Canes answer questions as season ends
Apr 5, 2011
Think back to Oct. 6, the day before the start of the Carolina Hurricanes season opener in Finland.
The Canes were picked by virtually everyone to miss the playoffs for a second straight year. There were too many questions with the Hurricanes roster and the answers would depend on young players developing quickly.
If most fans were told there would be a shot at the postseason with three games left on the schedule, the reaction would be: "Where do we sign up for that?"
This is not to say that this was a rebuilding year with no chance at bonus hockey.
However, some said I might have picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue when I said this team had a shot at the playoffs. Pundits reminded everyone that the Carolina Hurricanes were a team the year before that was loaded with veterans in an attempt to make a run for playoff glory. That squad failed miserably due to injuries and sluggish play and was dismantled, but that roster looked like a solid team compared to the Canes that opened the year.
Questions like: where would the offense come from besides Eric Staal; how could the defense be better; and is the goaltending going to hold up for 82 games?
Those questions now have answers.
Skinner, Cole deliver goals
Jeff Skinner, the seventh overall pick of the draft, provided a tremendous offensive spark, leading all rookies in points. Side note: Any question that Skinner is not the NHL rookie of the year is silly. To do what he has done at 18 years of age is right out of a Hollywood script.
Since Jan. 1, no player in the NHL has scored bigger goals than Erik Cole in keeping playoff hopes alive. Cole has scored 12 goals that have won or tied games in the third period in that span.
When the Hurricanes looked like there was a chance to make a playoff push, forward Cory Stillman was re-acquired to add more punch.
Deals yield defense
General Manager Jim Rutherford provided solutions for the team’s blue line issues. Joe Corvo came back to Carolina in the offseason and has been steady in both ends of the rink. Anton Babchuk started the year with the Canes. The offensive-minded defenseman was dealt for the steadier Ian White. White provided more defensive-minded presence on the back end until he was dealt to San Jose. In a separate deal with the Sharks, young defenseman Derek Joslin was added to the mix. In a final move at the trade deadline the Hurricanes added the player with a nasty streak in front of his net that they needed in Bryan Allen.
As for the goalie, Cam Ward is the only net minder in the NHL with over 2,000 saves this year.
This edition of the Hurricanes did promise one thing: every night you were going to see players take steps forward or back in their development. Roles within the team were defined. Brandon Sutter developed into one of the league's best defensive centers. Skinner showed that his offensive flair wasn’t a fluke as he was steady all year and, after an inconsistent start providing offense, defenseman Jamie McBain rebounded from a shoulder injury to regain the offensive flair he displayed last season in a late call-up.
As the year moved on, the chance of a playoff berth materialized, and there is still a chance albeit slim, for the Canes to move on to the postseason.
If the team does not make it into the top eight in the East, it will be a disappointment, but it won’t mean that this season was for nothing.
The raised expectations for the Canes showed there is more talent in Raleigh than we thought 79 games ago.
The young players who were put under the pressure of trying to make the playoffs will benefit from this year down the road. Leaders emerged in the locker with and without letters sewn on the front of their jerseys. An identity was also formed for this team, one that never quits.
A year that started with uncertainties for this team now has plenty of answers, playoffs or not.
Most Recent Comments
RE: Canes answer questions as season ends
Mike..I fully agree with Cole & Skinner delivering. Cole is back to his pre-injury form due to his workouts with Corvo, and Skinner IS the Calder Trophy winner hands down. If heâs not, then there is a huge flaw in that voting.
Iâd have to respectfully disagree with you on some of Rutherfordâs deals. Getting rid of Babchuk in ANY way was the right thing. I think heâs been overrated since day1 , and donât understand Ruthâs obsession with him. The pick ups of White, Allen and Joslin were good ones. What was NOT done was dealing our âJeckyll ân- Hydeâ Pitkanen. I truly believe his erratic play, and sometimes âmailing it inâ attitude down the stretch hurt us more than helped us. Jim R. should have found a way to deal him out and get a better D-man who is more consistent and physical. Iâd give Jim R. a C- at best this go-round.
As for Cam making 2000+ saves this year, albeit great for him, and he has been THE ONLY REASON weâve been in an playoff hunt, but what does it say about our defense? Those numbers of shots make it looks like we allow opponents to pummel our goalie at will. I think we lost many games due to HUGE breakdown(s) in defense deep in our zone either by turnovers or not fighting for the puck hard enough to clear the zone, AND our weak penalty kill.
Yes there is a LOT of upside, and many aspects to build on, and I am glad we had a decent season, but I believe we could have made the playoffs LONG ago with a re-tooled power play, more physical play, and better defense. Those weaknesses or failures lie at the feet of Ron Francis running the PATHETIC Power Play (24th, 15.5%), and Paul Maurice , not changing the style of play along the way. Weâre now on the outside looking in. Francis needs to give up running the PP, and maybe âMoe must Goâ.
RE: Canes answer questions as season ends
Everyone loves a winner, and I want them to win as much as anyone. But when all is said and done, win, lose, or draw, the Canes are without question a major asset to this community and state. They have done so much to build interest in the sport of "redneck hockey" by turning non-hockey-types, like me, into Canes' fans. Eleven years ago I wouldn't have given you a plug nickle in ref to their chances of surviving in this city/state, given all of the college sports available. But, as I'll happily admit, I was totally wrong, and I, for one, am very glad the Hurricanes are here. And because they're here, we have something no other part of the state can boast: a world championship! Thanks Canes!- Posted by ssi
Well said!
RE: Canes answer questions as season ends
GO WINGS...thanks for the kind words. I fully realize that the 'coach' can only coach the personnel that the GM, management and scouts provide....but I really DO BELIEVE that the COACHING has the greatest impact on how the team performs.....and JR has been at the helm ever since the team came to North Carolina......Posted Apr 5, 4:10 p.m.
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Joined: Dec, 2006
Location: Fuquay-Varina, NC
RE: Canes answer questions as season ends
lol i ment coach.Posted Apr 5, 4:08 p.m.
Rank: Rookie Posts: 70
Joined: Dec, 2006
Location: Fuquay-Varina, NC
RE: Canes answer questions as season ends
Hockey seems to turn 'great' coaches into subpar ones quickly (Lavi?)(quote from earlier opinion)...have you checked the Eastern Division standings lately?....this 'suppar' coach at least has HIS TEAM in theone of the top playoff positions NOW and if my memory is accurate, this 'suppar' coach was the ONLY COACH THAT COACHED THE CANES TO THEIR ONLY STANLEY CUP. I'd take this 'subpar' coach back in a heartbeat...I thought he got shafted when they let him go...I think this was yet another Cane management 'DO IT ON THE CHEAP' decisions! And you get what you pay for!- Posted by wlcat609
good call wlcat609 its not always the couch thats the problem
