With the Carolina Hurricanes between games tonight, practicing at the Karmanos-owned rink in Plymouth, Michigan, I've got just a few links looking back on last night's win in Toronto and a few other stories featuring some familiar faces.
Forslund discusses the state of the Canes with Joe Ovies on 620 the Buzz (this morning) : "It begins and ends with Cam Ward". Otherwise, there's a lot more he wants to see.
Guy Behind the Guy: Plymouth Homecoming - Carolina Hurricanes - Blog Many of those so well-known to us here in Raleigh have been part of the organization in Plymouth. And with Michal Jordan there now, there may be more to come.
Canes Now - Seguin gets look at the future? Seguin, a forward for the OHL's Plymouth Whalers, could be one of the first four or five players selected in the draft. In the NHL Central Scouting midterm rankings, he was rated the No. 2 North American skater behind forward Taylor Hall of the Windsor Spitfires. Who knows, he could be taken by the Carolina Hurricanes.
After the jump, a little more from last night's game, the Hurricanes' players, and a couple looking past our small little corner of the NHL world.
The Hockey News: Top 10: AHL rookie prospects If you're in a hurry, I'll save you the click :
5. Zach Boychuk, C, Albany River Rats (Carolina) Boychuk, 20, is currently up with the big club, but will be sent back to Albany once the Hurricanes get healthy. He is part of a core group being groomed to move up together next season. The 14th pick of the 2008 draft proved himself a potent junior scorer and is currently second in scoring for Albany, a decidedly less-than-potent squad.
Leighton is flying high - The Sarnia Observer - Ontario, CA During his nine-year pro hockey career, Michael Leighton has had to endure his share of "ups and downs". A great interview with the man of the hour in his hometown.
In case you missed it, Chuck Kaiton's conversation with Rod Brind'Amour which aired during last night's game. Like hearing from Aaron Ward in today's Toronto National Post, it's a frank conversation with a veteran who had a tough year. Highly recommended.
Kaiton's conversation with Brian Burke, which included the comments about Tim Gleason's potential standing on the Team USA 2010 Olympic roster will be aired during tomorrow's intermission. Branecky gave us his perspective on the portion relevant to Gleason here.
NHL Top 10: Future Superstars | Bleacher Report The league is going through an exciting time right now with ne w young players with exceptional talent entering every year... A quick slideshow featuring the likely top 10 picks in the 2010 draft.
A little more on last night's game:
National Post (Toronto) Staal's season of hope and heartbreak Take a good hard look at Eric Staal, and even then, it is impossible to guess what he is really thinking. (A story that goes a little further than our local reporters will go.)
Jiri Tlusty assists on game-winner for Hurricanes in return to Toronto - NHL.com - News ...by all accounts, [Tlusty}'s acquitted himself well with the Hurricanes. In seven games with Carolina, the forward has a goal and four assists.
NHL's worst deliver one for the zombies This recap from the National Post includes Aaron's Ward's apt if awkward metaphor describing the Hurricanes' results in October, November , December as laying "an entire eggfarm". Oh, and then there's the part of about the fans in Raleigh being so frustrated they've become very outspoken in their criticism of the players "via blogs". Ya don't say?
The matter is closed
Alexandre Burrows and Stephane Auger no strangers to controversy - ESPN Pierre LeBrun on ESPN.com. weighs in.
TSN.com Bob McKenzie: NHL needs to be more forthcoming on Auger affair A lot of people would feel a lot better if the NHL were more forthcoming on the details of the Alexandre Burrows - Stephane Auger investigation and what precisely was said between the two before the game. Because without that, we are left to guess and wonder.
Taking a look at the longterm consequences for the NHL that come the Salary Cap structure that came out of the last CBA. The Hurricanes are definitely part of this study and Rutherford makes some insightful comments. The difficulty of keeping good team together in NHL's new cap system - ESPN Just four years ago, the Carolina Hurricanes were lifting the Cup. Now, they're sitting in the NHL basement. They are just one example of how tough it is to keep a good team together in today's cap era.
Finally - remember that memo the NHL circulated last week suggesting team personnel curtail their use of profanity when speaking publicly? Here's a f*^*&*g great [fictional] review of how some of the League's most notorious offenders responded. Dallas Stars Blog:: NHL POTTY MOUTH POLICE