John Forslund
Hockey insider John Forslund provides television commentary for the Hurricanes. You can get his thoughts on the team at his blog on WralSPORTSfan.com.
By John Forslund
Nov 17, 2008
The time is now...
We have reached a point in the National Hockey League schedule where teams start to evaluate what they have. The twenty or twenty five game level is a logical place to stop and asses what team's need and where they are going. The Carolina Hurricanes have the opportunity to reach this benchmark on a high if they can continue to build momentum. With four of their next five and seven of their next nine at the RBC Center, the Canes need to win the majority of these games. If that can be accomplished, they will be set up as a legitimate force in the Eastern Conference. A win one, lose one scenario will tell us they they once again have gone into the land of the "average play". A sub par record would be a disaster.
The Canes have had a long week. A three game losing streak was put to rest yesterday by overcoming a two goal deficit to defeat the Tampa bay Lightning in a penalty shot contest. A punitive practice was staged on Thursday after getting
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By John Forslund
Nov 12, 2008
Quick Hit...
Just to confirm some news that is out there. Jozef Melichar has been placed on waivers by the Hurricanes. He cleared waivers as of today at noon. As 29 teams have passed on the Cane defenseman, he will remain with the team for the time being.
Enjoy the game tonight.
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By John Forslund
Nov 12, 2008
Livin for the Moment...
Well, here we are tied with the Washington Capitals for first place in the division. Reinforcements will be inserted from the injured list. This game will mark the return of Matt Cullen, Joni Pitkanen and Brandon Sutter. It's a night that could belong to Eric Staal. He's going through a rough stretch in terms of scoring and it's starting to affect other aspects of his game. But in situations like this we usually see number 12 take a "curtain call" when it's all said and done. The Canes have chance to reverse the two statements they made last week in our nation's capital. The 57 strong minutes which had them control the game and the 3 minutes of defensive collapse which led to the most sour loss of the season. Tonight, calls for superior performance from all. Based on the fact that did not happen on Sunday. The Hurricanes had a chance to get on a roll after efficiently putting away the Ottawa Senators on Friday. That didn't happen
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By John Forslund
Nov 8, 2008
A confused state...
The National Hockey League has taken a hard line stance with regard to injury disclosure this season. At the beginning of training camp it was announced that the clubs are not responsible for issuing the specific nature of a player's injury or really any information at all, except for the fact that player is unavailable for duty.
They did put a line in there stating that the teams are not allowed to publish any misleading information. This policy has been a while in the making and was pushed through at the end of last season by the general managers. It is done so with the intention of protecting players who return to the line up and may be subject to targeting by the opponents.
That became very apparent in the playoffs when Johan Franzen of Detroit returned from a concussion and appeared to be a marked man. It has long been a "code" during the playoffs that NO information regarding injuries is circulated. That unwritten law was usually
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By John Forslund
Nov 3, 2008
The Numbers Game...
Greetings from balmy Toronto. Just when you come equipped with the proper clothing, mother nature delivers a Cole Hamels curve. I must say when I left the west coast in mid-October, I was by no means prepared for the snow showers of good ole Buffalo, NY. Well, wouldn't you know that I have my overcoat and am ready as ever for Canada, and then it's warmer here than it was in Raleigh.
Such is the life in the NHL. Again, we stress, no complaints.
As the Canes prepare for the second leg of their home-and-home set with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the goaltenders are scheduled to change on both sides with Cam Ward facing Vesa Toskala. For the Canes, the roster may have to be adjusted too. For the first time this season, the Canes are in a position to play the "numbers game" because of , can you believe it, too many active players.
Keep in mind that as of right now, Joni Pitkaknen and Brandon Sutter are injured, and although
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