and they forced us to put pucks in the middle of the ice and that’s a little uncharacteristic for us."
That was my exact thought last night – they are not playing like a last place team. It’s too late for this year, but it is great to see where this team is headed.
Cole also goes on to talk about how he caused the skirmish with Gleason.
Cole and His Quote
Cole seemed to me to have a chip on his shoulder about the Hurricanes more than having a friendly but intense competition among former teammates and current friends. For example, Andrew Ladd is a man on a mission trying to score on Ward. I can’t see him taunting Ward or trying to instigate things when the game is out of hand. Maybe Cole is assuming the mantle of leadership for the Habs. The Habs are a team with too many whiny divers as far as I am concerned. Cole never was that way with the Hurricanes; but he’s rapidly morphing into that guy now.
All I can say is you and I have been watching a different Erik Cole all these years.
by Jamie Kellner on Feb 14, 2012 10:30 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed……I loved the way Cole created brilliant plays on the ice, all by himself. BUT, for every brilliant play he created all by himself you could count 9 other boneheads plays he also created, all by himself. Frustrating to watch from the stands……….
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu circa 4th Century BC
by hurricanefever on Feb 14, 2012 10:57 AM EST up reply actions
that is b/c...
he’s playing for the wrong team and doesn’t have teammates. his “teammates” are too busy diving and pulling sticks up to hit themselves in the face to get calls.
Ready for the Canes to win the Cup again! :)
by thebl4ckd0g on Feb 14, 2012 11:16 AM EST up reply actions
Really?
Cole played the exact same way in a Canes jersey! We loved his game here and just because he is in a different jersey doesn’t change his style of play. I completely disagree with all the comments. He played a great Game last night and was the second best player out there!
by RobbinDollar on Feb 14, 2012 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
Can’t wait for the rematch on April 5th…..maybe by then we can turn the quote into something like this…“The Habs played just like a last-place team in the Eastern Conference”
In Kirk we Trust
I can't wait...
To see if Gleason puts Suban through the glass. I just wanna see somebody do it, teach that young player a lesson he sorely needs. Or maybe Charra can do it…
Ready for the Canes to win the Cup again! :)
by thebl4ckd0g on Feb 14, 2012 11:21 AM EST up reply actions
I completly agree with that! I did like Staal have a little chat with him at the end of the 2nd. You could see Suban actually had respect and said your right and skated away.
by RobbinDollar on Feb 14, 2012 11:23 AM EST up reply actions
Cole messing with Cam...
I just thought it was playful messing around with a long time friend…
Ready for the Canes to win the Cup again! :)
by thebl4ckd0g on Feb 14, 2012 11:22 AM EST up reply actions
Thats how I read it as well!
Apparently you guys never played against an old teammate. I play against some of my current (beer-league) team mates in tournaments. We are really tough on each other, more so than the average guy. Have some great battles.
Take a chill everybody. Cole played the same as he always has, actually looked a little better than I have seen him in the last few years. Im sure he was pumped to play his old friends!
by RobbinDollar on Feb 14, 2012 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
I can easily imagine it in a beer league. From what I’ve seen doing that during a college game or a pro game will get your head handed to you for many seasons to come. I only saw the video, it may have been different in person; but the way Staal and Gleason reacted, it didn’t strike me as good fun among friends. They both looked intensely angry from what I could see on the screen.
Guess you missed it last night when they both lined up on the wing opposite each other when they were laughing and having fun. Looked like some ribbing going both ways.
I find it hard to think that there is any bad blood! I think interpreting Cole’s game to say that he has bad feelings is inaccurate and unfair.
I have heard other fans of other teams disliking Cole for the way he plays. I personally like his game and loved it in our uniform. But to create this conflict and hate is completely unjust!
I could be wrong and maybe there is bad feelings.. but I really didnt see it.
Furthermore Im glad Gleason and Staal reacted to it. Lets him know the lines.
by RobbinDollar on Feb 14, 2012 2:18 PM EST up reply actions
Bad blood? LOL
Erik Cole has always been a surly, chip-on-his-shoulder kind of guy. He played that way as a Cane, and it’s one of the things that makes him most effective as a player.
by Jamie Kellner on Feb 14, 2012 9:06 AM EST up reply actions
All I can think about was a game many years ago (don’t ask me which one, like I said, it was many years ago!) in which Cole took two diving penalties in one game. That was the only time I have personally seen a player get called for diving twice in a game.
Every since then, I’ve had a hard time taking him too seriously.
"If you can't beat 'em in the alley, you can't beat 'em on the ice." Conn Smythe
by Winter is Coming on Feb 14, 2012 10:11 AM EST up reply actions
Cole didnt take a dive last night! Never drew a penalty.
by RobbinDollar on Feb 14, 2012 11:22 AM EST up reply actions
That’s strange. It’s not have I’ve seen, read, or been told. In fact, Cole was often described after his injury and before last season as being one of the most frustrating players around. Each to his own; but after last season and until this past season Cole was anything but fierce and feisty. To say otherwise strikes me as historical revisionism.
Since I appear to be the one you are accusing of “historical revisionism”, I guess I need to say that I don’t understand your post at all.
As long as I have followed Erik Cole, I have considered him to be a surly, feisty player who played with a chip on his shoulder. The kind I would expect to taunt goalies and chirp defensemen. The kind other teams would accuse of being a diver. That was in my opinion the way he played when he was a Cane. He certainly played that way in the one game he played against us at the RBCC as an Edmonton Oiler, and he played that way against us when the Habs came to town earlier this season (in the spirit of full disclosure, I did not see the earlier 4-0 debacle in Montreal).
And let me be clear, my opinion should not be construed as a complaint against his style of play. Just the opposite.
He played against us last night exactly the way I would have expected him to.
But perhaps that’s just me.
by Jamie Kellner on Feb 14, 2012 11:49 AM EST up reply actions
To be clear, as long as I have followed the Hurricanes, I’ve heard the same thing about him post-injury and before this past season, i.e. that he was not playing the same physical game at all that he played before the injury; and that the problem was in his head because it wasn’t a matter of still being hurt. To each his own. In that time period, after his injury and before last season, I didn’t view Cole as a chirpy, fiesty player. To the contrary, there were often comments, where did Cole vanish to? To me, Cole was the opposite of that kind of in your face, engaged power forward, during that time period. Last season was the first time since Cole’s injury that he played like a 6’2" 205, incredibly strong & fast forward, on a consistent basis.
AD…. one of my brother-in-laws works in the Habs front office and mentioned that after showering Cole walked down to the Canes dressing room area and was seen joking around with some if their players including Cam and Gleason. Whatever happened on the ice looks like it stayed there.
That’s good. It’s really hard to discern on video. I know I’ve had full fledge fist fights during basketball games then the next day had the guy & his date over to our apartment for dinner. Best friends off the Court, WWIII on it. That is great news to me. I respect Cole and hope he’ll be one of the ex-Canes who comes back to Raleigh to live when his career ends.
I still wouldn’t rule out that there will be some fireworks in their last meeting. Cole has a style that gets under the other team’s skin but needs to play it to be effective. And he will be driving down Gleason’s wing and like to drop a shoulder to the net. Should be interesting. But I doubt they would ever drop the gloves. Not Cole’s style and Tim usually reserves the fighting to the true a-holes in the league.
Well guess what
If we lost Ruutu and we had to play against him, whether he has friends on this team or not i would expect him to play just like he does today. We might not like it, and it may make us go ouch, but that’s hockey.
He’d still have friends on the team as well……
So like others have stated there’s nothign other than COle doing what COle does, what he’s paid to do, what he’s expected to do, and what he loves to do—play the game of hockey.
Haha wont take my word for it but take Sittlers!
Come on AD!
by RobbinDollar on Feb 14, 2012 2:26 PM EST up reply actions
I didn’t mean to disregard your opinion; but given the fact it seemed to be based on the same information I had, i.e., the video of the game, you lost me a bit. On the other hand, if Cole goes to the locker room to chirp around, it’s as you said it was, close friends hating to lose to one another with a passion. So you were correct.
Haha I wasnt worried AD! Just picking on you and making a joke! You know I had to bust on ya!
by RobbinDollar on Feb 14, 2012 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
I loved the efforts last night
of the canes over all the highlights were Skinner’s chippiness in not taking anymore BS from the other team…Staal’s energy & efforts Samson’s seemless fitting in,and Spacek’s Goal…And last but not least Faulk’s play as it didn’t appear that he was worried about the “mistake” he made the other day…good overall general effort by the Canes !!
Happy St.Valenties Day Everybody !!
9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!
Sorry Tripp...."Wow, what a game"
If you didn’t love that game last night, please have your significant other take you immediately to the emergency room.
Someone tell Montreal that the Olympic Games were in 1976 and the diving competition ended long ago. Speaking of Greg Louganis, Anthony Stewart was looking for a dance partner and could not find one. Memo to Montreal…If you start something, then you need to finish it…don’t go running to the bench!
Great win….the Canes showed a lot of Heart just in time for Valentines day!
In Kirk we Trust
we only won because of chad larose’s “intangibles”
"Look into my eyes and repeat after me: I will vacation in Ontario. I will vacation in Ontario. I will vacation in Ontario..."
by Capt. Stinky on Feb 14, 2012 12:00 PM EST up reply actions
Now that is funny!
Rosey is like the little old Chihuahua you’ve had since a puppy….He’s probably not good for much but you like the way he attacks the neighbor’s German Shepherd!
In Kirk we Trust
I like to keep looking at McBain and Faulk—both young, developing defensemen.
Faulk has been surprisingly better defensively, especially given his age, and has good strength for his size as well. His positioning and puck handling/shielding skills are very good. He’s calm with the puck. He hasn’t been as offensive as I expected compared to watching him in Junior world play and in college, but I know it’s there—he started showing it more for a brief spell and has since backed off again. I think he knows as a defender he’s more important playing smart and safe, but I think his offense will come out more as he goes on.
McBain was someone I criticized defensively earlier this year. But this last month he has settled down—still not as strong as Faulk, but he has good stick positioning, and has calmed down some and has stopped a lot of the yippie type turnovers in the corner. He’s added a little more physical play, but could still improve there. But his offense is looking very good-timing of his jump ins, some Pitkanen like carries up ice lately, and his goal scoring/shooting has helped the team. I no longer want to trade him…. I think the coaches can solidify his defense more, and he’ll be a nice, deadly PP and 5/6 defender…. If he decides to get stronger, he could maybe play with a good defender on the second line, or maybe back with Pitkanen.
I like these kids. Wonder what Dumoulin can bring down the road?? We’ve been pretty good lately at our defensive picks. Allen was a good JR move, Pitkanen works, but our draft pick guys are playing out nicely. This was the one prospect area where Mo was no a hindrance but seemed to help. I think our backend future looks OK—not great, but good enough.
Now JR—fix the forward hole: Top six winger, draft one of the top forward prospects, and we’ll look niiiiice.
That was one entertaining game last night. I loved seeing the energy both teams were displaying, thrown in with a few big hits. And it was awesome seeing Eric Staal play the way I know he can. He was dominate and aggressive. When he plays like that, he is one of the most dangerous players in the NHL. I hope this game is a confidence builder for him and he continues to play like that the rest of the season.
And congrats to Muller, you deserved that win and I’m glad you got it.
JR; please dump some players and bring the kids up to stay!
Staal played with an edge not seen very often from him. At one point I thought he could be provoked into a fight! Maybe Cole was chirping early one and Staal took exception? He (Staal) was dominate last night. I really liked his pregame comments about his relationship with Muller. Captain Kirk can offer the life experiences that Mo simply never could. Staal had Francis, then Brindy until they retired, but then nobody until Muller came in. Clearly, the teams struggles that lead to Muller’s hiring were well worth it in the long run, as AD mentioned above. I was so happy for Muller to come back to Quebec with his “last place” team and show the province what they could have had, if not for their Anglo prejudice when it comes to head coaching. Clearly as well, Spacek enjoyed his tally in Centre Bell !!
A few other things I gleaned from last nights game were that either LaRose or Dwyer need to go, and I would choose to keep Dwyer. Stewart is trying, but as mentioned above his skill level is not top 9, and his work ethic until his waiver wakeup has not been what a team looks for in a 3rd-4th line player. If he keeps up his recent play he can be effective as a 4th liner but I don’t see a future for him here.
Sou, I appreciate your enthusiasm posting some of the the photos from last night’s game.
That being said, most photos used by other sources (in this example, the Montreal Gazette) are materials subject to copyright, and we don’t have permission to re-host them here. I’ve hidden but I have not deleted what you posted, so if I’m wrong your post can be easily unhidden.
But as a rule of thumb, content from other sources should be linked, not copied and pasted.
it is too bad...
the code for the backend of the SBN site doesn’t add a link under the pic as a source. :(
Ready for the Canes to win the Cup again! :)
by thebl4ckd0g on Feb 14, 2012 11:18 AM EST up reply actions
True, but that does not resolve the entire issue. There are two aspects to the use of copyrighted content. One is attribution, in other words, “this is who gets credit for the content”. Then there is the permission aspect, “I have permission to use it here.” You need both in order to reproduce or reuse content.
by Jamie Kellner on Feb 14, 2012 11:57 AM EST up reply actions
I understand...
I thought the copyright applies only for the header of a post and users can post anything they want in the threads. I’ve seen that in many forums.
Don’t worry I won’t post pictures anymore….
From Chip:
RT @ice_chip: Tuomo Ruutu, who suffered upper-body injury last night against Habs, is having an MRI today.
It looks to be a chest, ribs, or sternum injury if the way Pete F was touching Ruutu on the bench is any indication of where the injury actually is.
Based on the limited information I’ve been able to gather, I believe that to be the case as well.
by Jamie Kellner on Feb 14, 2012 11:51 AM EST up reply actions
Two words/phrases I never like to hear in combination….. upper body injury and MRI. Usually means critical connective tissue is damaged and sometimes those take a long time to heal.
Like torn cartilage? I remember that happening to Scott Walker a few years ago.
by Jamie Kellner on Feb 14, 2012 2:07 PM EST up reply actions
That’s what I was thinking. Just the way he was acting on the bench and where they were poking. Hope not. That could be a while. Not the type of injury you can hurry back with nor play through.
Yep
After having 3 shoulder operations after X-raying him ,it revealed something more serious ,and took him for a MRI ,hopefully it was to confirm no rotator/tendon/scapula damage ,but the way PF was poking around ,and him whincing easily imo he could be done for awhile or for the yr.
Worst case scenario
Ruutu missed the rest of the year with an injury, we can’t trade him, and some GM offers him 5/25 after July 1. ugh.
Ruutu
Ruutu seems to be out three weeks according to Chip Alexander & Mike Smith. I’ll stay optimistic and say it increases the chance Jim Rutherford will sign Ruutu to an extension.
Looks like
Ruutu is off the market if it’s 3wks ,or more likely with a shoulder injury “usually” it takes 3wks for a separation to stop hurting enough for heavy contact and free range of motion ,and strength to return to normal ,and that’s with no surgery depending on the level of separation “if” it is just a separation ,but with the “UBI” designation we won’t know until he’s almost ready to play ,if then. I can say one thing it’s VERY painful.
I just put up a FanPost, so as not to derail the other post-game conversation too much. Also have a blog update from Chip that includes a quote from JR.
by Jamie Kellner on Feb 14, 2012 6:15 PM EST up reply actions
That was an Intense game last night! Fun to watch that one. Staal was the best player on the ice.
I think Ruutu is over-valued (sorry Doug) I kinda hope he doesn’t resign and we get a prospect and a pick for him. He doesnt open the ice up around him and falls down all the time. I like him and his game alot, dont get me wrong, just not worth the 25mill 5 year deal he wants. Hope he is ok!
Stewart still is disapointing. McBain is playing better but still looks uncoordinated at times. Faulk is a beast! Cole was a beast and would rather have him than Ruutu.
Depending on how this injury plays out it might be smarter to resign him at a midseason discount price than to try and trade him for less. Some teams will probably take an injured Ruutu (as long as his recovery is short term) but there’s no way we’re getting a 1st and a player.
by jfhammon on Feb 14, 2012 1:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think we can all confidently assume that JR has offered Ruutu a contract at what the Canes are currently willing to pay. If Ruutu isn’t signed, it is because he is holding out for more money or wants to test the UFA market to gauge league interest.
You can take me off the list of all who confidently assume that a contract has been offered yet.
by Jamie Kellner on Feb 14, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions
Good and Detailed Article on the Trade Deadline at The Fourth Period
Good and Detailed Article on the Trade Deadline at The Fourth Period
http://www.thefourthperiod.com/columnists/pagnotta/dp120214.html
Jussi Jokinen’s name keeps coming up as a player that other GMs have sought. Until Ruutu’s injury is sorted out, it won’t be clear what his future holds. The injury points out the wisdom of UFAs who play physical games thinking long and hard before turning down extensions during the season.
Spacek and Allen are likely to be getting even more attention from other GMs with their play under Muller.
I’d trade Jussi over Tuomo any day of the week and again on Sunday.
"Look into my eyes and repeat after me: I will vacation in Ontario. I will vacation in Ontario. I will vacation in Ontario..."
by Capt. Stinky on Feb 14, 2012 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
or “twice on Sunday” or whatever the cliche’ is…
"Look into my eyes and repeat after me: I will vacation in Ontario. I will vacation in Ontario. I will vacation in Ontario..."
by Capt. Stinky on Feb 14, 2012 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t think it is as clear cut as that. Ruutu brings more grit, and has been scoring more, but Jussi is very capable at all forward spots and is much less injury prone. I’d rather we keep them both, barring a can’t miss deal for Jussi.
I agree
Jussi as a complete hockey player for THIS team has more value than Ruutu with his versatility up ,and down the line-up/shootout ,and doesn’t have the injury bug + scored 65pts in 09-10…Not as physical ,but that’s where it ends ,and not to mention out-play’s his $3m salary ,and as far as bang for buck only Sutter/Skinner are playing in that category.
Who wouldn’t want a value guy like Jussi? I bet Montreal would trade Scott Gomez for Jussi. We got him for a discounted rate and he is signed for two more years. I don’t see him going anywhere unless we get an offer that we cannot refuse!
In Kirk we Trust
We don't have all the facts yet.....
But if Ruutu’s upper body concern is anything more than a day to day affair, I would think his trade value has dropped considerably, obviously to no value if he’s done for the year. If his condition is season ending I would assume his market value over the summer wouldn’t be as high either. Ruutu’s status is now utterly up in the air. There are now multiple scenarios that could play out. If JR has not extended an offer yet ( see above posts) would JR re-think the terms of the offer? Depending on the injury, would JR re-consider Ruutu’s place in the organization? I would think Ruutu’s negotiating leverage has become less powerful IF the injury is of the major variety. If the injury is day to day, does JR start to fear his durability more, and maybe decide to move him?
I think back to Jussi’s awkward fall and how I was sure he was done for a long time. We won’t know until the MRI and announcement, so we’ll hope for the best at this point.
I can tell you that when negotiating major deals, I much prefer to have the negotiations face to face until there either is or is not a deal struck. Ruutu’s injury is a start reminder that one cannot forecast the future and for the players there is tremendous value to an extension contract rather than having to undergo the risk of being essentially self-insured beyond the contract term until a new contract is entered. Life happens; and I imagine it is difficult as an agent to express to a 29 year old fit, pro athlete that they are always one strange fall or hit away from their last game in the NHL. I really hope Ruutu is ok; but the points you raised are all valid and noteworthy.
Tuomo was badly injured during the 2005-06 season, did some soul-searching, and seriously contemplated retirement. I suspect that if anyone knows the daily risks associated with playing in the NHL, it’s him. It’s one of the reasons he considers each day he spends in the NHL a gift. It’s also one of the main reasons that it’s considered in his best interests to get as much term out of the next deal as he can negotiate, which may or may not put him out of contention with his current boss.
by Jamie Kellner on Feb 14, 2012 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
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