DEFENCE LOOKING A BIT WEAK, CAROLINA TO LEAN ON FOOTE

Carolina

The offseason continues for the boys in red as the defense was the latest target by Hurricane management. With the forwards being addressed in earlier deals, the Canes went out and made sure they had locked up Brad Stuart’s defence partner early, so the two could be acquainted.

Enter Adam Foote. The rugged blue-liner with Stanley Cups and a winning attitude second to none now makes his home in Raleigh. Foote, a bruising defender an d a consistent hit leader in the CLUTCH, has made it a personal goal to help inspire this Canes squad to make that step over the proverbial hump.

“This team has all the pieces, I just hope I can come in here and give them what they are needing,” said Foote. “The knock on this club has been leadership and grit. If there are two things I can offer, it is that. This should be a good season here.”

Foote is not going to be the guy getting points and his new partner Brad Stuart knows that.

“I was told they wanted a banger out there and a leader that we can lean on,” said Stuart. “I am the guy they want to run the power play and they want me to be creative and not worry about what is behind me. I’m okay with that. Playing with Foote is going to be a great experience. He is an icon and when you think of playoff warriors, he is a guy that often comes to mind.”

The Canes feel their number 1 unit is set but other than Dion Phaneuf and Phillipe Boucher, it is unknown who the final two defensemen will be.

A NEW DAY IN CAROLINA, ON TO MORROW

Carolina

With the acquisition of prolific goal scoring phenom Jaromir Jagr, the Canes turned their attention to another missing piece.

“We had discussed that the idea of an on ice general to lead by example would be beneficial to this team,” said head coach Joel Quenneville. “Let us be honest here. Last year, playing the Canes usually was not a hard thing. Our team didn’t come at you and we usually wound up spending half the game on the penalty kill. I wanted a guy who could play an aggressive, in your face style, add to the offense and provide us some grit and determination on ever shift. We addressed this and we went after it.”

Enter Brendan Morrow, former captain of the Dallas Stars and the newest member of the Carolina Hurricanes.

After an impressive season in Pittsburgh, Morrow found himself on a late season push by the Minnesota Wild and helped the club all the way to the conference finals. His experience and leadership will be a blessing for this club.

“Morrow is a no nonsense guy and when we found out he was available, we wanted him in the lineup as soon as possible.”

The Canes have already slotted him on a line with Mike Fisher and Michael Ryder, an aggressive duo in their own right.

“When I was told Morrow was coming to us and that the three of us would be a line, I was pretty excited,” said assistant captain Mike Fisher. “I think we have a really great opportunity to be one of those lines noted throughout the league as the line you don’t want to play. I’m looking forward to that chance.”

The Canes feel their top three lines are set for the season and barring any unforeseen acquisitions, look for the Canes to start the year with the three lines intact.

CANES ADDRESS OFFENSIVE WOES

Carolina

After a disappointing season, the Canes have refocused their energy on setting themselves up for a more productive season.

Head Coach Joel Quenneville made himself clear to management that the team lacked leadership and a guy who was willing to take the punishment of a seasonal grind. He wanted more size, more experience and a guy that could spark an offense that was pathetic throughout much of the year.

“I was not going to go into this year without the organization finding me someone I could count on on the ice during the game,” said the coach. “We always seemed to falter as the game went on, the wheels always came off so to speak. This time around, I wanted to know that I had a guy I could count on.”

The Canes have been busy working on addressing these needs. The first move made was the spark that Quenneville requested. The Hurricanes went out and acquired former Art Ross and Hart trophy winner Jaromir Jagr from the St. Louis Blues. Jagr is arguably one oft eh most prolific point producers in our generation and his explosive combination of speed and strength make him the perfect go to guy on the Hurricanes.

“We want him out there with Heater and Connolly,” said Quenneville. “It only makes sens that this team focus their energy on what is best for Jagr and I am hoping this trio compliments one another.”

The Canes have very little success finding Heatley a dance partner last year. Jagr has a reputation to produce regardless of who he plays with and hopefully Heatley can fill in as the new wingman for one of the league’s best.

“With Jagr on this team, I think we are in a better spot that we were in last year at this time. We just need the rest of this club to follow suit.”

Oilers deal draft pick for first rights to sign David Vyborny

Oilers made a controversial trade with the Washington Capitals today for the rights to start contract talks with David Vyborny prior to Free Agency starting, The Capitals traded their rights to Vyborny away for the Oilers 2012 2nd round draft pick. The Oilers are hoping to strike a deal with Vyborny and steal a free agency before he goes on the open market; If they can't strike a deal this deal will be talked about as a bad one for sure; however if by chance Vyborny signs the Oilers got a hell of a deal a draft for a player that will complete their 2nd line.

Sergei Krivokrasov's agent in talks with Oilers Management

Star Right winger Krivokrasov is becoming an Unrestricted Free Agent, Oilers managment were seen meeting today withSergei's agent. Krivokrasov was an essential offensive player for the Oilers this past season, Finishing the season with78pts, including 25 goals and a +31 rating.

Junior Sens Win Title!

"It's about time." Was the first thing out of GM Schmucky's mouth in his post-game press conference yesterday. "We felt we had the team to do it last year and we fell short. This is an excellent feeling. We are extremely happy for and proud of our boys."

The Junior Sens capped off another strong season with an overtime victory in game 7 of the Calder Cup finals last night. After battling hard all season long, the Sens reigned victorious in Ottawa last night.

"This was the year we had to do it. With our team about to get ravaged due to the number of overagers we have, it was now, or never in our minds."

The Jr. Sens look to be losing about 10 players heading into next season. However, young superstars like Rostislav Olesz, Viktor Oreskovich and Arsi Piispanen will be returning, so don't count the Sens out of it entirely.

Congrats to the Wild as well as they had an outstanding year and played a tough, tough, tough series! Good work Mario!

Oilers sign Dwayne Roloson

The Edmonton Oilers office was active today as they signed veterean goaltender Dwayne Roloson, Roloson will add depth at the Goaltender position and dependant on how well he is in training camp he could even acquire a starting position with the Oilers.

Modano Planning to Return

Mike Modano announced today that he and his agent have come to a deal with the edmonton oilers, the final terms of this deal (years and $) have not yet been released. It was expected that Modano may even retire this off-season, but he has decided to keep going and to keep going with the Oilers. Modano was acquired late in the season from the predators in exchange for Willie Mitchell. Modano ended the season last year with 50pts.

CANES OFFSEASON BEGINS

Ottawa, ON

The Carolina Hurricanes go into this offseason with a little less stress than normal as most player are signed sealed and delivered. Manny Legace, the star goaltender of the Canes, has already verbally agreed to return to the team and finalizing the deal is all that stops the Canes from retaining the services of their starting netminder.

When asked if the club would add via free agency, the organizational reply was that the scenario of adding players was not likely and that they were quite content with the development of some of their younger players to fill holes.

What the Canes have to look forward to for next year, however, is a more confident Dany Heatley and newfound linemate in Simon Gagne. The duo, along with the speedy Tim Connolly, have developed a lot of chemistry over the past few weeks in the duration of the Toilet Bowl. Heatley and Connolly were said to be incompatible, but the emergence of the speedster Simon Gagne has opened the door to the possibility that maybe the line can have some success.

Heatley, who struggled throughout much of this year’s season, simply needs to be better on a consistent basis. He and youngster Rick Nash had been a competitive duo but the Canes in general were not. Moving Heatley off of the line with Nash allowed the Canes to find a bit more depth scoring and Nash, Michael Ryder, Shane Doan and Mike Fisher seemed to have picked up the slack.

“We needed a big year from some of these guys and they didn’t deliver,” said head coach Joel Quenneville. “The old adage that your best players need to be your best players, that is something that has always been true in hockey. Most nights, our best players were the hard nosed youngsters while our skilled players watched. I think they have seen now that we all need to step up. That’s the reality of playing hockey in CLUTCH.”

Gagne, the latest forward acquisition brought in from a successful stint in Calgary, was seen as a guy who might be able to turn the tide. He was not able to add much offense during his last few weeks of the regular season in Carolina, but his play in the playoffs have the club optimistic. Gagne has a natural scoring touch and his speed is second to none on the club.

The Hurricanes are also holding out hope that Marc Savard, the speedy Ottawa native, can increase his totals. His play after being acquired from Tampa Bay was given rave reviews and the Canes have felt he is a natural number 1 center. He and Connolly will likely have to be better than they were this past season to remain on the Hurricanes, but one thing is certain going into this year’s regular season, the Canes have a club that will not be bullied and hopefully, will not retaliate nearly as much as they had the past season.

A dismal season at that.

Blues make moves

After a disappointing season that saw the Blues qualify for the CLUTCH draft Lottery many insiders felt that not only the coach would be fired but the GM as well. Those thoughts however seem to be a thing of the past as GM Foley has come out of nowhere to make some startling trades that will not only improve the team but should in all likelihood make them a contender. The first trade saw the Blues trade away a couple of young players to bring in a Legit top line center not since the Blues had Micheal Handzuss and Brad richards had the Blues had such a proven pivot on the top line. The deal that brought in Gomez also saw the Blues trade away there 1st round pick which turned out to be a lottery pick and will give the Hawks the 4Th pick in the draft this season should they decide to keep it. In return for that pick however the Blues demanded that they receive a franchise goalie for there JR team and got Devan Dubnyck in return. Dubnyck is expected to get the majority of starts in the upcoming season.

In the next few hours another blockbuster deal was struck as GM Foley seemed hellbent to rebuild his team in the dying minutes of the trade deadline. This time GM Foley hocked up with the Sharks GM to bring in a proven goal scorer, something the team had been sorely lacking in the last year. On the move was the disappointing Ed Jovonoaski and Eric Cole who had also not lived up to expectations and in there place the Blues would receive SUPERSTAR JAROMIR JAGR. Also in this deal the Blues would receive aging vet Adam Deadmarch and a 1st round draft pick which would help ease the lose of trading the Blues 1st in the Gomez deal.

So this ended the Blues season they had retooled there top line was now a stunning Erat Gomez and Jagr line. The defence was young and fairly solid and the Blues goaltender was second to none. Next up for the Blues was the Toilet Bowl which they won handily and never were really challenged. In the Finals they defeated GM Foleys old team in the Carolina Hurricanes in a game 7 match up that saw Brodeur shut out the Canes to earn the Toilet bowl Conn Smyth honors. Of note to the championship was that JAgr seemed to be unstoppable in the tournament which could bode well for the Blues in the upcoming season.

With the Toilet Bowl championship the BLUES can now begin there rebuilding in the off season. GM Foley continued his trading ways by moving the 3rd piece of the BLues disappointing season when he shipped Fedor Tyutin who seemed to struggle all year long. In return the Blues will receive another 1st round pick and a quality 2Nd line LW in Boyd Devereau who was a solid 2 way player for the Penguins last season.

Panthers VS Islanders

New York - The Florida Panthers flew into New York today to get ready for their Wales Conference Final against the favorite and defending Stanley Cup Champion Islanders.

The Islanders have had the expected easy ride so far. They swept the Devils in round 1 and only lost game 2 in round two against the Maple Leafs taking their second round series 4-1.

The Panthers on the other hand were lucky to get out of round 1 against the Rangers. The Rangers took a commanding 3-0 series lead and looked like they were not only going to upset but also sweep the Panthers. Then GM Perrault made the decision to bench their starter (Roberto Luongo) in favor or rookie Donald Choukalos. Facing elimination was a tough spot to put the young net minder but it turned out to be the best thing as the Panthers won the next 4 to win the series 4-3. After losing game 1 in round 2 against he Sabres Luongo was inserted back into net and won the next 4 to defeat the Sabres 4-1 in round 2.

Now the REMATCH.

Panthers VS Islander 2

Last season these two teams met in the conference finals and it was and exciting series and the Islanders prevailed and went on to win the Stanley Cup.

This year they have dominated the whole year and are heavy favorites to win their second straight cup.

The Panthers picked up some key players during the season and bolstered their defence near the trade deadline by picking up Sergei Gonchar. Although they lost the season series with the Islanders 1-2-1 they outscored the Isles 15-12. The Panthers also gave the Islanders their worst defeat of the year ...a 9-1 thrashing near the end of the season with THE DONALD in net.

Will this be the season the Panthers upset the Islanders and possibly go on and win the Cup....or will this series just be another speed bump on the Islanders road to destiny and their second consecutive cup.

Only time will tell.

If anyone can put an end to the Islanders dominance it is the Panthers. But they will have to play much better then they have been in order for that to happen otherwise this will be a short series in favor of the defending Champions.

Who will start in net for the Panthers???... Loungo who is on a 4 game winning streak or THE DONALD who himself is 4-1 in these playoffs and was in net for the Panthers only win against the Islanders during the regular season?

GM Perrault isn't saying anything and neither is the team. We will just have to wait and see who gets the nod for game 1.