Andrew Alberts was hoping to stay with the Philadelphia Flyers and sign a new contract. The big defenseman was coming off a season in which he set career highs for games (79), points (13) and plus-minus (plus-6).
And then the Flyers brought in Chris Pronger in the mega trade with the Anaheim Ducks. That was pretty much that.
"We had talks with Philadelphia but once they traded for Pronger we were not able to get a deal done," Alberts said Wednesday. "But that's just part of the business. That's the way you have to take it: it's just business."
But Alberts had other free-agent offers to consider. And one of the first, he said, was from the Hurricanes.
"Carolina was one of the first teams to call me July 1 and showed interest right away," he said.
Continuing the trend toward obtaining bigger, stronger, tougher players, the Canes added a 6-5, 218-pounder for the blue line. That's plenty big, and Alberts knows his role.
"I just play my own game," he said. "I'm a defensive defenseman and I play a physical game.
"I try to be a physical force in the D zone. Play tough, make good passes, get up the ice. My job is to keep the puck out of the net."
While the coming of Pronger in Philly may have meant the going of Alberts, it may have the same ripple effect for the Canes. With Alberts signed, there may not be the same urgency -- or the money -- to re-sign defensemen Dennis Seidenberg and Anton Babchuk.
Either way, Alberts said he likes the idea of joining the Canes.
"Carolina has an uptempo style and plays a fast game," he said. "They have a lot of skill and were a tough team to play against.
They seem like they're pretty stacked, with just about everybody coming back."
By the way, the Canes open the 2009-10 season Oct. 2 at home against the Flyers. Funny how things work out, isn't it?
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Some good points raised in
Tue, 09/01/2009 - 08:57 — adenrichardsSome good points raised in that post. Will be back to check for more. Loyalty Programs
Looks like the author has
Tue, 09/01/2009 - 08:55 — adenrichardsLooks like the author has massive awareness in the subject. Thanks you for the info. Trade Show Displays | Green Trade Shows Displays
Unlike Corvo or Pitkanen,
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 22:30 — ctillUnlike Corvo or Pitkanen, Babs doesn't shoot well when he's on the move. The big slap shot happens only when Babs is stationary. Didn't take long for every team in the league to figure that out. There's no doubt that he has a killer shot, but so did Jeff Hamilton and he's been on the bubble throughout his career.
The other problem is that Babchuk gets caught out of position frequently. For a while mid-year he was doing better about staying in position, but then he lost it in the playoffs.
Unlike Corvo or Pitkanen,
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 22:30 — ctillUnlike Corvo or Pitkanen, Babs doesn't shoot well when he's on the move. The big slap shot happens only when Babs is stationary. Didn't take long for every team in the league to figure that out. There's no doubt that he has a killer shot, but so did Jeff Hamilton and he's been on the bubble throughout his career.
The other problem is that Babchuk gets caught out of position frequently. For a while mid-year he was doing better about staying in position, but then he lost it in the playoffs.
Can't Figure It Out
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 20:19 — wareagles81For the life of me, I can't figure out why so many people are so quick to get rid of Babchuk. I know he had a terrible playoffs. He wouldn't be the first 25 year old to fade a bit under that kind of pressure for the first time. I also agree that he didn't handle the situation well two years ago. In fact, I wasn't excited when they brought him back.
But his play this year changed my opinion. Not only did he score 16 goals but his defense got much better after Maurice got here. Also, JR is always saying that defensemen develop later than forwards. At his age, it seems to me that Babchuk is right about in the window for his best hockey.
Now don't get me wrong. I don't think JR should break the bank for him. But I also don't the idea of a player with his potential coming of age with another team. Just as a reminder, two seasons ago, ALL the defensemen scored 17 all year.
Agreed.
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 22:35 — galatians220Agreed. I think it would be a mistake to let Babs go. IMO, he's earned more than $1 million. (That's what we gave Melichar last summer!) If there's an issue with effort, that would be significant, but I hope we aren't giving up on him because of a personality conflict. Chemistry is important, but so is production.
All of us
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 04:52 — esteban1949Can and do have positive & negative things concerning Babchuck. Myself, While many like the guy, but i wouldn't send him to that power camp until he was signed. why go ahead and beef the guy up with skills & power...and then cut him...I don't see it. It would be a waste of money. If anything, I'd send 2 of the best Rats in our system to that particular camp that can and will fill gaps and holes the Canes have yet to fill...and go on from there...if at all. personally Jr & the bench are or appear to be doing a good job. Who knows, we could be on the road to yet another playoff run. Yes i am being very premature in saying that. But still there is NOTHING but air and the other teams in the NHL stopping the Canes is there ?
Go Canes !!
No Babchuk, No Power Play
Wed, 07/15/2009 - 23:49 — scomilWhy are we forgetting how Babchuk was the talk of the league toward the end of the season? I would like to see the Canes re-sign him, and then send him to the same power skating camp that LaRose went to.
but...
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 09:32 — wxray1Then there was the playoffs. And teams awakened to his habits.
exactly
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 11:07 — HockeydogYou hit the nail on the head. Babchuk has a great shot from the point but once that shooting lane was challanged his only strength was negated. And his defense in the playoffs was horrible. Last I checked he is/was a defenceman. Seidenberg doesn't have the huge shot that babychuk does but he's not a bad alternate choice on the point if the Canes could get him back. The team already has 2 Offensive minded blueliners, we needed a player like Alberts. Rutherford has made some nice "under the radar" pickups in the past and this one will rank right up there.
I hope we trade him. At
Wed, 07/15/2009 - 23:13 — irbefanI hope we trade Babchuk. At least get a pick or some depth guy out of it..
What would you offer?
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 07:48 — JRs_Fault... if you were a GM, for:
An RFA, no binding arbitration, who has this kind of past:
-said he won't play for his QO of $1M
- has refused a demotion to the AHL 2 yrs ago to return to Russia and stayed to play 1 more year?
- healthy scratch much of the '09 playoffs
- UFA after this year
That's right, exactly 1/2 bag of pucks.
As i said
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 09:37 — esteban1949earlier..some of like the guy...some of us don't but you Jr's fault do bring the total debate to a head...what does Jr do with a good & decent player who is acting like a kid who can't get all the cookies he wants and has to share.
Heck aren't there at least one or two players on the Rat's squad that could play in his place ...if they went to the afore mentioned power camp ?
Go Canes !!
ba bye
Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:50 — CanesGoba bye Babchuk !
Enjoy Russia league, perhaps you miss the southern cooking after a while ;)