A Little Memo for GM of the year JR

Hallelujah in the name of all that is Jussi Jokinen. Holy guacamole does this guy know when to score goals in the playoffs. Timmy Thomas, do me a favor and ask Marty Brodeur how his own heart tasted - because Jussi Jokinen will carve yours out with a spoon and feed it to you. That goal already adds to the instant classics from this post-season that shall live on in Caniac folklore forever:

So Jim Rutherford is getting plenty of sunshine blown up his butt here lately for being so shrewd as to shed two dead contracts - Wade Brookbank and Josef Melichar - while also adding Jussi Jokinen in the February trade. Add that to the unpopular (at the time) decision that Jimmy Boy made to can Laviolette in favor of Paul Maurice back in December. He traded for Erik Cole and immediately the team steamrolled into the post-season. Certainly a candidate for a GM of the year award, you think?

Something else he's golden at is contract negotiations with his players. Chad LaRose was at an impasse the summer of 2008 with signing his RFA deal to remain with the Canes. The stalled talks happened because Rutherford wanted to pay Rosey 4th line duty money - and Chad knew that he was worth more than whatever he'd get from JR. #59 was on the top line with Staal and Whitney for a good portion of the Devils series. GM Jim knew that he could pay so little to receive so much. While that sort of pisses me off because you all know about my absurd Chad LaRose man-crush - you have to respect a boss of company who runs it so successfully while staying so frugal in this craphole of an economy.

So LaRose only signed a one year deal at .875mil and will be an un-restricted free agent this summer. After having a career year and being a key cog on the team for three seasons - he could easily choose to sign somewhere else where they'd pay him what he deserves.

But I wouldn't count on that happening. My boy Jimmy will probably figure out a way to keep him, Ruutu and Jokinen on the team and still stay low-budge.

Random Thoughts - Pre Playoffs Edition

Wow, what a difference a month makes. Who in God's green earth would have thought that the Canes would be fighting for home ice in the postseason, much less clinching a playoff birth with several games remaining in the reggie season? What a ride it has been for this team and the fans. Together, they've been through a river of doodie and came out somehow smelling like roses.

- I've been to the majority of the home games over this stretch and it has been some of the most fun I've ever had. The Rangers game from Thursday 4/2 during the third period in particular was an extremely memorable occasion. The 3rd period as Brindy and LaRose scored seconds apart was extreme elation and it gave me the shivers as the entire building was shaking from crowd response alone. My ears were ringing all night after the game and a little still the following morning. It would have been interesting to see the 'ol decibel meter during that ruckus. That's what its all about, dude.

- Months ago, I was at a game - maybe it was the Maple Leafs, can't really remember. But I was wearing one of my Brind'amour jerseys as he was still in his sucktastic slump. Some fans of the visiting team who were enjoying their adult beverages perhaps a bit too much were having fun yelling at me that it's time for Rod to hang up the skates and retire. I just laughed it off, did the 'ol cheers to them and carried on. I had the same thoughts of course and others probably shared the sentiment. But all along, I kept saying this:

"I don't care if he does have the worst +/- in the NHL, if your team is in the playoffs - you want a Rod Brind'amour on the team, warts and all."

Halle-lu-jah that he turned it around as he couldn't have picked a better time. As soon as he kicked his game back in gear, the team followed suit and every team they played - they ripped them a new one. Welcome back Roddy. Glad you're along for the ride and knowing your style - you'll sign a contract extension to play well into your late 40's.

- Chad LaRose is all that is man. Loved his "Day In The Life" that aired on the NHL Network too. He could have his own reality show and it would blow American Idol and Dancing With the Stars ratings away. Because many of you already know this, but when Chad LaRose is on a breakaway - he doesn't have to deke, the ice just shifts accordingly out of fear alone. Oh yeah, and he's about to get PAID this summer, son.

- OK - time to stop blowing sunshine up your butts for a minute. Lost amidst all the happy winning good times here lately - Sergei Samsonov has been stinking it up. We know enough based on his history that he's going to have hot and cold spells. He's only got two points in his past five games with an even +/- when the majority of the team has benefited from the beatdowns of other teams. Beyond the stats - if you just watch him he appears to have no confidence, turns the puck over and looks real loose trying to connect on passes. At what point do we worry about this? I know he can be as flaky as all hell, but damn. When Cullen returns to the line-up - do you keep Sammy in the line-up?

- Back to the sunshiney thoughts. I have no problem with admitting when I'm wrong about something. Though I never really came out and said that the Paul Maurice hiring was a terrible idea, a certain other writer for this blog did in more ways than one. I was certainly skeptical of Mo - but he has earned a new contract and proved many of the doubters wrong. East of Here - got anything to say in response?

- In regards to playoffs tickets, I'm thrilled that they are selling out so quickly. I decided in March to re-up for next year's season ticket package (and "iced my price" for the following two seasons). With that happening, the budget isn't ready to allow playoff ticket purchases. While I shall do my best to attend one game in the 1st round, I have no problem with enjoying the games on the home TV with good friends and good beverages.

- For those who may have missed it: I had the pleasure of interviewing the lovely Carrie Milbank over at Barry Melrose Rocks. Do check it out please.

I leave you today with a NSFW, yet side-splittingly funny Billy Mays "KABOOM!" re-dub. I've already shown it to many of my friends but I just can't get enough of it. Enjoy:

Guess what? Caniac Nation was right

I'm an easily amused guy. This much is obvious. But I always get a kick out of reading the opinions via comments to sports blogs. Other than PD, the most frequent one I visit is Canes Now.

(side note: Canes Now is a little better than "Lord Stanley's Blog", but is that the best they could have done? It falls in line with the "ACC Now" blog @ the N&O. At least it takes away the irony of naming the beat writer's blog after a 2006 cup run while failing to make the postseason the following two years..I digress)

Frequent commentators have been screaming for he of the worst +/- in the NHL Rod Brind'amour to be benched or other similarly drastic.

Strip him of the captaincy!
Trade him!
Send him to the minors to force retirement!
Sit him!

Whatever ridiculous ideas that were proposed, one swimmingly good idea was to demote him from the top two lines to fourth line duty. While he's been back-and-forth between 3rd/4th, it certainly has been the best we've seen Brind'amour to date this season. It works because he can run his shift w/ Bayda/Jokinen/Sutter/Conboy/etc.. but also jump out for face-off duty. He shares the league lead and has been in front for the most of the season in FO % with a challenge from Radek Bonk of the Preds.

What award can we get for Brindy for face-off performance? The Rod Brind'amour award?It's working. That's all I/you need to know about Brindy. Also, that if/when the Canes make a playoff run you want him on this team, hello.

Look, I love the guy. I have two of his jerseys, one pre-captaincy and one post. I think he's HHOF material big-time. But he's sucked this year. He's too much of a man to admit any injuries, but he'll be clutch when he needs to be. Bank it.


Another thing that the fan base was right about was Timmy Conboy.

Dude's MF crazy, no doubt. He's earned a reputation around the league for being a prick on the ice (rightfully so). But damn if his teammates and Canes fans don't love him. How can you not like this guy being on your team when he stands up to an enforcer nearly 147 times his size in his first NHL shift?:



He doesn't ever err have to win the fights but he's not going to back down from anybody. He's like Chad LaRose minus the offensive skills, plus the PIM team leader and bat-shit craziness. He needs to stay in Raleigh though the team management will have one hell of a decision to make when Walker and Williams return to health. You would think that it is obvious what to do, but management usually won't listen to the fan cries. What happened then? Doh.

Superman wears Chad LaRose pajamas

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

Triangle radio loses a good Caniac

A few weeks ago 850 the Buzz decided to go "in a different direction" and fired long-time anchor Chris Clark. CC was the host of the Hurricanes post-game show called "The Aftermath" where he would always field calls from folks leaving the games. He always did a great job with these and wasn't afraid to call it like he saw it.

Chris and I were part of the reason why Chad LaRose and his nickname of "the Chuck Norris of Hockey" came to fruition as I would call in raving about Rosey's play that night. I'm pretty sure Mr. Clark grew to expect a call from "Dave, leaving the game" during the show.

Best wishes to Chris and I hope he lands a new, hockey-friendly job in sports radio somewhere out there.

Hockey <3's Baseball

G-dubs, aka Puck Daddy, posted last week about the Binghamtom Mets minor-league baseball team having a hockey night in conjunction with the Binghamton Senators (the Ottawa farm team). They had former B-Sens on hand as well as the IceGirls at the ball game. They showed clips during intermissions from the movies Slap Shot and The Mighty Ducks. The baseball players were wearing uniforms that looked eerily similar to the B-Sens uni's.

Seeing all this made me think of the Durham Bulls and the Hurricanes previous ventures together.

After the the Canes won the Stanley Cup, there was a night of celebration in Durham as several Hurricanes threw out the first pitch and the Stanely Cup was on site. Needless to say, it was a sold-out, packed house and it wasn't because of the Durham Bulls vs. Richmond Braves big match-up. It was a lot of fun and seeing the evening's festivities (from a Caniac standpoint) compensated for the fact that it was 101 degrees w/ 100% humidity.

Also, as recent as last week Chad LaRose himself was the guest of honor at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park to deliver the first pitch, albeit a dead duck of a throw. What hasn't Rosey done this summer? He's on hand for RBC Centura bank grand openings, Caniac Fun Fests, baseball games... I'm waiting for the announcement that he'll be an honorary scooper at Bruster's Ice Cream in North Raleigh for a day (or insert shameless promotion x.here).

Apparently there are some Durham Bulls fans that are also Carolina Hurricanes fans, contrary to what some will tell you.

Chad LaRose: The One that almost got away

Here's the highlights from the Jan. 12th game in Raleigh against the Colorado Avalanche.

If you watch the video, you'll notice that the Canes' goals come from an Erik Cole breakaway, a Keith Aucoin rocket-of-a-shot, Cory Stillman slapper and Chad LaRose sweeping up the trash. The irony here is that the first three will not be suiting up in a Carolina sweater come September and that the fourth was nearly lost.

I read mixed opinions that surfaced during the limbo time of not knowing whether the organ-eye-zation was willing to bring LaRose back. Some said that he would be easily replaced. Others threatened to ex-communicate with the team if he was let go (most of those folks added that they couldn't stand to see two fan favorites leave Raleigh in the same month).

Personally, I think Chad is just coming of age. Keep in mind that his third season with the Plymouth Whalers produced a team-leading 117 points in 49 games (including a team record 61 goals). Also keep in mind that he's a homegrown boy, being the only person to play in each level of the CompuWare hockey teams (Compuware AAA Ambassadors, Plymouth Whalers, Florida Everblades, Lowell Lock Monsters, and the Carolina Hurricanes). The Chuck Norris of Hockey himself has been Petey Boy's child prodigy since he was crapping thunder into his little diaper.

As much as I may have a man-crush on him, this could all be a wash as my boy Jimmy could trade him away tomorrow for all I know. But he will be needed if Earl Sleek's stat projections for the 08-09 season are at all accurate.

I'd like to take this time to offer a sneak preview to the Carolina On Ice CafePress store. Stay tuned for some additions over there, but here is the first design:

COI supports Tampa signing Mike Smith to a contract extension

Wink, wink.

Rosey's back & them young'ns are in town

I knew it would only be a matter of time before Mr. LaRose re-signed with the Canes. I've seen this said many places over the past week and a 1/2 and couldn't agree more: Yes Erik Cole had to go and he was a fan favorite. But losing Chad AND Erik in the same month wouldn't go over too well with the already disgruntled fanbase.

I made it out to the Hurricanes prospect on-ice portion yesterday at the RecZone. Sure, it was neat seeing all the prospects sweating bullets, huffing & puffing. What I got the most kick out of was seeing Glen Wesley out there guiding the defensemen along with Ronnie Francis at the other end.

Luke thinks that Brandon Sutter was "big, smooth & polished". I'd say he was more "big, clunky & goofy". It is obvious that this kid has the hockey sense in him, but he still needs to grow into that big body of his. Maybe it was the ass-kicking that trainer Pete Friesen gave the boys before the skate that made him look that way to me.

Zach Boychuk looked really sharp. He's fast as hell and was making some wickedly good shots on goal. Michael Leighton appeared sharp as I've ever seen him, making several dazzling saves during the shooting drills.

Random thoughts

Writing in complete sentences is hard and stuff.

-Is it October yet?

-Bubba @ Canes Country is the Champion blogger. When none of the restavus Canes bloggers have anything to update about - he pulls out all the stops with some full analysis or interviews some V.I.P.'s. Keep up the great work, bud. Something tells me that the team will be embracing your talents soon enough.

-As far as free agents go - don't expect any big splashes. Remember last summer when our big acquisition was (drum roll) - Jeff Hamilton? I just don't see my boy, Jimmy, going over the top for any of the big names. JM Liles would work out well in this system but is probably going to land a much more lucrative deal elsewhere this summer. If I had to gamble on one - I'd put a shiny wooden nickel on Commodore returning. Also expect someone you may have never heard of.. (AKA an affordable guy).

still can't get used to seeing this

-Speaking of Green Eggs & Hamilton - I feel the need to send him off properly. After a kickass start to the season, I was shouting on high how smart JR was for signing this guy. He had a rocket of a shot, he seemed to pickup an assist every time there was a power play goal and by all reviews of him - he was a great character guy.

As his point total started to decline, so did his ice time as other teams started to crack down on the "Five Forward Power Play" that had worked so well. It's unfortunate that heart doesn't win you games - because Jeff Hamilton has plenty of it. Best wishes, Hammy.

(image via Flickr user MaesMama)

-I've been wanting to do a post about the whole free agent frenzy using the dude, "I Need Money" from the movie How High. Oh well. There it is.

-WTD with Chad LaRose? Management wants to get bigger on the 4th line? What does that have to do with The Chuck Norris of Hockey? Why even associate 4th line and Chad LaRose in the same sentence? Come on, dude.

(image via Flickr user [Keith] )

-What's Sergei Samsonov doing this summer? Wodka, Wodka, Wodka?

-Roddie Brind'amour is a beast. Something tells me that next season is going to be a career best for him. Just sayin'.

-$5 bucks says Matt Cullen has more points next year too. Oh yeah! Carolina On Ice is now the sponsor of his page at hockey-reference.com! I can't even remember how long ago that started.

-Darcy Hordichuk can suck one.

-Sure, I spend a good amount of time on hockey blogs and hockey related sites. I think I've seen this girl staring at me - ohhhh - I'll guess about 700 times in the past 30 days.

She's everywhere!!!!

Now I Can Die Happy

They may as well just go ahead and disband the NHL right now. There's nothing left to see here folks. The Chuck Norris of Hockey has scored a hatter. What else could possibly ever top that?

[With credit to Hyena: From whom I lifted the base image of The Chuck Norris of Hockey. Quality breeds quality, I always say...]

Coming clean about the Chuck Norris of Hockey

OK, so the fine folks at 850 the Buzz revealed to Chad LaRose that he is referred to as "The Chuck Norris of Hockey" in what has become a cult following among Caniacs. Though I did not coin the term, I feel the time is no better than to let my faithful readers know that I'm the Dave that calls in to the aftermath while leaving games to brag about Rosey (pre-broken leg, of course).

Is Chad the toughest dude in the NHL? No. Does it matter? Certainly not. He earned that moniker by his scrappy, never-say-die attitude that he carries on the ice. Fans of other teams will certainly disagree. But isn't it nice to have a character like Rosey in the locker room to bring much needed comic relief, all the while being the yip-dog that he is? He's not much of a fighter but you won't see him backing down from anyone. Gotta love the heart in the kid.

Keep in mind, he is a true Hurricane system guy. He was one of the all time leading scorers in Peter Karmanos' Plymouth Whaler squad. Yet he goes undrafted, comes up to Raleigh after a year in Lowell (split with FLA Everblades) and gels perfectly into the team's fourth line w/ the Adamses.

God bless you young man. Welcome back. "I'll show you 'out for the season'!!!"

One ring to ruin them all...

(East of Here)

LOL Chad and Tater

(AP Photo/Jim Bounds)

Suggested Caniac Nation alternative programming: I Can Has Cheezburger?

Blame It On Lohan!

Taking a page out of the Dallas Cowboys' celebrity distractions, this blogger is blaming last night's 4-2 loss to the Rangers on a beautiful deterrent in the crowd. Yeah, thats it! The Hurricanes lost because they were too busy oogling at the likes of this:


All jokes aside, despite the boys being outhustled, outhit and outscored - this was a great game to watch. Up until the 2nd half of the 3rd period, it was a close match featuring the "recognizable" names of each team scoring. Jagr scores two. Staal scores. Drury & Gomez show up on the sheet. Sean Avery pisses everyone off (surprise).

Also, a big +1 to Tripp Tracy with the quote of the year:
"Someone should stand up and just beat the crap out of Sean Avery."

Petey Friesen, the Canes head trainer, has had his work cut out for him here lately. Rosie, Avi & now even Matt Cullen are getting the flashlights to their eyeballs with concussions. It's a tough one to swallow, but it is just one game among several that are on tap for the Canes in the next few days.

Canes At Kitties: News in pictures

Leave It To The Shrimps

After a blistering October, the Hurricanes are finishing the month of November at .500. Canes fans have seen enough of the Jekyll and Hyde personalities that have tended to show up as of late. Either the team comes out scorching, beating good teams by 7 to 2 margins, or they come out and get pasted allowing goals early on and by multiple opponents' lines.

The bright spots of the season? Jeff "Green Eggs And" Hamilton and Chad "The Chuck Norris Of Hockey" LaRose. Stacked on each others shoulders, they could be as tall as Zdeno Chara's kneecaps. But their savvy and speed on the ice this season has been a welcome surprise to counter our inconsistent superstars.

For example, in games like last Friday's Thrashers game: Hurricanes are getting smashed by Atlanta and get shutout. Chad LaRose is all over the place, drawing every single power play that Carolina had the whole night.

Jeff Hamilton has to be the league's best off-season bargain signing considering that he has lived up to the hype and is on pace for career highs with this (sometimes) high-powered Carolina offense.

In one blogger's opinion, keeping these two little guys on the ice is vital to any continued success that the Canes will see this season.

Grandpa Stillman Shows No Mercy

• Cory Stillman, scoring a natural hat trick in the 1st period against the Craps last night, made it look all too easy against a deflated Washington D. Let's just say that he "crashed" the 1st period for DC.
• Oldie Olie The Goalie to his team, "Hey, uh, guys? Ya'll there? They might as well be shooting 5 pucks at the same time! Hello?" - as he was hung out to dry.
• Chad LaRose got ROBBED in the 2nd period on a no-call, diving scoring attempt.
• Brent Johnson made some naaaaasty saves in the 3rd despite allowing one from "It's Staal Good".
• Frantastik Kaberle did not bring his "A-game" tonight as he let several point passes go witlessly adrift.
• The Matt Bradley vs. Tim Gleason fight was over before it began, as Timmaay absolutely crushed Bradley behind the Carolina net on a check before the spat.
• The David Tanabe penalty was garbage (as was his play for the most part last night). He was called for holding when in fact it appeared he was being held.
• Cam Ward gets a rare shutout win that he deserves. He was tested with a couple of quality Craps scoring chances early on that could have changed the pace of this game dramatically if he let them through.
• Hurricanes go from last weeks record against the Southeast Division of 0-2 to 2-2 during this all imporant stretch against these shitty rival teams.

Recaps:
Sweet Tea, Barbecue & Bodychecks
red & black hockey
Japers Rink Roundup

Q&A With J-Willie

Justin Williams made an appearance Monday at the MacGregor Draft House for 99.9 The Fan's "Canes Corner". In what was maybe a 1/2 hour interview, he discussed being among the league leaders in points/assists and aspirations for the current season. Towards the end of the conversation, the DJs opened up the floor for questions from people at the bar. Being the go-getter that I am, I jumped right up with a on-the-spot query for Justin.

(ala The Chris Farley Show)

WP: "Hey Justin, how's it going"
JW: "Pretty good."
WP: "That's awesome. Dude, YOU ARE THE MAN!"
JW: "Thanks for the support."
WP: "So, you remember when Staal passed you the puck, you skated down and put it in the empty net against the Oilers and then you won the Stanley Cup?"
JW: "Yeah, I remember."
WP: "That was awesome."
JW: "Yeah, thanks."
WP: "Damnit! That was such a bad question."
JW: "No, you're doing fine, really."
WP: "Do you remember, you remember when Jimmy Boy traded to the Flyers for you?"
JW: "Sure do."
WP: "That was awesome!"
JW: "Yeah."

In reality, I did get to ask him one decent question, "Who do you and Brindy prefer to be paired with?" To which he wouldn't give a direct answer but basically said whoever has the hot hand and is playing well. However, when he mentioned that Chad LaRose had stepped up nicely this season, I replied, "CHAD LAROSE!!!!!!!"

Gratuitous Rosey Highlight:

Canes Rock The Tatonka

Kickass game last night at the RBC. Canes showed that 3rd period prowess that made them so successful 2 seasons ago.

• Luke's Review
• D. Lee's Review
• BFLOblog's Review

Chad LaRose is on pace to quadruple his 06-07 points total. Canes are undefeated when Green Eggs & Hamilton scores a point. Bret Hedican is still alive. Rod Brind'amour is the team's leading scorer (huh?).
Game Highlights: