Sweet Jesus! They've done it again...

Yep. It's the bobblehead thing. Again.

What is with this team? I know, I know... It's a bobblehead, it isn't supposed to look exactly like the player. But shouldn't it at least look a little like the player?

As you will recall, I have previously delved into the subject of Canes bobbleheads. And I've discovered that lately, they appear to be modeled after various political figures. The most glaring example was that of Cam Ward's bobblehead:

Well, as you can see, the Cam Ward bobblehead was clearly modeled after Barack Obama. There's just no denying it. But what the hell? Given Obama's popularity back then, I guess it helped marketing. But I wonder if there was not some backlash over this.

Let's face it: The South is generally a conservative area. And the Canes are located well below the Mason-Dixon line. So maybe modeling Hurricane bobbleheads after a black socialist wasn't such a hot idea after all. I know that sounds a bit harsh, but I am a conspiratorial kinda guy. So I am thinking that maybe the Ocama bobblehead might've drawn Gale Force Holdings some complaints. I suggest this, because what other explanation could there be for their latest foray into bobblehead-dom?

In case you haven't seen it, the Canes have now released their first soon-to-be-found-on-EBay chotchke of the year. It is an Eric Cole bobblehead. Of course, one has to wonder about the irony/symbolism of making a bobblehead of a guy that broke his neck a coupla years ago, but I digress...

The point of this diatribe/conspiracy theory is that apparently, the Canes have decided that they needed to be "Fair and Balanced". Maybe practice a little bobblehead fairness doctrine. Because they sure went the other way with the Cole chotchke. Yep, you guessed it. The Cole chotchke is the spitting image of George W. Bush:



Seriously. Maybe you think I am nuts, but this CAN NOT be a coincidence. Two bobbleheads - Two presidents. Think about it.

Of course, there are other possibilities. Given how bad this season is going for the Canes, maybe they had other subliminal messages in mind:



I'll let you decide...

NHL Awards 2010 Hart Trophy to Barack Obama

Dateline New York
October 12, 2009

In a stunning development, the NHL on Sunday announced that it has awarded the 2009/2010 Hart Trophy to current U.S. President Barack Obama.

Obama seemed shocked by his selection for this award when he gave a prepared statement to the media at a press conference in the White House press room this morning. “This was not something that I was expecting - something that I was expecting. However, I am humbled by this honor, and hope that ... um ... I can live up to whatever ideals ... um... for which this... this award stands. I’d like to sincerely thank the NHA for this honor. Pause for applause, nod at camera and smile humbly. Oh, sorry. Dammit Rahm! Did you put that on my teleprompter?”

White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was quick to defend President Obama’s selection as this year's league MVP. “I know that there is a vast right wing conspiracy that will try to capitalize on the fact that until receiving this award, President Obama was not even aware that the NBL still existed. However, the truth is that the President has DirecTV, which doesn’t carry Versus. Therefore, in the unlikely event that the President had been made aware that a professional hockey game was occurring, he couldn’t have watched the game anyway; even if he had wanted to. Those despicable conservatives will stoop to any level to try to cheapen this awe inspiring, and well deserved achievement by our President.”

However, not everyone was as enthusiastic with Obama’s selection. “I think it’s perplexing”, said Carolina Hurricanes General Manager Jim Rutherford. “I understand that the league is focused on maximizing its exposure in the U.S. market. And I understand that it was a great accomplishment for Barack Obama to become the first black president of the United States. I can certainly respect that. But, this seems mighty premature to me. I mean, the season has just started and Obama doesn’t even play the game! If the league wanted to make some sort of international or racial statement by awarding the Hart Trophy to a guy who's dad was African and who wasn’t born in the United States, they could’ve just given it to Jerome Iginla.”

Despite the furor, Commissioner Gary Bettman was adamant that the selection was appropriate. “The selection of President Obama for this award is in recognition for the many, many great things that he has yet to do for this sport over the years. And while he has never actually played the game, or even watched a game, he nonetheless has the potential to someday play hockey. And if he were to ever decide to play, we just know his play would surely be deserving of this award. Therefore, we hope that this award inspires him to someday actually try hockey, or maybe at least catch a game on television if he should happen to find himself in one of the few cable markets where Versus is available. Also, since he is from Chicago, his selection dovetails nicely with the league’s ongoing efforts to promote Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, the young stars of the Chicago Blackhawks, as they help resurrect that once proud franchise.”

This explanation did not satisfy some conservative pundits, such as Fox News’ Glenn Beck. “It’s just not right!” said an emotional Beck. “Isn’t hockey that obscure Canadian sport? If anything, a U.S. President should be getting a nice Capitalistic award like the Cy Young, not some socialist Canadian trophy.” Beck then dabbed his eyes and sobbed, “I’m sorry. I’m just a Patriot who loves his country.”

Last year’s recipient, Washington Capitals Forward Alexander Ovechkin, was mysteriously detained by immigration officials at Dulles International Airport on Sunday evening, and was unavailable for comment as of press time.

The first Photochop of 2009/2010

It's about that time boys and girls! The 2009/2010 NHL season is nearly begun! What madness awaits us? Time will tell. Friday can't come quick enough...

I'll show you underdogs

Scott Walker: Hockey Mutant!

Meet Scott Walker. He was once an ordinary man, like you and I. But fate intervened. And with one sphincter rattling bitch slap, he became "Walkerine". His skeleton may be adamantium alloy, but his balls are 100% brass. Don't make him angry, Penguins. You wouldn't like him when he's angry...

Superman wears Chad LaRose pajamas

Canes win! Rosey with the 1st shorty for Carolina since 2002! What else need be said?

It's hit the fan already - Canes @ Islanders

Go Canes.

The FLA Panthers are ready for Opening Night as well

Heres your evidence:

Big glove-tap to the posters at the Hurricanes.com boards. Good stuff.

Bring it? Oh, it's already been broughten!

The day that would never come.

Opening Night is Friday October 10, 2008. As in tomorrow. Really.

At the RBC Center? No more of "The Wiggles Live!":

Instead:

and the old jumbo-tron begins it's final run at glory, as it is reportedly being replaced in the Summer of 2009.



as for the RBC surroundings tomorrow night? Expect quite the celebration.

Windows 95 low-bit MS Paint creation.

Let's do this thing:

Frankie's gotta go to make room for O'Neill.. or K. Adams?

It's apparent that the NHL trade front has gone silent while the hockey world patiently awaits the staggering Swede's decision. The sooner that Mats Sundin can make his up his mind where or if to play next season, the sooner that Frantisek Kaberle can be shipped out of Carolina.

Obviously, it would seem logical for LA or Atlanta to take a risk on the aging Czech who is a former Thrasher and King. Both of those squads are still under the minimum salary cap for the league. They both have huge holes to fill on defense. While Frank may not be the offensive-minded stud defenseman that teams seek, folks still remember his 05-06 season which saw him score a career-high 44 points with a +8 rating. Methinks that other teams are asking for a forward or draft picks to be thrown in with a possible Kaberle trade. Otherwise he would have probably been moved around the beginning of July.

With the Hurricanes already at $4.6mil above their budget of $45,000,000, Frankie's $2.2 million dollar contract has to be shed from the team if they end up offering a contract to Jeff O'Neill. As #92 is coming to training camp on a tryout basis, the team obviously can't afford him even if Kaberle is shipped out. Hence the reason that Jimmy Boy has been hinting at the 2-way contract for Jeff.

Kevyn Adams was interviewed by a Buffalo newspaper (he's a Buffalo native) recently, he remains unsigned this offseason after an injury-shortened year in Chicago. Since being traded to Phoenix in 2006, his scoring numbers haven't been present among the Coyote and Blackhawk squads but his leadership abilities were never in question. If the team is willing to take a shot at Jeff O. who hasn't played professionally in over a year, why not bring in K-Ads for a tryout as well? What have they got to lose?

Trevor Letowski to play for the glorious nation of Kazakhstan

Joining the John Grahame, Jaromir Jagr, Alexander Radulov trend, Trevor Letowski has left the NHL and signed with HC Astana of the newly formed Kontinental Hockey League based out of Russia. It's only a one year deal as he intends to tear it up there this season with a hopeful return to the NHL next year. My guess is that he'll do rather well. He played decent enough the past two years in Carolina but never saw much ice time beyond 4th liner minutes. His penalty killing skills were always in tip-top form if you ask me.

It shouldn't be a bad deal for him on this team. He is going to be one of their featured "current" NHLers and other than former FLA Panther Jozef Stumpel, there isn't any other big names to compete with on the team. Well, that's not including the household name Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev.

Best of luck to Trevor and dude, don't forget your winter coat because apparently it gets a little cold in the Kazakhstan winters. How cold?

"Average temperature of January, the coldest month, ranges form –5⁰ C in the southernmost areas to –20⁰C in the north."

Brrrrrrrrrrrr

COI "Not Quite on Topic" Bettman Art

Okay. I admit it. I just can't give Bettman enough credit to photoshop his little head onto a picture of Batman or [insert random superhero] here. I had to give him his due. But what the hell! Even though they are not exactly what the contest was looking for, they were just funny enough to me that I had to submit them just for sh*ts and giggles. So here are my takes on what a Bettman photoshop should look like:



Or maybe:

Damn the resemblance is uncanny on that last one! I've always wanted to do that one. It just seemed so natural...

COI Contributions to the Puck Daddy Gary Bettman Photoshop Expo

G-Dubs of Yahoo!'s Puck Daddy has a rather brilliant "photoshop the NHL Commish Gary Bettman contest" going on. Here's what I've sent in so far. If you get the urge - email your submissions to Puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com. All entries due by August 1st.

Glen Wesley Night will look something like this

Source confirmed (Blue42).

Bomani Jones hates your hockey

Thanks to Bomani for his permission.

Lo and Behold: The Schedule

Ahhh yes.

A little relief today for the malnourished Caniacs / hockey fans - we can start planning our next 9 months (and hopefully another 3+ months).

Champion Caniac Bloghead Bubba gave the Hurricanes 2008-2009 schedule the business down there today. Check out his post for some can't miss games and fun-filled facts about the coming season!

I've started up the Panthers vs. Hurricanes Facebook Event page. If you're a facebooker - join in the fun and perhaps keep yourselves entertained and hyped for opening night.

Happy Blogiversary to CasonBlog & Red and Black Hockey!

Karma comes back to bite Bryan Murray

Ottawa Senators GM/Coach Bryan Murray sent off Joe Corvo with a few choice insults during his trade to Carolina earlier this year. It was well documented throughout the MSM and blogosphere that he was being a bit of a bush-leaguer with his trash talking of former players. Now granted, Joe Corvo's performance in Ottawa was deserving of some criticism - but the way Mr. Murray skewed things in the press afterwards was just plain wrong.

“People like to talk hockey here and they live hockey. They don’t talk (hockey) in Raleigh very much. He’ll probably thrive in that environment and I like guys who thrive under pressure.”
(This isn't the first time the Senators have played that somewhat-odd card. Ottawa coach John Paddock has repeatedly mentioned that Martin Gerber flourished in Carolina because "they only have one beat writer.")

With his team coming off last year's appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Sens steamrolled to start the year going 15-2 with a team record opening win streak. As they began to slowly decline with inconsistent goal tending and on-again/off-again performances from their heavy hitters, Murray had to fire his coach John Paddock and "assume the position" back behind the bench. It did little to no good, as his supposedly brilliant (at the time) acquisitions of Mike Commodore and Cory Stillman only continued their downward spiral in Ottawa.

Though they at least made the playoffs, most people saw what was coming to them. They were stomped by a talented Pittsburgh squad this week in a 4-0 sweep. It could have been a lot worse from game to game if Martin Gerber hadn't of been standing on his head most nights. I did feel sorry for old friend Gerbs this week as he got little to no support from his teammates. I'm also extending the shoulder to cry on to our Sens friends Senators Lost Cojones & Sherry up at Scarlett Ice. I'll miss seeing their game recaps of doom this season.

At any rate I don't foresee Murray getting canned this summer by Ottawa ownership, but if the Sens come out flat next season, expect him to be on a very short leash.

Here'a a little something extra to cheer Murray up.

Carolina On Ice's 1st Birthday Giveaway

To celebrate the one year anniversary of Carolina On Ice, we're having a contest!

Photo Contest: What we're looking for is hockey in and around your life. Include an explanation of what was happening in the pic. The more clever the better. The winner's shot will be displayed on COI and you and a friend will be headed to see the Canes play the Minnesota Wild on this upcoming Thursday night courtesy of COI.
Submit your images to CarolinaOnIce@gmail.com
Thank you to all who have stopped by, commented or linked here in the past 12 months. See ya'll out at the games.

Update: Had some people ask, so if you are an out-of-towner and can't make it to Raleigh for Thursday's game, you're still welcome to submit for the contest and you'll get a TBD raincheck for tix.

One ring to ruin them all...

(East of Here)

Canes over B's (I wanna talk to Samson!)

When a hockey game ends with a 1-0 score these days, people like to break out the whole:

"The new and improved Gary Bettman NHL! There you have it, folks!"

But the past two games as a Caniac have both been of that result and each was strikingly entertaining. Although they dropped one to the Bluenotes, Carolina comes out on top of Boston tonight with a solid game and a Staal wrist-shot game-winner. Coming out of a three game roadie with 4 points will fight off the Southeast hounds for a minute.

Sergie Samsonov looked awlright - good enough to warrant his acquisition for the moment. Reports kept alluding to him being brought in to replace the injured J-Willie and Matt Cullen in the forward corps. The missing PP defense and PK skills that #11 & #8 possess are not being helped out in bringing in Sampson.

WardO came up big tonight, killing it all night and especially in the waning moments of the game.

Our closest divisional teams both lost tonight as well. A short sigh of relief by all.

But don't get too comfortable.

The Wade Brookbank fight from the First period last night:

Three Stooges - esque!