Deadline day!

Well, the past day has been exciting! Let's start with the recap of the first game back from the Olympics.

The Canes stomped on the Leafs, winning the game 5-1. Justin Peters had a shutout going until inside the 5 minute mark of the third period. Chad LaRose had three points in his first game off of the IR.

Also - Erik Cole's first game back! Not quite as successful as LaRose's, but hey - HE'S BACK ON THE ICE!

It's pretty amazing that the Canes won this game so handily. Obviously they're not quite the bottom dwellers that they had been - this game marks the sixth win in a row for the Canes.

How long will that continue? Well, considering the Canes traded away half of their roster before today's trade deadline... who knows? They did somehow manage this win streak, after all.

The first to get traded was Aaron Ward, who got shipped to the Ducks for goalie Justin Pogge and a fourth round pick. To which my response was, "Why the heck do we need another goalie?" I mean, we do have Cam Ward and Justin Peters (is there another one in the minors? Knowing Rutherford's goalie collection habits, I wouldn't be surprised).

Next to go was Scott Walker to Washington (a trade within the division! I thought that was taboo!) for a seventh round pick. I also thought this was slightly less than what should've been gained for him. I mean, if Ward is worth a fourth rounder and someone, Walker certainly must be worth more, correct?

But then came the announcement of Joe Corvo going to Washington and the previous trade made a little bit more sense. The Canes got Brian Pothier, Oskar Osala, and a second round pick for his services. Am I the only one to think it's odd that this didn't just happen in one trade? It would seem more economical - although I suppose you should give those guys at TSN something to talk about.

The Canes also shipped Andrew Alberts to Vancouver for a third round pick and Stephane Yelle and Harrison Reed to the Avs for a sixth-round pick and a prospect.

So, overall, this day was an ultimate salary dump for the Canes. This season has been over pretty much since it began, so it makes sense to jettison off all of the spare parts. It will be a shame to see Corvo and Walker in C[r]apitals jerseys, but at least they get to go to a serious contender. I'm glad to see Ward go as I don't think he really did that much except clutch and grab this season. Alberts and Yelle didn't really do a lot for the team either.

Interestingly, Ray Whitney was not dealt as many expected, likely because of Ray's no trade clause. Also, the asking price of a first rounder + some may have been too much for the market.

Hopefully Rutherford will put all of those draft picks to good use so that we're not in this position again for a very long time.

What kind of birthday present is this?

The Canes have traded Patrick Eaves and a 4th round pick to the Bruins for Aaron Ward.

Again, Rutherford has gotten someone who had been with the team previously. (See: Josef Vasicek, Matt Cullen, Paul Maurice). Honestly, I wish he would stop doing that. I do actually like to see new faces in a Canes jersey, not just re-hashes of '02 and '06.

Although, I'm not sure that this is an entirely bad idea. Eaves, although he seemed to have a lot of potential, just didn't click for whatever reason in Carolina. Ward is a defensive defenseman, and at times can be very effective. At other times he can be a slow moving lump that doesn't really do much. But, nevertheless, the Canes need a defensive defenseman, and Ward will certainly fill that part of the equation.

Also in Ward's favor, mainly from a nostalgic standpoint, don't forget that he was the first one to score a goal in Game 7 against the Oilers.

And, to make things even more interesting, remember the Scott Walker sucker punch in the Bruins series? I wonder how their first meeting will turn out. (My prediction? Probably uneventful, but enough of a story line for the TV crew to talk about it for a while).

The more I think about this trade the more I think I will have to wait and see how it plays out in the season. I'm not ecstatic about it - but at least we didn't give up more than Patrick Eaves and a draft pick.

The major storylines

A lot to talk about on this Monday, the start of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Firstly, the series-winning goal by Scott Walker got a lot more significant, considering he announced that his wife had been recently diagnosed with cervical cancer. From the N&O article:

"The last couple [of] games, I don't even really remember playing them," Walker said. "I talked to [Maurice] about that. I played those games, and sometimes I would look up or at the end of the game, I'd be like, 'Wow, we just played a game.' I was trying to do my job and play as hard as I could and try and keep my mind as calm as I could. After that game [Thursday], so much emotion went out of me."

I know my thoughts are certainly with the Walker family as they deal with this. Luckily, his wife is expected to make a full recovery.

On a much more happier note, the Canes-Penguins series begins tonight! Let me tell you ahead of time what the Versus coverage will consist of (enabling you to put the TV on mute and instead listen to Chuck K):

- OMG! Sidney Crosby is in this game! Let me repeat that again - SIDNEY CROSBY IS IN THIS GAME! And guess who he beat in the last round? ALEXANDER OVECHKIN! Sidney Crosby had 8 goals in that series! SID CROSBY SCORED 13 POINTS IN A SERIES AGAINST AO! SIDNEY CROSBY!!!!!!!!

- Hey! There are two guys named Staal in this series! Isn't that wierd? And, get this, they're brothers! Wow, that's like the first time that's happened in like, ever! And, get this, they have two other brothers that play hockey! It's like, a whole family of hockey players! That's like a completely new concept!

- Remember that guy Erik Cole? You know the guy who checked him from behind? He's on the Penguins! And Cole's on the Hurricanes! And they're going to play at Mellon Arena, where Cole got hit! Wow, it's like they've never faced off against each other!

I think the most pathetic thing is that all of these subplots have been covered when these teams have played in the regular season (I should know, I've yammered on about them enough)- it's just all of a sudden they've been blown out of proportion because it's the playoffs - but you would think there would be new material for the playoffs, not just the same old storyline. But I guess that's too much to ask.

Anyways, here's some random Pittsburgh blogs I've run across:
Pensburgh
I Bleed Black 'n Gold
Igloo Dreams
The Pensblog

The series begins tonight!

Scott Walker wins it!

Canes win 3-2 in a thrilling Game 7 overtime!

And guess who scored the series-winner? Yes, our very own sucker-punching Scott Walker! Haha, Boston fans must be livid at that particular outcome.

This game was just great to watch. It was a very closely-played game, just as a Game 7 should be. Both teams played well, and a testament to that statement is the fact that neither team collapsed going down the stretch, and both pushed it to the extra period.

As for overtime? Well, I think this video can describe it better than I can:

Scott Walker's first playoff goal certainly came in a timely fashion, eh?

Now it's off to Pittsburgh to play the Sidney Crosbys the Penguins. First game is next Tuesday (long layoff, anyone?).

Eastern Conference Finals, here we come!

Well, that game was crap

Canes lost 4-0 in Game 5.

Let me put it like this - the Canes were playing so bad that I fell asleep during the third period. Of a playoff game. That, my readers, is pretty frickin' bad.

Of course, by sleeping through the last 15 minutes (the last thing I remember before being woken up with 25 seconds left was Erik Cole's stupid delay of game penalty), I missed the Scott Walker sucker punch on Aaron Ward. Walker wasn't suspended for that, only fined, which I guess is good. But it was a stupid, stupid play by Walker. Considering this is the same dude that has been previously suspended for headbutting, I would suggest that Walker take a few deep breaths before getting into it with anyone...

Anyways... yeah, this was a pathetic showing by the Canes. They didn't skate at all, they didn't pressure, they took lame penalties. Everything that the previous three games weren't.

But, the good news is that the Canes now can come back to Raleigh and have another chance to win it. I know the Caniacs will definitely be out in full force - hopefully the Canes will show up this time as well.

Canes end winning streak

Canes lost 4-2 to the Panthers last night, ending their 4-game win streak.

Canes played well, but let the Panthers get two quick goals early in the third period, and they never recovered.

Tim Gleason went out of the game in the third period with what looked like a pretty nasty leg injury. According to "Canes Now" (somehow I liked "Lord Stanley's Blog better...), the Canes are optimistic that it's not a serious injury.

Meanwhile, Eric Staal was named to the All-Star team, the only Cane to be going to Montreal. He's probably the Cane that deserves it too (certainly not our esteemed captain, who still trails the entire league with a -26).

And, Scott Walker apparently has his own signature sandwich, the "Walker 24", now in local Harris Teeter stores. I haven't been able to find any details about what is actually in the sandwich, so I guess I'll have to pop in the local store to find out.

That's it for now. Canes play Boston (again) tomorrow in the afternoon.

Canes get Capped

Yes, I stole that headline from the Canes' website, and, yes, I took a screenshot of it, because I feel it is such a headline that should be saved for our posterity's sake.


Actually, I find it hilarious. And I need a laugh after the turn this season has taken...

I believe the "Laviolette Watch" has begun. I wouldn't be surprised if we have a new coach soon. I'm not advocating this - I like Laviolette, don't think he's done anything wrong, necessarily - but something has to get the Canes going in the right direction again.

*sigh*

Two crappy losses against two division rivals. What more can I say?

The Canes just appeared to implode on Sunday against the Thrashers: Luckily, I wasn't watching it, as the game wasn't televised. Listening to it was no walk in the part, though.

We finally have everybody back from injury - Pitkanen, Cullen, and Sutter returned - but they certainly didn't do anything to stop the 5-1 rout by the C[r]apitals. The only one who bothered to show up at all was Scott Walker - at least he has a goal to show for it.

I'm at a loss here. Something needs to happen - somebody needs to pull Staal's head out of his rear, specifically - but we can't go on like this. We have more talent than this - why can't we show it?

Next game is tomorrow against Atlanta. I predict the seat gets extremely hot for Lavi if the Canes have another blowout. Hopefully they won't...

Preseason's over!

Let's see here, what's happened in the past week?

Canes won twice against Nashville, finishing the preseason at a 3-3 record.

They also signed their first-round pick from this year's draft, Zach Boychuk, to an entry-level contract.

Scott Walker had surgery on his left hand, which was injured in his fight against Philly.

This opened up a roster spot for Dan LaCouture, who was signed to a two-way contract after a stellar training camp for the free agent tryout.

And the good news, we're already ahead in the Southeast Division, with the Lightning losing their both of their overseas openers to the Rangers!

Opening Night in less than four days!

Canes earn first preseason win

Canes went 1-1 against the Flyers this weekend.

They lost the first game 4-2, the Flyers being all emotional and whatnot because this was their last game at the Spectrum before its demolition, and they had all kinds of ceremonies and stuff.

Then there was today's game, which the Canes won 1-0. It was a lot more exciting than the score makes it seem - the Canes missing on tons of chances with an open or semi-open net. The Canes played a heckuva lot better than they did in the only other time I've seen them play this preseason (that being Wednesday). Staal, Cullen and Walker were some of the regulars in this game - Cullen didn't play the last two periods because he was hit hard and they were holding him out for "precautionary reasons". Samsonov was the one who scored the goal for the Canes.

I took my new digital camera to the game, and came back with 31 pictures. Most of them were blurry or pictures of the jumbotron so I could judge when in the game I took the pictures.

Anyways, this is the best picture of a string showing Scott Walker's fight with Nate Guenin.

And this is a random picture of Brandon Sutter. I have no idea when or why I took this (I think I was aiming at something else), but it's the best one of the bunch.
I debated taking a picture of the blood across the ice when Josef Melichar was struck by a high stick, but I didn't want to seem overly morbid.

And, the Canes have sent some people back down to juniors/Albany after this game. I'm bummed that Casey Borer didn't make it, and also Jakub Petruzalek, just because I think his name is completely awesome to say out loud a few times (try it!).

Making it through this round of cuts is Bryan Rodney, a defensemen who played really really well in today's game.

Next preseason game is Thursday at Nashville.

Lameness

Wow that was crap.

Canes lost 7-1 to Buffalo last night.

Yeah, with college basketball on, I definitely didn't really pay attention past the first period, where Buffalo was leading 4-0.

Game did get really chippy at the end, with a bunch of fights and roughing and whatever.

Scott Walker scored the lone Canes goal.

And, Ray Whitney will have surgery to remove a bursa sack in his ankle - out 2-3 weeks.

Just what we need, another forward out with injury.

Next game is tomorrow against the Senators.

Erik Cole will fight you, punk!

Canes won 3-2 over the Wild yesterday.

And, pretty much everything that happened in this game was eclipsed by what occurred in the third period.

Yeah, so Staal gets shoved head-first from behind into the boards by Minnesota's Aaron Voros. Erik Cole sheds all unnecessary equipment and tackles/begins to fight Voros, as my main man Cole both knows what it feels like to be seriously injured like that and knows how to defend one's teammate.

So, there's some other skirmishes, and they're gradually broken up. Scott Walker gets kicked out of the game for no apparent reason (is this guy blacklisted or something?). Then Erik Cole gets kicked out.

So, Voros, who did the initial dirty play, only gets 5 for fighting and 5 for boarding. Cole gets 5 for fighting, 2 for instigating, 2 for unsportsmanlike (yeah, like sticking up for your teammate is really unsportsmanlike compared to shoving someone face first into the boards), and a game misconduct. Walker gets a game misconduct for... um, talking?

Something doesn't seem to add up here. Stupid refs.

Anyways... on Wednesday, in the Canes win over the Thrashers there were some psycho referees too. Not only was a clear-in knocked off a ref into the goal, but then, later in the game, the ref refused to stop play for Johan Hedberg even though there were, like, five guys crowded around the crease - so he had to play it, which led to a Canes goal. Which I wasn't complaining about, but it was the first time in about 5 years that I actually felt some sympathy for Atlanta.

Why is it that refs get worse and worse as the season goes on, and then almost seem to refuse to call anything in the playoffs? It's just not right.

Canes play tomorrow against Buffalo.

Erik Cole stats (Wednesday): 1 goal, 1 assist
Thursday: 1 goal
On the season: 19 goals, 25 assists

Tons of fights - Canes win!

Canes won 3-1 last night against the Rangers.

Wow, the first period was incredible. 66 penalty minutes. Scott Walker and Sean Avery got put in the box for roughing before the game even started! Brookbank and Orr fought, then Walker and Avery fought (with Gleason as third man - game misconduct for him), then Brookbank and Orr fought again. It was great.

As for the hockey part, the first period was crappy by both teams, although the Rangers scored the first goal.

In the second period, the Canes picked up their play, scoring two goals. The third was well-played as well, and Cam looked absolutely spectacular for the last 20 seconds when the Rangers had a 6-on-3.

Next game for the Canes is against the Maple Leafs tomorrow.

Oh yeah, Sean Avery - you're still a punk.

Chad LaRose stats: 1 assist
On the season: 7 goals, 10 assists

Adams is gone...

The Canes had a net gain of 2 players today - Cullen, Walker, and Hedican have been taken off of IR, while Craig Adams has been sent to Chicago for "future considerations".

It's sort of a shame to see Adams go, but in this year he was nowhere near productive for the Canes. At least he'll be part of the "Adams Family" again (Kevyn Adams is in Chicago as well, although currently he's on IR with a torn ACL -ouch!).

Game is tonight against Ottawa.

Cullen hurt; Canes lose

Canes lost 4-2 to the Rangers last night.

Matt Cullen got viciously hit by Colton Orr (who came all the way across the ice to hit Cullen - Orr was called for interference, but the puck was there so it should have been something else), probably has a broken nose and a possible concussion.

I watched some of the second on FSN, then switched over to Chuck K on the radio, so I didn't see the Rangers score 3 goals in the third (and I honestly wasn't paying too much attention to it, trying to get the new computer to recognize that, yes, it is connected to the internet - speaking of which, my blog looks really weird on a widescreen monitor...) and I didn't see Sean Avery be a punk and throw punches at Ladd when the linesman was in the way.

I was lucky enough to see the first shorthanded goal of the season by Scott Walker. That's pretty pathetic, into December and scoring only one shorthanded.

Next game is tomorrow against Boston. Will have to see if Cullen is out for that one - if so, injuries are certainly starting to take their toll...

Canes lose; Walker suspended

Canes lost 6-0 to Ottawa last night.

The game was pretty fast paced, especially in the first period. Unfortunately for the Canes the fast paced-ness went in favor of the Senators, Ottawa jumping out to a 3-0 lead after the first. The 3rd period was particularly miserable to watch, the Senators scoring another three in that period.

The most important thing coming out of this game is probably Scott Walker's fight in the beginning of the second. After the fight was kinda-sorta broken up by the linesmen, Walker head-butted Mike Fisher and is now suspended for one game by the NHL.

Perhaps it's my middle-school-era humor coming up, but I think saying "Headbutt" is pretty funny.

Scott Walker being suspended (especially for doing something retarded like headbutting) is not funny.

Good news!

Good news for tomorrow's game against Philly!

Scott Walker, out with a torso injury since the October 19th Penguins game (a long time ago!), has been activated off of IR and will more than likely play! Great news that he'll be back in the lineup soon - the Canes have certainly missed his toughness that he adds to the game. (Especially good against Philly - it seems every week that another Flyer player is getting suspended for a cheap hit...)

Tomorrow is also Rod Brind'Amour figurine night! In the words of my mom: "Will it have the same beat-up nose as him?"

Reasons to avoid soccer...

Canes lost 3-2 in overtime to the Flyers last night.

Yet another game they should have won. I know some might think I'm exaggerating when I say this for the second night in a row - but, when one team outshoots another 19-5 in the second period that's the team that should win.

The Canes were probably not helped by the loss of two main forwards, Erik Cole and Scott Walker. Erik Cole injured his foot in a pick-up soccer game before the game.
*facepalm*
And Scott Walker is still out from collapsing in Pittsburgh on Saturday. According to Jim Rutherford (from this N&O article) Walker's injury is:

"It's his rib area, but we couldn't find anything so we suspect it's cartilage or something like that," Rutherford said. "We waited for him for about an hour, and he did fly to Philadelphia with us, but he's in a lot of pain and probably will be for the next three to four days. At that point, maybe we'll have a better idea what it is."

Anyways... that's about it. Hopefully the Canes can win one outright against Vancouver tomorrow.

Walker goes down, so do Canes in shootout

Canes lost in a shootout 4-3 to the Penguins last night.

Canes absolutely should have won, having pretty much controlled the first period. Then Scott Walker got injured and the game went downhill from there...

Walker suddenly went down in the second. When I say "suddenly" I mean he just collapsed with no one near him. It looked really scary, especially with the way his head was kind of flopped forward when he left the ice...
Official diagnosis was a "torso injury", and he was released from the hospital and flew with the Canes to Philadelphia. Other than that, I can find no information on what happened to him, or what the hospital diagnosis was.

As for the actual game, Canes lost their fire at the end of the game, causing it to go into OT and then the shootout. And, I must say, Cam Ward looked pretty bad in the shootout, not making one save.

This marks the third game at Mellon Arena where a Cane has gotten injured. There is some serious bad karma there...

Tonight the Canes go across state to Philadelphia, who are definitely not following last year's template of losing. Of course, it probably helps when you drop tons of money on Daniel Briere and actually have a goaltender in Marty Biron.

Walker is resigned!

Scott Walker has been resigned today!

Good news for the Canes, as they already need a new center, so keeping Walker means they don't need to look for a winger as well. And he's one of the only people on the team able to win a fight.

Contract is a 3-yr deal, paying Walker 2.5 mil each season. A pretty good deal, I think.

Final Predictions!

I haven't posted in a week.

There's nothing to post about.

I mean, seriously, when this story is the first thing you see on the Canes website, things are pretty boring.

Hopefully, I'll have more to post about this week, as the Stanley Cup Finals begin Monday.

Although, I will be going through exams this week, so whether or not I'll find the time to post is a different story.

So, without further ado, here's my Stanley Cup Finals Prediction:

Ottawa in 6.

I would like to remind the reading public that I was 2-0, batting 1.000 in the the conference finals predictions.

*EDIT 11:58AM* Well, after skimmming the other Canes blogs and whatnot, I find that I really have been missing a lot. Like the fact that Scott Walker will more than likely test the free agent waters. And that Glen Wesley will likely come back to play for a 20th season. Oops. Sorry for being so slow on the uptake, loyal readers.