|
|
Bloggers 
My HockeyBuzz
 Hockeybuzz on Versus
Cap Central
Fantasy
Forums
Store
Chat
RSS
|
Season Ticket Login Free Registration! |
Get free daily email updates from Eklund with the latest rumors. Register for free today!
 |
 |
|
Carolina Hurricanes Blogger •
Which would you be doing if you were GM Jim Rutherford?
On a busy day like today, he will be doing some of all 3, but I think he will lean toward just waiting.
If, in fact, Cole and Larose disappear into the summer somewhere else, I think the Canes will need to add 1 right wing.
With some flexible players, you can make the case that they could get by at least short-term at right wing with the current roster. Though he is not the dream/perfect fit, Tuomo Ruutu actually had a very good 08-09 playing most of it at right wing on Staal's line. The team can go this route again without a disaster. Jussi Jokinen could slot into a 2nd right wing spot. And Scott Walker and Patrick Eaves would fill out 3rd and 4th lines. But this requires either a BrindAmour resurgence or Sutter being ahead of schedule to fill the 3rd line center slot. And I also think Ruutu could bring a little more offensively on the left side. But you can at least see where Rutherford could go into opening night without adding anything.
Or he could shop the open market either now or maybe more likely in August when the prices come down. The issue is that there are a couple high end options like Hossa and Gaborik who are likely out of the Canes price range. And behind that you have to ask if you want to roll the dice with fit and everything on a 2nd tier guy for still a lot of money instead of being patient and maybe swinging a trade to get the right guy later.
I am on record as liking Brian Gionta if the price is reasonable. He brings the potential for real scoring from right wing and while he is not big, he is a bit in the Chad Larose category in that he does play with grit, work at both ends of the ice and is willing to play in high traffic areas to create offense.
Past Gionta, none of the scoring options excite me that much for the their expected prices. Guys like Satan and Sykora had their days as NHL snipers, but if they could not score consistently on lines with Crosby and Malkin, why would we expect any better in Raleigh? I figure Samuelsson either stays in Detroit or is expensive. Knuble is interesting as a big body with hands that can finish, but any term on a deal is risky at his age. Then there are guys like Tanguay, Fedotenko, Kovalev, etc. who are all decent options, but look much more like a short-term fill in than the guy you really want to add.
If I were Jim Rutherford today, my priorities would go as follows:
1) Stay in touch with both Cole and Larose. If they do not get the price they want in the market, I would still be glad to have either at my price.
2) I make the call on Mike Komisarek. Best guess is that he turns into 1 of the expensive bidding wars, but you never know. I also make the call on Brian Gionta. He is a little bit of Larose with a little more 1st line scoring and is in my opinion the best fit in the right price range for adding a right wing to the Canes lineup.
3) But mostly I wait. If the prices are high, the best option is probably to wait and either swing a big trade for a top-tier right wing who is still reasonably priced or otherwise to get a short-term deal with 1 of the decent options that will be left in August.
For fun, let's start a pool for where Larose and Cole ultimately end up.
I am saying the Canes for Larose and Tampa for Cole. I am also on record as predicting that Cam Ward signs an extension this summer. That probably happens in a week or 2 when the other stuff settles down.
Go Canes!
On a busy day like today, he will be doing some of all 3, but I think he will lean toward just waiting.
If, in fact, Cole and Larose disappear into the summer somewhere else, I think the Canes will need to add 1 right wing.
With some flexible players, you can make the case that they could get by at least short-term at right wing with the current roster. Though he is not the dream/perfect fit, Tuomo Ruutu actually had a very good 08-09 playing most of it at right wing on Staal's line. The team can go this route again without a disaster. Jussi Jokinen could slot into a 2nd right wing spot. And Scott Walker and Patrick Eaves would fill out 3rd and 4th lines. But this requires either a BrindAmour resurgence or Sutter being ahead of schedule to fill the 3rd line center slot. And I also think Ruutu could bring a little more offensively on the left side. But you can at least see where Rutherford could go into opening night without adding anything.
Or he could shop the open market either now or maybe more likely in August when the prices come down. The issue is that there are a couple high end options like Hossa and Gaborik who are likely out of the Canes price range. And behind that you have to ask if you want to roll the dice with fit and everything on a 2nd tier guy for still a lot of money instead of being patient and maybe swinging a trade to get the right guy later.
I am on record as liking Brian Gionta if the price is reasonable. He brings the potential for real scoring from right wing and while he is not big, he is a bit in the Chad Larose category in that he does play with grit, work at both ends of the ice and is willing to play in high traffic areas to create offense.
Past Gionta, none of the scoring options excite me that much for the their expected prices. Guys like Satan and Sykora had their days as NHL snipers, but if they could not score consistently on lines with Crosby and Malkin, why would we expect any better in Raleigh? I figure Samuelsson either stays in Detroit or is expensive. Knuble is interesting as a big body with hands that can finish, but any term on a deal is risky at his age. Then there are guys like Tanguay, Fedotenko, Kovalev, etc. who are all decent options, but look much more like a short-term fill in than the guy you really want to add.
If I were Jim Rutherford today, my priorities would go as follows:
1) Stay in touch with both Cole and Larose. If they do not get the price they want in the market, I would still be glad to have either at my price.
2) I make the call on Mike Komisarek. Best guess is that he turns into 1 of the expensive bidding wars, but you never know. I also make the call on Brian Gionta. He is a little bit of Larose with a little more 1st line scoring and is in my opinion the best fit in the right price range for adding a right wing to the Canes lineup.
3) But mostly I wait. If the prices are high, the best option is probably to wait and either swing a big trade for a top-tier right wing who is still reasonably priced or otherwise to get a short-term deal with 1 of the decent options that will be left in August.
For fun, let's start a pool for where Larose and Cole ultimately end up.
I am saying the Canes for Larose and Tampa for Cole. I am also on record as predicting that Cam Ward signs an extension this summer. That probably happens in a week or 2 when the other stuff settles down.
Go Canes!
Join the Discussion:  |
 |