Laviolette: We Have the Players to Win

WRALSportsFan

Laviolette: We Have the Players to Win

By Dane Huffman

Jan 18, 2008

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The Edmonton Oilers are back in the RBC Center tonight for the first time since Game 7 of the 2006 Stanley Cup finals.

But the Oilers return to face a Carolina team that is struggling to regain the form it showed in winning the Cup two years ago.

“That’s a long time ago,” Canes coach Peter Laviolette said Friday of remembering that series. “I’m sure there will be something tonight that comes back.”

What Laviolette would like to come back is Carolina’s winning form. The Canes are just 22-23-4 this season and have slipped out of the Southeast Division lead. So far, Carolina has looked more like the team that failed to make the playoffs in 2007 than the one that hoisted the Cup in ’06.

Carolina traded veteran Craig Adams to Chicago on Thursday and general manager Jim Rutherford may be weighing more moves to get the Canes moving. Carolina has lost five of its last six games, including a 5-1 loss at Ottawa Thursday.

“Last night in the first period, I thought they had the jump on us,” Laviolette said. “It was tough.”

The Canes have had injuries this season but Laviolette refused to use that as an excuse. Justin Williams (knee) and David Tanabe (concussion) are on injured reserve, but Niclas Wallin is expected back after being ill the last two games.

Laviolette said that Carolina has practiced hard but hasn’t played as well in games. Asked Friday if the Canes have the core talent they need or if the team needs to shake up its chemistry, Laviolette said,

“We have the players in the room to do it. We’re healthy. We’ve got a full complement of players,” he said.

“That team in the locker room is good enough to win hockey games.”

Tonight the Canes will see if they can against a franchise that brings back memories of Carolina’s greatest success.

Most Recent Comments

The Hurricanes have a solid core of young players and a good mix of vets but you can't expect a repeat of 05-06 every season. That team had amazing chemistry. There's no shame in fighting hard for a playoff spot every year and even if you bow out in the first round it's not the end of the world.

I will always remember that magical night in June. The crowd didn't sit down the entire game and the RBC was rocking. After the final horn sounded they brought out hockey's version of the holy grail.

But that remains a distant memory and this team seams destined for the golf course at the end of the season rather than the playoffs. The good thing is that this will ease the impact on my credit card.

They do have the players to win, in Albany.

Coach stays, assistants GO (time for a change)!

Love the Canes since day one in Greensbor-hole.

PLAY FOR THREE PERIODS EVERYNIGHT! Goaltending is pathetic (can only blame defensemen for so long, great goalie's make the saves).

They do have the talent, but where is the drive everynight? I am a season ticket holder, have been since day one in Greensboro. I am tired of hearing their was no jump or physical play - PLAY FOR THREE PERIODS EVERYNIGHT!

Coach stays, assistant coaches MUST GO (need assistant coaches who could play the game).

With all that said, love the the Canes, no comparison to the pathetic teams in Charlotte.

WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan