The Hurricanes have claimed right wing Troy Bodie on waivers from the Anaheim Ducks. Bodie, 25, has played in nine games with the Ducks this season, earning one assist and registering seven penalty minutes.
"We did our homework on him the last 24 hours and we felt like there is very little risk in this acquisition, with a player on a two-way contract," general manager Jim Rutherford said. "But the upside is that he's young, hard-working, a good team player. He obviously adds size and he can play a gritty, physical game."
Canes coach Paul Maurice said Bodie would be at the morning skate Wednesday and indicated Bodie could be in the lineup and on the fourth line for the Pittsburgh game on Friday. That will add to the Canes' surplus of forwards.
"We're going to have to make some move here in the next little while," Rutherford said. "We have not planned to carry that many forwards, or that many players for that matter. So we'll have to see what happens here in the near future.
"So many things, I guess, could happen to clean up that situation."
That might involve a trade. Rutherford said adding a defenseman might be a possibility.
"We're looking at our defense," he said. "It's more about trying to fit guys into the right spot in their combinations, and if something came along that made sense for us there we'd consider a change."
But Rutherford said any deal that would add to the payroll is "preferably what we'd not like to do."
Bodie, a Portage La Prairie, Man., native, is in his fifth professional season, and third season with Anaheim. In 57 career NHL regular-season games with the Ducks, Bodie (6’4”, 213 lbs.) has scored five goals, earned three assists (8 points) and accumulated 87 penalty minutes.
Edmonton drafted Bodie in the ninth round, 278th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
Canes Desperately Need More Size/Grit at Forward
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 15:28 — abramsdougPicking up Bodie is an excellent, no risk, move by Jim Rutherford. The reality is that teams are taking liberties with some of the younger forward prospects like Skinner. Gleason is pretty much under threat of house arrest orders not to fight because he is so critical to the Canes defense. Bodie is by all reports a very hard-working, intense, physical forward who will not back down against anybody. He is large: 6'4" and 218 lbs, give or take. He also is reported to be a good skater. The Canes need him creating havoc around the net and making life hard for the opposing team's goalkeeper.
Adding Bodie will be good for the team; and if he seizes the opportunity and plays hardnosed, intelligent hockey, he will have found himself a home at Carolina. Players like Skinner, Boychuk, Dalpe, Dwyer, and Bowman will be appreciation of the deterrent effect Bodie's presence will generate.
It's interesting that Jim Rutherford is mentioning the possibility of a trade for a defenseman. It would help the Hurricanes to get another big, fast, stay at home defenseman who can clear the crease and provide the additional physical presence we all hoped Aaron Ward was going to provide. Some of the larger, more physical teams could hold a picnic with napkins and a table setting in front of Cam Ward. Adding another physical, but fast, defenseman would make the crease a war zone rather than a day at the spa.
Agreed -- makes me wonder
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 17:02 — ctillAgreed -- makes me wonder which teams need help at forward but have an excess of stay-at-home D talent. St Louis, Minnesota, and Columbus come to mind.
And here
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 15:24 — esteban1949No one though JR had it in him to do this so soon...but sadly Bodie is just one of many players who will either be put on the waiver wire or are still out there looking a for a job...who would have thought that there would be a glut of players...that many teams still can't afford...sorta makes you wonder why many players or their agents didn't or refused to see that one coming....but I'm just a fan....what do i know ??
If It Ain't Hockey,It Ain't Nothing!! The New Checkers 3rd Jersey Rocks !!
Interesting move by JR to
Tue, 11/16/2010 - 14:08 — ctillInteresting move by JR to bolster the 3rd or 4th line. Bodie will wear #20. About the same size as Osala, but older and more experienced. Anaheim paid him the $500K minimum.