Despite the loss of Justin Williams for a month or more with a hand fracture and the Canes' ongoing struggle to score goals, general manager Jim Rutherford isn't sure the team will trade for or pick up another forward.
"We'll look at it, but the prices are pretty high," Rutherford said today. "The market has set the price high.
"We will make a decision at some point — do we pay the price or do we ride it out with the team we have? That could be a tough decision to make."
The Canes recently traded for forward Jussi Jokinen, sending forward Wade Brookbank and defenseman Josef Melichar to the Tampa Bay Lighting. That helped offset much of Jokinen's salary.
The NHL trade deadline is March 4. The Canes have room under the salary cap to add a player but are working under their own salary limits.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Buy or Sell
Thu, 02/19/2009 - 10:13 — JRs_FaultJR is still in doubt as to whether he's a buyer or seller. He's lobbied in the past to move the deadline earlier in order to keep more teams in the game. He always plays it coy in public in terms of what his plans are, and this statement is no different.
Everyone in the West is within 7 pts of the bubble as of last night, so you have several teams there, as well as PIT that have some tough decisions to make.
If he's buying, he's asking "what do TB/NYI/ATL/OTT/TOR have to offer that I can afford and use?"
If he's selling, what does he part with? Stop talking about Staal... noone in contention can likely make that kind of cap room, not to mention what looks like a pending reduction in the cap over the next couple of years.
Our Team
Thu, 02/19/2009 - 08:36 — hckseyI love this game and I will support this team until the season is over. Even if we make the playoffs this team has no chance of getting out of the first round. I normally would not say that just get in and you've got a chance right not with this team. Undersized and not enough guys who can finish. Let's start thinking of the future, keep our draft picks. Try to get rid of the older guys we have. I know this is a difficult situation with so many of the older guys under contract, this is where JR needs to be creative. Earn your money JR..........
lol
Thu, 02/19/2009 - 01:23 — Sunre: Nico proposals
How about:
To WAS/SJ/NYI/ATL/DAL/PHO...OK basically anybody but Potvin: T. Tracy
To CAR: anyone of the above (except you Potvin!)
trade proposals
Thu, 02/19/2009 - 00:56 — Nico37To DAL: P. Karmanos
To CAR: T. Hicks
To NAS: J. Rutherford
To CAR: D. Poile
To STL: T. MacDonald
To CAR: J. Kekalainin
To TSN: P. Maurice
To CAR: T. Nolan*
*not technically a trade, but returns two individuals to appropriate careers
To Minneapolis StarTribune: C. Alexander
To N&O: M. Russo (would also accept M. Heika from The Dallas Morning News)
To Rangers Report: esteban
To Canes Now: ORR!! What is it good FOR?? (would also accept MAKO or Staal Wart)
Yo Nico
Thu, 02/19/2009 - 08:41 — esteban1949The Rangers report ??? I'm crushed !!! Now grant you i do toss in small tidbits about the Rats (AHL), The Jr. Hurricanes (WHL) and last years Memorial Cup Winning Spokane Chiefs(Whl) and if I'm really stretching it the old "ala mater" for Chad LaRose, the Plymouth Whalers ( OHL & a PK owned & operated hockey team) But the NY Rangers ?? Ohhh Pllleeeeaaassseee...i won't even hazard a "responce"...sigh...but the rats did lose in OT last night...sigh...
Yeah
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 21:59 — WAStoutCan't wait to see the deal...
Sounds like
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 19:50 — sparks1He wants something, perhaps Keith Tkachuk? but probably does'nt want to part with a first rounder.
Who would?
Thu, 02/19/2009 - 10:03 — JRs_FaultI'm not sure any GM would spend a 1st rounder for Tkachuk... particularly now that Waddell's Thrashers are out of the race ;^)
Rutherford is clueless
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 18:03 — PowderedToastManRutherford is clueless
look...
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 16:03 — jgrant641When JR says something like "ride it out with the players we have..." it's more a message to the other GM's that he is playing hardball. There are always talks between GMs and likely a handful of players JR wants for the right price. If he jumps on those trades today he will likely overpay with prospects and draft picks... you know our future. If he waits it out for a more viable deal then we get player(s) we need and for the best price.
When he makes comments like that don't take it as a personal statement towards you, the fan, but rather a media game that is played in all sports.
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Agreed
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 16:54 — GoShelfI see it the same way. JR's probably spoken with a number of different GM's and the end result is JR feels cost/benefit of potential deals is out of whack, so he'll probably pass on whatever has been put on the table. There's a couple of available guys out there that would probably help our team immediately, but it will not be surprising if we do nothing.
No deal
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 15:44 — HockeydogJR won't make a deal (unless it's of the fire sale variety) because nobody will take on some of the contracts he's given the players that need to be traded.
I had heard a rumor on HNC that Boston was interested in Cole, but who knows. I loved the guy but he was just not a consistent player. He could take over a game but then be invisible for games at a time.
Ahem
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 22:00 — WAStout*cough* Staal *cough*
Ring Ring....
Thu, 02/19/2009 - 10:00 — JRs_Fault"7 years / $8.25M?"
*click*
JR "hello? hello?..." *sigh*
"Ride it out with the team we have?"
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 15:39 — WAStoutThen we are done....see you in the fall.
Price
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 15:06 — rocheccwIf the price is high then why not sell!
Sell any UFA, and or Vets to make room for Rodney, Boychuck, Bowman, Dalpe, Borer, Carson, and Conboy next season.
Get picks, young prospects, or both.
Canes will not make the playoffs, and if they do it will be as the 7 or 8 seed. Which means Boston, NJ, or Washington.
Sell Now! And Fire MO again!
Cole
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 15:04 — GoShelfHas there's been a conversation between Edm. and Carolina about Cole? Cole has not re-signed and Edm. does not seem to have interest in re-signing him, so I wonder if when JR says "prices are pretty high" he's refering to Cole.
Cole @ Carolina
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 23:24 — jcritserCole is unhappy at Edmonton and unmotivated to play for them. Despite his inconsistent play after his injury, he is a solid power forward and would make a good addition to the Canes roster. He's got the speed, the size, and the attitude to bring some much needed strength to a 2nd or 3rd line. Would he bring on his "A" game akin to what he delivered in '02-03 and '05-06? You bet he will.
Based on what?
Thu, 02/19/2009 - 09:54 — JRs_FaultWhy would you expect a sudden return to pre-injury form, particularly after seeing what he's done the past 3 seasons... Edmonton is getting the same thing Carolina got out of him the last couple years he was here.... streaks of good play among long spans of low productivity.
Having said all of that... why would we trade anything more than a late round draft pick for him (a la Anson Carter in '07)? His contract is up at the end of the year.
Cole...
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 19:32 — vortacThe only good thing Cole did was that he seemed to make Staal play better.
Oh, and he drew us a lot of penalties.
please, not Cole again. he
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 15:10 — bppackplease, not Cole again. he has been a bust in Edmonton - as expected.
Just say No...
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 15:09 — rocheccwto Cole.
Trade and JR
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 14:33 — abramsdougI predict Mr. Rutherford will find a deal someplace -- not so much because this year is likely to be salvaged, but to build for next year. We desperately need size and a willingness to fight it out in front of the net. This team is adrift at present.
Yep 2 weeks
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 13:55 — esteban1949from the trade deadline...and trust me...if...and again I say IF JR can pull something off...no one here wil ike it, cause we are still 5 points behind, and our schedule isn't in our favor either is It ?
Well at least i don't have to worry about being traded, as I am and still am playing Left out...again this year...esteban rolls off looking for his Slapshot Video