Not Bad...Not Bad at All.

Ever see the movie, Independence Day, which starred Bill Pullman, Will Smith, and Jeff Goldblum?  It’s a great movie, if you like sci-fi action movies.  Anyway, there is a scene at the end of the movie where Pullman congratulates Goldblum for destroying the alien mother-ship, an astounding feat, and says to him:  

"Not bad…Not bad at all."   

Well, that's kind of how I feel about the Hurricanes season just ended. Sure, we were disappointed that they succumbed to the Penguins in four straight. But hey, look at it this way. Most of the other teams were long gone and probably working on their golf game and, there we were, among the final four teams still playing at season's end. No way we could have predicted that, particularly considering the fact that making the play-offs was in doubt for most of the season. 

There was a lot to feel good about in this Canes season. Cam Ward established his position as an elite goaltender, one of the best in the league, and he’s only going to get better. The Canes defence brought a new offensive dimension to the party, lead by Corvo, Babchuk, and Pitkanen, all smart moves by JR. Tim Gleason became a beast on defence and Nic Wallin was quietly responsible. There's lots to build on here. 

Upfront, Eric Staal continued his development and improved his overall play, particularly killing penalties and in the face-off circle. Now, all he needs to do is work on his consistency. Tuomo Ruutu, finally healthy, enjoyed a break-out season with twenty-five goals, and Chad Larose established himself as a top six forward, just missing the twenty goal plateau, (19) culminating with a strong play-off performance. I have to admit, at the start of last season, I had Chad penciled in on the fourth line. He won me over with his work ethic, heart, and improving offensive skills. Good for Chad!  Ray Whitney excelled offensively, as he led the team in scoring, and Sergei Samsonov, teased us enough with his ability to create optimism for his future. Matt Cullen raised the level of his play, when moved up to the second line, scoring at a point-a-game pace, during a thirty-game stretch in the second half. Expect more from him next year.

Two late season acquisitions, Erik Cole and Jussi Jokinen, played key roles down the stretch as the Canes battled to get into the play-offs. Jokinen was huge in the play-offs, among the Canes top players in the post-season. 

But, there were some disappointments. Undoubtedly the biggest was Rod Brind'Amour, who struggled through his worst season as a pro, leaving the Canes exposed at the critical center ice position. Scott Walker struggled through an injury-plagued season, scoring only five times.  Might be time for Scotty to consider retirement. Plus, Patty Eaves is ready to reclaim a top-nine forward position.  I still hold out hope that he will find the scoring touch he displayed his first year in the league with Ottawa, when he scored twenty goals. Michael Leighton battled inconsistency as the back-up to Cam Ward. Frank Kaberle played intermittently and was effective some nights and not effective, other nights. Darren Sutter was miscast as the Canes fourth line center, desperately in need of minor league seasoning. 

The Canes will undoubtedly have some major decisions to make this off-season.  At the top of the list will be landing a compliment for Eric Staal, a big dog that can score in bunches and is a threat every time he steps on the ice. The Caps' Ovechkin and Semin, the Pens' Crosby and Malkin, the Wings' Datsyuk and Zetterberg, and the Hawks' Toews and Kane, are all examples of powerful one-two punch combos, something the Canes will need to go deeper in the play-offs next year. 

Restricted free agents Jokinen, Ruutu, and Babchuk, will be locked up quickly. 

Decisions will have to be made on unrestricted free agents, Larose, Seidenberg, Bayda, and Cole. Larose is a lock. Cole could go if the Canes need the cash for a major addition, but I'm betting he'll settle for a reasonable deal to remain in Raleigh and be back at training camp next year. Bayda is 50/50, considering Tim Conboy is already on a one-way deal for 2009 and given the development of players like Zach Boychuk, Drayson Bowman, (can't wait to see him in a Canes uniform) and, of course, Darren Sutter. 

The big free-agent question surrounds Seidenberg. He was the Canes top defenseman on many nights and carried the Canes blue in the early part of the season. But, here's the dilemma. The Canes are loaded with young talent on the defence. Brett Carson impressed the heck out of me in his brief tour with the Canes. He's big, 6'5" and smooth as silk. Jim Rutherford (JR) was so impressed with Bryan Rodney that he pronounced "He's got a job to lose at training camp next season" when the Canes returned Rodney to Albany for more seasoning. Don't forget, two short season ago, he was toiling in the Eastern League. Heck, he was quarterbacking the Canes power-play and looking good. Talk about poise. Now, that's a story!  And what about Canes phenom Jamie McBain, who signed with the Canes after his college season ended at Wisconsin, a season in which he was under consideration for the Hobey Baker Award. The book on him is that he is a "can't miss" prospect, another offensive-minded stud on the backline. This could be interesting. And if things get really desperate, the Canes still have Conboy, a natural defenceman, and Casey Borer, a solid stay-at-home type available. Talk about a logjam. So, not much room for Seidenberg, particularly if the Canes are unsuccessful in moving Kaberle for the umteenth time. 

I guess that brings us back to the captain. Many of the Canes supporters feel it is time for Rod to hang them up.  He has served this team very well over the years. But, here's where I sit on this. The Canes must add a top three forward this off-season. That will cost big bucks. About half of that could come from Brind'Amour's salary.  Besides, using Rod as your fourth line center is ludicrous. Interestingly, initial indications from the Canes camp are that Rod will be back. Nonetheless, I have my doubts. 

And what about Paul Maurice?  Another reclamation project for JR. Get this, he was attending the University of Windsor, working on his business degree, when Rutherford reached out to him. Talk about a long way from the NHL wars! All he did was take the Canes to the division finals. You can bet he’ll be returning, along with his talented crew of Ron Francis, Tom Rowe, Tom Barasso, and Kevin McCarthy. They will only get better. 

This summer will be an interesting one for Canes followers. With a few of the right moves in the off-season, the Canes could challenge for the top prize, again. And there is none better at making those moves than the Canes' bossman, Jim Rutherford. The moves he made during the season, including bringing back Paul Maurice (talk about a controversial move!) and Erik Cole, plucking Jussi Jokinen off the scrap heap, and moving Ron Francis into the coaching ranks, were nothing short of brilliant. He never ceases to amaze me! I wonder what he will have up his sleeve this time. I'll be following the draft and free agency with great anticipation. 

Let the games begin!