the carolina model

wright · Veteran Member

the carolina model

AB Habman · Guru

wright wrote:

Carolina is probably the biggest surprise story of the year. From 76 points and out of the playoffs in'03-04, to the number one team in the eastern conference late in the '05-06 season. Their off season moves along with their moves at the trade deadline certainly illustrate the differences between the Hurricanes, and the Habs. Carolina came into the year with atight budget, only 28 million against the cap, that immediately gave gm Rutherford a lot of manouverability in terms of personnel moves. Whether Rutherford was visionary or lucky, with the new rule changes he picked up two offense first defencemen in Tverdosky and Kaberle. Add in Hedican and Wesley from the previous Carolina team, and the hurricanes have 4 dmen that can switch from defense to offense in a hurry, and guys who will consistently jump into the rush as a fourth forward creating many odd man rushes. Outside of Markov the habs just don't have the same capability from their blueline, so the offense already becomes somewhat inhibited. Strength up the middle: Brindamour has rebounded with a great year, and he is the Canes number two center! Staal is a major force of course, and Rutherford's pickup of Cullen has given them real strength down the middle, something the Habs just can't match, in either size or skill. The Hurricanes wingers have been helped by a mobile defence and great offense from the centers, but they also do something much more consistently than the Habs wingers, they drive to the net, and with their size create problems for opposing defencemen. Gerber has given the Hurricanes all season long what Huet has given Montreal in the past 20 games great goaltending and a chance to win every night. The Canadiens would not be struggling in eight if Huet had been given the chance earlier to take over the number one spot. Regardless Hurricanes were rebuilt with a team that exploits the new rules, and with a small payroll were able to go out and take a chance on Weight and Recchi. Perhaps, in this offseason the Canadiens front office can examine the Carolina model and use some of their moves as a template to making the Canadiens better.

Another good post!

davidb · Guru

Very good post. I wa slistening to the radio today and I do believe the Bruins will be making some noise south of the border this summer. I hope the habs can land one or two players that will put us in the contenders race next year

plouf · Guru

I guess Gainey is suddenly following the Carolina model in one key way. He's picked a few guys to build around, unloaded a big chunk of salary with Theo, and didn't pick up any names at the deadline. Thus leaving a lot of money for the summer to be the key time to acquire what he wants and build the team the way he wants to.

[Then again there's the Bonk and Dandenault salaries. ]

Yep...it's a "maybe next year" situation. But considering the depths this franchise was in 5 years ago I'm glad to be optimistic for the second straight season. Let's go back to 01-02 shall we? The year Theo won MVP.

Forwards: Perreault, Zednik, Petrov (gone the next season) and a fairly washed up Gilmour. Next up Juneau and Dackell. Oh, and let's not forget Berezin, Kilger, Van Allen, and Ribeiro who showed some sparks but also got benched repeatedly. What a bunch!

Koivu? Got cancer. Souray? Injured for most of the season.

Robidas, Dykhuis and Traverse on defense (along with Rivet - who was not a great player at this point, a young Markov, Brisebois, Quintal - a great #5 defenseman).

I know it sucks that we are just squeaking in again (if at all). But there is something to build on now. We had practically nothing 5 seasons ago. Basically Markov, Zednik and Theo. I know it's a drag that we are an average team at this moment. But we are an average team with a lot to build on. There are certain times when a little bit of patience is a good thing. Like when you suck as bad as we did not so long ago.

barry33 · Guru

Great Post! I agree 100%. Rutherford has outclassed every GM in the league (yes including Gainey) this year. It started with coaching. Many were calling for him to can Laviolette 2 years ago but he stuck with him. Appears Laviolette was not the problem eh? Personally, I am not willing to cut Gainey the slack that many of you here do (and no it has zero to do with firing CJ so puhleeeease do not play THAT card again). I just feel that many people assume that because he did a good job in Dallas he will do the same here. That was then and this is now. That was pre-salary cap with an unlimited spending budget, this is post cap where dollars need to be conserved. This is a whole different ball game and I think Gainey is finding that out. He made a mistake in signing Theo to huge bucks and was lucky enough to have the AVs bail him out of that one (I suspect that Bob will be buying the beer for Lacroix at the next GM meeting). He made a huge mistake in the Radical Bonkster deal which he engineerd with Ottawa (Muckler will be buying Bob's beer at the next GM meeting) and he signed Julien to a big contract extension only to can him and still have to pay his salary.

Is Gainey competent and capable? Absolutely. But let's not give him a free ride just because he was successful in a different time and a different place.

doodie · Veteran Member

how many teams out there have GM's and coach's that have success, you have bobby clark he hasn't been sucessfull ,they still have a terrible team (and he's been there a lot more years than gainey)there not going to far, the ISLANDERS,THE LAFFS,etc.etc. even THE LIGHTNING are struggling ,there's tons of teams out there that don't look that great .Even montreal looked pittyful til gainey took over ,even Rutherford's been with carolina a while,they've got a good looking team ,but looks can be deceiving come playoff time.GAINEY"S been a winner with dallas and he''l be a winner in monteal.But as far as the playoffs go for this year, tonight's game is the test,if they don't show up tonight with there best game ,then nobody can motivate them, they have to show the top teams in the league that they can play with them, (they have the potential)."GO HABS GO" YEEEEEE HA

24 Rings · Guru

Y'know what I can't stand about Bobby Clarke? Every single year he trieds to go after the cup with a half-ass goalie....every single year!!!! You think the guy would smarten up after getting bounced so many times and just sign a premier goalie to a long term contract, but NO!! He tries it again every year, just like this year - he loaded up on forwards again! I for one think Philly is totally overated and they will exit in the first or second round.

Ok enough about him. You have to admit that the Habs are in the best postition they have been for the past 5 or 6 years. There is hope finally. We have a good nucleus of young guys and some good core veterans in Koivs, Bulis, Markov, Kovalev, Souray and Zeddy. I think the pieces are finally falling into place.

Key Lime · Guru

24 Rings wrote:

Y'know what I can't stand about Bobby Clarke? Every single year he trieds to go after the cup with a half-ass goalie....every single year!!!! You think the guy would smarten up after getting bounced so many times and just sign a premier goalie to a long term contract, but NO!! He tries it again every year, just like this year - he loaded up on forwards again! I for one think Philly is totally overated and they will exit in the first or second round. Ok enough about him. You have to admit that the Habs are in the best postition they have been for the past 5 or 6 years. There is hope finally. We have a good nucleus of young guys and some good core veterans in Koivs, Bulis, Markov, Kovalev, Souray and Zeddy. I think the pieces are finally falling into place.

I agree. To reinforce your point....the Canes have the same core players this year that took them to the finals 4 years ago...with some good additions. BG keep the core of the team and make sure you know who the core is...that may be the tricky part.