Cole heading back to Carolina
Mar 4, 2009
Tags: Hockey, Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes completed a three team deal today that brought Erik Cole back to the RBC Center. This was I move I never saw coming seeing Cole is an unrestricted free agent at seasons end and no one who I talked to even brought up his name. But he is coming back to Carolina and no one should be happier than Eric Staal.
Staal has a line mate he can count on to play at his speed. While Staal is on pace to score well over 30 goals this year, there have been nights where he just wasn't there. Cole will be able to lift up Staal's game on those nights and vice versa. For Cole this is an opportunity to finish the season strong and he doesn't have to worry about fitting in, because he already does.
The Canes should be worried that Cole is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, but freeing up 7 million of committed salary should give the Canes an ability at re-signing him. Cole can also do a lot by helping this team reach the playoffs. If the chemistry between Cole and Staal returns, the Canes might have enough to make the post season.
On the down side the Canes give up Justin Williams, a winger who cemented the Stanley Cup championship with an empty net goal and when healthy is an all-star caliber player. That unfortunately has been Williams problem the last two season, being able to stay on the ice. Maybe a change of scenery will help him and he instantly becomes one of the leaders on a young up and coming L.A. Kings squad.
