The Numbers Game
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 neither player has been placed on the injured reserve list, it makes them part of the active 23-man roster. The Hurricanes do, however, have Justin Williams and Frank Kaberle on the injured list.
It looks like Scott Walker will make his season debut tomorrow night in Air Canada Center. Walker, who went through a full practice today, has been fitted for a protective cast for his left thumb and looks like he is good to go. This will be a big plus for the team, which needs his overall grinding and experience to augment what they have going on.
Patrick Eaves left the game on Sunday with an illness - it appeared to be a stomach virus. He did not travel with the team to "TO" but is scheduled to fly in tomorrow morning. If everything is okay, he will play tomorrow. He was feeling better today and was kept off the team plane as a precaution. We don't need another round of the "plague" like the team went through last season, right??
Now it gets interesting. If Eaves and Walker both come in, someone has to go.
Yesterday, Patrick Dwyer skated in his first NHL game after being recalled from Albany. He played well, killed penalties, and impressed the coaches with his speed, even after traveling on Sunday after playing two AHL games on Friday and Saturday nights.
Dwight Helminen isn't going anywhere anytime soon. He has played four games and played them well. He has been impressive in the face-off circle, and picked up a goal and an assist against the Leafs. Helminen, is needed because it appears that Matt Cullen will not play again tomorrow. He is with the team, but is still nursing a groin problem and is very much a day-to-day situation.
That leaves possibly Dan Lacouture or Wade Brookbank as the odd man out. Both players are in support roles on the low end of the minutes chart. Brookbank has a firm grasp on the role of the team's enforcer, and has a "one-way" contract - that means he gets the same money if he plays in the NHL or AHL. I trust that some of you might not know that.
Lacouture, is on a two-way arrangement. He would require waivers, but it appears the team might go down that road. If that's the case, he can get to the AHL, help Jeff Daniels with a veteran presence, and work on his game. The Canes do, however, surrender a player with size and tremendous character. In his time with the Canes he did everything that was asked. He grinded, he fought, and he was a team player. The problem is the Canes can only have 23 players activated, so at this writing, it appears that's what they will do.
Lacouture will go, Dwyer stays and Walker plays.
Good night from the center of the hockey universe - that would be Toronto...at least that's what they think here!
