Comments on: Did the Hurricanes blow a chance to rebuild?

By: deeboy

deeboy — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:41:08 +0000

Carolina still has some holes. I don’t know if JR is correct in stating “we are close”, but they are definitely not horrible. The needs are clear. They need a top line winger to play with Staal. JR has already stated on the record that he’s identified 2-3 FA to be to fill that role and will pursue those guys aggressively in the offseason. Org depth here is not so good. They are waiting for one of their prospects to break through the AHL/NHL barrier in something more than a checking role.

The defense has been MUCH better since Muller took over. They have some veteran pieces (Gleason, Allen) the best rookie D-man in the NHL this year in Justin Faulk, one of the best rookies from last year (McBain), and top-end prospects in the minors and college.

Lots of injuries to key players and some bad luck this season have doomed them to the bottom of the standings.

The one definitely truth in this article is that JR is a little too nostalgic in his past personnel moves. I was half expecting Corey Stillman to come out of retirement and the canes to trade for Ray Whitney….

By: tavolacci

tavolacci — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 05:38:40 +0000

The Canes are real close to being one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference, they have 13 Overtime Loses. Injuries to Joni Pitkamen and Boucher (most of the season), Skinner and LaRose have missed nearly a month and now Ward is hurt… If they could have just broke even with their overtime losses they would be right there, perhaps Rutherford stayed too long with Maurice (I rather have a GM who gives his team & coach a chance) if Muller could have come in a week or two sooner this team would be a Playoff Team. It’s a longshot, however this team has not given up on this season…

By: tcclark

tcclark — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 05:29:44 +0000

Ask me when this awful team is forced to play Philly, Pittsburgh, NY, NJ, Washington, and an improving Islanders team 6 times a year.

By: danphipps01

danphipps01 — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 04:12:58 +0000

They really lack forward depth. They also lack elite puck-moving D. Really, their defense in general is unworthy of comment. Their best guy would be #3 at best on a contender. They’ve got a very hit-and-miss top forward in Staal and few people to support him in the offensive zone – and when they cough up the puck, Cam Ward lets it in because his days of being able to out-clutch Chris freaking Osgood are apparently long done.

In short, the roster is average at some things, terrible at others. It’s not quite Columbus, but they can’t even be optimistic about the future sucking LESS, because unlike Edmonton, they apparently refuse to rebuild.