Crib Notes - Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes
Finished 2nd in the Southeast. Beat NJ and BOS in 7 games a piece. Swept by PIT in the conference finals.
Signed F Tom Kostopoulos and D Andrew Alberts via free agency
Signed veteran C Stephane Yelle vie free agency
Traded Pat Eaves for steady D and all-around great person Aaron Ward
Resigned Chad LaRose and Erik Cole
Bought out Frank Kaberle, let Anton Babchuk and Dennis Sidenberg go unsigned

Questions going into 2009-2010:
Isn't this the same team from last season?
If Cam Ward is healthy should we pencil them into the conference finals again?
What happens is Cam Ward goes down? (You can say the same for every team losing a starting G but there is almost nothing behind Ward in the lineup)
Will Eric Staal get to 50 this season?
Does anyone care that Versus won't show a Hurricanes game on tv this season?
Will any fantasy owners get fooled into giving Serg Samsonov a roster spot after his 32 helpers last season?

Poised for a breakout season:
Matt Cullen was solid last season. I'm not sure he has a "breakout" season this year but he'll make a case for himself.

If you had to buy one Canes sweater:
A Brind'Amour jersey would be the way to go but I can't advocate anyone going out to buy a Hurricane sweater. This might be the worst jersey in the league.

Player whose game you like:
You have to respect Cam Ward's game. Big time goalie, great playoff beard and he gives you a chance to win games every time he's out.

Player whose game you despise:
Scott Walker. He can suck my ass.

Best thing about last night:
Tie: Larry Tynes and his GW field goal and Blake Lively's breasts

Old guys:
Rod the Bod is 39
Ray Whitney is 37
Aaron Ward is 36

Young guys:
Eric Staal is 24. Hasn't he been in the league for 10 years?

Tough guys:
Tim Gleason isn't the greatest fighter but is willing.
Scott Walker punches people in the face but isn't necessarily a fighter.

Favorite old school Hurricane:
Let's go all the way back to Whaler legend Kevin Dineen.
Cue the music!

Good idea for a goalie pads design from a member of the Hurricane Storm Squad:

Ashley - I think I would design a lovely plexiglass box that had holes for my arms and legs to poke out of, kind of like Sponge Bob Square Pants. I would also have a snorkel-like contraption so I could breathe. This design would keep me safe from the pucks, and I think the fans would enjoy the new look. The only flaw in my design would be if I fall over, someone would have to come pick me up, like when a turtle gets stuck on its back.

Better answer:

Maggie - Pads are for wimps.

Interesting thought from a Storm Crew member:
The Hurricanes just got a new alternative jersey. If you had the opportunity to design an alternative jersey for the Eye Care Associates Storm Squad, what would it look like?

Anna - If I could design an alternative jersey I would definitely put our nicknames on the uniform. That way all the fans could get an idea of everyone’s personality!

Maybe too XFL for purists but this could work.


Goaltending coach:
Tom Barrasso

The case for Sean Burke being wildly underrated:
324 career wins, over .900 save percentage on some really terrible teams during his 22 year career.

Nostalgia:
Former Cane Bret Hedican recently hung up his skates.

Interesting?:
Ray Whitney was an Edmonton Oiler stick boy along with his brother Dean and Ryan Smyth.

NHL 94 players:
Pat Verbeek Geoff Sanderson and Andrew Cassels up front.
Zarley Zalapski and Eric Weinrich on D with Sean Burke
Remember Robert Kron?

Prediction?
Ron Francis gets names head coach halfway through the season during a rough patch.

YouTube:
One of my most painful recent memories. Why couldn't this have been anyone but Scott Walker?



- Nemmy