If you look back at 2008, it was not the best of years for the Carolina Hurricanes. Let's take a glance at some of the year's highlights and lowlights, as well as a few notable events that happened on the blog.
- 1/7/08 - We discuss Luke DeCock's article about the team's search for a "depth forward", or what some interpreted as an enforcer. I agreed with Spector about disregarding a "foolish" rumor that Jim Rutherford was shopping Cory Stillman and Mike Commodore.
- 1/8/08 - The Canes acquire the rights to Sergei Samsonov from the re-entry waivers. (perhaps the previously mentioned "depth" forward?) This surprises many because Samsonov has zero goals and just four assists in 25 games for Chicago.
- 1/11/08 - The flu hits the Canes hard as they lose to the Devils 4-1. Williams, Hedican, Walker, Cullen and Tanabe are on the IR and Wesley, Whitney, Letowski, and Brookbank are under the weather. Keith Aucoin scores his first NHL goal in the game.
- 1/20/08 - John Grahame makes it back to Raleigh through re-entry waivers as no team in the NHL wants the netwinder, even at half of his salary. Michael Leighton is returned to Albany.
- 1/23/08 - The Canes give up 3 short-handed goals while losing to the lowly Islanders, 6-3. Penalty killer extrordinaire Joe Vasicek almost scores the 4rth. The Canes have the lowest rated penalty kill in the league and have also allowed more shorties than any other team.
- 1/27/08 - Eric Staal is named the MVP of the All-Star game, the first time a Hurricane is given the honor.
- 2/7/08 - The Capitals officially take over first place in the division before Carolina travels to Washington the next day and defeats them 2-1, reclaiming the lead. The very next game the Canes are embarrassed in New Jersey, 6-1.
- 2/11/08 - The Canes and Sens exchange players in a mutual attempt to shake up their teams. Cory Stillman and Mike Commodore are sent north while Joe Corvo and Patrick Eaves are traded to Raleigh. Some Canadian sportswriters are tripping over each other bragging about how Ottawa got the best of this deal. However, the bragging does not last long.
- 2/14/08 - Canes defeat the Pens, winning their second in a row since the trade, but lose captain Rod Brind'Amour to a season ending knee injury.
- 2/26/08 - It's trade deadline day and the Canes exchange young Andrew Ladd for Tuomo Ruutu. There are mixed feelings about this one as Ladd is very popular, but Ruutu looks like the real deal.
- 2/27/08 - Ruutu gets a police escort as he arrives at the airport at 6:30 and still makes it to the arena in time for the game. He responds with some huge hits, cuts his face, and earns a point with an assist as the Canes finally beat Jersey, 2-1.
- 3/1/08 - Playoff ticket invoices due for STH's.
- 3/11/08 - Canes Country gets it's first exclusive Hurricanes interview as we have a chance to speak with Chris Huffine, video coach for Carolina.
- 3/17/08 - Joe Corvo lights up his ex-team with a hat trick as the Canes beat Ottawa 5-1 at the RBC. Over the past 30 days, Corvo was the top-scoring defenseman in the league while Eric Staal led all forwards over the same time frame. The Canes created some breathing room as they led the division by 5 points.
- 3/19/08 - Kristi Yamaguchi-Hedican makes debut on "Dancing with the Stars".
- 3/24/08 - Playoff tickets go on sale to the public.
- 3/26/08 - The beginning of the end. The Caps beat the Canes 3-2 in a shootout at the RBC to close the gap in the race and give them new life.
- 4/4/08 - Canes lose to Florida in the season finale and officially blow division lead. They have nine powerplays to zero for the Cats including two 5-on-3's, and outshoot the visitors 46-17 in the loss.
- 4/11/08 - Even though the team won a franchise second best 44 games while the team was decimated by injuries, rumors start to surface about the possible firing of head coach Peter Laviolette.
- 4/16/08 - Rutherford signs Sergei Samsonov to a three year deal.
- 4/25/08 - There is still no word about Laviolette from Jim Rutherford and the rumor machines are running overtime.
- 4/30/08 - Franchise owner Peter Karmanos announces that he will get more actively involved with the team's front office this coming year, especially concerning marketing.
- 5/7/08 - Toronto fires coach Paul Maurice just two years into his three year contract.
- 5/9/08 - Laviolette's status is still in limbo. The coach has not spoken with a member of the press since the end of the season.
- 5/15/08 - Canes hit STH's with 10% increase on most ticket packages. Walk up prices jump even higher.
- 5/17/08 - After a month and a half of silence, Jim Rutherford finally confirms that Peter Laviolette will indeed return as coach next season. Rutherford seems surprised over the speculation and angst regarding the subject. He also states that the fourth line needs to be bigger next year.
- 5/21/08 - Yamaguchi wins "Dancing with the Stars".
- 6/4/08 - Canes sign Patrick Eaves to a three year deal.
- 6/5/08 - Glen Wesley announces retirement. Canes announce a future "Glen Wesley Night."
- 6/9/08 - Tom Rowe and Jeff Daniels switch positions. Rowe will be assistant coach in Raleigh while Daniels will be in charge up in Albany.
- 6/12/08 - Canes sign Michael Leighton to two year contract.
- 6/13/08 - The Hurricanes renegotiate their lease and make a commitment to stay in Raleigh until 2024.
- 6/18/08 - Canes Country scores another exclusive Hurricanes interview as we speak with Pete Friesen and ask him about the status of several injured players.
- 6/18/08 - Jason Karmanos returns to the Canes and fills his previous position.
- 6/19/08 - Tim Gleason signs a four year deal.
- 6/19/08 - Canes trade a 5th round pick to Nashville for rights to sign Darcy Hordichuk, who rebuffs them. Canes won't get their draft pick back until 2010.
- 6/20/08 - Canes select Zach Boychuk in first round of the draft.
- 6/21/08 - Canes select Dalpe, Jordan, and Murphy in subsequent rounds.
- 6/24/08 - Tuomo Ruutu signs for one year.
- 7/1/08 - Erik Cole traded to Edmonton for Joni Pitkanen
- 7/2/08 - Canes sign Josef Melichar to one year deal.
- 7/2/08 - Joni Pitkanen signs for three years.
- 7/6/08 - Chad LaRose files for arbitration.
- 7/7/08 - Dennis Seidenberg signed for one year.
- 7/9/08 - Chad LaRose signed for one year.
- 7/22/08 - February 17th designated as Glen Wesley night.
- 7/27/08 - The Edmonton Sun prints an article which stirs up Canes Country
- 7/30/08 - Drayson Bowman signs three year deal.
- 8/3/08 - Cory Lavalette joins Canes Country as a writer!
- 8/7/08 - Jeff O'Neill gets training camp invitation
- 8/16/08 - News and Observer announces a change in beat writers for the Hurricanes
- 8/22/08 - Players start to show up for "early camp" at the Rec Zone
- 9/10/08 - John Forslund endorses Canes Country and grants another exclusive interview.
- 9/10/08 - Canes unveil new black third jersey.
- 9/11/08 - Eric Staal signs franchise record seven year deal.
- 9/16/08 - Noticeably limping after a charity event, Rod Brind'Amour has minor knee surgery.
- 9/17/08 - Justin Williams tears his Achilles tendon during off-ice training and is expected to be out 4 to 6 months.
- 9/19/08 - Training camp opens
- 10/20/08 - Zach Boychuk is returned to juniors after having a shot to make the club.
- 10/26/08 - Doug Weight knocks out Brandon Sutter in game against the Islanders.
- 10/28/08 - Tim Conboy accused with biting Steve Downie during altercation in AHL
- 11/7/08 - Laviolette sets record for winning more NHL games than any other American born coach.
- 11/11/08 - Fans start all-star campaign for Nic Wallin. Wallin gets injured shortly afterwards.
- 11/18/08 - We find out that some Habs fans read Canes Country when Cory writes an article questioning the idolization of goalie Carey Price.
- 11/20/08 - Jim Rutherford gives Peter Laviolette a vote of confidence saying that firing him at this point would be premature because of all the team's injuries.
- 12/3/08 - Canes fire Laviolette and hire Paul Maurice to replace him. Ron Francis is named "Associate Head Coach".
This article certainly turned out much longer than I originally intended. For those of you who think things are quiet during the off-season, think again!