In a strange bit of news Canes Assistant GM (and son of the owner) Jason Karmanos was fired. It was deemed a "family matter" in the minimal amount of information out of the Canes media department. One can speculate in about a thousand directions on this one. With no inside information, I will leave everyone to their own imagination.
Also, I have a loyal Caniac who was able to attend the Traverse City tourney this past weekend who is kind enough to share his impressions on the Canes team in the tourney. I hope to get that posted in a blog either Monday or Tuesday.
Camp FINALLY starts officially Thursday September 12 with 2 morning practices!
I have hinted at a couple of the long shots that I think could emerge and also at my thoughts on how to use the 6-7 top players to balance scoring and skill rather than top load. So here is the summary of my summer ramblings in the format of pre-training camp line combination predictions. Certainly a couple scrimmages and preseason games will completely change all of my current opinions, but it is still fun to try to predict how it will play out.
--1: Jiri Tlusty / Eric Staal / Alexander Semin
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Only a weak power play and complete team implosion kept this line from duly being recognized for what it was - the best even strength line in the league. Look at the scoring minus power play points.
--2A: Gerbe or Rask or McGinn / Jordan Staal / Tuomo Ruutu
I voted to split up Skinner and JStaal before the season last year. I was mostly deemed ludicrous. No way could Skinner play on 3rd line with his skill and salary level...You have to put your best players together...etc...etc. Slowly others including people who actually make Canes lineup decisions seem to be coming around.
Per the normal progression, it is a year or 2 early for McGinn or Rask. Rask would need to make a big jump from Canadian juniors to the NHL and also move from center to wing. That is asking a lot. McGinn is still young. But here is the thing...In terms of potential ceiling I think those are the 2 best forwards in the system not already slotted for an NHL role this year. Sometimes raw talent rises up in training camp. Where Muller puts Rask (i.e. wing not natural center position) would be a telling move that the team is at least considering similar. How these 2 look in early scrimmages and preseason games will tell if this is a pipe dream or really possible. If neither of the young players proves ready, Gerbe offers a decent mix of 2-way play, offensive capability and peskiness that would fit on this line.
--2B: Jeff Skinner / Elias Lindholm / Patrick Dwyer unless Dalpe asserts himself in camp.
Out is Jokinen from last preseason. In is Lindholm, but the situation is similar. Skinner gets to play on the 3rd line (I think of it as 2B but whatever) but with some skill and playmaking. Jordan Staal gets a comfortable situation playing with more orthodox and predictable line mates with the primary job to line up against the other team's best and breakeven for the night. For the 3rd line, Muller can cherry pick matchups and get Skinner on the ice against defenseman who will have trouble handling him. He can pick up his extra minutes and scoring opportunities via a regular helping of power play time, and you can simultaneously manage Lindholm's minutes a bit to keep him fresh through the long NHL grind especially with the Olympic break to recharge. Dwyer offers a 3rd who can play the pace of the 2 kids and also bring a bit of defensive help. I think the is the spot that is there for Dalpe if he rises up and seizes it at camp or possibly Palushaj. But if neither clearly wins it at camp, then I think the slot falls to Dwyer.
--4: Drayson Bowman / Riley Nash / Radek Dvorak with Kevin Westgarth sometimes/#13.
I realize that Dvorak is a long shot. If he proves capable of being an above average penalty killer in training camp (he was a few years back when we watching him more regularly) then he wins a slot based on that alone. Bowman is not exciting but he is reasonably safe and sound. If Dalpe or someone seizes a spot on the Lindholm line, then Dwyer could slip to Bowman or Dvorak's spot.
What say you Canes fans? Have you blocked off enough schedule to make practice on Thursday? Who is in the 2A/2B camp for splitting JStaal and Skinner? Who says we need a longer look at Skinner/JStaal/Ruutu? Does anyone else think that the volume of openings sets the stage for a long shot like McGinn or Rask to make the big club ahead of schedule.
Thank goodness it is almost time for real hockey.
For a quick heads up when I post a blog or to be part of the occasional Canes banter on Twitter follow me at CarolinaMatt63.
Go Canes!
Matt on Google+ 
Carolina Hurricanes Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»