Making their Move!

As we start the new year and hit the midway point in the NHL season, the Carolina Hurricanes find themselves only five points out of a play-off spot in the Eastern Conference. Not bad considering the tough schedule the Canes have faced thus far. However, the Canes now have three games-in-hand on Montreal, in eighth place, and five games-in-hand on Atlanta, in seventh place, who they trail by eight points. So, the play-offs are very clearly in sight.

For most of the season, the Canes have been inconsistent, but recently they have shown signs that they are starting to round into form. This is consistent with past seasons. The Hurricanes always seem to step it up in the second half. With road wins in Toronto (4-3) and Ottawa (4-0), along with a resounding 6-3 shellacking of the New Jersey Devils at home, the Canes moved to 7-3-0 in their last 10 games, second only to Tampa Bay in the Conference, during that period. Cam Ward has been the catalyst, brilliant between the pipes on many nights. His .926 save percentage ranks third overall in the NHL. Of course, Eric Staal has played a key role as you would expect. Nothing new there. The captain is averaging a point-a-game, with 37 points in 37 games. Several others have been instrumental in the Canes surge, including Tuomo Ruutu, Jussi Jokinen, Joe Corvo, Patrick Dwyer, Jamie McBain, and Canes rookie phenom, Jeff Skinner, who continues to surprise. Skinner now leads all NHL rookies in scoring with 28 points in 37 games, and is showing no signs of letting up. In fact, a recent switch to center has him on a current tear. Just check out some of his video highlights and watch this young man, just 18 years-old, in action.

Recent additions, defenceman Ian White (Calgary), along with role players, Troy Bodie and Ryan Carter (Anaheim), have been significant upgrades from their predecessors. Add to that the pending return of Jiri Tlusty, and the emergence of prize rookies, Zach Boychuk and Zac Dalpe, and it starts to get interesting. And, it doesn't end there. The Hurricanes have plenty of depth in the farm with talented youngsters Drayson Bowman, Oscar Osala, Jon Matsumoto, and Bryan Rodney, all chomping at the bit to get their chance.

However, despite a more favorable second half schedule, the Canes are still missing a few key pieces needed to assure a play-off berth in the tough Eastern Conference. With Pitkanen, Corvo, McBain and White, the Canes can create lots of offence from the backline. Keeping pucks out of the net is another matter. They desperately need a veteran shutdown defenceman to take the heat off Tim Gleason. Jay Harrison has been an acceptable fill-in, but he isn't the man. And, the Canes never did fill their need for an elite forward, a go-to guy for Eric Staal. Currently, Staal is the only legitimate first liner on the Canes. Jussi Jokinen has had success at times but other than Jussi, it has been slim pickins'.

If the Hurricanes continue to climb back into the fray in January, expect some moves from Jim Rutherford, the Canes GM, as we approach the trade deadline. Historically, JR has been very active when the Canes are close and a few moves can make the difference. So, if JR can once again weave some of his magic and is able to parlay the likes of Samsonov, Cole, Larose, and Harrison, into meaningful assets, this could be a very interesting season for Canes fans, indeed.

So, the question is...who should JR try to acquire at the deadline? The floor is open.