Matt Karash: Things have not looked this bleak for the Canes since...

I had a bad feeling for the Canes ever since they traded that much for J Staal. However, if they do rebuild, they will get some real nice pieces for the Staal brothers.
This is a good year to tank

I had a bad feeling for the Canes ever since they traded that much for J Staal. However, if they do rebuild, they will get some real nice pieces for the Staal brothers.
This is a good year to tank
- Danformo

Whos got the space and return pieces for the Elder Staal?

Whos got the space and return pieces for the Elder Staal?
- Jeropotato

Teams that won't trade for him. Islanders, Florida, Ottawa, Calgary. Calgary is the only team that would be able to trade for both of the Staals.

Teams that won't trade for him. Islanders, Florida, Ottawa, Calgary. Calgary is the only team that would be able to trade for both of the Staals.
- tomburton99

Sure they got the space.....but they aint gonna gut their team of young talent this early into a rebuild. I suppose if they wanted say, Beartschi, Hudler and Backlund the Flames might do it. I don't think their untouchable list is that long, but they are probably pretty firm on it.

Teams that won't trade for him. Islanders, Florida, Ottawa, Calgary. Calgary is the only team that would be able to trade for both of the Staals.
- tomburton99

Yeah, good luck with Staal waiving his NTC for any of those or other clubs not in Cup contention.

Where do you get this "bleak outlook" crap from? The team played pretty well when our goalies were healthy! If you assume we have a slew of injuries again...then SURE, WE'RE TOAST...but what team that loses their top 2 goalies has much of a chance making the playoffs?

I'm not expecting much .
IF:
E. Staal/Semin/Tlusty regain their lockoyt year magic
Cam Ward gets his mojo back, and Dobbin plays like he has.
Canes find a scoring right winger for Jordan Staal
Lindholm and Murphy improve
Faulk and Sekara, and Bellemore repeat their year
Gleason returns to his old form
then magic happens

Where do you get this "bleak outlook" crap from? The team played pretty well when our goalies were healthy! If you assume we have a slew of injuries again...then SURE, WE'RE TOAST...but what team that loses their top 2 goalies has much of a chance making the playoffs?
- randycane

Come on Randy. You have to read the whole blog.


It was a bit tongue in cheek. Hence the 2005 reference. And I officially declared myself a September Canes optimist because history has proven that anything can happen regardless of where the alleged experts stand this time of year.

Come on Randy. You have to read the whole blog.


It was a bit tongue in cheek. Hence the 2005 reference. And I officially declared myself a September Canes optimist because history has proven that anything can happen regardless of where the alleged experts stand this time of year.
- CarolinaMatt63

So....the Toronto Maple leafs could win the Stanley Cup?

Yeah, good luck with Staal waiving his NTC for any of those or other clubs not in Cup contention.
- haymac

"TEAMS THAT WON'T TRADE FOR HIM" says it in the quote of mine.

"TEAMS THAT WON'T TRADE FOR HIM" says it in the quote of mine.
- tomburton99

Plus any team that would be trading for both of them would like just become the new hurricanes and if it's not working there they both likely won't work elsewhere for what it will cost to land both

As a somewhat recent Canadian transplant to the area, I'm really hoping the 'Canes will be decent this year. I could go for some playoff hockey! Otherwise, I'm just looking forward to getting tickets to the Flames game on Nov. 10.

Matt Karash: Things have not looked this bleak for the Canes since...
- CarolinaMatt63

They'll get better goaltending and they will finish ahead of the Leafs.

I'm not expecting much .
IF:
E. Staal/Semin/Tlusty regain their lockoyt year magic
Cam Ward gets his mojo back, and Dobbin plays like he has.
Canes find a scoring right winger for Jordan Staal
Lindholm and Murphy improve
Faulk and Sekara, and Bellemore repeat their year
Gleason returns to his old form
then magic happens
- dogbutler

That's too many If's .....

How is that Jordan Staal thing working out

Connor McDavid anyone??????????????????

How is that Jordan Staal thing working out
- holeinone

I would say significantly better than Brandon Sutter is working out for the Pens.

The guy who put you in this mess is now GM of the Penguins. Joy.

Teams that won't trade for him. Islanders, Florida, Ottawa, Calgary. Calgary is the only team that would be able to trade for both of the Staals.
- tomburton99

and they wouldn't

Its September and I'm really looking forward to the season. Yes, a little optimistic regarding the 2005 reference and here's hoping the Canes' can stay healthy. They need to come out of the gate with a strong October and build some consistency and racks up points. Whats' missing...the Cory Stillman, Ray Whitney type under the radar signings of that summer. I know there is different cap structure and player cap hits, but keeping the fingers crossed for a bounce back, make it to the playoffs season.

I have a measured amount of optimism going into the season, and it is primarily due to the change in management and coaching. I won't badmouth JR, no need, but I am looking forward to GMRF getting the time and opportunity to make things work. I am very curious to see how the forward combinations play out and how many of our AHL forwards make an impact in camp. If a few of the guys from Charlotte can really push for a roster spot out of camp, our depth up front goes from closer to . If Cam can put together some decent goaltending, even better, but no one (at least on the fan side) is expecting him to get 50+ starts. The flip side of expecting Cam to be nothing above mediocre is that Dobby has to maintain and build upon what he did last year. If playing time isn't sufficient in his judgement, will he let it affect his play? Our D isn't as bad as some have said, but it's not exactly something to hang our hats on either. If Timmy can play solid defensively in a diminished capacity, then good, but how many 5,6,7 D-men do we have?!? How will Bellemore do this year? Will Sekera and Faulk continue to be a top notch pairing?

As for the relocation rumors, let's just say I'll put as much belief in them as the source dictates (i.e.: not much right now). A strong season will go a long way towards putting that to rest. Conversely, if it is another long, miserable season, then surely the rumors will multiply.

Is it October yet?!

In 2005 The Hockey News predicted that the Carolina Hurricanes would finish last in the NHL. We all know how that turned out.

There's no reason to think this team will be worse than last season, and plenty of reasons to suspect they'll be better.

Let the naysayers shout.

The Canes have a really good core with the Staals, Skinner, Faulk, Sekera, Murphy, etc. While it doesn't look like they quite have the horses to compete this year, it would be a shame if they blew it up.

As a somewhat recent Canadian transplant to the area, I'm really hoping the 'Canes will be decent this year. I could go for some playoff hockey! Otherwise, I'm just looking forward to getting tickets to the Flames game on Nov. 10.
- salumba

1st- Welcome to the area! This is an awesome place to live! I've been here 25+ years (from upstate NY), 2nd- The Canes will improve on last years record, and bring back playoff hockey, 3rd-- and most important...GET TO THE ARENA EARLY... and tailgate!!! FUN FUN FUN