Hurricanes
Rutherford: Hurricanes in better position to compete
Published: 2013-01-08 08:32:00
Updated: 2013-01-08 09:30:59
Jan 8, 2013
Raleigh, N.C. — With his team unofficially preparing for a season that is likely to begin in the next two weeks, Carolina Hurricanes General Manager Jim Rutherford said Tuesday that he believes the 'Canes are built to compete in a compressed regular season.
Citing the return of defenseman Joe Corvo and the addition of Jordan Staal and Alexander Semin, Rutherford told Mike and Mark on 620 The Buzz that the organization's depth is as good as it's ever been.
"Clearly, we have a stronger team and we've given ourselves a better chance to compete," he said. "This team is pretty young, and I think that is going to be an advantage this season and for the long run."
According to an email from NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly on Monday, a 48-game regular season is the most likely option, with Jan. 19 being a likely start date once the league and players ratify a deal they agreed to early Sunday morning.
The NHL and the players' association are working on a memorandum of understanding, which could be completed soon, then voted on by owners and players. The basic parameters call for a strict salary cap, an extension of player benefits and a 50-50 split in revenue between the players and owners.
Rutherford said Carolina head coach Kirk Muller and assistants John MacLean and Rod Brind'Amour have a unique perspective on how to help the Hurricanes manage a compressed schedule because they too went through one in the 1994-95 season after a 103-day lockout.
"I don't think it changes anything for Kirk," Rutherford said. "He has his job to do, and he has a really good coaching staff. He and John both went through the shortened season and John played on the team (New Jersey) that won the Stanley Cup that year."
As for the product Rutherford hopes to put on the ice in 2013, he said there are still moves to be made early in the season with the goal of making Carolina "grittier."
"We'd like to make some adjustments to our team, add a little more grit," he said. "One more guy on the third or fourth line, maybe two guys."
He also squashed rumors that forward Alexander Semin, signed to a 1-year deal in July for $7 million, wouldn't return to the team after he went to Russia to play in the KHL during the lockout.
"He'll be back, there is no question," Rutherford said. "He is looking forward to it."
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Veteran center Tuomo Ruutu will not be on the ice at the beginning of the season after having hip surgery, Rutherford said.
Another important decision Rutherford will have to make in the next week will be choosing goalie Cam Ward's backup. Brian Boucher, who is healthy after injuring his shoulder in June, will likely battle for the job with Justin Peters and Dan Ellis, players who have spent time with the AHL's Charlotte Checkers during the lockout.
"That position will be very competitive all year," Rutherford said. "Those guys go through different stages, so it'll be about who is hot and who is stopping the puck at that time."
Hurricanes players continued their informal preparation for the season Monday, meeting at Raleigh Center Ice for a workout that had a different feel. Training camp could start as soon as this weekend.
- Reporters: Mike Maniscalco, Mark Thomas
- Web Editor: Derek Medlin
Copyright 2013 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Most Recent Comments
I Agree
One of the quiet changes that was made to staff last year was the departure of Barasso as goalie coach and the return of Greg Stefan as goalie coach. This is the same goalie coach we had from 2005-2008.
I think his return will see Wardo return to similar form we saw in 2005-2006 season. As I have watched Wardo since then he has seemed to strugle at times and it appeared he did not feel comfortable at times with the style of goal tending that he was being asked to perform. I am hoping the return of Stefan will also see a return of Wardo of old. I think the methods Stefan used were more in line with the style Wardo is comfortable with. We will see, but I think the return of Stefan could be the biggest single move in the coaching staff that occured after last season.
- Posted by slatesplace
I heard that Barasso had left the Canes, but I heard such good things about him, I thought it was a bad thing that he's gone. I didn't know that Stefan coached Ward back in '06. For some reason, I thought Barasso was with the Canes for a long time. At any rate, if Cam is more comfortable with Stefan, that's a good move!
agree about getting Stefan back. I like Barrasso. but he was a great goalie, IMO, not so much a great coach. Just looking forward to some NHL already. :)
RE: Rutherford: Hurricanes in better position to compete
Of course the Hurricanes' chances are better in a shortened season! The less time they're on the ice, the better their chances to avoid a loss.
What a statement! This is a clear confession that your team isn't as good as most others in the league and that they might be able to sneak into the playoffs with a shortened season if they can avoid playing the big boys multiple times.
It'll be interesting to see what ticket and parking prices are compared to last season.
- Posted by cjw6105
This post shows how little you know about 'Canes Hockey. They would have just as good of a chance as any other team in a full length season as well. The article merely states because three of their coaches have participated in shortened season and already have knowledge about how to prepare for and approach this shortened year, it improves their chances. Don't be a wheenie and try and bad mouth a team because you are sour. They make a word for that, it means feminine wash.
RE: Rutherford: Hurricanes in better position to compete
One of the quiet changes that was made to staff last year was the departure of Barasso as goalie coach and the return of Greg Stefan as goalie coach. This is the same goalie coach we had from 2005-2008.
I think his return will see Wardo return to similar form we saw in 2005-2006 season. As I have watched Wardo since then he has seemed to strugle at times and it appeared he did not feel comfortable at times with the style of goal tending that he was being asked to perform. I am hoping the return of Stefan will also see a return of Wardo of old. I think the methods Stefan used were more in line with the style Wardo is comfortable with. We will see, but I think the return of Stefan could be the biggest single move in the coaching staff that occured after last season.
- Posted by slatesplace
I heard that Barasso had left the Canes, but I heard such good things about him, I thought it was a bad thing that he's gone. I didn't know that Stefan coached Ward back in '06. For some reason, I thought Barasso was with the Canes for a long time. At any rate, if Cam is more comfortable with Stefan, that's a good move!
Semin
Word on the street was that Semin showed up to his team in Russia way out of shape. Has anyone heard any update to that?
- Posted by Wags
I haven't heard anything about Semin other than Rutherford saying he was on his way back to the USA. I had thought since he was playing in Europe he'd be in game shape. Hope that's the case.
RE: Rutherford: Hurricanes in better position to compete
Positives: Staal brothers, Semin, Skinner worked out hard with Gary Roberts this off season, Ward is due for a MVP year, minor leaguers looking good, Muller played a 48 game season himself so he knows what it takes!
Negatives: No Ruutu. Whenever we're supposed to be good we stink, whenever we're supposed to be mediocre we are great. Hopefully this year we'll live up to the high expectations.
- Posted by Jimmytwotimes
Don't know if Ward is due for an MVP but I'd like to see him produce like he did in the 2006 playoff run on a more consistent basis. I still get a little tired of watching him have a stellar game then follow it up by giving up soft goals.
I hate the news about surgery for Ruutu, he's one of my favorites and I love how he lays it out there. He became an instant favorite of mine when he played Immediately after getting off the plane following the Andrew Ladd trade. He got out there, had a laceration partially across his eye lid (eye was nearly swollen completely shut), and yet he got out there and played again in his 2nd career game as a Cane. I thought that was dedication !!
Ruutu has always been one of my favorites as well. I think he had something like 70 stitches from that "Welcome to Raleigh" gash across his face. I remember seeing a picture of him in the paper - ouch! Love his spirit and humble nature. His brother is nasty - got in trouble for BITING a player right through his glove.
As for Ward, I think he got left out to dry a lot since '06. He's also had some back problems on and off. I like #30, and I wish he'd get more help from his teammates. I see other goalies getting a lot of help from their D-men.
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