Game Analysis: Kings At Hurricanes
by Cory Lavalette on Feb 5, 2012 9:58 PM EST
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The Carolina Hurricanes fell behind early to the Los Angeles Kings but rallied to score the game's final two goals for a 2-1 win at the RBC Center Saturday. Jiri Tlusty scored and Jeff Skinner had the game-winner for Carolina, while Cam Ward made 24 saves for his third win in his last four starts.
The win moved the Canes to 20-25-9 on the season with 49 points, ranking them 14th in the Eastern Conference.
Three Observations
1. Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford surely has a big decision to make concerning pending unrestricted free agent Tuomo Ruutu. Even though he was kept off the score sheet, Ruutu was among Carolina's top forwards against the Kings. He led all players with eight shots (a season-high for him) and had quality chances against Kings goalie Jonathan Bernier throughout the night. Ruutu's value is surely at its peak, but the team has earned 14 of a possible 20 points in its last 10 games. It may be too late to make the playoffs this season, but has Kirk Muller's new system proved that the Hurricanes can win with their current mix of players? And if so, should Rutherford explore re-signing Ruutu instead of dealing him, as he did with defenseman Tim Gleason? It's certainly food for thought.
2. It was a lackluster night in the faceoff circle for Carolina, which won just 19 of 47 faceoffs on the night. Most notably, they won just one of six draws while on the power play, which certainly contributed to them getting just four shots on goal in six minutes with the man advantage.
3. Gleason's end-of-the-first-period fight with Kyle Clifford won't show up on any Don Cherry Rock 'Em Sock 'Em DVDs, but it seemed to light a fire under his teammates after they had played a below-average opening frame. It was Gleason's fifth fight of the season, one shy of his career-high, which he reached twice before. After fighting just twice last season, Gleason seems to have his snarl back.
Number To Know
473 — Blocked shots for the Hurricanes this season, which ranks third in the NHL behind Montreal and Toronto. Jiri Tlusty was credited with two, the first of which led to his game-tying goal in the second period.
Plus
Jiri Tlusty — A big thumbs-up to Tlusty for one of the best individual efforts of the year. With the Hurricanes down a goal in the second period, Tlusty blocked an Alec Martinez shot in the defensive zone and sprung himself on a partial breakaway into the Kings end. He finished it with a quick shot that Bernier couldn't stop, tying the game and giving Tlusty his career-high 11th goal on the season. I don't think anyone sees Tlusty as a long-term answer on the first line, but he has proven that he's a capable top-nine forward.
Minus
Anthony Stewart— Stewart didn't have a bad night, but his one notable moment in the game was taking a cross-checking penalty that eventually led to L.A.'s lone goal. Drew Doughty —who, in my opinion, looks nowhere near the player who was a Norris Trophy finalist two years ago — looks like he sold the crosscheck a bit, but Stewart still needs to avoid offensive zone penalties at all costs.
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Keep Ruutu
I’d like to see Ruutu locked up for another 3-5 years. He’d be a tough piece to replace, though we have some youth coming up. He’s pretty much our best/only power forward w/ Cole gone. JR could prolly get him for a 4-4.5 mil hit if the years are good…
I agree on Ruutu.
Keep him. Trading him away for any picks that are not 1st rounder picks to be honest – is not going to help us next season, unless there is another Jeff Skinner out there. Re-Sign him for 2-3 more years – and trade off some of the defensemen we seem to have too much of.
Ready for the Canes to win the Cup again! :)
Didn’t get to see the game live but watched the replay on FSN West. Really happy to get the win and yea, Ruutu was really explosive at times in this game. I’d really hate to see him go and I’m anxious to see the outcome come Feb 27th. Glad Tlusty had a good night. It’s always nice when we see flashes of his talent (when healthy) but I’d just like to see some sustained brilliance on his part.
Megaweapon… Megaweapon… Megaweapon…
Keep Ruutu, if He Will Sign an Extension
I agree with rubyhawk that Ruutu should be kept if Ruutu is willing to sign an extension. I would not be surprised if it would take $4.50 million for four years, which is essentially Cole’s salary without the no trade clause. Cole’s experience with Montreal is somewhat indicative of how difficult it is for a player to tell if the new team will in fact be in contention for the Stanley Cup. Cole is playing well; but Montreal is not. In all likelihood Montreal will go through a painful and time-consuming rebuild. Even if Jim Rutherford has to pay the highest end of reasonable, Ruutu is worth the money.
There may be players available like Jeff Carter and Semin who are NHL All-Stars in skill set, but are available due to attitude issues. Then there is Parise who might be available, but would be sign with Carolina?
The way the Hurricanes are now playing if Ruutu is re-signed, then what remains for Jim Rutherford is to find a top six forward, either through the emergence of one of the kids in the organization such as Dalpe, Bowman, or Rask; or the 2012 draft; or an UFA signing. To me it all goes back to the first rule of problem solving. If you find yourself in a hole, the first rule is stop digging. It’s hard enough finding one top six scoring forward. Finding a physical, but skilled power forward with character and a top six scoring forward is a daunting task. If it were easy, Jim Rutherford would have found the right combination two or three years ago.
Agreed to some extent
If he is willing to sign an extension that is team friendly, I’d be for it. But he’s making $4.4 million this year and with the cap possibly going up, he could be in line for $4.7-4.9 million a year (if not more if you get a team that needs to hit the floor). If he came back for $4.5 or less for 3-4 seasons, I’m in. But I don’t know if I’d be willing to go any higher for a 45-55 point guy with a proclivity for getting injured.
Just make sure if you deal him, you at least get face value.
by The Gottfather on Feb 6, 2012 9:08 AM EST up reply actions
Doug, I agree with you. One thing that I see over and over is fans stating “don’t pay someone so we can have dollars to sign someone else.” This thinking would be fine except there never is a defined “someone else” who we know we can sign that would b e as good as or better than the player we already have. For example, if Parise came available as a free agent, would he sign with us? What would the dollar cost be? How many years would he want? Would he perform as well with us as he has with his current team (on a line with Kovy)? None of these questions can be answered. We know the value of and potential of the player we have. Also, the fact is most elite free agents sign in New York or some other major market. IMO to improve our team we need to resign Ruutu and either rely on one of our youngsters to blossom, and/or obtain a young player from another team who we feel will develop into a top two line forward (Nyquist from Detroit, Palmieri from Anaheim, etc.).
by FoxtrotSierra on Feb 6, 2012 10:54 AM EST up reply actions
Put a true 1st line winger next to Staal and I think Tlusty could actually stick on the 1st line long term. His development curve has constantly gone upwards since coming back from injury, he consistently is one of the best forwards on the ice.
Tlustyy, alone, isn’t 1st line talent. But he seems to gel well with Staal and has the speed, hands, and playmaking ability to fill in alongside two highly skilled players.
by JussiJuice on Feb 6, 2012 7:29 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Tlusty on a First Line
I also feel Tlusty would be fine on the first line with Staal and another elite or near elite forward. Tlusty’s development was hindered by injuries and by the fiasco in Toronto. His size, speed, skills, and hockey I.Q. were always top six. His confidence, however, was sometimes a factor. Muller and MacLean seem to be doing a great job with the forwards. Tlusty also has another gear; and if he continues to development these streaks of brilliance will transition into seeing those excellent plays on a much more consistent basis each game.
I have not always been sold on Tlusty. I knew he had the ability but thought he had stretches where he was healthy but not showing his potential. I have changed my mind. I think Muller and McLean have done a great job as you point out AD, but I think even under Mo Tlusty was starting to come around, but he has really thrived under the new staff, and the new system. You just can’t score the goal he scored Saturday night without possessing a lot of the attributes you described. Ultimately is he a top line guy based on pure skill? Maybe not, but he is a top 6 talent for sure, and with his overall game would not be out of place on a top line. I agree that with his combination of skill and very well rounded game, a top line with he and Staal and a elite or near elite level scorer would be pretty stout. Love Ruutu, agree that JR needs to be open to signing him to an extension IF there isn’t a drop dead no brainer deal out there for him, but he is not a long term solution on the top line.
The other subject this game brought up in my mind was our prospects. I like Nash. He is a decent defensive player, who seems to have a pretty good Hockey IQ. He’s not good on face-offs. At this point he would serve well as a 4th line defensive forward. Not ready to give up on him but I feel he’s not quite ready yet. I think Bowman played well Saturday night but he hasn’t shown us anything more than what we’ve seen already. My end result here is that I think I’d like to see Dadonov get a shot soon. Let’s see what he has before the trade deadline.
Well, Given Tlusty’s improvement with top line time, i also have no problem with him being penciled in there next year if we get a legimate top line scoring threat between now and then. What most poster on this blog fail to appreciate is most teams across the NHL do not field what most consider three bonafide top three forwards in their top line. The salary Cap prevents it in most cases. SOme teams do amass three top line forwards and put them all on the top line, but then they have weaker second and thrid lines. Only a few teams have that luzury, and it usually involves drafts and trades working out.
So if We did get one proven top six via trade or FA, then got a good prospect in the draft who proves ready, then we would have a pretty talented top six…
Often times three top line forwards do not provide a good balance. Even for a top line some chemistry is needed. Not to open old wounds but other than world class speed and good size/strength, Cole did not have top line ability. ( hands or scoring ability) But the elements he added to the top line made it go. Tlusty, in his own way is capable of being that “glue” type guy sandwiched between some eleite players.
To me, he’s a lot like Justin Williams without the 30-goal ability. But maybe low-20s is a realistic expectation. He’s got the hands.
by Cory Lavalette on Feb 6, 2012 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
This opens old wounds of a different type for me. As a long time Avalanche fan, I will never in my life forget the Kariya/Selanne disaster.
For those that don’t know/remember, those two spectacular players agreed to sign with the Avalanche for reduced money to play together (they’re good buddies) and to compete for a Cup. For the entire season, both looked terrible. Kariya got hurt and was out a while and Selanne was playing so badly that at times he played on the fourth line.
Avs fans learned the hard way exactly what you’re talking about. Elite players don’t necessarily play like elite players if the glue isn’t there.
"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 6, 2012 2:19 PM EST up reply actions
+19
and he has as stated before has made more of an impact positively for the canes say McBain has..grant you this can be seen as a apples/oranges type of comparisson,but over all Tlusty has shown even under Mo Hockey he has the tools and skills needed to be a top 9 and for him to try and fill Cole’s skates says alot ofr his character as a player..he know he needs to improve and so far..this fan has NOT heard him (even when injured) make any excuses..he is a keeper ..for now LOL but remember folks..I’m a fan..what do i know ?? gasp..they waived hummper stewart ? Charlotte sure could use him..if her clears but then who would get sent to the Everblades…Staal ( Jared) ?? sigh..I’ll worry about that IF & When that happens…right ??
9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!
I agree Juice. We’ve spent the time allowing him to develop. It would be a shame after making that investment to let him go. He not only is gaining confidence in his offensive game, he is excellent on defense and he plays on the penalty kill.
by FoxtrotSierra on Feb 6, 2012 10:57 AM EST up reply actions
Cory, it appears you have again been the trendsetter.
Today’s N&O Canes Now Monday debate – Next move with Ruutu?
I think you all already know where I land on this one.
would love to keep ruutu but
I am afraid he is going to get 6-7 million a year somewhere next year and do not think that would be here. So if JR does not feel good about being able to resign him he has to trade him. The good news is there are now about 4-6 teams that have interest in Ruutu if you believe TSN. So with that you could start a bidding war and that is a good thing. I think he will wait until that day to trade Ruu so he can get a few more games in to see if there is even a chance of making it.
I think there are a lot of things people should be afraid of, but I don’t think Tuomo getting 6-7 million a year is one of them.
by Jamie Kellner on Feb 6, 2012 10:02 AM EST up reply actions
I dunno
Despite his intangibles, Ruutu has never scored enough in goal or asists to warrant 6-7 million. His best comparison recently would be Cole—-4.5 mil for four years. Fo course you have Montreal paying someone 7.5 mil who hasn;t scored a goal in over a year:
But today is not a day for boos — today is a day for kudos at this momentous and rare feat. Never in the history of the NHL has a $7.5 million forward gone a full calendar year without scoring a goal. Puck Daddy would like to officially congratulate Scott Gomez on his year of living goallessly.
So anything is possible….
…Oh and I wonder how Cole feels now about Montreal?? FIrst part of the season he got ridden for failing to produce, now he’s doing fine, but the team is last in the East, behind us, and Cole said he chose MOntreal because he felt they were a better contender. Hah Hah!! (but yes, we all know he really went for the money and the contract length, but he can’t just come out and say that)
It’s the T.Kaberle curse sinking Montreal.
by drifterscape on Feb 6, 2012 10:49 AM EST up reply actions
If he gets $6-7 million, I will pack up his house for him.
by Cory Lavalette on Feb 6, 2012 10:15 AM EST up reply actions
I’ll help! In an inflated free agency frenzy he could fetch in the 4 mil range. Love him and hope he stays, but he’s not worth 7 mil and not even the Habs would give him that. Really with this team and the realities of being a smaller market club, 4 mil would be about the upper end that this team could or should pay him.
Not sure I understand. His Cap hit this year is $3.8mil but his salary is $4.4mil. Are you suggesting he is overpaid and should take a pay cut?
I don’t think he will get $6-7mil but a realistic value is a 4 year contract that pays him an average $4.5mil per year. As a comparison, don’t you think he is valuable to the team as Gleason?
There may be a team out there that will pay him say an average of $5mil per year over 4 years. I’d say that at his age and family circumstances he now falls into that category of player that will be looking for the stability of a long term contract as much as the absolute dollar value.
I’m somewhat ambivalent to the extebd him now strategy, especially if he goes to a team where he is a true rental. Based on past seasons a top tier rental went for a 1st and a prospect and even a 2nd on top. JR has the power to pull the trigger as to where he goes. He also knows better than anyone what Ruutu and his agent are thinking and he can read the Cap situation for other teams as well as anyone. There are teams out there that need help going into the playoff and have Cap issues next season. If you can get a rich return from a team that likely can’t re-sign him and have a reasonable shot to sign him over the summer, I’d say its worth the risk.
Nothing better for a GM that the Doug Weight kind of true rental. Of course, losing a player like Ruutu if it didn’t work out, would be a huge backward step for the Hurricanes. I’m on the side of extend Ruutu if possible and don’t take the risk; but if his agent insists on taking Ruutu to free agency to test the waters, then Rutherford has no other option other than to trade Ruutu and hope to re-sign him as a free agent. I also have to believe that GMs talk to each other in these situations and are pretty clear whether they will or won’t try to re-sign a player based on their team’s salary cap situation. It is hard for me to imagine that kind of informal discussion about intentions would not occur.
I didn’t really clearly express my thoughts on his worth to the club, trying to sneak in a quick post before the boss walked by !! I meant to convey somewhere in the 4 mil range. I think he is worth in the mid 4 mil range to this club, 4.75 at the top end, and as valuable as Gleason.
"LaRose is ready to rejoin the lineup"
well there goes our win streak.
funny comments in the N&O article — someone was defending larose, saying people should stop ragging on the 5th scorer on the team. someone else posted “Being the fifth leading scorer on the Hurricanes this season is like winning bronze at the special olympics.”
made me chuckle…
"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."
FWIW, Canes have more scorers than the Kings this year.
by Cory Lavalette on Feb 6, 2012 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
Because we all know that if there’s a group of people that deserve to have jokes pointed at them, it’s Special Olympics athletes.
by Jamie Kellner on Feb 6, 2012 10:23 AM EST up reply actions
Good for you. Some things are funny and worth repeating. Using the Special Olympics in that manner sure isn’t one of them.
Amen Miss Jamie & Sittler.
I got a 30 day suspention from the police department where i was working at that time…for slugging and knocking out a drunk nebraska foot ball star ..his crime..making fun of a young man who is in the Special Olympics and was a swimmer..it was worth it..he tried to get me fired.but funny thing..then Coach Tom Osborne suspended the player and canceled his scholarship too..he left Lincoln very quietly…peole can and have made fun of me and as a cop.called me and mother "everything’ but human ..and my family was or seemed to be fair game too..but I drew the line of that kind of free speech…
9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!
Love seeing ignorant and hurtful statements being shared on multiple sites. The internet at its finest.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
yeah, 'cuz my intent was to slam the special olympics
come on, people…
"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 6, 2012 11:24 AM EST up reply actions
You reposted it. You implied it was funny. You therefore perpetuated an ignorant and hurtful myth about a group of people who have to put up with enough mistreatment, pain, suffering and abuse without someone adding to it on an internet board.
If you deem Special Olympics athletes unworthy of the same level of respect as people without intellectul disabilities (as your actions seem to indicate you do), than it is you I feel sorry for, not the Special Olympics athlete with a bronze medal.
I’m willing to let a lot of things slide and a lot of lines be crossed, but this is not one of them. I do not go to work for Special Olympics every day to stand by and watch my athletes belittled for cheap laughs on the internet. Sorry.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
Thank you for your passion and charitable work for the Special Olympics.
I suggest a demotion for Captain back to Sergeant for his inconsiderate comments!
In Kirk we Trust
how about to Buck private..All of know Stinky means well at times..but sadly this wasn't one of them..
case closed..time to move on…Next…
9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!
I only speak for myself, but I have the utmost respect for the Special Olympic Athletes and the people who compassionately advocate for them. The way people treat the least fortunate and the most challenged of our citizens speaks volumes about who we are as a community. That of course is not hockey related, but I hope it is appropriate to say.
Suggestion
I agree with all the positives above about the post not being funny.
Bob—can we just remove this section from the comments? Probably serves everyone best.
by chrisbrasfield on Feb 6, 2012 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
I have the ability to remove comments. That being said, I think it’s important to let the original comment stand, along with the replies, because IMO the message needs to be told and heard.
I do think this particular conversation has run its course and I therefore may be inclined to remove further commentary.
(all subject to veto by the boss)
by Jamie Kellner on Feb 6, 2012 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
This morning the Canes announced that Riley Nash has been reassigned to Charlotte.
Press release here.
In yesterday’s post-skate comments, Coach Muller indicated they would be taking an extra forward on the west coast road trip. That does not now appear to be the case with Nash being sent back to the Checkers.
He sure hasn’t done much for us this year. I have watched his body language when any rough stuff starts. If we got him for his toughness, he sure doesn’t look enthused to engage. Maybe a little tiger blood transformation from Timmay might have helped. When Gleason drops them he sure means business.
On another note
Tim Brent has quietly had a productive year for us considering he is a fourth liner. I agree with you on Stewart….no reason to pay him 900k when we have someone like Brett Sutter who has a physical edge and can take his spot for less dollars.
In Kirk we Trust
weird
that this would be coupled with sending Nash down…that’s really strange. Maybe multiple player deal in the works?
Not necessarily … if Stewart clears waivers, he can stay with the Canes.
by Cory Lavalette on Feb 6, 2012 12:16 PM EST up reply actions
asked this in the other thread but
Why would they do this? Does it cut salary? Probably a dumb question, I just wasn’t sure.
by chrisbrasfield on Feb 6, 2012 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
Only JR knows for sure, but unless Stewart gets claimed, it doesn’t save any money. Even if they sent him to CLT they’d be paying him his NHL salary.
He could have had interest from another GM, or he could just be seeing if someone has an interest.
I guess the only thing we know for sure is that JR is willing to part ways with Stewart with no return.
sorry--didn't phrase correctly
I’m curious why we would waive then keep him on the nhl roster (as Cory mentioned was possible). What’s the upside to that route?
I doubt we’d do it, but was just curious what that would accomplish.
by chrisbrasfield on Feb 6, 2012 12:27 PM EST up reply actions
They put him on waivers to see if someone will take the year-plus left on his contract off their hands. It’s a pretty common practice. if there are no takers, they can just hold on to him. The only thing assigning him to the AHL would do is clear a roster space (the team still has roster space, so not needed) and take his money off the cap (another thing the team doesn’t need). Stewart gets paid the same regardless.
Now, they could send him down, then recall him and hope someone claims him on re-entry waivers, but then they’d be responsible for half the money left on his deal, as would the new team.
Hope that helps.
by Cory Lavalette on Feb 6, 2012 12:40 PM EST up reply actions
Ottawa
Not that I have heard anything other than Ottawa in the mix for Ruutu, but wonder if the Sens would part with Zibabejad or Mark Stone plus a 1st rounder for Ruutu? Not sure I’d make the deal from a Sens perspective but this may be the last hurrah for Alfreddson so maybe they want to make a real push this year. We have done deals with the Sens before.
oh boy
I’d be giddy as everything if we got Zibabejad.
by chrisbrasfield on Feb 6, 2012 11:58 AM EST up reply actions
Mark Stone: Right Wing. 6’3" and 200 lbs ( and still growing) and 86 points in 48 games. Be still my beating heart!!
nice
I hadn’t heard about him, just Z. Sounds great! I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
by chrisbrasfield on Feb 6, 2012 12:10 PM EST up reply actions
Four hundred seventy three blocked shots
Interesting N&O article on blocked shots from a couple weeks ago here (if this article has been posted here before, sorry). Our team’s been pretty damn good at blocking pucks this year. Maybe the opponents are getting too much space and chances to throw pucks at the net? I’d rather think it’s a skill we’ve been working on and our guys have the guts to get in the way of the puck. Shows good toughness and I’m pretty impressed. One fourth of those by Bryan Allen, with Jay Harrison somewhat close behind (117 and 93, respectively).
Glad I’m not the guy taking all those pucks to the body. Yeesh.
That’s why I wanted Allen over Gleason… Despite his lack of speed, Allen has been very good at knowing when to lay down his body on the ice, he’s effective when doing it, he blocks a lot of shots and he clears the crease well. All things he does better than Gleason. I think Gleason moves the puck better and has better speed, of course he’s younger, but I’d have liked to see Timmay learn from Allen—it appears Harrison has as his blocking has been improving markedly the last two years.
I feel that on the back end, when already in the zone Allen is a better pure defender. Gleason is bettr in transition and getting back, but it’s a toss up between the two
I thought it was interesting that two of the teams mentioned are fighting it out over the bottom slot in the east.
"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 6, 2012 2:26 PM EST up reply actions
FWIW, the Canes forwards (Sutter, Dwyer and Tlusty, in particular) are among the best in the league at blocking shots. As a D, you have to block shots to have a job these days, but all the NHL’s forwards still haven’t bought in. Plus, there’s an art to shot blocking. Canes are, indeed, quite good at it.
Great point.
Sutter and Dwyer both top 10 in the league with 59 and 49, Tlusty 39th with 37. So that people don’t have to click links.
I honestly wasn’t paying too much attention to the stats last year; is this a “new” skill they’ve developed this season? Has there been an improvement since the coaching change, or after adding certain players?
As someone with the scars of taking a slapshot to the face trying to block a shot, my take is that there is indeed a level of timing and technique….. but the number one ingredient is guts. No matter how good your technique you can’t always predict just exactly where the shot will hit….. and sometime is just plain stings like crazy.
One thing the team HAS gotten better at is stick positioning on ice and in the lanes—that seemed to come from Lewis, but it is how McBain get’s his blocks, and same for some of the forwards. We block and deflect a lot of shots with good stick placement and it’s a team strength. Tlusty’s goal last game was an excellent example of how to get in position to make a block, and why he’s doing well whether it’s on the line with Sutter being defensive or not….
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