Archive for July, 2008
Drayson Bowman Inked for Three
The Carolina Hurricanes signed prospect, Drayson Bowman to a three year entry level deal today. The Canes selected Bowman with their second pick, (72nd overall), in the third round of the 2007 draft.
The forward had a tremendous season last year and led his junior team, the Spokane Chiefs to a Memorial Cup victory as [...]
Tough Enough - Canes Drop Mits 44 Times Last Season
Are the Carolina Hurricanes a tough enough hockey team? They do have some smallish players who have a tendency to get pushed around a bit. Last season before the call-ups of Wade Brookbank and Tim Conboy, the team seemed to be getting physically dominated at times. The December game in New [...]
Fan Rivalries, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
All this back and forth concerning Raleigh and Edmonton brings back memories of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals. Nothing helps to create a rivalry like the playoffs and there probably is still a bit of a rivalry between Oilers fans and Hurricanes fans, even though the teams have not played each other very often [...]
Canadian Media at it Again
Just when I thought that there was no fresh Hurricanes news to write about, a Canadian sportswriter went and threw a nice big, fat softball down the center of homeplate that this blogger couldn’t help but to take a swing at.
Of course we all know that Erik Cole was up in Edmonton late last [...]
“Fun Fest” Highlights
I went over to the RBC last night to check out how the Carolina Hurricanes first “Fun Fest” was going. I’m not very good at guessing the number of heads in a crowd, but if I had to make a guess I would say that there were probably a few hundred people in attendance.
While [...]
“The Hockey News” Takes a Hit
The Hockey News, owners of the most respected printed hockey publication on the planet, recently made what could be the most questionable decision in their 61 year history. They asked yours truly to start a Hurricanes blog for them.
Hopefully, they have done proper research on this site and know exactly what they are getting [...]
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Cancelled for Today
Bomani Jones of 850 The Buzz, has cancelled his proposed Canes and Community information segment on his radio show this afternoon. Stay tuned for when it will be rescheduled. It seems that “Bo” has exchanged a ton of emails with some of the imaginary hockey fans, that can’t be found in this area.
Seriously, [...]
Q&A with Michael Leighton
This is the last of a four part series of interviews taken after a prospects practice on Thursday, July 10th.
Michael Leighton was recently signed by the Hurricanes to a two year deal. He had a tremendous season for the Albany River Rats last year, setting franchise records in many different categories. He was [...]
Wesley to be Honored February 17th
Get your tickets for the game on February 17th, 2009 against the Boston Bruins. The evening has been designated as Glen Wesley Night and his “number 2″ will officially be retired and lifted to the rafters preceeding that game.
What an appropriate opponent, since Wesley was originally drafted by the Bruins back in 1987 and [...]
High Enough - New Law Will Increase Ticket Prices
Last week Friday, the North Carolina State Legislature passed a new bill which would allow the legal scalping of tickets in North Carolina, effective August 1st, 2008. The bill is expected to be signed into law by the Governor but will need to be renewed again next year in order to stay on the [...]
Drama Kings - Every Sport Has Them
About a week before July 1st, the Montreal Canadiens were given permission to speak to Toronto Captain, Mats Sundin regarding a new contract. Most fans and experts alike felt that this was going to be a done deal, the Swede would soon be wearing a Habs sweater. But nothing happened.
Then word came out [...]
And Our Survey Said…..Marketing Needs a Boost
The talk of the town right now is about a little ole’ survey that an intern for Public Policy Polling recently took concerning sports in North Carolina. The results for a couple of the questions asked should be eye-openers for the Hurricanes organization. That is, if they want to be known outside the [...]
Breakdown - A Look at the Hurricanes Schedule
The 2008-09 NHL schedules have been released and even though the puck has yet to drop, things are already looking better for the Hurricanes than they did at this time last year. In 2007-08, the Canes were scheduled for 18 back-to-back games. The always grueling second game of those duets was at home six times [...]
Blog Box In, Ted Nolan Out on the Island
Those of you who have followed the Canes Country blog for awhile, know that I have been somewhat infatuated with the concept behind the New York Islanders Blog Box since it’s inception. I still keep tabs on it from time to time.
After the season ending resignation of it’s creator, ex-Director of Media Relations, Chris Botta, [...]
Carolina To Open Season Against Florida
Mark your calendars Caniacs. Remember the team that knocked the Hurricanes out of the playoffs in the last game of the season back in April? They will be returning to the RBC on October 10th, for Carolina’s season opener.
Revenge should be on more than a few player’s minds.
The Florida Panthers will be [...]
Dazed and Confused - Jeff O’Neill Chatter
You have to give Luke DeCock some credit over at Lord Stanley’s Blog. During the past two days, he has stirred the Caniac Nation up into a frenzy, and it’s not even hockey season.
Monday, he brought up the subject of parking at the RBC, which nearly everyone has a complaint about. Tuesday evening [...]
Q&A with Mike Murphy
This is part three of a four part series of interviews taken with Hurricanes prospects after practice on Thursday, July 10th.
Mike Murphy was selected by the Hurricanes in the 6th round of this year’s draft with the 165th overall pick. He played as goalie for the Belleville Bulls of the OHL and had a career [...]
Heroes - Josh Hamilton, Clay Council to Star Tonight
I very rarely stray from hockey talk on this blog, but I’m making an exception for this article. There is a local hero doing the right thing tonight and it deserves recognition.
Several years ago Josh Hamilton made a promise to his American Legion batting practice coach back while he was still in high school. [...]
Updates and Loose Ends
I spent some time over the weekend updating a few things on the site and testing some new templates. I have not found the perfect one yet, but I will keep trying. The only thing that really bothers me about this one is that if you are using internet explorer, the right sidebar [...]
Q&A with Zac Dalpe
This is part two of a four part series of interviews taken with Hurricanes prospects after a practice on Thursday, July 10th.
Zac Dalpe was selected by the Hurricanes in the 2nd round of this year’s draft with the 45th overall pick. The Canes were very fortunate to get him at that point because [...]
Canes Exhibition Schedule Announced
The Carolina Hurricanes released their exhibition schedule for the 2008-09 season today. In essence, the team will play home and home contests against the Flyers, Capitals, and Predators.
The schedule is as follows-
Wednesday, 9/24 - Washington, 7:00
Thursday, 9/25 - at Washington, 7:00
Saturday, 9/27 - at Philadelphia, 7:00
Sunday, 9/28 - Philadelphia, 5:00
Thursday, 10/2 - at [...]
Q&A with Brandon Sutter
I was able to attend the prospects practice session at the Rec Zone on Thursday night. They spent about an hour doing various drills under the guidance of Ron Francis, Tom Barrasso, Jeff Daniels, and Kevin McCarthy. With the best of intentions I brought a new video camera with me, but was unable [...]
Houseparty - Canes Announce Summer Fun Fest
The Carolina Hurricanes announced yesterday that they will host a “Summer Fun Fest” at the RBC Center on Thursday, July 24th. There will be live music, street hockey, reduced food prices, and a showing of the “Miracle at Molson” on the front lawn.
The event will also be used as a marketing tool to drum [...]
Chad LaRose Signed for One Year
The Carolina Hurricanes just announced the signing of forward Chad LaRose to a one year contract for $875,000. The agreement will keep the two parties from entering into a salary arbitration hearing, which LaRose signed up for a couple of weeks ago.
Hurricanes General Manager Jim Rutherford said that the signing should be the final [...]
Carolina Hurricanes Prospect Conditioning Camp - Preview
The “Young Guns” of the Carolina Hurricanes organization are in town this week to take part in the annual conditioning camp for prospects. During the camp, which is officially running from July 9th to the 12th, the players will learn new physical training techniques, have media training, learn proper eating habits, and will be [...]
Movin’ On - What if LaRose Doesn’t Sign?
A good General Manager always has a plan B if the best laid plans don’t work out. If Chad LaRose gets a huge payout in arbitration that the Canes refuse to match and he moves on down the road, who else might be on Jim Rutherford’s radar screen that probably would meet the GM’s [...]
Ex-Phantoms Reunited - Dennis Seidenberg Signed for 1.2 Million
The Carolina Hurricanes announced today that the team has agreed to terms with restricted free-agent defenseman Dennis Seidenberg on a one-year contract worth $1.2 million. More info from the Hurricanes presser-
Seidenberg, 26, played in 47 of the Hurricanes’ 82 regular-season games in 2007-08, earning a career-high 15 assists and tying for third-best on the [...]
Playing With Fire - LaRose and Arbitration
Chad LaRose filed for salary arbitration on Saturday with 14 other players in the NHL. Apparently, LaRose is unhappy with the qualifying offer that the Canes submitted to him.
The pesky forward earned 500K last season, so the qualifying offer would put him at 550K for this year. (The qualifying offer includes a mandatory [...]
And The Cradle Will Rock - Youth Served on Hurricanes Blueline
The defense is starting to take shape for the Carolina Hurricanes. Not only does it look much bigger and different than before, but it is also a great deal younger than it has been for the past several years.
Gone is the veteran experience of Glen Wesley and Bret Hedican. They have been replaced by [...]
Joni Pitkanen Signs for Three Years
The Carolina Hurricanes just announced the signing of recently acquired defenseman Joni Pitkanen to a three year deal worth 12 million. The 24 year old will receive 3.5M in year one, 4M in year two, and 4.5M in year three.
This looks like a reasonable signing. More later….
Josef Melichar Signed for One Year
The Carolina Hurricanes blueline continued to get bigger as they signed defenseman Josef Melichar to a one year deal worth 1 million USD. The 29 year-old is known as a “defense first” defenseman and is listed at 6′2, 220.
Josef is a big, strong, and experienced defensive defenseman who will be a shut-down player for [...]
The Big Money - Reviewing Day One of “Crazy Daze”
Some NHL players must have felt like they just won the lottery yesterday. Let’s take a quick look around and review some of the deals finalized on day one. Agents are still partying as we speak.
Green signs in Washington for 21M over 4 years. (good deal for both sides)
Stuart signs in Detroit [...]
Erik Cole Tribute
Erik Cole came on the scene here in Carolina during the magical 2001-02 season as a rookie when the Canes surprisingly made it to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Eventually, Erik was placed on a line with Rod Brind’Amour and Bates Battaglia. That turned out to be a fruitful move for Coach Paul Maurice because the [...]
Erik Cole Traded for Joni Pitkanen
I just have a moment for a couple of quick thoughts about the major trade today.
For those of you upset about losing Cole, look at it this way. He is only under contract for one more year, it’s possible that he could sign here again next year. Pitkanen is only 24, he will [...]
