Matt Karash: Canes 2013 Eval Part 2: GM Jim Rutherford

Fist.

Great blog. You nailed the head when you analyzed the D, way too thin.

When Pitkanen went down, it was like the Defensive Core was out-of-whack, no balance. Obviously Corvo isn't the same player as he was when he was first with Carolina so that was a mistake from Rutherford.

The Canes are on their way up, I thought for sure Justin Peters would be able to take the load and even get hot as some young goalies tend to do. (Peters is amazing in NHL13).

It's nice to have the Staals play together but I don't think Jared has any hope to be a depth forward in the NHL, sad to say. All the Canes need is a top 4 D, have their top guns perform and have a healthy Ward and you're looking at a definite playoff team.

Jamie McBain's Mark Sanchez like reverse development, I think, hurt the team pretty badly. Certainly makes the depth guys being offensive dmen that much more costly, when your planned #4 plays like a #7.

Matt Karash: Canes 2013 Eval Part 2: GM Jim Rutherford
- CarolinaMatt63

Regarding your points on the D, would you consider trading for Alex Edler?

I think your view about Jussi was spot on! Muller should take some responsibility for under utilizing Jokinens skills (he basically mismatched him (played him with the wrong players and in the wrong positions). I partially agree with your D analysis, but think you really overstate it! As the season began the defensive pairings were not all that bad! After the injuries accelerated the depth was a definite problem in our defensive zone (ie. after Ward went down)!
I believe the popular notion about having more stay-at-home (ie big/slow defenders) is a recipe for being outskated all game! The fast/ mobile d-men can be game changers, if used properly! Faulk is an example of very mobile and adequately physical! Allen was a good shot-blocker, and physical, but he also got beat often! Tim, Hairy, Joni, and Faulk were all decent in our zone, and still had some offensive flair! Corvo, and Mcbain were less defensively stellar, however when teamed with a good defender still effective! When Joni and Faulk were injured, of course we didn't have the depth to deal with it!
Sure, we could easily improve our D with a suitable trade, if the right player was available (maybe one of the Col. D-men if they pick Seth Jones. also, a free agent might be a fit) Maybe my opinion about fast mobile D-men isn't right, but most sports have an attitude that speed kills!

If Eric Staal is injured for any amount of time, it's really gonna hurt the Canes next season. Edler with a dirty, dirty move.