Clicks and Clippings: I Love Jussi!

Thanks to the Hall-of-Fame-Voice-of -your-Carolina-Hurricanes Chuck Kaiton on 99.9 the Fan last night, we were able to follow much of the game in Atlanta as he painted a picture of the game between the Canes and the Thrashers with his play-by-play. However, with that convincing win and the questions that come with the return of Cam Ward, I wanted  a little bit more. Thank you TSN.ca for providing highlights with a call. That silent feed from NHL.com was just a little creepy to me. Unfortunately, it won't let me embed it so click over here and see what we missed.

So our beloved [O, say can] Jussi Jokinen is re-writing his career stats, with 2 goals last night taking him to 29 on the season and 60 points so far. During his rookie year, 2005-06, with the Dallas Stars, his numbers were his previous best-ever 17-38-55. It also marked Jokinen's 100th game as a Hurricane (y'know we're still fond of talking about that Trade). And although the Canes have lingered at the bottom of the standings, it's wonderful to see that he's getting noticed, this from the front page at NHL.com. 

TSN's coverage quoted the game's first star in the re-cap. "We had a team meeting this morning and said we had to play harder," Jokinen said. "It's going to be an uphill climb for us." And here is quick audio of his comments after the game - "We are gonna battle as long as we still have a chance" . Not that any of us find it surprising to learn he still believes the playoffs are a possibility. Y'know what else? This fine Finn will celebrate his 27th birthday this Thursday, April 1st. Wonder what he can put together on this roadtrip playing the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators to mark the occasion? Stay tuned - and be sure to help this wunderCane celebrate!

After the jump looking at some other Hurricanes players, past and present and future, in the news.

Goalie Cam Ward's 26 for 27 save performance last night was also recognized: Monday's Three Stars: Miller rules March; Ward wins in return - Puck Daddy No. 2 Star: Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes (with goalies Ryan Miller and Curtis McElhinney at # 1 and 3). 

Observations from the blueline from Brian Pothier and Brett Carson in this piece yesterday: Ward returns to new-look defense - NewsObserver.com When Cam Ward last started a game in goal for the Carolina Hurricanes, he had some older, familiar faces working in front of him.

Brind'Amour won't make a rash decision on future - NHL.com - In The Spotlight Bob posted this earlier, but be sure you don't miss this lengthy feature on the veteran Rod Brind`Amour,  just out this morning: Carolina Hurricanes veteran Rod Brind'Amour says he will take some time to make a decision on his future after a disappointing season.

Southeast: Gleason gives Marines signed USA flag - NHL.com Tim Gleason's gift for Marines was pure gold. It's also not too late to bid on Team USA Olympic Game-worn jerseys auction At $720, the #4 Tim Gleason is a steal. Ryan Miller's is going for over $6000.

Dwyer's fire raising Canes | Great Falls Tribune Patrick Dwyer was a 17-year-old kid playing in a men's Junior A hockey league, Rikard Gronborg remembers. "The kid's got unbelievable drive and competitiveness," Gronborg said. "He's never backed down from anything." 

Promotions: Play with the Canes 2010 - Carolina Hurricanes  While we're imagining the young Paddy Dwyer, be sure to check out this one. Hockeymom loves that 6-year old!

The official blogger and media frontman for the Capitals, Mike Vogel, took some time to catch-up with former Cap' Brian Pothier last week. The Massachusetts native, who spent nearly 4 seasons in Washington, offers some unusual insight as he compares the two franchises and the style of players who comprise them.

 

 

Hurricanes' alumni

Does Joe Corvo Make the Caps a Better Puck Possession Team? - Japers' Rink (the numbers, comparing him to Pothier's, suggest "yes")

Eaves SO Fail KuklasKorner : Hockey  Patrick Eaves' Shootout Fail 

Jack Johnson: King-sized frustration - ProHockeyTalk NBC Sports For this feature, we asked a simple question: "Who is your team's most frustrating player?"  (stop smirking, readers)

Matt Cullen is contributing to his team in Ottawa, here named 2nd star of the night, over the weekend. Florida Panthers vs. Ottawa Senators - ESPN and then here's what Cullen is saying about the Senators' recent 4-game win streak: CANOE: Bruce Garrioch: Sens rock like a Hurricane Cullen says hot run Carolina enjoyed last season is what's happening to Ottawa in 2010

The future:

Here's a sample of newly-signed River Rat Zac Dalpe's skills on the ice: 

 

More from Albany, Rats’ magic number for playoffs reduced to one - timesunion.com - Albany NY Jerome Samson finished a week in which he had three goals and five assists. Zac Dalpe, a rookie, has goals in three straight games in registered five goals and an assist on the week. 

From coverage of the NCAA Frozen Four, Top 10 Reasons Boston College Hockey Can Win National Title at Detroit's Frozen Four NESN.com Canes' prospect and BC freshman Brian Dumoulin and senior Carl Sneep comprise arguably the best defensive pairing in the country.

Draft talk

The discussion of the prospects available in the upcoming 2010 Draft is heating up. Mike Morreale at NHL.com has been blogging from Toronto and put up a great series of spotlights since Sunday. Prospecting with Central Scouting - NHL.com. Here's a sample: Scouts debate between Hall and Seguin - NHL.com  "I don't think, since I've been a part of Central Scouting, have I seen two guys as close as Hall and Seguin," said CSS goalie scout Al Jensen during the meeting."

These have been linked in comments, but if you hadn't picked it up, they've even begun the mock drafts at NHL.com. Of course after last night's win, the Canes have moved from 3rd to 6th, and we are reminded it is a little early to lock and load.

And for ease of reference, you've seen these before, but here's the TSN Draftcentre link and the current odds for the #1 pick in the Lottery.

On the topic of the Lottery, as it pertains to the Florida Panthers, here's one writer's take on the consequences of tanking your season for a pick. Well-said and pertinent to why, as Canes fans, we're mostly happy when they win. Tanking Will Not Help the Florida Panthers | PuckUpdate The Panthers have not only created a culture of losing, they seem to somehow actively encourage it. 

Finally, sharing some sunshine and LOLs

You probably heard about the Capitals' fans booing their team off the ice Sunday afternoon at first intermision, when they allowed 4 unanswered goals in the first period to the struggling Calgary Flames. Even the team's owner, Ted Leonsis, felt obligated to educate these unforgiving (and one has to assume fairweather/bandwagon) fans with this post : Tough Room " Teds Take And some of the fans booed, as is their right......But try to be happy. I know you can do it.

Study confirms you do not miss every shot you never take | Intent to Blow After years of pouring through data, conducting tests and performing detailed analysis scientists confirmed Tuesday that despite Wayne Gretzky's insistence, you do not miss every shot you never take.

Based on this recent poll released by ESPN the Magazine: Candid NHLers weigh in on the big questions in anonymous poll, the always great for a laugh hockeyblog, Down Goes Brown, brings us: ESPN's NHL player survey: The missing questions. I'm going to ...reveal the ten NHL player poll questions ESPN forgot to tell you about.

Last - you've likely seen it over on the Fanposts, but please stop by here and think about coming out on April 10th. A good time will be had by all. Canes Country Closes out the Season: April 10th at Backyard Bistro!