The first big news in weeks coming out of 1400 Edwards Mill Road arrived at noon yesterday as Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford addressed the media. Seated at a table with Coach Paul Maurice, Rutherford was joined by two new assistant coaches who will be working with Maurice at the bench. Rod Brind`Amour and newcomer Dave Lewis, with Tom Barrasso and video coach Chris Huffine behind the scenes, together will be the guys closest to the action on the ice on a daily basis.
Here are several links covering the announcement (UPDATED with Audio links from WRALSports radio interviewing all three coaches at the end of the post.)
Press Conference 6-7-11 Video - Carolina Hurricanes hold a news conference regarding the restructuring of the team’s hockey department.
The official press release and the follow up from Cane's blogger Paul Branecky, Canes Beef up Hockey Operations Staff - Tracking the Storm Blog Hoping to bring a fresh approach to their coaching staff, the Hurricanes made a significant shakeup on Tuesday.
'Canes add Brind'Amour, Lewis to coaching staff - Mike Morreale, NHL.com Rod Brind'Amour, who had his number retired by Carolina this past season, comes aboard as an assistant coach.
Dave Lewis and Rod Brind`Amour Join Carolina Hurricanes Coaching Staff - Canes Country The Carolina Hurricanes add Dave Lewis and Rod Brind'Amour as assistant coaches for the organization.
Coaching staff additions - David Droschak, HurricanesBeat.com Coaches, UFAs in spotlight, GM says deals not coming together quickly with some bonus information on the status of UFA negotiations.
Rutherford told HurricanesBeat.com today that he’s offered every one of the team’s potential free agents contracts, and is "surprised" none have taken him up on his offers. Three of those players – Erik Cole, Joni Pitkanen and Jussi Jokinen – will garner substantial interest from other clubs and will likely test the free agent waters July 1.
Brind'Amour, Lewis added to Canes coaching staff - WRALSportsFan.com Rod Brind'Amour and Dave Lewis were each named to the Carolina Hurricanes coaching staff as assistants Tuesday. And here's the WRAL video with highlights that was on the evening news, and their 13 minute uncut video of the same presser.
*****UPDATED - with the morning's N&O Print Edition story Hurricanes make some moves behind the bench - NewsObserver.com with more from all the three coaches.
Maurice said the two [Maurice and Brind`Amour] would sit down once the Canes' 2011-12 schedule is released and decide how many games Brind'Amour will work with Lewis and assistant coach Tom Barrasso. Brind'Amour will be actively involved with practices, staff meetings and video sessions.
After the jump, Rod Brind`Amour called the folks at NHL Live yesterday afternoon and gave some thoughtful answers to their questions, one story that gives insight to what kind of coach Dave Lewis is (or was, in 2008), and Jeff Skinner venturing into uncharted waters (at least for teenage hockey players) . Plus a smattering of news from across the hockey blogosphere.
Rod Brind`Amour on NHL Live this afternoon.
MUST READ: Lewis misses good part again - Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times Dave Lewis seems destined to be a forerunner of hockey history, to do his work and depart -- not by choice -- just before the mountain is climbed, the flag planted and the party started.
The N&O's Chip Alexander's story at Canes Now - Brind'Amour, Lewis join Canes staff | newsobserver.com blogs
Tuesday morning's N&O print story prior to the addition of Dave Lewis to the mix: Canes' Brind'Amour expected to join coaching staff - NewsObserver.com Former captain Rod Brind'Amour, who led the Canes to the 2006 Stanley Cup, retired after the 2009-2010 season. He served last season as the team's director of forwards development.
Jeff Skinner seeks some fashion advice...
...before heading to Las Vegas in a couple weeks
First the story Skinner to let fans vote on outfit for Awards Show - NHL.com included this gem. I can't decide if this was sincere admiration or some inside-joke aimed at two guys who once went to a public event dressed like this. And this. And this.
The Calder finalist was at the John Varvatos store last month trying on suits, and fan voting will determine which he sports to the NHL Awards. Skinner said two of his more fashion-forward teammates are Erik Cole and Joe Corvo . The rookie said Cole and Corvo "are probably tied" as the best-dressed players on the Canes' roster. The two are good friends, Skinner said, so it would be tough to rank one over the other.
There's video: Jeff Skinner Suit Fitting in NYC Video - NHL VideoCenter Calder trophy finalist Jeff Skinner was in NYC last month to try on 3 suits that fans can vote on at seventeen.com.
And here's the actual story with photos and the poll. Vote on Jeff Skinner's Red Carpet Look - Dress a Hot Hockey Star at Seventeen.com Hockey star Jeff Skinner is just 19, and was the youngest player in the NHL last year. This year, he wants you to help him pick out an outfit for the NHL awards. Vote here!
The variety of reactions this got from hockey fans, particularly women, both in the comments below the poll and on twitter show how clearly outside the box this "internet cross-marketing event" is. We also learned from the NHL Director of Entertainment Publicity that "According to @seventeenmag , Jeff Skinner's seventeen.com poll is garnering as many votes as previous polls, incl. American Idol finalists"
More Canes News
AHL affiliate for Carolina Hurricanes full of prospects vying for NHL - Hockey's Future Cory Lavalette has this exhaustive player-by-player evaluation of the whole Charlotte Checkers roster following the 2010-11 season.
Karmanos stepping down as Compuware Corp.'s CEO - BusinessWeek Peter Karmanos Jr. will step down as chief executive of Compuware Corp., the Detroit-based software development business he co-founded nearly four decades ago, the company said Monday.
'Canes look for this year's Jeff Skinner - Mike Morreale, NHL.com - 2011 NHL Entry Draft MacDonald was asked if he had a similar feeling about a particular player in this year's CHL playoffs. "I would say so, yes -- there were two or three kids that come to mind that I think boosted their stock through solid playoff performances," he admitted.
Free agent Jussi Jokinen - Kurt Dusterberg, HurricanesBeat.com Jokinen should be Canes' top summer priority. Aside from Staal — and probably Jeff Skinner now — Jokinen is easily Carolina's third-most productive forward.
Just a couple Winnipeg related stories
NHL realignment: A return to an NHL divisional playoff round would rekindle rivalries - chicagotribune.com This proposal to return to 4 divisions generated a lot of buzz earlier this week Plus look at the map here
Lyle Richardson takes a look at the history of the relationship between Winnipeg, Gary Bettman and Sunbelt Hockey. Bettman didn't cost Winnipeg the Jets. - Lyle Richardson aka Spector, Yardbarker
Winnipeg Sun columnist Kevin Engstrom also called the league's rapid expansion in the 1990s into the U.S Sun Belt "Bettman's idea", but the reality is that plan - spurred in part by then-LA Kings owner Bruce McNall, who was riding the success Wayne Gretzky had brought to his franchise in 1988 - was firmly entrenched by the time he took over as commissioner in February 1993.
Looking briefly across the League
Friedman's weekly Thirty Thoughts is consistently a great read CBCSports.ca | Elliotte Friedman | Cramping up Chara's space, plus 30 thoughts
Binghamton Senators capture AHL's Calder Cup title defeating the Houston Aeros, the Minnesota Wild affiliate in 6 games. Senators goalie Robin Lehner was named Playoff MVP.
The official Q&A at NHL.com: NHL's Murphy explains Rome suspension - 2011 Stanley Cup Final NHL Senior Vice President Mike Murphy was tasked with determining the supplemental discipline for Aaron Rome. Murphy explains in his own words.
Red Light District: Have the Flyers found their goalie? The Phoenix Coyotes have dealt goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov and his negotiating rights to the Philadelphia Flyers for a 2012 third-round pick, Matt Clackson and future considerations.
At the NHL Top Prospects Combine
Cullen: Some observations from 2011 NHL Combine, TSN.ca which highlights some players that had notable Combine performances.
Monday Morning Skate: Top Draft Prospects, Higgins Helps Canucks, Plus/Minus - NYTimes.com With comments from an "anonymous" Western Conference scout ranking his top 10.
American Prospect Update: Combine Underway, Links & More | The United States of Hockey
There will likely be a couple more stories on the coaching announcement as Wednesday goes along. I'll update here as I spot them.
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Noon: UPDATED with Links from WRAL.com sports radio.
- AUDIO New Canes assistant Dave Lewis with Mike Maniscalco (4 minutes)
- AUDIO Paul Maurice on the coaching shuffle with Mike Maniscalco about reshuffling the hockey department and how hard it is to watch the post season. (6 minutes)
- AUDIO: Brind'Amour talks with Adam & Joe Tuesday, after hire (12 minutes)
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AUDIO: Brind`Amour Wednesday with David Glenn [Select "Hour 3" - he's at the top.] Not just about his role coaching, but recalling 2006, NHL playoffs - with his thoughts on Tim Thomas, Aaron Rome, Mark Recchi. (13+ minutes)