As we fast approach the trade deadline, Jim Rutherford (JR) is being very tight-lipped about his plans. But, then again, that's his normal style, isn't it? Things are really starting to heat up. "I'm getting inquiries on more players than I expected," he was recently quoted as saying. The big question is "Will the Canes still be sellers?" After all, they have rattled off five straight wins and have won nine of their last eleven. They now find themselves only nine points out of a play-off berth.
So, what would you do, knowing that the rebuild process is well underway, but a play-off berth is still possible?
The changes started earlier this year, with the Canes elevating Brandon Sutter, Patrick Dwyer, and Brett Carson, to the big team from the Albany River Rats. They have all contributed and will be regulars going forward. Sutter has been a revelation, with fourteen goals already this year. Then, the Canes traded 2009 first round pick, Phillipe Paradis, to Toronto for former first rounder, Jiri Tlusty. Niclas Wallin, the "secret weapon", a huge favorite of the Caniac nation, was shipped to San Jose for a 2nd round pick in 2010, and Matt Cullen, another fan favorite, was sent to Ottawa for D-man Alexandre Picard and another 2nd round pick in 2010. So, that's where we are right now.
Based on these moves, you have to figure that JR will stick to his re-tooling plan, to change fully half of the team prior to next season as he has previously gone on record as saying. At the top of the list will be dealing with the UFAs. He has to move them now, if he wants any return, as he did with Cullen and Wallin. The Canes have some outstanding building blocks in Eric Staal, Cam Ward, Brandon Sutter, Tuomo Ruutu, Joni Pitkanen, Jussi Jokinen. and Tim Gleason. They also have some talented prospects in the aforementioned Brett Carson, Patrick Dwyer and Jiri Tlusty, as well as Albany farmhands Zack Boychuk, Justin Peters, and Drayson Bowman, not to mention Ohio State star, Zac Dalpe, and, my personal favorite, former Wisconson phenom, Jamie McBain. You might want to include Alexandre Picard, if he can recapture his game in Carolina as so many others have. Add to that veterans Erik Cole, Sergei Samsonov, Tom Kostopoulos, and Andrew Alberts, who has quietly had a solid season, (leads the team with +6) and you're well on your way. You can expect Rod Bind'Amour to retire at season's end, clearing much-needed cash and a center spot on next year's roster.
The Canes need more size and scoring in the forward ranks and will probably need another D-man, assuming both A. Ward and Corvo go this week, unless of course, Anton Babchuk (remember him?) returns from the KHL, where he is having a break-out season. Stranger things have happened!
So, what deals should we look for prior to the deadline? JR has made it clear that he is looking for high draft picks and prospects who can contribute now, so don't expect any household names to be heading our way. Here's my wish list.
Ray Whitney - LA - Deal is on the table, but fading - 1st rounder in 2010 & prospect (Moller,Elkins?)
Pittsburgh - 1st rounder & prospect or Tyler Kennedy & 2nd rounder
Buffalo - 1st rounder & prospect (Justin Jokinen?)
Boston - (with A. Ward) - Blake Wheeler is available
Joe Corvo - Phoenix - 2nd rounder or top prospect (Boedker, Jared Staal?)
Phoenix (with Larose) - Wouldn't Peter Mueller look good in a Canes jersey?
Aaron Ward - Boston - 2nd round pick
Vancouver - 2nd round pick
Chad Larose - Philadelphia - Ville Leino is interesting
Stephane Yelle - late round pick
Scott Walker - Nashville - 4th or 5th round pick in 2010 draft
Manny Legace - late round pick
Bryan Rodney, Jay Harrison - Both have slipped in the eyes of Canes management and could be packaged in a deal.
This is an exciting time to be a Carolina Hurricanes fan. A new era is being ushered in. The Canes don't plan to sit on the outside looking-in for long. One thing's for sure. There is nobody more astute than Jim Rutherford at wheeling and dealing. You can bet he'll get maximum return for his assets. he's made a habit of it. Look at some of his past deadline deals:
Andrew Ladd to Chicago for Tuomo Ruutu (A win for the Canes)
Josef Melichar and Wade Brookbank to Tampa for Jussi Jokinen (Are you kidding me?)
Danny Richmond to Chicago for Anton Babchuk (Danny who?)
Kevyn Adams to Phoenix for Dennis Seidenberg (Love to the the"berg" back next year!)
And who knows, we may even see Matt Cullen back next year!
This will be very interesting! Join me as I follow all of the Canes trade activity at http://twitter.com/CanesTR.
