MCKEE CANE’S SOLDIER OF NEWFOUND FORTUNE
CAROLINA
When the offseason began, one of the key resignings was to be the steady warrior Jay McKee. Mckee, an assistant captain with the Canes and arguably the crown jewel of the Canes defence, was said to be an easy resign. That didn’t happen and the Canes almost lost their man.
“It got a bit touchy with Jay and the Canes as an organization were pretty much stuck to try and re-evaluate a lot of things,” said head coach Joel Quenneville, who play an integral part of getting McKee back. “Jay and I have always had a pretty open coach/player relationship and he generally feels comfortable to tell me what he is thinking. He was hurt that the Canes didn’t ante up early, but in the end, both sides are good.”
McKee, who struggled heavily and was -17 before the mid season mark when the Canes picked up Oleg Tverdovsky from the Nashville Predators. That move became the turning point of both the Canes and McKee’s season.
“Oleg and I clicked right off the get go,” said McKee. “He is about as smooth a skater as I have seen and he reacts better than I was told he would. He plays defence better than advertised and I think he and I made up a pairing that could be counted on in any situation. I am really looking forward to this year, to play the whole year with that type of guy. I think we can make some things happen.”
Carolina also picked up a steady second pairing for the year in all World defenseman Scott Niedermayer and former team Canada junior team captain Jesse Wallin.
“They are basically the same type of tandem as Oleg and I,” noted McKee. “Scott brings a ton of experience and savvy and Wallin is just a gamer. It should make a lot of nice matchup options for coach.”
The Canes have ended negotiations with holdout forward Michael Woodford until the season begins. The two sides are apparently significantly apart.
When the offseason began, one of the key resignings was to be the steady warrior Jay McKee. Mckee, an assistant captain with the Canes and arguably the crown jewel of the Canes defence, was said to be an easy resign. That didn’t happen and the Canes almost lost their man.
“It got a bit touchy with Jay and the Canes as an organization were pretty much stuck to try and re-evaluate a lot of things,” said head coach Joel Quenneville, who play an integral part of getting McKee back. “Jay and I have always had a pretty open coach/player relationship and he generally feels comfortable to tell me what he is thinking. He was hurt that the Canes didn’t ante up early, but in the end, both sides are good.”McKee, who struggled heavily and was -17 before the mid season mark when the Canes picked up Oleg Tverdovsky from the Nashville Predators. That move became the turning point of both the Canes and McKee’s season.
“Oleg and I clicked right off the get go,” said McKee. “He is about as smooth a skater as I have seen and he reacts better than I was told he would. He plays defence better than advertised and I think he and I made up a pairing that could be counted on in any situation. I am really looking forward to this year, to play the whole year with that type of guy. I think we can make some things happen.”
Carolina also picked up a steady second pairing for the year in all World defenseman Scott Niedermayer and former team Canada junior team captain Jesse Wallin.
“They are basically the same type of tandem as Oleg and I,” noted McKee. “Scott brings a ton of experience and savvy and Wallin is just a gamer. It should make a lot of nice matchup options for coach.”
The Canes have ended negotiations with holdout forward Michael Woodford until the season begins. The two sides are apparently significantly apart.
posted by Lohaus at 8:53 PM
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