Great write-up by Forslund, and I'd say he's SPOT ON.

Quote :

"It's decision day for the Carolina Hurricanes. By 3 p.m. this afternoon, all decisions regarding player movement will be made and on we go. It's a big one, as we see it here the Hurricanes are at a crossroads. This current edition is firmly entrenched in a playoff race that should take them right down to the final hour. Are they good enough to play extra hockey season? Sure they are. Will they? No one can answer that. The last two games are a perfect indication as to why no one can give a definitive read on where the Canes are headed. What is certain is that decisions made or not made today could be critical in that picture. It would be nice if Jim Rutherford could pull the trigger on a series of deals that would place the Hurricanes into the category of Stanley Cup contender. If this were a fantasy league, maybe that's do able. But in this world, there is only so much that can happen amidst the 20-30 transactions that could take place today. The Hurricanes should use today as a springboard to a quiet rebuild that will take them through the NHL entry draft and into the free-agent season. We saw in 2006 what a team in a position to do some serious damage needs to do in the weeks leading to and at the trading deadline. During that season the Canes realized that they had what it took to win it all and went for it. Doug Weight , Mark Recchi and a young Anton Babchuk were all acquired down the stretch. Draft choices, some prospects, middle of the road players were surrendered and it worked out. But this year, let's leave that to others. Washington, Boston, New Jersey and Philadelphia are teams in the East in that spot. Their groups are solid, good enough to win, but maybe just maybe something else can take them home. They also have the young prospects to make the deals necessary. For the Canes, it should be about making the playoffs this season without question, but also making the organization better moving forward. For me, the latter might outweigh the former. The days leading up to the trading deadline are known in hockey circles as the "silly season." Rumors fly, players are pulled from line-ups and that speculation can take over team's mindset. The games can give a GM and understanding of where he is at. Take last night for example. Washington had one of their player's pulled during the warm up. They say it was an injury which could be the case. But there is a strong chance Tom Poti may be involved in a trade. There is no question that the Caps took a step back and were clearly not at their best last night. The Canes jumped on it, played solid and received a much needed two points. Before we get caught up in that win, remember what happened in Atlanta on Saturday. Ouch - that hurts, doesn't it. Although the coaches and players need to have selective amnesia, facts are facts. The Hurricanes remain an inconsistent group and that has to be the message moving forward. In these two cases both GMs must have looked at this game and realized, OK, today's the day let's go shopping. For the short term, the Hurricanes might be able to add one player today that helps them make a push. Sometimes these players are not that expensive. But today, the order might be something creative, out of the box. This might help the future. In this space we have talked about the Hurricanes needs all season. Strong defensive help, size and grit as a group and possibly a high-end guy to play along side No. 12. My feeling is those areas cannot all be addressed by 3 o'clock today. But maybe it's time to separate from some players and start to look ahead, way ahead. The Hurricanes delivered the prize in 2006. Many teams and their fan bases would kill for that. Since then a price has been paid. It's time to move forward. The Hurricanes need to somehow get younger, too. It's time to go that direction and get back to a heavy emphasis on scouting. Today could be a win on two fronts. The Canes do have some chips in place to make it happen. There could be someone coming of immediate help to get the Canes back into the playoff group of eight. That would be fine. But for me, it's about the future. With the economic downturn, this team needs to start developing it's own and going that direction. Today could be the beginning. It almost has to be. Decisions are never easy. Neither is winning that championship. To get back there, the right decisions have to be made and soon. Enjoy trading season. "

oh, and:

[Edited on March 4, 2009 at 10:51 AM. Reason : Jakub!]

3/4/2009 10:48:04 AM

3/4/2009 10:55:23 AM

Agreed, i would love to see some draft picks come our way.

3/4/2009 11:00:02 AM

THE FIRE

IT BURNS ME

3/4/2009 11:32:33 AM

There is a report that Mattias Ohlund has been asked to waive his no trade clause to go to Boston or Carolina.

I'm not sure why we would want Ohlund so I'm not putting too much stake in it.

3/4/2009 12:03:35 PM

how long are we gonna keep Brindamor around? if we want to get younger, i think it starts by recognizing that he just doesn't have it in him anymore and we need to move on

3/4/2009 12:05:20 PM

Satan cleared waivers, surprising enough.

3/4/2009 12:10:36 PM

^^ Kind of hard to throw your captain under the bus, though.

[Edited on March 4, 2009 at 12:12 PM. Reason : I think we're going to be committed to him until he makes the decision to retire.]

3/4/2009 12:11:54 PM

C Adams to PIT, thanks for not taking that JR

3/4/2009 12:14:52 PM

^^^^I think Brinda'mour will be great next year honestly.

^^ We should be


And I should say I think Primeau for Brinda'mour was one of the best trades he ever made.

[Edited on March 4, 2009 at 12:17 PM. Reason : Fuck Keith Primeau, glad he's out of the NHL.]

3/4/2009 12:16:31 PM

Laviolette is doing commentary on the tsn.ca tradecenter program.

3/4/2009 1:27:45 PM

Auto response from XXXXXX: Apparently Jim Rutherford is just hanging out in his office playing solitaire afterall.....

3/4/2009 2:30:38 PM

Supposedly talks broke down between Carolina and Los Angeles because the Kings wanted Williams for Calder+ and the Canes wanted Frolov for Williams+.

3/4/2009 2:31:51 PM

20 mins till deadline and nothing? jeez

3/4/2009 2:38:24 PM

from the blog on ESPN:

Burnside (2:49 p.m. ET): The Carolina Hurricanes, still very much in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, look to be making a move before the clocks runs down. GM Jim Rutherford wants to add some offense.

3/4/2009 3:07:32 PM

http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=412258&page=NewsPage&service=page

Stay tuned...

3/4/2009 3:08:57 PM

They reported that Buffalo traded OUR 2nd round pick to Toronto for Moore. But, they don't HAVE our 2nd round pick.

Unless... we just traded a 2nd for Afinogenov???????

3/4/2009 3:16:10 PM

that would be suprising to me if we traded for Afinogenov. he's good when healthy but hasnt he been injured a lot?

3/4/2009 3:19:05 PM

Live chat now: Canes make deal, to announce it at 4 p.m.
Live chat now: Canes make deal, to announce it at 4 p.m.
Live chat now: Canes make deal, to announce it at 4 p.m.
Live chat now: Canes make deal, to announce it at 4 p.m.

3/4/2009 3:21:34 PM

mark recchi to boston, damn

3/4/2009 3:23:27 PM

^^What's the link to see the announcement at 4?

3/4/2009 3:31:58 PM

Quote :

"Still no word yet as the Canes go through the formalities of making a deal official, but something will hopefully be announced very soon. If not sooner, Jim Rutherford is holding a press conference at 4 p.m. (pre-scheduled earlier in the day), so there should be something then."

3/4/2009 3:36:58 PM

Sounds like the Oilers have made a trade as well...

3/4/2009 3:37:25 PM

Rumors are flying now that Cole is back

3/4/2009 3:41:26 PM

Please no

3/4/2009 3:42:27 PM

depending on the price I will take it.

3/4/2009 3:42:31 PM

a low, low price.

[Edited on March 4, 2009 at 3:44 PM. Reason : .]

3/4/2009 3:44:26 PM

I, too, would accept this trade depending on the price.

3/4/2009 3:45:22 PM

can we get him in 2 easy payments of $19.95?

3/4/2009 3:45:51 PM

I shoulda said if it was for a low low low low price.

3/4/2009 3:46:10 PM

so what do you think Cole costs? I am saying a 3rd... 2nd at most, possibly a roster player

3/4/2009 3:46:38 PM

PATTY O'SULLIVAN NATIVE SON COMING HOME TO NORTH CAROLINA????????????????????//////

3/4/2009 3:51:17 PM

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

3/4/2009 3:51:52 PM

HELLS THE FUCK YEAH

3/4/2009 3:51:56 PM

wooooo

3/4/2009 3:53:26 PM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

SULLIVAN TO EDMONTON



fuck, williams for cole? I don't care if Williams has been hurt

what the fuck



[Edited on March 4, 2009 at 3:55 PM. Reason : .]

3/4/2009 3:54:28 PM

oh fuck... it's a 3 way.. we didn't get O'sullivan!

NOOOOOO Williams is going to LA


I can only assume we got Cole

3/4/2009 3:54:48 PM

I still want to know how the fuck Buffalo got our 2nd round pick.

3/4/2009 3:57:11 PM

Please tell me it's just speculation that we traded Williams for Cole, that would suck!!

3/4/2009 3:57:39 PM

if it's true... FUCK JR and his goddamned infatuation with any and everyone to wear the Canes sweater from the last 7 years.

3/4/2009 3:58:45 PM

It's true

3/4/2009 3:59:02 PM

source?

3/4/2009 3:59:19 PM

Hurricanes got Sullivan and a 2nd for Justin Williams

Sent Sullivan and picks to Edmonton for Cole

3/4/2009 4:00:03 PM

No I think it's the other way. Edmonton sent Cole and picks for O'Sullivan

i hope.

[Edited on March 4, 2009 at 4:00 PM. Reason : .]

3/4/2009 4:00:33 PM

weak....why didn't we keep Sullivan?

Erik Cole is not a good replacement for Justin Williams.

3/4/2009 4:00:57 PM

That could be

I think the tsn guys are drunk

3/4/2009 4:01:03 PM

maybe that 2nd round pick we got back was to replace the one that Vulcan can't find??

3/4/2009 4:01:24 PM

so williams and his contract are worth 1 month of erik cole and a 2nd?

3/4/2009 4:02:31 PM

what the fuck

3/4/2009 4:04:20 PM

must kill rutherford.

3/4/2009 4:04:44 PM