NHL Trade Speculation: Carolina Hurricanes Need to Deal Pending Free Agents

Source: Bleacher Report

It may only be the beginning of February, but the 2011-12 NHL season is all but over for the Carolina Hurricanes.

With a 19-25-9 record, the 'Canes are currently dead last in the Eastern Conference, and according to SportsClubStats.com, only have a 0.7 percent chance of making the playoffs this year.

Given the circumstances, it's clear a lot of changes are ahead in Raleigh. And for this team to set themselves up for future success—something that will take a considerable amount of time to achieve—a lot of roster turnover will have to take place. That needs to begin now, as the 2012 trade deadline approaches. 

GM Jim Rutherford has an opportunity to swing some deals this month that could drastically improve his team's long-term outlook. By trading away some (or all) of his pending unrestricted free agents, Rutherford can add draft picks and young players that could eventually become major figures in the franchise's return to prominence. 

Tuomo Ruutu, Jaroslav Spacek and Bryan Allen all have contracts that expire this summer, and all three have received legitimate interest from playoff-hopeful teams.

Considering Carolina's current position in the league standings, it would make sense for Rutherford and Co. to plan on being big sellers as February progresses.

"It's a tough time," head coach Kirk Muller said about the trade deadline. "There's some names here being thrown around daily. I commend our guys that are in that situation. They’ve been playing hard. Our last 10 games we’ve been playing well as a team. They’ve kind of set that aside. They know they’re professionals and their focus is on just their jobs here and playing. It hasn’t been a big issue yet with these guys, but I think it’s important and I've talked to them all and said, 'Just go out and play.' Like I said, if you play and do your job well, whatever happens, it’s going to be for the best."

Recently acquired from the Montreal Canadiens, Spacek will almost certainly finish the 2011-12 season elsewhere. Now 37 years old, the Czech native is too old to be a part of Carolina's rebuilding plans, making him a prime candidate for an upcoming trade.

Allen, 31, has been one of Carolina's most valuable D-men this season and has done well despite his team's poor overall performance. The 6'5'' blueliner is ranked eighth in the NHL with 102 blocked shots and could be a vital asset to another club in search of a postseason berth.

Ruutu, the Hurricanes' current goal scoring leader, would be a great player for Rutherford to have in the coming years. But according to Darren Dreger of TSN, the Finnish forward will be dealt in the near future, possibly as early as this week.

Ruutu will be one of the most sought-after players at the deadline, undoubtedly bringing Carolina a sizable return—perhaps even a first-round pick. While letting Ruutu go will be a tough pill to swallow, trading him away makes more sense than potentially losing him for nothing after the season concludes in April. 

Now, just several days into February, the waiting game begins. While it's unclear when we'll see a deal get done, one thing's for sure—the Hurricanes are going to be active in the coming weeks. And if Rutherford plays his cards right, he can take some major steps towards rebuilding the 'Canes.

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Read more Carolina Hurricanes news on BleacherReport.com

Canes' sweep overshadowed by Gagner?

Source: Canes Now by chipalexander

Which was more impressive Thursday night, Sam Gagner's eight-point game for the Edmonton Oilers or the Canes finishing off a season sweep of the Boston Bruins?

Gagner's big night grabbed most of the NHL headlines. But the Canes beat the Bruins 3-0 for the first regular-season series sweep in franchise history, and did against a team that's the defending Stanley Cup champions.

It didn't matter if the Bruins had Tim Thomas or Tuukka Rask in goal this season. The Canes were 4-0-0 against Boston and outscored the Bruins 14-5.

"It's a credit to the guys. When we play like that we're capable of beating very good teams," goaltender Cam Ward said after the shutout. "It's no secret. They're once again Stanley Cup contenders and to beat them four times is a huge compliment to our team.

"But we need to play every team like they're the Boston Bruins, because they seem to bring out the best in us."

Ward, who enjoys playing at TD Garden, had 22 saves in the first period on his way to an impressive 47-save night that made him the game's first star. Eric Staal, Tuomo Ruutu and Brandon Sutter scored and everyone had a hand in the victory.

"It feels good to beat 'em four times," Staal said. "But I, and I'm sure everybody in our room would say the same, would rather be first in the conference and lose to the last-place team four times. But that's the way it goes and we'll continue to try and build and try to climb back up in the conference and beat teams like that ahead of us."

The Canes were the fresher team, winning races to the puck and the battles along the boards, keeping their shifts short. Eleven players averaged less than 40 seconds a shift -- in contrast, just three did Tuesday in the 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders.

For the record, the Canes won 3-2 and 4-2 at the RBC Center this season, and 4-1 and 3-0 in Boston. Rask was in goal for the Bruins last night.

"Our guys were excited to play against the Cup champs and it brought out our best game so far," Canes coach Kirk Muller said. "Our guys played really smart, really well and Ward was really good in net.

"We had a really good game from everybody and that's what we asked them to do: 60 minutes and no passengers. It was a good team effort tonight."

Gagner's eight-point game tied the Oilers' team record set by Wayne Gretzky and had Gagner trending worldwide on Twitter. The Canes simply packed up and flew back to Raleigh, content with a big team highlight in a season that hasn't had a lot.

 

 

 

Canes blank Bruins, sweep season series

Source: Charlotte Observer by Associated Press

Sweeping the defending Stanley Cup champions is nice, but the Carolina Hurricanes would trade all four wins for a better spot in the standings.

Bruins' recent woes reminiscent of opening swoon (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

There were two stories connected to the Boston Bruins at the TG Garden on Thursday night. One was the Bruins being shut out by the Carolina Hurricanes, who completed a sweep of the season series with the Stanley Cup champions with a 3-0 victory.

Thursday’s Three Stars: Gagner’s great 8; Subban destroys Larsson; Dan Boyles’ embarrassing gaffe (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

"Wait, no, I said *drop* the gloves …" No. 1 Star: Sam Gagner, Edmonton Oilers As you may have heard, he had somewhere between nine and seven points for the Oilers in their 8-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. His … Continue reading →

NHL Capsules: Gagner has 8 points for Oilers (The Canadian Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

EDMONTON - Sam Gagner had four goals and four assists in the NHL's first eight-point game in 23 years, and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Chicago Blackhawks 8-4 on Thursday night.

NHL Capsules: Ward helps 'Canes sweep Bruins (The Canadian Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

BOSTON - Cam Ward made 47 saves — 22 in the first period and 20 in the third — Brandon Sutter had a goal and an assist, and the Carolina Hurricanes finished their first season-sweep of the Boston Bruins with a 3-0 victory on Thursday night.

Ward makes 47 saves, 'Canes blank Bruins (The Canadian Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

BOSTON - Cam Ward made 47 saves — 22 in the first period and 20 in the third — Brandon Sutter had a goal and an assist, and the Carolina Hurricanes finished their first season-sweep of the Boston Bruins with a 3-0 victory on Thursday night.

Shutout For the Season!

Source: Cardiac Cane by Southerndraw

February 2, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) makes a save in front of Boston Bruins left wing Daniel Paille (20) during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-US PRESSWIRE

The Carolina Hurricanes were in Beantown for round 4 of the Canes vs. Bruins “rivalry”.  Carolina played 60 minutes of hockey with “no passengers.”  It is a game like tonight that still makes me feel a sense of hope for our team.  We swept the defending Stanley Cup champions!  Cam Ward was on point, earning his 3rd shutout of the season and his 19th of his career.
… [visit site to read more]

Shutout For the Season! - Cardiac Cane - Cardiac Cane - A Carolina Hurricanes Blog

Ward's shutout completes Canes' sweep of Bruins

Source: Charlotte Observer by The Associated Press

Cam Ward made 47 saves — 22 in the first period and 20 in the third — Brandon Sutter had a goal and an assist, and the Carolina Hurricanes finished their first season-sweep of the Boston Bruins with a 3-0 victory on Thursday night.

Ward's shutout completes Canes sweep of Bruins (AP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Cam Ward made 47 saves -- 22 in the first period and 20 in the third -- Brandon Sutter had a goal and an assist, and the Carolina Hurricanes finished their first season-sweep of the Boston Bruins with a 3-0 victory on Thursday night. The Hurricanes, who won all four meetings with the Bruins, are 15-25-9 against the rest of the NHL and are last in the Eastern Conference.

Puck Previews: Red Wings vs. Canucks; Brian Burke talks gay hockey players (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Back by popular demand, here are your Puck Previews: Spotlighting the key games in NHL action, news and views as well as general frivolity. Make sure to stop back here for the nightly Three Stars when the games are finished. … Continue reading →

Canes @ Bruins: Open Game Thread

Source: Canes Country by Bob Wage

Next Game

Carolina Hurricanes
@ Boston Bruins

Thursday, Feb 2, 2012, 7:00 PM EST
TD Garden

Hurricanes At Bruins: Game Day Preview

posted by Bob Wage about 2 hours ago

9 comments | 0 recs

Complete Coverage >

CBA sticking points: The players' cut & team-by-team revenues (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Neither the league nor union have gone public, but the players' percentage and how much each market makes appear to be the main issues.

Canes and Bruins Final Round: Game Day Preview

Source: Cardiac Cane by Sally M. Brown

After a brief stop at home, the 18-25-9 Hurricanes are in Boston to face the 32-14-2 Bruins. In the last Canes / B’s preview, KP likened this pairing to a boxing match and I agree. I will not be parading around the ring in a bikini holding up a sign, but trust me, it’s round 4! (Also trust me when I say saving you from that bikini image is the kindest thing I could ever do for you dear readers. You can thank me later.)

Caniacs want to see lots of THIS during tonight's game! (Photo: James Guillory-US PRESSWIRE)

Normally a fourth match-up between conference rivals would not draw so much attention, but the Canes have beaten the 2011 Stanley Cup Boston Bruins three times so far this season. That is not a typo. If you need to refresh your memory on the colorful contests, check out rounds 1-3.

… [visit site to read more]

Canes and Bruins Final Round: Game Day Preview - Cardiac Cane - Cardiac Cane - A Carolina Hurricanes Blog

Hurricanes At Bruins: Game Day Preview

Source: Canes Country by Bob Wage

The Carolina Hurricanes, (18-25-9) will try to make a season sweep of the Boston Bruins, (32-14-2) tonight in Beantown. The Canes have won the first three games against the Bruins this season but have never swept this franchise in a season series.

Unfortunately for Carolina, it's about the only team they have had consistent success against this season as they currently find themselves in sole possession of 15th place in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins are in second place, just three points behind the New York Rangers.

Proteau: Apologies from 30 NHL teams (TheHockeyNews.com)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Every NHL team has something to be sorry for so Adam Proteau does it for them in this week's column.

Canes know Bruins have a bone to pick

Source: Charlotte Observer by BY CHIP ALEXANDER

The Carolina Hurricanes aren't sure which team they'll be playing tonight - the Boston Bruins, or the Boston Brawlers.

Canes recall Bowman from the Checkers

Source: Charlotte Observer by BY CHIP ALEXANDER

The Canes have recalled forward Drayson Bowman from the Charlotte Checkers (AHL).

Bowman recalled from Checkers

Source: Canes Now by chipalexander

The Canes have recalled forward Drayson Bowman from the Charlotte Checkers (AHL).

Hurricanes forward Chad LaRose is day-to-day due to illness. Coach Kirk Muller said LaRose, who missed practice Wednesday, was slowed by flu-like symptoms.

Bowman, 22, has skated in 13 NHL games for Carolina this season, registering two goals and three assists. He has totaled 11 goals and 11 assists in 34 AHL games with Charlotte in 2011-12, and is second among Checkers forwards in plus/minus (plus-3). 

Canes Recall Drayson Bowman from Charlotte

Source: NHL.com

Bowman RALEIGH, NC – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that team has re...

What are the biggest questions facing each NHL team down the stretch of 2011-12 season? (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The NHL All-Star Game isn't the midway point of the season, but it does drop the checkered flag for rampant trade deadline speculation and big debates about the direction of teams down the stretch. With that, we look at all … Continue reading →

Carolina Ale House Paper Hearts & Magnets Campaign Returns

Source: NHL.com

RALEIGH, NC - Doug Warf, Senior Director of Marketing for the Carolina Hurricanes and Executive Director of the Kids ‘N Community Foundation, today announced that the fifth annual Carolina Ale House Paper Heart and Magnet Campaign will begin...

Canes head to Boston looking for sweep

Source: Canes Now by chipalexander

The Canes' Chad LaRose missed practice today with flu-like symptoms, coach Kirk Muller said, but should be ready for Thursday's road game against the Boston Bruins.

Muller also said defenseman Jaroslav Spacek, who has missed the last six games, could return to the lineup. If Spacek can play Thursday, that would make Derek Joslin a healthy scratch.

The Canes will be seeking to complete a season sweep of the Bruins. Carolina beat Boston twice in October, early in the season, then topped the Bruins 4-2 at the RBC Center on Jan. 14.

"I think the big part of our focus is we've got to play our game," Muller said. "Boston is a team that can play physical and they play hard in their barn. We can't get caught up in that kind of stuff.

"We've just got to go out and play hard and play strong and play physical, but play clean. If we have opportunities to use our power play, we'd have to hurt them on the power play."

The Bruins hurt themselves with 17 penalties, many undisciplined, the last time the teams played in Boston -- the Canes winning 4-1 on Oct. 18. But in the Jan. 14 game in Raleigh, Boston had just one penalty called: a slash against Milan Lucic in the final minute.

Muller put the Canes through a fast-paced practice today before the flight to Boston. It was obvious he was still a little steamed over the 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders Tuesday night, when the Canes did not hit their stride and find their game until the final period.

"We're no different than any other team. You get out what you put in and we didn't put enough in last night other than those last 20 (minutes)," Muller said. "Going into Boston, we can't have a slow start. We've got to be ready for a good team at home. We've got to be ready for that first period."

While Muller made line changes for the third period, the lines today had Eric Staal centering Tuomo Ruutu and Jiri Tlusty, Riley Nash at center with Jeff Skinner and Jussi Jokinen, Brandon Sutter centering Pat Dwyer and Andreas Nodl, and Tim Brent with Anthony Stewart and Joslin filling in for LaRose.

Spacek took a puck in the face in the Jan. 10 game against the Flyers and later needed surgery. He has been practicing with a full cage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canes Lose Another Frustrating One (Isles – 5, Canes – 2)

Source: Cardiac Cane by caniac176

Cam Ward makes one of his 21 saves against the Islanders (James Guillory-US PRESSWIRE)

The Hurricanes started off slow and couldn’t catch up as they gave up a goal early in the first period and late in the second, eventually losing to the New York Islanders 5-2. Brandon Sutter tried to get Carolina going at 3:15 of the second, with Tim Brent scoring about 3 minutes later on the power play. The Canes ended up going 1-for-2 on the power play for the night, while the Islanders were able to get four power plays, scoring on two of them. John Tavares is beginning to be a “Canes Killer,” registering 2 goals, 2 assists, a +2, with only two shots on goal for the game. Tavares led all NHL players with 22 points in January (9 goals, 13 assists in 13 games).

For the Canes, a lot didn’t go right. Cam Ward, who had been having an unbelievable January, certainly would like to have a goal or two back. Jeff Skinner was understandably frustrated towards the end of the second period as it was “hack a Skinner” day at the RBC Center. The whole team looked like they had been on vacation and it took a while for the team to recover. Granted, both teams looked a bit sluggish to begin the game, but the second period was extremely frustrating for the Canes. The Isles outshot the Canes 10-5 in that period.

… [visit site to read more]

Canes Lose Another Frustrating One (Isles – 5, Canes – 2) - Cardiac Cane - Cardiac Cane - A Carolina Hurricanes Blog

MacKinnon: Belanger pursues lucky No. 13 (The Edmonton Journal)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Eric Belanger didn’t just shoot the puck into an opponent’s net Tuesday night for the first time all season, he made it look easy, natural as you please. Since it was just the second goal all year for the capable 34-year-old veteran two-way centre, rest assured the goals have not come easily in his first season with the Edmonton Oilers.

Oilers ice Avs 3-2 as Belanger gets back on the scoresheet (The Edmonton Journal)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

It wasn’t that Eric Belanger had such a tight grip on his stick that he wasn’t even shooting the puck. He was eighth on the Edmonton Oilers list through the first 49 games.

Tavares, Poulin seal Islanders win over Canes

Source: Charlotte Observer by BY CHIP ALEXANDER

For a long time Tuesday, the Carolina Hurricanes struggled to get the puck past unheralded 21-year-old goalie Kevin Poulin, who was playing for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League last week.

Tuesday’s Three Stars: Cogliano’s quick trick; Leafs, Wild, blow three-goal leads late (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

This photo nicely illustrates the quality of the netminding Cogliano faced during his second period scoring spree. No. 1 Star: John Tavares, New York Islanders Though Tavares was able to pick up a 2nd goal and a 2nd assist on … Continue reading →

Carolina Can't Stop Tavares: Islanders 5, Hurricanes 2

Source: Canes Country by Bob Wage

John Tavares scored two goals and chipped in with two assists as the New York Islanders defeated the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-2 in front of 15,575 on Tuesday night at the RBC.

In the first two periods, the Canes were off to a bit of a slow start, with the help of four penalties called against them. The visitors held a 2-0 lead going into the third period and were outshooting the home team by a 18-13 margin.

But Carolina would come roaring back in the third as they tied the game after scoring twice early in the period.

Tavares has four points in Islanders 5-2 win (The Canadian Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

RALEIGH, N.C. - John Tavares scored two goals and had two assists to lead the New York Islanders over the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 on Tuesday night.

All-Star Tavares has 4 points in Islanders 5-2 win (AP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

John Tavares scored two goals and had two assists to lead the New York Islanders over the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 on Tuesday night. P.A. Parenteau and Matt Moulson scored power-play goals to give the Islanders a 2-0 lead after two periods and help New York move two points ahead of Carolina at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

The CBA and What It Means For the Carolina Hurricanes

Source: Cardiac Cane by Southerndraw

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman held his yearly State of the League Address over All Star weekend.  I sifted through a lot of the political jargon, the what may or may not happen scenarios, etc. etc. The league seems to be doing great.  The NHL is expecting to break the record for people attending games for a season, conference races for the playoff spots are close, and the competition is great.  Fast forward to Jim Rutherford and his comments.

… [visit site to read more]

The CBA and What It Means For the Carolina Hurricanes - Cardiac Cane - Cardiac Cane - A Carolina Hurricanes Blog

Isles @ Canes

Source: Canes Now by chipalexander

Neither team was very sharp but the Isles took advantage of an early power play to take a 1-0 lead after the first period.

Canes defenseman Jay Harrison picked up the first of two penalties in the period at 5:14, batting a puck over the glass for delay of game. The Islanders' PA Parenteau smoked a top-shelf shot to Cam Ward's glove side for the goal at 5:49.

John Tavares, fresh off an NHL All-Star Game appearance, earned his 30th assist and 50th point of the season for the Isles. It was his sixth point against the Canes this season.

The Canes came into the game wanting to put early pressure on Isles goalie Kevin Poulin, who was playing in his third NHL game of the season. Poulin, 21, was called up Monday from Bridgeport of the AHL and making his first start since a Jan. 16 game against Nashville.

Poulin got the job done in the first, denying Jeff Skinner in front of the crease, then making a pad save when Brandon Sutter broke in alone.

Harrison was called for tripping with 2:34 left in the first. The Canes killed off the penalty and appeared set to tie the score in the final seconds of the period.

Tlusty grabbed the puck near the Isles blue line and had a two-on-one rush with Eric Staal on the left side. Tlusty made a nice setup to Staal, but Poulin pushed across the crease to get his pad on Staal's attempt.

Poulin was the AHL's player of the week in early January after winning four times, including three straight shutouts.

 

 

Live updates: Islanders at Canes

Source: Charlotte Observer by By Chip Alexander

The Carolina Hurricanes start the second half of their season tonight by hosting the New York Islanders. Get live updates from the game on our Twitter account, <a target="_new" href="http://www.twitter.com/ice_chip">@ice_chip</a> or get a Twitter feed and period recaps at our <a target="_new" href="http://blogs.newsobserver.com/canes/home">Canes Now</a> blog. Also check out our live <a target="_new" href="http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=newsobserver&page=nhl/rink/index.aspx?ID=14931">@theRink gamecast</a>.

• Read more Hurricanes news on the Canes Now blog

Islanders at Hurricanes: Open Game Thread

Source: Canes Country by Brian LeBlanc

New York Islanders (19-22-7) at Carolina Hurricanes (18-24-9) Tuesday, Jan 31, 2012, 7:00 PM EST | RBC Center | Raleigh, NC Next Game

Game Night Newsstand

Back to Work: Islanders at Hurricanes, Game Day Preview

posted by Bob Wage about 1 hour ago

3 comments | 0 recs

The Isles are Back In Canes Country: Game Day Preview

Source: Cardiac Cane by Sally M. Brown

When the Hurricanes (18-24-9) last entertained the New York Islanders (19-22-7) in their home barn they were battling to stay out of the basement of the Eastern Conference. In this third of four meetings for the teams, the Hurricanes unfortunately hold that last place position behind the Islanders and the Buffalo Sabres (Ouch. That hurt.) All three teams have forty-five points but the Islanders have games in hand over the Canes. The Islanders have won both contests in this series so far, last beating the boys from Carolina in a heartbreaking 2-1 overtime loss in Nassau Coliseum.

Cam Ward, feel free to use this Carey Price move to stop All-Star John Tavares. (Photo: Eric Bolte-US PRESSWIRE)

The man of the hour in the last tilt was Isles superstar and points leader John Tavares. If his name sounds extra familiar, you may have seen him score a wrap-around goal in this past Sunday’s All-Star Game. While he and Justin Faulk were both on Team Alfredsson, I didn’t really want to see him do anything All-Star worthy. I hope that Justin learned some of his secrets over the weekend that will help shut him down.

… [visit site to read more]

The Isles are Back In Canes Country: Game Day Preview - Cardiac Cane - Cardiac Cane - A Carolina Hurricanes Blog

Back to Work: Islanders at Hurricanes, Game Day Preview

Source: Canes Country by Bob Wage

After an eight day break, the Carolina Hurricanes, (18-24-9) are back in action tonight as they host the New York Islanders, (19-22-7) in a match between bottom feeders of the Eastern Conference. These teams just met on January 21st on the island and the Hurricanes lost in overtime as John Tavares netted the game winner.

The Canes are 5-3-2 in their last 10 games and feel happy with the way they had been playing before the break. They want to continue to pick up points, anyway they can. The Isles are 5-4-1 in their last

Ruutu: 'There's nothing I can really do'

Source: Charlotte Observer by By Chip Alexander

Canes defenseman Tim Gleason called constant trade speculation a "nightmare" after signing a contract extension Monday that put it to an end.

Ruutu: 'There's nothing I can really do'

Source: Canes Now by chipalexander

Canes defenseman Tim Gleason called constant trade speculation a "nightmare" after signing a contract extension Monday that put it to an end.

Tuomo Ruutu? The forward now has moved closer to the center of the trade storm. Ruutu said today he has had no contract negotiations with Canes management, but insisted he's not affected or burdened by the rumors floating about the NHL.

"I've heard rumors I'm going to every team in the NHL," a smiling Ruutu said after the morning skate at the RBC Center. "I must be really playing well.

"You hear rumors but I think everybody is different. We're all human. Some guys take it more seriously, some take it less seriously. Everybody has their own way of dealing with it. I hear about stuff but there's nothing I can really do, so ...

"It's nice to be back playing so I don't have to think about this stuff."

"This stuff" includes TSN's Darren Dreger saying Ruutu likely would be traded this week. The rumors include Ruutu going to the Predators, Penguins, Blackhawks, Bruins, Maple Leafs.

Ruutu said he spent the All-Star break last week with his family in a warm spot. Asked how many calls he took from his agent, he laughed.

"To be honest, none," he said. "I had a vacation, so none."

Ruutu then added, "I don't think my agent can do anything right now."

Ruutu, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, leads the Canes with 15 goals and is fourth in points with 26. He has a team-high 97 hits and his physical play -- and recent durability considering the injuries he has had in his career -- makes him a key trade target of several teams.

For now, Ruutu said, "It's just try to win some games. Looking at the standings, we still have a really good chance of making it (to the playoffs.) Try to win a couple in a row and go from there."

At the skate, Ruutu was on Eric Staal's line with Jiri Tlusty. Brandon Sutter had Pat Dwyer and Andreas Nodl on the wings, and Tim Brent was centering Chad LaRose and Anthony Stewart.

Riley Nash, called up Monday from the Charlotte Checkers (AHL), was centering the second line with Jeff Skinner and Jussi Jokinen on the wings. Canes coach Kirk Muller had taken a look at Skinner at center since his return from a concussion but said Skinner -- who scored goals in each of the last two games before the All-Star break -- might be more suitable on the left side.

"It gives Skinner more room to play offensively, being on the wing," Muller said. "I think it gives him a chance to get more ice time that way.

"(Nash) is a smart player and uses people well. I think he can find Jokinen and Skinner for the plays."

Defensively, Muller will stay with the six who played before the All-Star break. Jaroslav Spacek, he said, needs a few more hard practices before rejoining the lineup.

Cam Ward will be in goal for the ninth straight game.

 

 

 

Samson reassigned to Checkers

Source: Charlotte Observer by By Chip Alexander

The Canes have reassigned forward Jerome Samson to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL.

Samson reassigned to Checkers

Source: Canes Now by chipalexander

The Canes have reassigned forward Jerome Samson to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL.

Samson, 24, was recalled to Carolina for the first time this season Jan. 10. He played in three games with the Hurricanes before suffering an upper-body injury against the Boston Bruins that sidelined him for five games.

Samson scored his first NHL goal on Jan. 10 against Philadelphia, and now has one goal and four assists in 33 career NHL games with Carolina.

Canes Reassign Jerome Samson to Charlotte

Source: NHL.com

Samson RALEIGH, NC – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team ha...

Five Things We Learned From The Tim Gleason Contract Extension

Source: Canes Country by Cory Lavalette

The Carolina Hurricanes made a surprising move Monday, removing veteran Tim Gleason from the trade deadline rumor mill by inking him to a four-year extension worth $16 million. The signing sets the groundwork for several dominoes and answers some burning questions about the course GM Jim Rutherford and the team plan to take.

1. Rutherford Likes The Room: By re-signing Gleason, Rutherford solidified his leadership core. Both captain Eric Staal and Gleason, an alternate, are now signed through 2015-16, while

Maple Leafs trading Mikhail Grabovski? (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The NHL trade deadline is on Feb. 27, but the Toronto Maple Leafs' locker room is already thick with rumors of who is going where for what, according to the Toronto Sun. On Monday, Mikhail Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur both … Continue reading →

Canes want to build on recent success

Source: Charlotte Observer by BY LUKE DECOCK

A few tanned, all rested (except for All-Star invitee Justin Faulk), the Carolina Hurricanes returned from far, wide and Ottawa on Monday to begin the final stretch of the season.

$16M deal keeps Gleason in fold

Source: Charlotte Observer by BY CHIP ALEXANDER

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Tim Gleason was trying to find the right words, trying to best describe his feelings about signing a contract extension Monday, when forward Chad LaRose chimed in from across the RBC Center locker room.